Strike Action and Workforce Productivity in Manufacturing Companies in Rivers State

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between strike action and workforce productivity in manufacturing companies in Rivers State. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design. The population of the study comprised of 264 managers of twenty-two (22) companies in Rivers State, Nigeria. Census was adopted in which all the elements of the population were studied. Three hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. Data were elicited through structured questionnaire along Likert 5-point scale, while the Cronbach Alpha coefficient of 0.90 bench-mark was observed to confirm the reliability of the instrument used. Out of the 264 questionnaire administered to respondents, 252 copies were duly retrieved. Data retrieved, were analyzed using descriptive statistics of mean, standard deviation while the formulated hypotheses for the study were tested with Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation at 0.05 level of significance respectively with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Results from the analysis revealed that: there is a significant relationship between strike action and workforce creativity. Also, there is a significant relationship between strike action and output quality. Lastly, there is a significant relationship between strike action and quality service delivery of manufacturing companies in Rivers State. The study further recommends that government should enforce and ensure that Nigerian labour laws are complied with, by all company’s management/executives. Also, management should prioritize the setting up of good negotiation panel/communication network concerning terms and conditions of employment to avoid strikes.

Keywords: Strike action, Workforce Productivity, Creativity, Output, Quality service delivery.