CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The issue of low productivity of Nigeria
workers has in recent years been a matter of great concern to the nation. The
rate at which productivity grows is influenced by two things: –
(i) The rate of society’s demand and the rate of
inflation.
Increased productivity is very vital for the
health of the country because it will help to improve the conditions of the
environment, enhance security and improve the standard and quality of life of
the citizens. This is why David Ricardo in his study of population said that
food needs to grow at a geometrical rate in order to meet the demand of the
growing population. This emphasizes the need for increased productivity.
YusufT.M. (1962:50) was of the view that
productivity can be defined as the ratio between output and all the resources
used in production i.e. capital, labour, raw materials etc. the most efficient
use of all available resources. With these definitions; One may ask why is the
Nigeria worker inherently characterized by low-productivity in spite of all
government’s efforts to improve the economy and the ever increasing need for
improved productivity? The answer to this disturbing question is vital and will
be answered and discussed in this study.
Increasing productivity is a way of increasing
the ability of people to do what they want, to do as well as achieving a higher
standard of living for all suffering from low income and in boosting the
prosperity of the overall Nigeria economy.
1.2 STATEMENT
OF THE PROBLEM
Research has
been carried out in Nigeria; regrettably not much has been done in the way of
solving the problem facing the Nigeria workers.
This has been
detrimental to the increase of productivity which will contribute to the
development of nation like Nigeria. In order to increase productivity among the
workers in Nigeria with the help of PHCN
as a guide the following bottle neck were observed.
The fear of
Job security among workers.
The workers
should be assumed of their jobs.
The
motivational tool and incentives were not properly provided to the workers that
will make them to put in their best.
The job
evaluation system has been carried out in an unfair manner
Lack of
programmes provision for developing staff made many junior staff undertake
personal training at the detriment of the employers.
1.3 THE
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The objective
or purpose of the stud is to discover the
Following:
1. To
closely look at those factors responsible for low productivity.
2. To
review the current operating standard that will be of great help in the task of
increasing productivity.
3. To
verify what should be done to increase the overall interest of the workers to
enhance productivity.
4. To
find out the ways to ensure commitment to work in order to increase
productivity.
To investigate
how effective the motivational method already applied has promoted
productivity.
1.4 RESEARCH
QUESTION
To carry out
the research effectively, a number of related
Questions
covering the productivity of workers in PHCN have been raised.
The following
questions were used to acquire the necessary information on the study.
What factors
were responsible for the low productivity of the workers?
What will
encourage a worker to work diligently and put in his best at work?
What types of
work environment will help to facilitates a worker in carrying his duties.
Does
management style of leadership affects workers productivity level?
What
additional incentives will the management apply to increase productivity?
1.5 SCOPE
The research
gave much consideration to the problems associated with low productivity among
workers in the public and private organization where productivity level can be
measured.
The study
intends to cover a public sector which is National
Electricity
power Authority.
1.6
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The result of
research will help to address those problems that militate against low
productivity of workers in the public and private sector of the economy.
The research
also will provide managementthe needed background in theory and practice for
the implementation of the policies as well as coordinating, organising and
controlling of the affairs of the public sector.
He will also
help the PHCN management in dealing with the productivity problems.
1.7 LIMITATION
OF THE STUDY
The research
work is limited by the amount of the materials such as text. Therefore, going
into detail will involve getting data from all of them and this will not be an
easy job considering the limitation resource (i.e money, effort and time)
available. Other limitation apart from the general problem include financial
aspects.