A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF EMPLOYER- EMPLOYEE RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT

ABSTRACT

This research compares employer-employee relationship in Nigerian Communications Satellite (NiGCOMSAT) and National Space Research and Development Agency (NARSDA) in Abuja, Nigeria. The survey research was used in this study to sample the opinion of respondents. This method involved random selection of respondents who were administered with questionnaires. Relevant conceptual, theoretical and empirical literature was reviewed. The target population of the study comprised employees of Nigerian Communications Satellite (NiGCOMSAT) and National Space Research and Development Agency (NARSDA) in Abuja, Nigeria. The questionnaire administered was one hundred and ten (110) copies and one hundred copies (100) retrieved which constitute the sample size. The descriptive and analytical approach was adopted using Chi-square to test and analyze the hypotheses earlier stated.  The result revealed that there is a significant effect of employer-employee relationship on the performance in both Nigerian Communications Satellite (NiGCOMSAT) and National Space Research and Development Agency (NARSDA) in Abuja, Nigeria. The finding of the study also reveals that supportive relationships positively impact mental and emotional health of employees in the NiGCOMSAT and NARSDA in Abuja, Nigeria. The findings of the study also reveal that lack of recognition and appreciation of employees is one the factors that affect the employer-employee relationship in both Nigerian Communications Satellite (NiGCOMSAT) and National Space Research and Development Agency (NARSDA) in Abuja, Nigeria. The finding of the study also reveals that a strong employer-employee relationship fosters a sense of shared purpose NiGCOMSAT and NARSDA in Abuja, Nigeria. The findings of the study reveal that there is a significant effect of employer-employee relationship management on the performance in both Nigerian Communications Satellite (NiGCOMSAT) and National Space Research and Development Agency (NARSDA) in Abuja, Nigeria. It was therefore concluded that employer-employee relationshipsignificant effect the performance in both Nigerian Communications Satellite (NiGCOMSAT) and National Space Research and Development Agency (NARSDA) in Abuja, Nigeria

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

          Research has indicated that connections between employers and employees may either favourably or negatively impact an organization's ability to fulfil its goals, and the kind of relationships that are developed inside an organisation can have an impact on productivity (Ansah et al., 2018). Even if maximising profit is every organization's goal, the employer-employee relationship may get in the way of achieving those goals. The communication that occurs between employer and employee representatives is referred to as employer/employee relations. Cooperation between employers and workers is a major component of employee relations(Gennard & Judge, 2005).

          Most of the time, interactions between employers and employees can help the organisation reach its objectives or not (Atkinson & Sandiford, 2016; Boxall, Guthrie, & Paauwe, 2016; Heffernan & Dundon, 2016; Pratono& Mahmood, 2015). Relationships inside an organisation can have a beneficial or bad impact on productivity. Even if maximising profit is every organization's goal, the employer-employee relationship may get in the way of achieving those goals. Having strong relationships improves productivity, boosts employee happiness, and stimulates performance (Valizade et al., 2016; Xesha et al., 2014). On the other hand, bad connections contribute to low productivity and inefficiency among personnel as well as increased tensions and disputes. The dynamics of employer-employee interactions must be central to management techniques in order to enhance performance.Business owners also need to be aware of the human element in their enterprises. Companies are urged to take on the role of social architects by collaborating across departments and levels to continually enhance company procedures and create an environment that is conducive to taking risks, innovating, committing, providing high-quality work, developing oneself, and working as a self-directed team (Jansen et al., 2013; Kooij et al., 2013).

          Employers and business owners are urged to acquire and use the necessary human skills to inspire workers in their business cycles in order to survive and thrive in the competitive and demanding global market of today (Khoreva et al., 2017; O’Donoghue, Conway, & Bosak, 2016). A positive work-employer dynamic fosters cooperation, coordination, and trust, which frequently results in workplace satisfaction. Strong relationships are essential to an organization's success, and there is a positive association between organisational performance and strong relationships, according to several studies (Acuff & Wood, 2004; Burns, 2012; Donaldson & O’Toole, 2007). In order to share risks, best practices, and resources that can offer them an advantage, organisations must prioritise building long-term relationships with their customers, employees, and other firms. Relationships may be handled despite their inherent complexity and variety (Boxall, 2013; Martin Alcázar et al., 2013). Like any other connection, a business partnership needs to be mutually beneficial to all parties involved and requires a lot of work to sustain. Owners should be prepared to help, share, and offer in each company relationship—not simply take or get (Xesha et al., 2014). Despite relevance of employer-employee relationship, there is limited study on the comparison of employer-employee relationship in Nigerian Communications Satellite (NiGCOMSAT) and National Space Research and Development Agency (NARSDA), hence this study.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

          Numerous studies investigating relationships and job or customer happiness, job retention, organisational growth, and other related topics have been conducted throughout the years, given the importance of employer-employee connections to the expansion of a firm.The literature that has been written about employer-employee relationships in Nigeria is surprisingly thin, with most of it focusing on target strategies, resistance to change, employment and labour laws, implicit contracts, and industrial relations. When searching for employer-employee connections in the Scopus database using the term "employer-employee relationships in Ghana" in the article's title, abstract, and/or keywords, only two publications were found.These two publications focused on employment and labour legislation (Siekpe& Greene, 2006) and the role of the company in employee salary dispersion (Chatterjee, 2016). This suggests that there aren't many studies in this field. Additionally, businesses are looking for suitable working relations enhancement solutions due to the growing problems and expectations for a better working environment and customer satisfaction.The matter at hand pertains to comprehending relationships, examining the variables that impact them, and identifying the success characteristics that foster the development of robust connections. Due to poor employer-employee relations, the majority of Nigerian firms have reported poor performance, labour strikes, exploitation, unfavourable working conditions, and disputes between employers and employees in the government, semi-public, and private sectors (Martinson, 2012; Nimoh, 2015). Thus, the objective of this research is to compare employer-employee relationship in Nigerian Communications Satellite (NiGCOMSAT) and National Space Research and Development Agency (NARSDA) in Abuja, Nigeria.

1.3 Research Questions

          The following questions will guide the outcome of the study;

1. What is the effect of employer-employee relationship on the performance in both Nigerian Communications Satellite (NiGCOMSAT) and National Space Research and Development Agency (NARSDA) in Abuja, Nigeria?
2. What are the factors that affect the employer-employee relationship in both Nigerian Communications Satellite (NiGCOMSAT) and National Space Research and Development Agency (NARSDA) in Abuja, Nigeria?
3. What are the ways of improving the employer-employee relationship in both Nigerian Communications Satellite (NiGCOMSAT) and National Space Research and Development Agency (NARSDA) in Abuja, Nigeria?

1.4 Objectives of the Study

          The main objective of the study is to compare employer-employee relationship in Nigerian Communications Satellite (NiGCOMSAT) and National Space Research and Development Agency (NARSDA) in Abuja, Nigeria. Other specific objectives of the study include;

1. To determine the effect of employer-employee relationship on the performance in both Nigerian Communications Satellite (NiGCOMSAT) and National Space Research and Development Agency (NARSDA) in Abuja, Nigeria
2. To identify the factors that affect the employer-employee relationship in both Nigerian Communications Satellite (NiGCOMSAT) and National Space Research and Development Agency (NARSDA) in Abuja, Nigeria
3. To enumerate ways of improving the employer-employee relationship in both Nigerian Communications Satellite (NiGCOMSAT) and National Space Research and Development Agency (NARSDA) in Abuja, Nigeria.

1.5 Research Hypotheses

          The following will be hypothesized;

Hypothesis 1

H01:There is no significant effect of employer-employee relationship management on the performance in both Nigerian Communications Satellite (NiGCOMSAT) and National Space Research and Development Agency (NARSDA) in Abuja, Nigeria

H02:There is a significant effect of employer-employee relationship management on the performance in both Nigerian Communications Satellite (NiGCOMSAT) and National Space Research and Development Agency (NARSDA) in Abuja, Nigeria

Hypothesis 2

H01: There is no significant relationshipbetween employer-employee relationship management and performance in both Nigerian Communications Satellite (NiGCOMSAT) and National Space Research and Development Agency (NARSDA) in Abuja, Nigeria

H02: There is a significant relationship between employer-employee relationship management and performance in both Nigerian Communications Satellite (NiGCOMSAT) and National Space Research and Development Agency (NARSDA) in Abuja, Nigeria.

Hypothesis 3

H01: There is no significant difference of employer-employee relationship management in Nigerian Communications Satellite (NiGCOMSAT) and National Space Research and Development Agency (NARSDA) in Abuja, Nigeria

H02: There is a significant difference of employer-employee relationship management in Nigerian Communications Satellite (NiGCOMSAT) and National Space Research and Development Agency (NARSDA) in Abuja, Nigeria.

1.5 Significance of the Study

          The finding of this study will help the management of Nigerian Communications Satellite (NiGCOMSAT) and National Space Research and Development Agency (NARSDA) to know the effect of employer-employee relationship on the performance in both Nigerian Communications Satellite (NiGCOMSAT) and National Space Research and Development Agency (NARSDA) in Abuja, Nigeria.

          The finding of this study will also the management of the firms to  be aware of the factors that could possibly affect the employer-employee relationship in both Nigerian Communications Satellite (NiGCOMSAT) and National Space Research and Development Agency (NARSDA) in Abuja, Nigeria.

          The finding of this study will provide ways of improving the employer-employee relationship in both Nigerian Communications Satellite (NiGCOMSAT) and National Space Research and Development Agency (NARSDA) in Abuja, Nigeria.

          The findings of this study will fill also fill the dearth about employer-employee relationship by comparing employer-employee relationship in Nigerian Communications Satellite (NiGCOMSAT) and National Space Research and Development Agency (NARSDA) in Abuja, Nigeria.

1.7 Scope of the Study

          This study is limited to the comparison employer-employee relationship in Nigerian Communications Satellite (NiGCOMSAT) and National Space Research and Development Agency (NARSDA) in Abuja, Nigeria.  Respondents from this study were employees form bothNigerian Communications Satellite (NiGCOMSAT) and National Space Research and Development Agency (NARSDA).

1.8 Operational Definition of Terms

Employer: An employer is an individual, organization, or entity that hires and employs workers or employees to perform specific tasks or provide services. Employers are responsible for providing work opportunities, managing the work environment, paying wages or salaries, and ensuring compliance with labor laws and regulations.

Employee: An employee is a worker hired by an employer to perform specific tasks within an organization.

Employer-employee relationship:The employer-employee relationship refers to the formal and contractual bond between an organization (the employer) and its workforce (the employees).

Organizational Performance:Organizational performance refers to the actual output or results achieved by an organization, measured against its intended goals and objectives.