1.1 Introduction
Human relations is the integration of people into a work situation in which a way that encourages them to productively and co-operatively work together thereby achieving both social and psychological satisfaction win their work. It can also be seen as that relationship that exist between workers within an organization as well as the relationship between workers and their customers or the public. Human relations according to Jennings (2002), involve the activities and relationship resulting from the interaction of two or more people in an organization, human relations concern the reason for the degree of motivation they posses, by definition, the secretaries occupies an important position in an office. Some of the numerous services the secretaries rendered are; to support and assist the managers as well as the directors of the company with their work, making appointment for the boss, receiving callers, receiving visitors to the organization and making telephone calls (Jennings, 2002).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are significance of the study, scope of work, research hypothesis and questions, limitation of the study and definition of terms.
1.2 Background of the Study
No organization or any business firm can develop without effective human relations. an organization cannot operate in a vacuum without putting human relations into consideration as such. It has been observed over years how effective human relations affect an organizational productivity and how it plays a vital role in the growth and development of any organization. This is so because, no business organization or public organization will achieve its goal which is profit maximizations if its human relations are poor, as such, the efficiency of any organization depends on how much relation is put into practice by that organization.
One of the basic problems in the society is just how workers should be motivated to achieve the goals in our industries. It is not an easy thing to go by since a little percentage of workers derive slight personal satisfaction from the jobs and enjoy little sense of accomplishment or creativity. More so, a good human relationship will help staff/workers in an organization to a large extend in the cause of communication or carrying out their day to day office duties with good human relationship by workers in an organization, it will help create friendship between workers in an organization, colleagues, visitors, superior officers and even the public at large.
This is why Carvel F.J in his book “Human Relation in Business” stated that in “Large organization people work together, follows instructions and order they do not understand” just few workers have the opportunity of self-expression or freedom. Then the question remains, how this employees could satisfy their personal need and that of the organization they are working with.
Human relations is vital because it creates avenue for people to interact with both in offices and other parastatals because it has an influence over the nature and manner with which individual work out solutions to the problems in which they are confronted with. The secretary with his or her psychological skills is also expected to understand different moods of co-workers, customers, the work conditions and how to arrest difficult situations in the office, how to get the best from his present group and how to take care of unexpected situation successfully.
Harding (2004) state that, “the Office Manager should treat his or her colleagues as he/she would like them to treat him”. The Office Manager’s role in dealing with the business community and inter-populace is very important to any organization.
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Effect of Good Human Relations on Organizational Performance.
1.3 Statement of the Problem
Investigation revealed the recent research have shown that the position of a employee and human relations in an organization, and the fact that most secretaries failed to exhibit good human relations between their colleagues and the general public, the researchers shall address the study to the following problems. Some office managers do not have good cordial relationship with their customers and their employers.
Some of the employee failed to carry out good human relations practice which is expected of them, and failure to do so, the organization suffers low production and patronage and even the job would not be effectively done.
Inspite of the glaring importance of human relations in the realization of organizational goals, one still hears complaint of poor performance of both employees and employers in the organization even till this day. Beside, employees can resign from their appointments as a result of executive’s harshness and autocracy, employees having their appointment terminated due to poor performance or failure to perform, the organization may fold up because of low productivity, poor employees and employers relationship, inability to meet the organization’s set targets or mismanagement.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of the Study
The main aim of the study is to investigate the Effect of Good Human Relations on Organizational Performance using Prudent Energy Oghara as a case study. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To find out the effects of human relations’ practice towards the achievement of organizational goals;
- To examine whether human relations has an impact on worker’s performance; and
- To establish whether human relations is determinant of employee’s retention in the organization.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Does human relation have impact on worker’s performance?
- Is human relation a determinant to employee’s retention in the organization?
- What are the effects of human relations’ practice towards the achievement of organizational goals?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: Human Relation does not serve as a tool for effective management in the Private Sector
- H1: Human Relation serves as a tool for effective management in the Private Sector
Hypothesis Two
- H0: Human Relations does not have significant effect on workers’ productivity in the area under study.
- H1: Human Relations has significant effect on workers’ productivity in the area under study.
1.7 Significance of the Study
In view of the constant struggle by the organizations to balance both the employee’s needs and the organizational needs for the effective actualization of set goals, it is expected that the study would be of good benefits to executives, managers, future business establishment and future researchers. Similarly, the study will help organizations to improve on implementing human relations policies so as to enable them control problems facing them from such angle.
Infact, it will serve as eye-opener to most organizations who are yet to embrace the system, thereby enlighten workers (industrial and groups) about the concept of human relations and the effect on productivity. It is hoped that the study would also help executives to improve on the need for good human relations with workers and clients to improve the organization’s performance.
In addition, the adoption of this new approach to firm’s advancement will improve employee’s performance, productivity, efficiency as well as employees attitude to work.
Furthermore, the study will also be of help to those who may want to research into the area by serving as a reference material for future investigation.
1.8 Scope of the Study
The scope of this research is focused on the Effect of Good Human Relations on Organizational Performance using Prudent Energy Oghara in Delta State as a case study.
1.9 Limitation of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Establishment Policies: Establishment policies posed a serious limitation as most staffs are not ready to release information needed for this research work. There were lots of information needed from the staffs of this establishment to enhance the study which took them time to release or they did not release at all for security purposes, hence the scope was reduced.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
- Lack of Initial Cooperation from Respondents: A particular limitation of this work came as a result of the respondent refusal to offer their cooperation at the initial time they were contacted. This contributed in making the success of this research study difficult.
1.10 Definition of Terms
Human Relation:
A human relation is the behavioral science which deals with person, inter-personal, inter-work, groups and management of employee’s relationship in social system.
Office Manager:
An office manager is a person who organizes and manages the affairs of an organization.
Administration:
An administration can also be call the management, i.e. The affairs of a company or the place paper work is being carried out.
Executive:
An executive assistance is the one who work for the company officer (at both private and public institutions), and possess the authority to make crucial decisions affecting the direction of such organization and is therefore a resource in decision making and policy setting.
Organization:
This is a situation where an organized people or group of people work together in order to arrive at a meaningful decision.
