Cultural diversity and work engagement in nursing: A qualitative case study analysis

Abstract

Objective: This study highlights the importance of understanding the impact of cultural diversity on work engagement in Saudi Arabia. Nurse leaders are appointed the challenging task of maintaining and promoting state-of-the art, work engagement efforts within hospitals that differ in structure, ownership, the various generations of nurses and their cultural diversity.
Methods: The study utilized an inductive, interpretive, and explanatory multiple case study interview design of 16 nurses across 8 hospitals in Saudi Arabia.
Results: We identified three main themes: family values and background, diverse personal culture and perceived organizational microclimate.
Conclusions: This study showed that cultural differences between Saudi and expatriates nurses had an impact on work engagement. These findings are generalizable to other countries that rely heavily on immigrant nurse workers to fill the shortage. The findings from this study will create awareness of cultural interaction among nurses and its impact on nursing practice as the country transitions through a women empowerment movement while attaining Saudi’s “Vision 2030”.