EMPLOYEE PARTICIPATION IN DECISION MAKING AND ITS IMPACT ON PRODUCTIVITY

A STUDY OF IMO STATE MINISTRIES OF EDUCATION AND AGRICULTURE OWERRI, IMO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined employee participation in decision making and its impact on productivity using Imo State Ministries of Education and Agriculture Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria as the study unit. The study was carried out to determine the extent of workers involvement in decision making and how that affects their effectiveness and organizational performance. In line with the above, four research objectives, four research questions and four research hypotheses guided the study. Survey research design was used and questionnaire served as the instrument of data collection. The 200 staff of Imo State Ministries of Education and Agriculture made up the population. From the population, the researcher sampled 133 staff. But out of 133 staff sampled, only 120 questionnaires was properly filled, returned and used. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentage and Pearson product moment correlation coefficient. It was discovered that there is significant relationship between employee involvement in decision making and industrial peace/harmony; there is significant relationship between employee involvement in decision making and innovation; there is significant relationship between employee involvement in decision making and organizational revenue/ profitability; and there is significant relationship between employee involvement in decision making and talent retention. The study concludes that high productivity of Nigerian organizations is dependent on how employees are involved in organizational decision making. It recommended that organizations should incorporate in their policies effective participative management mechanism to aid decision making. Also, organizational workers at all levels should be involved in decision making so as to contribute their quota for organizational growth and development.