Volume8, Issue11(1) November 2018
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International Journal of Management, IT & Engineering Vol. 8 Issue 11(1), November 2018, ISSN: 2249-0558 Impact Factor: 7.119 Journal Homepage: http://www.ijmra.us, Email: [email protected] Double-Blind Peer Reviewed Refereed Open Access International Journal - Included in the International Serial Directories Indexed & Listed at: Ulrich's Periodicals Directory ©, U.S.A., Open J-Gage as well as in Cabell’s Directories of Publishing Opportunities, U.S.A Industrial Unrest and National Development (A Study of Selected Non-Union-Dominated Manufacturing Firms in South East Nigeria) OKEKE, MARCEL CHINEMERE (PhD) Abstract This study investigated the effect of industrial unrest on national development by studying selected non-union dominated manufacturing firms in South East Nigeria. It adopted survey research design and collected data from primary sources with structured questionnaire. Relevant literature was reviewed based on conceptual, theoretical, and empirical frameworks. The population was 509 comprising managers and employees selected purposively through stratified random method from the five states. The study used complete enumeration Four hundred and thirteen (413) out of the 509 copies of the questionnaire distributed were correctly completed, returned and used for the analysis indicating a response rate of 81%. Data were presented with tables and research questions were presented with statistically weighted means and standard deviation applied to the Likert scale items. Two hypotheses were formulated and tested with t-test statistic for difference in two means at 0.05 level of significance and 411 degrees of freedom. The results indicated that the managers and workers admitted that the items relating to the causes of industrial unrest were prevalent in the society. It was equally revealed that both respondents did not significantly differ in their perceptions on how to nurture and sustain industrial peace and harmony to foster national development. The study concluded that industrial unrest retards national development by manager’s failure to apply those issues that nurture and sustain industrial peace and harmony to foster national development. It recommended that managers should abide by the agreements reached with workers and that both parties should develop the political will to embrace dialogue to reduce the incidence of industrial unrest. Background to the study The monumental challenges of the global economy hold the promise of linking this generation in a shared purpose with more rigorous understanding of what makes human networks healthy. Recession, climate change, inequality and even despair that propel radical fundamentalism are indications of a deeply dysfunctional economic ideology that requires a shift to a more effective systemic way of thinking about the next economy which certainly should transform the economic system to embrace a more meaningful purpose in service of a regenerative world. This is established on the core idea that universal patterns and principles which build stable, healthy and sustainable systems should be used as a model for economic system design. This should bring humanity in right relationships, view wealth holistically, accelerate the quality of innovation, adaptability and responsiveness, encourage participation, provide for robust circulatory flow and seek to balance efficiency and resilience, collaboration and competition, diversity and coherence, and small / medium and large organizations need creativity and abundance would flourish. Business Administration Department Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam Campus 1 International Journal of Management, IT & Engineering http://www.ijmra.us, Email: [email protected] International Journal of Management, IT & Engineering Vol. 8 Issue 11(1), November 2018, ISSN: 2249-0558 Impact Factor: 7.119 Journal Homepage: http://www.ijmra.us, Email: [email protected] Double-Blind Peer Reviewed Refereed Open Access International Journal - Included in the International Serial Directories Indexed & Listed at: Ulrich's Periodicals Directory ©, U.S.A., Open J-Gage as well as in Cabell’s Directories of Publishing Opportunities, U.S.A The pre-industrial revolution era depicted a simple process of production that required no external intervention because of close proximity between employers and employees. It was characterized by a simple process of management investment, small local markets, and relatively small number of people in employment. It was therefore, easier to secure co- operation between the employer and the employees as any misunderstanding or grievances could be promptly resolved. Akanyi (2005) establishes that modern industry is no longer viewed as a venture of owners alone nor profit as considered as its sole objectives. It is recognized as ventures based on purposeful co-operation between management and labour in the process of production where maximum social good is the ultimate goal and both parties should contribute to its success. Similarly, labour is no more an unorganized mass of ignorant workers who obey instructions without resentment or protest the arbitrary and discretionary dictates of management. Management has to deal with modern workforce both as individuals and as members of organized social groups who are more conscious about their rights with substantial bargaining capabilities. Modern industrial society introduces new complex set of perceptions and approaches to workplace activities attributed to the emergence of industrial revolution. Its structure has increased in size, capital investment, human resource diversity, market reach and the emergence of a new philosophy that has rendered the old one irrelevant (Olajide 2006). The emergence of a new class of professional managers has increased the necessity for separation of ownership from management. This has heightened tension and estranged the relationship between the employer and the employee and gradually tending toward antagonism by breeding complex indirect and impersonal industrial relations (Olajide et al 2006). Many studies have been conducted on organisational conflict and organizational performance but a good number has been on organized labour environments. This study deviates from that pattern by looking at industrial unrest in non-union dominated workplace environment. This is, therefore a paradigm shift in industrial unrest which affects national development. The paper also developed instruments to measure the relevant dimensions of the variables. Statement of the Problem: Studies have established conflicting effects of industrial unrest on organizational performance. The variables of this study have also followed similar trend as expressed in the works of . The methodologies of the studies were mainly survey design but the findings were contradictory. It would be observed that no study has been carried on industrial unrest and national development at least in South East Nigeria These mixed results and findings suggest the need for further research Objectives of the Study: The board objective of this study is to determine the relationship between workforce diversity and socio-human creativity in a recessed economy with 4 selected conpan operating in Anambra, Enugu and Imo States as the focal point. The specific obkective are to: i. Find out the limit of relationship between ethno-cultural diversity and socio-human creativity in a recessed economy. ii. Ascertain the extent of relationship between gender diversity and socio-human creativity in a recessed economy. iii. Identify the degree of relationship between diversity management producing and socio-human creativity in a recessed economy. 2 International Journal of Management, IT & Engineering http://www.ijmra.us, Email: [email protected] International Journal of Management, IT & Engineering Vol. 8 Issue 11(1), November 2018, ISSN: 2249-0558 Impact Factor: 7.119 Journal Homepage: http://www.ijmra.us, Email: [email protected] Double-Blind Peer Reviewed Refereed Open Access International Journal - Included in the International Serial Directories Indexed & Listed at: Ulrich's Periodicals Directory ©, U.S.A., Open J-Gage as well as in Cabell’s Directories of Publishing Opportunities, U.S.A Research questions i. What is the limit of the relationship between ethno-cultural diversity and socio- human creativity in a recessed economy? ii. To what extent does gender diversity relate to socio-human creativity in a recessed economy? iii. What is the degree of relationship between diversity management practices and socio-human creativity in recessed economy? Hypotheses of the study i. There is no significant positive relationship between ethno-cultural diversity and socio-human creativity. ii. There is no significant positive relationship between gender diversity and socio- human creativity. iii. There is no significant positive relationship between diversity management practices and socio-human creativity. Significance of the study: The study will be beneficial to manager and employees in the construction forms because its exposes managerial attitudes towards workforce diversity. Research institutes, academic and students will benefit from it as a source of secondary data, while policy makers will find it useful in formulating polices for general social welfare. Scope of the study: The study is confined to cover construction companies which draw employees from diverse areas and with large population. It is based on three dimensions of diversity namely ethno-cultural, gender and diversity