1.0. Introduction
1.1. Background of the Study
It should be known that no organization will be extremely productive if the workers are not allowed to participate in the day-to-day activity of the organization. This work hereby x-rays the need and importance of workers participation in the organization and the consequences of its neglect.
The workers are the mirror image of any given organization be it small of large scale organization. The inability of workers participation has sometimes led managers into making unnatural decision even in areas affecting the subordinates.
Traditionally, managers influence the ordinary workers and specifically, their immediate subordinates in the organization. In Germany, around 1951, a law was enacted which provides for code termination and requires labour membership in the supervisory board and executively committee of certain large corporations. However, the participation of labour and organizational axtoities resulted to relatively and peaceful, labour management relations.
Additionally, labour management uses decision making by consensus in which lower-level workers initiates the idea and submit it to the next higher-level unit it reaches the desk of the top imitator for implementation. It is in this content the researcher tends to use Orient Broadcasting service as case study.
Brief History of Orient Broadcasting Service Owerri
Following the creation of Imo State from defunct Easter central, state in 1976, the Imo Broadcasting Service (IBS) was established by edict No. 15 of 1976. The administrative head master was temporarily located at No. 13/15 Ajoke Owerri from where it was finally moved to Egbu road location. The operational station was first established at government trade headquarters while the transmitter was installed at Orji. The IBS was centrally an Amplitude Modulation (AM) station and it transmitted on channel 721 Kilohertz in the medium waveband in March 2008. The IBC left in Egbu office to its present headquarters at Chief Achuke Udenwa Avenue — New Owerri.
The first Director — General of IBS was Engr. Augustine Alaribe, the first board Chairman was Dr. Onyike James Onyike the first head, interim management team is Mr. Richard Asiegbu while Nneoma Chief Mrs. Felicia Iheaka is the first female board Chairman. Below is the order of succession of the board Chairman and the Director — General so far.
Board Chairman
- Dr. Onyike James Onyike (IBS) 1976 — 1979
- Mr. Sam Nwaneri (IBS) 1979 — 1980
- Chief H.B.C Ogboko (IBS) 1980 — 1983
- Pro. J.K. Onoh (IBS) 1983 — 1984
- Pr. Afigbo Afigbo (ITV) 1981 — 1985
- Pro. Uju Afulezi (IBS) 1984 — 1985
- Pro. A.O. Onyia (IBC) 1985 — 1992
- Mr. Ralph Opera (IBC) 1992 — 1995
- Mr. Chukwudi Kogah (IBC) 1995 — 1998
- Mr. Ike Onyechere (IBC) 1998 — 2002
- Chief Sanfo Nwankwo (IBC) 2003 — 2004
- Chief Osita Izunaso (IBC) 2002 — 2003
- Chief Dr. HBC Ogboko (IBC) 2006 — 2006
- Nneoma Chief Mrs. Felicia Iheaka (IBC) 2009
Directors General
- Engr A.S Alaribe (IBS) 1976 — 1979
- Chief E.D Ogbuagu (IBS) 1979 — 1985
- Engr. R.F. Obioha (ITV) 1981 — 1985
- Chief Anyi Ude (IBC) 1985 — 1991
- Mr. T.C. Okere (IBC) 1991 — 1996
- Sir Chudi Okoro (IBC) 1996 — 1998
- Mr. P.C.K. Okoro (IBC) 1998 — 1999
- Mr. Chike Egbuna (IBC) 1999 — 2001
- Ajie Chinedu Nzeribe (IBC) 2001 — 2002
- Dr. C.T. Okenze (IBC) 2004 — 2007
- F.A. Iheaka (Mrs) (IBC) 2007 — 2007
- Mr. Richard Asiegbu HIMT (IBC) 2009
IBS remains a single channel station until 1984 when the Imo Television Authority (ITA) channel 59, which was established by law No. 23 of 1981 and located at New Owerri was merged with it and both formed the present Imo Broadcasting corporation (IBC). The merger was established by edict No. 8 of 1984 with Elder Anyim Ude as the first Director General.
Since its inception, the IBS has had eight Directors-general in addition to three interim management committee (IMC) Chairman as chief executive officers.
The incumbent Head, interim management is Mr. Richard Asiegbu. The corporation has also had fourteen governing boards. The last being inaugurated 2009 and headed by Nneoma chief Mrs. Felicia Iheaka.
The frequency modulation (FM) channel transmitting on 94.4 megahertz in the fm wave band was established in 1994 and it became the third channel of the IBC. The FM channel was later renamed the Orient 94.4 FM. Both the television and the FM channel transmit on 30 kilo watt capacity transmitters acquires by the immediate past state government under Government Achike Udewa. The present state government Ikedi Ohakim has improved on what was already on ground and has intensified effiorts towards the digitalization of IBC, in line with the Nigeria broadcasting corporations (NBC) directive.
1.2 Statement of the Problems
There has been lots of controversy as to whether workers participation in the organization is really necessary or not. Some writers argue that workers should participate more especially where it affect them or their jobs. It is expected that such participated will definitely yield greater ground for future, members of upper management.
In Nigeria experts that reputed the above assertion see the arrangement as a symptom of mal-honest and company oriented individuals are also not available at these lower organizational levels. But the big question is, qualified individuals really available? All this underlay the need for investigation study.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The purpose of this empirical study is to assess the impact of workers participation on organizational productivity, a case study of Orient Broadcasting service, Owerri.
- To show that the existence of encouragement of workers participation has great impact on organizational productivity.
- To prove that workers participation in Orient Broadcasting service Owerri will lead to efficiency and effectiveness.
- To show that workers participation will motivate the workers greatly in the organization.
- To show that if workers are corporated in the organizational activities it will lead to proper execution of policy formulated.
1.4 Research Questions
- To what extent do workers participate in organizational productivity?
- How often do workers meet to discuss with managers?
- Do management staff make decision without pre and post discussion and consultation with the workers?
1.5 Significance of the Study
This research work will be relevant to managers and workers of Orient Broadcasting service, Owerri. It will be beneficial to other Public Sector Organization in Nigeria. It will also be prodigious importance to government on issue of workers participation in the organization.
This empirical study will also germane to the researcher since it is a partial requirement for the award of National Diploma in Public Administration.
1.6 Scope of the Study
The scope of the study is already in the proposed research topic “Impact of workers participation on organizational productivity, a case of Orient Broadcasting service, Owerri”. This study shall primarily focus on the impact of workers participation.
1.7 Limitations of the Study
In the course of carrying out this research, the researcher encountered some difficulties which acted as limitations to the successful completion and generations of the work. These are:
Time Constraints:
This research work was carried out during holidays which all its social activities including other problems thereby necessitating the deception and jam-packing of academic work.
Finance:
Because of the financial problems encountered in the course of this work limited the researcher from getting more textbooks, journals, seminars, work, magazines relating to works participation and organizational productivity. More so, the research was conducted at a time when costs of commodities were highly expensive coupled with high cost of transport ti and fro the case study area.
Attitude of Some Respondents
Another difficulty was the respondents unwillingness and sometimes blunt refusal to furnish necessary information. Similar to most of those who are possession of the research materials could not do it.
Library Insufficiency:
The insufficient text book at the school library also constitute a problem to the researcher, the library lack books relating to the topic of the researcher, at times the pre-arrangement of text at the library reference room also constitute a limitation.
Work Over Load:
The pressing need to attend lectures couples with the fact that the departmental load is enormous did militate against a through and highly intensive research work.
1.8 Definition of Terms
The following concepts are defined within the context of this research work.
Productivity:
A measure of how well resources are brought in organization and utilized for accomplishing a set of results.
Management:
It is made up of and middle level management. Top management includes shareholders, Board of Directors, Managing, Director of Chief Executive, General manager (i.e management above departmental level, middle management includes, heads of departments). Manager, Deputy and Assistance managers.
Participation:
Being involved in an activity of the organization for efficiency and effectiveness.
