Algorithmic Hiring and Workplace Diversity: Evidence from a Zambian Private Sector Multinational
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59413/ajocs/v7.i2.51Keywords:
Algorithmic Hiring, Artificial Intelligence, Human Resource Management, Workplace diversity, ZambiaAbstract
Algorithmic hiring systems are widely adopted for their capacity to improve recruitment efficiency; however, their implications for workplace diversity and equitable candidate representation in Sub-Saharan African organisational environments remain empirically underexplored. This study examined the relationship between algorithmic hiring and workplace diversity at Carlcare Service Limited, Zambia's private sector electronics service multinational, with a specific focus on organisational adoption patterns, mechanisms of algorithmic bias, and governance practices deployed to mitigate discriminatory outcomes. Using a convergent mixed-methods design, quantitative data were collected from 121 employees through structured questionnaires, while qualitative data were obtained from semi-structured interviews with eight key informants comprising HR managers, recruitment specialists, IT administrators, and a senior operations manager. Findings revealed that algorithmic hiring adoption was driven exclusively by efficiency rather than diversity objectives, with CV screening identified as the dominant deployment stage. Perceptions of gender and ethnic diversity improvement were predominantly neutral, with ethnic diversity recording the weakest perceived improvement, and 39.7% of respondents agreeing that algorithmic tools filter out strong candidates with atypical profiles. Qualitative findings indicated that adoption lacked a diversity mandate, bias awareness existed without structural mitigation, and the tools were culturally misaligned with the Zambian workforce. The study concludes that algorithmic hiring systems developed in Western institutional environments require deliberate socio-technical governance adaptation when deployed in African labour markets. Practical recommendations are offered for HR practitioners and policymakers.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Ngoza Mubambe, Prof. Ferdinand Chipindi (Author)
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