PERSONALITY AND PERCEPTIONS OF INCLUSION IN A SOUTH AFRICAN FINANCIAL SERVICES FIRM

Abstract

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to explore the factors of inclusion based on the Inclusion Index™ and whether a relationship exists between these factors and personality traits using the HEXACO-24 personality inventory. This study employed a quantitative research approach to explore personality and inclusion. The study was conducted with 214 employees within a division of a financial services company in South Africa. Non-probability, convenience sampling techniques were applied to obtain a sample of participants. An inter battery method of factor analysis was employed to analyse the data. The findings discovered two new factors which relate to both personality and inclusion which have been named in this study. The study indicates that people who have strong extraversion and agreeableness traits are more likely to feel included. It also shows that the relationship between the employee and leaders of the organisation is a critical influence in perceptions of inclusion.