THE EFFECTS OF INDUSTRIAL ACTIONS ON ORGANIZATIONAL PRODUCTIVITY(A STUDY OF ABIA STATE CIVIL SERVICE)

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to examine the effect of industrial actions on Organizational productivity with case study of Abia State Civil Service. Industrial actions have been in the increase for the past seven years and their effects on productivity have not been properly identified. Strike is the” withdrawal if employee services from the employer and also a tool use by employees to force their employers to sort for solution to their working conditions. The study begins with a general introduction on what strike is all about. This is in chapter one and also include the purpose and significance of the study. Chapter two is the literature review and it is broad view of related literature which also includes a full description of the various types and causes of strikes. Industrial actions do not have much effect on productivity in Nigeria organizations. The effect in some cases may be high but majority of them is moderate i.e. they slow – down productivity, to enable management/owners of Nigeria organization combat and tackle the problem of strike actions and how it affect the productivity of their organization.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1   BACK GROUND TO THE STUDY

It is obvious that most Nigeria have little knowledge of the effect of strike action on productivity in Nigeria organizations. The trade disputes (Emergency provision) Decree 1968 include in its definition of a strike, “deliberately working at less than usual speed or with reduce efficiency”.

Industrial action is an instrument use by employees in forcing the employer to sort for solution to their working conditions. Industrial actions result when management refuses to comply with the workers conditions or trade union conditions. These strike if not properly handled may lead to a great loss in the part of the organization and sometimes on the part of the workers.

To avoid industrial action the employers and the employees and also trade unions must understand each other and ensure that their policies and conditions are not detrimental to each other.

The effect of industrial action on productivity in Nigeria organization cannot be over emphasis as in most case in Nigeria organization industrial action slow down and even stop productivity and also cause damage to equipments and materials. To prevent losses on both parties, measures are put in place like the labour act to prevent the occurrence of industrial action in Nigeria organizations. As a matter of fact organizations are termed “the engine house of any countries economy and therefore industrial actions in organizations obstruct and slow down the growth of any country’s economy.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

In most Nigeria organization, it has been the responsibility of the management to maintain a stable labour force and to stimulate the efforts of its members in a positive manner by providing those essential materials that are needed for effective work performance, if in one way on the other management fail to comply with the stipulation of the workers handbook which could eventually lead on. Result to industrial action which if not settled will be detrimental to the organizational objectives.

industrial actions tend to slow down productivity in some cases stop productivity in organization objectives and goals.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this research study is:

1. To know the effect which industrial action will have on productivity Nigeria organizations.
2. To make a harmonious environment for both employer and employee.
3. To ascertain the extent to which government is contributing towards making on finding solutions to the causes of industrial action in Nigeria         organizations.
4. To find out the causes of these frequent industrial action in Nigeria organizations and how management and employees should handle such         situations.

1.4   RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The research questions for this research study are as follows:

1. How management react to industrial actions in Nigeria organizations?
2. What have been the reasons for the industrial actions in Nigeria organizations?
3. In what ways has these industrial actions affect the productivity organizations?
4. Is there any possibility of reducing this industrial action in Nigeria organizations?
5. How can management maintain good organizational relationship with workers to avoid dispute?

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Strike is ka tool used by employees in an organization to slow down on stop economic activities. The study will help to guild against misdirection of industrial actions and how strike actions affect productivity. This research study will also outline some possible ways to prevent industrial action in Nigeria organizations. It will also help Nigerians to know how industrial actions In Abia State Civil Service.

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This research study examines the effect of industrial action on productivity in Nigeria organizations. The primary data for this study will be collected from Abia State Civil Service.

1.7 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

The study is limited to:

1. Finance; the research study could not be elaborated more, because of the lack of funds.
2. Time; the time dimension given- to carry out this research study is another limiting factor to this research study.

1.8 DEFINITION OF STUDY

EMPLOYEES: Are persons who are paid to work for a person or company.

EMPLOYERS:       Are people who are paid to work for a person or company.

INDUSTRIAL ACTION: is the refusal by employees to perform work or the performance of work in a manner that is intended to reduce productivity in a workplace.

ORGANIZATION: A group of people who form a business, club etc, together in order to achieve a particular aim.

PRODUCTIVITY: The rate at which a worker, a company or a country produces goods and the amount produced compared with how much time, work and money is needed  to produce them.

STRIKE: To refuse to work as a protest.