ABSTRACT

This study examines the impact of workers and management relationships on job performance. The main objective of the study was to examine how an organization can work effectively with its employees to improve their performance and increase the productivity of members of the workforce. The study focused on the impact of workers and management relationships on job performance, using Edo State Library Board, Benin City, Edo State, as the case study. The study specifically examined the roles of employees at Edo State Library Board, Benin City, Edo State; established the level of job performance at the organization; and determined the relationship between employee relations and the productivity of employees of Edo State Library Board, Benin City, Edo State.

The research adopted a cross-sectional, explanatory, and descriptive research design. A sample of 25 respondents was selected using the Krejcie and Morgan (1970) approach. Both primary and secondary sources of data were utilized for the study. Primary data were collected through questionnaires, an interview guide, investigation, and observation. The data collected were analyzed using correlation and multiple regression techniques, while Pearson correlation was employed to determine the relationship between the variables.

The findings of the study revealed that there is a high rate of employee turnover resulting from lack of motivation, ineffective communication, poor working conditions, and inadequate employee involvement. The organization employs more professional employees than non-professional employees. In terms of job performance, poor performance was found to be associated with poor relationships between employees and management. The study further revealed a strong positive correlation between employee relations and organizational productivity, with a correlation coefficient of r = 0.8.

Based on the findings, the study recommends that management should improve the working conditions of employees, provide adequate motivation, strengthen communication within the organization, and involve employees in decision-making processes. These measures are expected to improve workers’ relationships with management and consequently enhance job performance and organizational productivity.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Social, business, and industrial organizations have become increasingly complex over the years. This complexity is evident in the nature, sources, management, and utilization of financial, human, and material resources. Organizations are also faced with rapid operational and technological changes, changing policies aimed at improving the professionalization of management, increasing unionization of labour, and growing unpredictability among clients and other stakeholders. These developments have created an increasing need for effective and efficient management within the workplace.

It has therefore become necessary for management and labour, as separate but interdependent bodies, to understand the nature, utilization, control, and application of appropriate managerial strategies and techniques. Such understanding is essential for attaining and maintaining efficiency within an organization while also ensuring that the organization maintains a favourable level of recognition and prestige within society.

The relationship between workers and management is an important factor in determining the effectiveness and productivity of an organization. Where there is mutual understanding, effective communication, cooperation, trust, and respect between management and employees, workers are more likely to perform their duties effectively. On the other hand, poor relationships between employees and management can create dissatisfaction, conflict, low morale, absenteeism, employee turnover, and poor job performance.

Edo State Library Board is one of the government parastatals and employment institutions within the Nigerian economy. It therefore provides a suitable setting for examining issues relating to employment policies, staff behaviour and practices, and labour-management relations. As an employer of labour, the organization is expected to provide appropriate conditions of service for its employees. More importantly, the organization provides an environment in which relationships between staff and management can have a direct bearing on job performance and productivity.

Good staff-management relations can contribute significantly to organizational harmony, improved workers’ morale, increased productivity, effective human relations, and the creation of a peaceful working environment. It can also encourage cooperation among employees and management and facilitate the peaceful resolution of conflicts whenever they arise. A healthy relationship between workers and management is therefore essential for achieving organizational objectives and improving overall job performance.

In an organization such as the Edo State Library Board, where employees are responsible for providing library and information services to members of the public, the quality of the relationship between management and workers can influence the effectiveness with which employees perform their duties. Employees who feel valued, adequately motivated, fairly treated, and involved in organizational activities are more likely to demonstrate commitment to their responsibilities. Therefore, examining the relationship between workers and management is important in understanding the factors that influence job performance within the organization.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Unhealthy industrial relations and persistent disputes within organizations can often arise from inadequate understanding of the views, needs, and expectations of the various parties involved. Although technological and financial challenges, including the inadequate provision of working materials and facilities in modern libraries, constitute significant problems, one of the greatest challenges facing organizations is the complexity associated with understanding people and responding adequately to their needs.

Employees have various needs and expectations concerning remuneration, working conditions, recognition, promotion, job security, training, participation in decision-making, and general welfare. When these needs are not adequately addressed, workers may become dissatisfied, demotivated, and less committed to their responsibilities. This can negatively affect their job performance and ultimately reduce organizational productivity.

The relationship between workers and management is therefore a critical issue in determining the success of an organization. Poor communication, inadequate motivation, unfavourable working conditions, lack of employee involvement, and weak management-worker relationships may result in conflicts and poor performance. Conversely, effective communication, mutual understanding, employee participation, good working conditions, and appropriate motivation can promote positive relationships and improve employee productivity.

Despite the importance of effective workers-management relationships, there remains a need to examine the extent to which such relationships influence job performance within government-owned organizations. This study therefore focuses on the extent to which staff-management relationships influence the job performance of employees of the Edo State Library Board, Edo State, Nigeria.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

Main Objective

The main objective of this study is to establish the relationship between workers and management relationships and job performance at Edo State Library Board, Benin City, Edo State.

Specific Objectives

Specifically, the study seeks to:

1. Examine the roles of employees in Edo State Library Board, Benin City, Edo State.

2. Establish the level of job performance in Edo State Library Board, Benin City, Edo State.

3. Determine the relationship between employee relations and job performance of employees of Edo State Library Board, Benin City, Edo State.

1.4 Research Questions

The study seeks to provide answers to the following research questions:

1. What are the roles of employees in Edo State Library Board, Benin City, Edo State?

2. What was the level of job performance during the years 2013–2018?

3. What is the relationship between employee relations and job performance of employees of Edo State Library Board, Benin City, Edo State?

1.5 Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this research is to examine how an organization can work effectively with its employees to improve employee performance and increase the productivity of members of the workforce. This can be achieved through the establishment and maintenance of a good relationship between management and employees in order to obtain the best possible performance from workers.

There are several strategies that an organization can employ to improve workers’ performance and strengthen the relationship between management and employees. These include the provision of adequate working space, maintenance of a clean and conducive working environment, employee education, and the provision of appropriate training facilities. Employees may also be granted leave of absence to enable them to undertake educational courses, particularly courses related to library science and other areas relevant to their professional responsibilities.

In-service training can also be provided to employees to improve their professional knowledge and skills and enable them to become qualified professional librarians. The organization can allocate funds for vocational training, specialized training, and counselling services for employees who may require additional support. Such programmes can help employees develop their professional capabilities while also improving their confidence and effectiveness at work.

The organization may also provide opportunities for clerical workers to participate in civil service examinations and advance their careers. For example, clerical workers may be encouraged and supported to progress from one grade level to another, such as from Grade Level 04 to Grade Level 07, depending on their qualifications, experience, and performance.

Employee health and safety are also important aspects of staff welfare. The organization can provide appropriate health and safety measures as well as hospital and medical claims for employees who become ill. Such welfare provisions demonstrate management’s concern for the well-being of workers and can contribute to increased employee commitment.

Furthermore, regular payment of salaries, opportunities for promotion, improved salaries and wages, and other employee benefits constitute important sources of motivation. When employees receive their salaries and other entitlements regularly and are given opportunities for career advancement, they are more likely to be motivated to perform their duties effectively.

All these measures can serve as sources of motivation for employees and may consequently lead to improved job performance, increased productivity, stronger employee commitment, and better relationships between workers and management.

1.6 Significance of the Study

This study will be beneficial to the management and employees of Edo State Library Board. The findings and recommendations of the study are expected to be of considerable benefit in sensitizing both management and staff to the importance of effective employee relations and appropriate training.

The study will help management understand the importance of maintaining a positive relationship with employees and the effect such relationships can have on workers’ performance. It may also encourage management to provide appropriate training, motivation, communication channels, and favourable working conditions for employees.

The findings may further assist employees in understanding the importance of maintaining positive relationships with management and colleagues in order to promote cooperation and achieve organizational objectives.

The study may also be useful to other government organizations and institutions that face similar challenges relating to workers-management relationships. The recommendations may provide useful guidance for improving employee relations and enhancing productivity.

Finally, it is hoped that upon completion, this research work will serve as a reference material for future researchers and writers who may have an interest in workers-management relationships, employee performance, industrial relations, and organizational productivity.

1.7 Scope of the Study

This study is limited to Edo State Library Board, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. The study focuses specifically on the relationship between staff and management and how this relationship affects employees of the Edo State Library Board, Benin City.

The study examines the manner in which workers and management interact with one another and considers how such relationships influence employee motivation, behaviour, commitment, and job performance. It also examines the relationship between employee relations and organizational productivity within the Edo State Library Board.

1.8 Limitation of the Study

It is generally acknowledged that researchers conducting studies on specific problems or situations are likely to encounter certain limitations arising from different factors. This study is not an exception and may be affected by a number of constraints.

One of the major limitations is the lack of sufficient funds to collect relevant data through the various available sources. Financial constraints may limit the researcher’s ability to obtain relevant literature, access information, and gather the necessary primary and secondary data required for the study.

Another limitation is inadequate time. There may not be sufficient time to produce a highly comprehensive and extensive study on the selected topic. The researcher may have to conduct the research within the limited period available during the academic semester while simultaneously attending to other academic and personal responsibilities. Consequently, the time available for extensive investigation and data collection may be limited.

In addition to these challenges, the researcher may encounter negative attitudes from some respondents toward the questionnaire. Some respondents may be unwilling to provide accurate or complete answers to the questions presented to them. This may be due to fear that their responses could affect their employment or create problems with management. Others may be unwilling to participate because of inadequate knowledge or understanding of some of the questions.

These limitations may affect the process of data collection; however, efforts will be made by the researcher to minimize their effects and obtain reliable information from the respondents.

1.9 Operational Definition of Terms

For clarity and to avoid conceptual ambiguity, the following basic terms and concepts are defined as they are used in this study.

Board

A board refers to a group of individuals selected or appointed to oversee the affairs of an organization, formulate policies, make important decisions, and establish rules and regulations that guide the organization.

Employees

Employees are individuals who are engaged by an organization to perform specific duties or services in return for payment, salaries, wages, or other forms of compensation.

Job

A job refers to a specific type of work or occupation that an individual performs regularly, usually in exchange for income or other forms of remuneration that enable the person to earn a living.

Library

A library is a room, building, or institution containing books, journals, documents, and other information resources that people can read, consult, study, or borrow for educational, research, and reference purposes.

Management

Management refers to the group of people occupying higher positions or cadres within an organization who are responsible for making decisions, implementing organizational policies, supervising employees, controlling organizational activities, and ensuring that established rules and regulations are followed.

Organization

An organization is a structured group of individuals who work together and coordinate their activities in order to achieve common goals and objectives.

Relationship

Relationship refers to the manner in which two or more individuals or groups interact and behave toward one another. In an organizational context, it describes the nature of interaction between workers and management, including communication, cooperation, mutual respect, understanding, and the way employees and their superiors relate to one another in the workplace.