1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background to the Study
Human resources management focuses on the total utilization of scare resources such as man, machine, money, materials etc. in order to achieve predetermined organizational objectives. in the course of utilizing resources, a manager is involved in the basic function of planning, organizing and controlling.
The most important mission of a manager is to develop a healthy relationship with his employees, to create a family like feeling with the Corporation, a feeling that employees and managers share the same conditions. Those companies that have managed to create an equal condition among all workers.
According to Personnel policy of Unilever Plc, Aba, people are very important if the organization is to run smoothly and achieve it's objectives. This is why the company has it's slogan as “people are our greatest assets. Your progress as an employee is therefore titled up very much with the company's progress therefore, advancement can only come to you if the company is successful, and the company's success depends on the devotion to duty, honesty, loyalty and efficiency of it's entire workers.
According to Stoner and Free man (1992: 374), human resources management is the management function that is responsible for the recruitment, placement, training and development of organization members.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
It was not until the Hawthorne experiment that the important of human resources was discovered. Yet human resources management has continued to occupy very little of the managers attention and time, and that is why most organization are yet to back-up their frequency espoused belief that “people are most important assets.
It is recognized that the reason why most of our of our organization cannot compete effectively in the market is due to ineffective management of human and non-human resources available to them.
Unilever Nigeria Plc, PZ industries Ltd etc are nothing without their human resources, when all the workers of the above establishment go on strike, the importance of human resources become clearer.
The intention of the research work is therefore to examine the contributions of effective humans resources management in the achievement of the organizational goals and objectives.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The goals and objectives of any organization cannot be attained without adequate human resources who will mobilize other factors to yield the desired goal. They organization is expected to tender efficiency and effective serviced and it cannot attain these goals without managing it's human resources effectively.
The purpose of this research is to unveil the need for human resources management in the achievement of organizational goals and objectives with particular reference to Unilever Nigeria Plc and PZ Industries Ltd both in Aba.
However, the specific objectives of this research are:
- To look into acquisition of human resources in the organization
- To identify the extent to which human resources are developed in the organization
- To identify how the workers are motivated and to recommend better motivation methods where necessary.
- To find out the role-played by communication in human resources management.
1.4 Research Questions
In this cause of this study, the researcher will investigate the following research questions.
- How is human resources planning carried out in the organization?
- What are the procedures and the basis of recruitment and selection of new employees in the organization?
- Is there any need for socializing or orientating the new employee with the culture of the organization?
- What are the type of training and development strategies used in Unilever Nigeria Plc and PZ industries Ltd?
1.5 Significance of the Study
This has to do with importance and usefulness of the study as well as its impact on the different segment of the Nigerian society. Thus, the researcher believes that the study will be useful in the following ways.
1) to the Government:
The researcher belief the study will help the government to utilize it's resources effectively by adhering strictly to the recommendations that will be raised in this study.
2) to the Business Organization:
To provide the future manpower needs of the organization in terms of skill experience and abilities.
3) to the Academic:
This research work will help the staff of the Federal Polytechnic Nekede to know what is to be done, why is done, where it is done and how it is done.
4). To the Researcher:
The study would help to equip the researcher to face and handle practical challenges of human resources later in life.
1.6 Scope of the Study
The scope of this work covers both the Unilever Nigeria Plc and the Peterson Zochonis (PZ) industries Ltd, Aba. The target population of this research are the staff, managers, supervisors and clerk from both companies.
Apart from the review of related literature where general consideration will be given to the topic, the actual field of study is based purely on the management of human resources in the organizations named above.
1.7 Limitations of the Study
Despite the limited scope of this study, certain constraints were encountered during the duration of this project. Some of the constraints experience by the researcher is given below.
1) Time:
This was a major constraint on the researcher during the period of the work.
2) Finance:
Owing to the financial difficulty prevalent in the country and it's resistance increase in the prices of commodities, transportation fare, research materials etc.
3) Information Constraint:
In Nigeria, researchers have never had it easy when it comes to obtaining necessary information relevant to their areas of study from private business organization and even government agencies.
1.8 Definition of Terms
1) Management:
This involves the coordinating of both human and material resources efficiently and effectively in achieving organizational goals.
2) Organization:
A social system/unit with certain resources and means having specific goals and objectives to seek.
3) Recruitment:
Recruitment is seeking out prospective employees and encouraging them to submit application for employment.
4) Employees:
This is a person who agrees to render his services to the employer, obey his orders and subjects himself to his control and direction.
5) Employer:
This is person that offers labour to the employee.
6) Resources:
This input needed to conduct a successful business program.
7) Manpower Planning:
This is the personnel functions that seek to anticipate growth and ensure that the rightful number and types of staff are retained to developed or recruit.
