1.0 Introduction
This research work is anchored on the need to raise the productivity level of workers through appropriate motivational techniques. The involvement of workers in management decision making is engendered as a means for inducing motivation in the workers leading to positive work attitude and high productivity.
Employee participation is deemed desirable in view of the benefits of workers participation to organization and society at large. Worker participation has been seen as capable of providing workers conducive work environment, opportunity to exercise their innate potentials and willingness to pursue corporate goal of the organization.
1.1 Background of the Study
The concept of employee participation represent a popular theme in the world of work among scholars in the filed of industrial sociology. Industrial relations as well as management. It refers to any arrangement which is designed to involve low cadre employees [workers] in the important decision making with the work place. This implies that rather than saddling with a group within the enterprise [for instance management] with the responsibility of making decisions [including the workers] would be involved in its formulation and implementation.
Decision making or Decision according to the oxford advance learner is the action of deciding a conclusion reached and a judgment arrived at. Therefore decision making is the most germane activities management of muitifanous organization ranging form small –scale organization to multinational corporations. Decision making styles through out organization are changing because the task the environment and the people have changed. We are not marching troops into battle, we do not want blind obedience. Competitive advantage is now the results of employer making decision thinking being creative and asking questions.
Employee participation implies arrangement designed to involve workers in the enterprise decision making process. This allows for employees involvement in the initiation, formulation and implementation of decision within the enterprise. The concept can also be understood in terms of a new approach to industry and society in which people want to be interested with the taking of decision which have direct bearing on them.
McGregor (1960) contend that employee participation consist basically in creating opportunities under suitable condition for people to influence decision which affects them. It is a special care of delegation in which the subordinate gain greater control greater freedom of choice with respect to bridging the communication gap between the management and the workers. This serve to create a sense of belonging among the workers as well as a conducive environment in which both the workers would voluntarily contribute to healthy industrial relations.
When most managers are honesty they will acknowledge that their employee often have greater knowledge about their work than the do. Clearly, effectiveness can only be achieved with their total involvement management at times, see decisions to the heart of their job in that, they must always choose what is to be done, who will do it, where and most at times, how it will be done.
It is based on the above that the research wishes to asses the impact of employee participation in decision making and also on organizational production in Nigeria using Fidelity banks in Lagos as a case study.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The spread of democratic value to virtually every society today has brought the need to examine the implication of this trend to other spheres of life. With respect to economic sector, employees are faced with the dilemma of how to cope with the authoritative management in the work place with while living in a democratic society which guarantee basic fundamental freedom.
In addition the denial of workers active involvement in decision making is held to be one of the major causes of the problems which are manifested daily in the work lives of the modern employees. The implication of these employees of increasing exposure to a monetized society, rising education and under contact among people resulting from the break up of artificial barriers was to shift these aspirations to a more satisfying work of experience greater opportunity for personal development and under scope in exercise of initiative.
Specifically, the refusal of work organization to recognize the human factor in industrial production through greater involvement of employee in its managements decision making would tend to create human problem in this setting. An employee is a society being who brings his personality, hopes, aspirations, anxieties, feelings and attitude to the work place.
He seeks satisfaction and meaning in his work as he does in other sphere of life, when he finds that his work does not provide him with the opportunity to realize his potential [for instance, through strict management control] he tends to engage in negative behaviour like absenteeism, apathy, low commitment and low productivity. The implication of these negative tendencies resulting from strict management among scholars interested in healthy industrial relations.
1.3 Objective of the Study
The control objective of the study is to determine the level of employee participation in management decision making and organization productivity in the Nigeria industry. The specific objectives are to:
- Ascertain workers level of involvement in the decision making process of their work places.
- Establish the general attitude of workers towards employee participation in management decision making.
- Determine factors which aid or hinder the observed level of participation.
- Investigate the implications of employee participation to workers and their organizations.
1.4 Research Question
In efforts to accomplishing this research work effectively and perfectly the research present the following.
- To what extent do employee participation in decision making?
- Does management staff make decision without pre and post discussion and consultation with employees?
- Does management change decision when rejected by employees?
- How often do employees meet to discuss with manager?
1.5 Significance of the Study
In all aspect this research will be relevant to the management and employees of the Nigeria industry. It will also be beneficial to other public sector organization in Nigeria. Also it will be of vital importance to government, academically potential and future researcher on the issue of employee participation in management decision-making. This empirical is also germane to the researcher since it is a partial requirement for the award of higher national diploma in public Administration and management.
1.6 Scope of the Study
Particularly, this research work focuses on the impact of employee participation in decision making and organization productivity using fidelity banks as a case study.
1.7 Limitation of the Study
Due to the result of financial problem time constraints, apathy on the part of the respondents and bureaucratic procedure involved affected the study and made the work uneasy to consummate or accomplish.
1.8 Definition of Terms
Decision Making:
– The selection from among alternative of a course of actions.
Productivity:
– A measure of how resource are brought together in organization and utilized for accomplishing a set result.
Management:
– These are made up of top and middle level management. Top management includes share-holder, boards of directors and managing directors. While the middle management include head of department, manager deputy and assistant deputy.
Germane:
– Relevant important or pertinent
Heart of Their Job:
– As it is used in the research work means their main job.
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