EMPLOYEE’S PARTICIPATION IN DECISION MAKING AND ITS EFFECT ON WORK PERFORMANCE A CASE STUDY OF FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC IDAH

ABSTRACT

This research work is specially carried out to investigate employee participation in decision making and its effect on work performance, with a particular reference to Federal Polytechnic, Idah. The emphasis is on the contribution and effect of employee participation on work performance and productivity. Descriptive research design was used in the research process with the help of structured questionnaire. Stratified and simple sampling techniques were used in the determination and selection of sample size. Tables and simple percentages were used for presentation and analysis of data while chi-square test was employed for test of hypothesis. The research work revealed significant relationship between goal achievement, efficiency and job satisfaction. Employees’ participation in decision making encourages employees to make use of their moral and emotional involvement in group situation. It was recommended that Management should adopt the participative behavior of the path-goal theory of leadership and create a conducive organizational climate that permits employee participation.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE i
APPROVAL PAGE i
DEDICATION ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iii
ABSTRACT iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS v
CHAPTER ONE 1
INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 Background to the Study 1
1.2 Statement of the Problem 3
1.3 Objectives of the Study 4
1.4 Research of Hypotheses 4
1.5 Significance of the Study 5
1.6 Scope and Limitations of the Study 6
1.7 Operational Definition of Terms 7
1.8 Organization of Work 8
CHAPTER TWO 11
LITERATURE REVIEW 11
2.1 Introduction 11
2.2 AN Overview of Federal Polytechnic, Idah 11
Organizational Structure 13
2.3 Conceptual Framework 16
2.4 Participation And Performance Relationship 20
2.5 Importance of Participation in the Organization 23
2.6 Participation Process 24
2.7 Decision Making Process 25
2.8 Nature of Decision Making 26
2.9 Types of Decision Making 27
2.10 Relevance of Topic 28
2.11 References 29
CHAPTER THREE 30
RESEARCH METHOD 30
3.1 Introduction 30
3.2 Research Design 30
3.3 Area of Study 30
2.4 Sources and method of Data Collection 31
3.5 Population of the Study 32
3.6 Sample Size and Sampling Technique 32
3.7 Validation of Instrument 33
3.8 Method of Data Analysis 33
CHAPTER FOUR 34
PRESENTATION AND ITERPRETATION OF RESULT 34
4.1 Introduction 34
4.2 Data .Presentation and Analysis 35

CHAPTER FIV 43
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 43
5.1 Summary of Findings 43
5.2 Managerial Implications of the Study 44
5.3 Summary of the Study 44
5.4 Conclusion 45
5.5 Suggestion for Further Research 45
5.6 Recommendations 46
BIBLIOGRAPHY 48

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

There is a popular adage that says that “two good heads are better than one”. In the same vein, ink business world, the business Managers are faced with a lot of problems and tasks to perform in the organizations. Some of these problems are indigenous, i.e within the organization. As a result of these problems and many other tasks, Managers must therefore prepare themselves in order to compete favourably in the dynamic business environment so as to achieve the stated objectives of the organization.
Managers need information from their subordinates inform of suggestion, idea and problem analysis. This then calls for an involvement of subordinates in the running of the affairs of the organization. It is believed that if employees are allowed to participate in the running of their affairs, it will enable them to commit themselves more in the pursuit and realization of the organization’s goals.
Employees’ involvement is a participative process which allows employees to put in their contribution in the decision making and the day to day running of the organization. It is therefore important that Managers allow their employees to be involved in the decision making, as this participation has a lot of effect on work performance of employees.

In business, owing to the financial and economic limitations of individuals’ business in the organization should cooperate with one another in order to be able to surmount the many problems facing them.
Due to human limitation in the organization, the study of Management has advanced into the more humanistic aspect and this has further been strengthened by the urge to know more about the individuals in the organization goals and their contributions towards the attainment of such goals. As a result of certain concept like participation as it relate to performance has attracted the attention of many Management Scholars, who have devoted their time, money and resources trying to discover the relationship, between participation in the decision making and its effects on work performance. From the foregoing, participation is seen as a mental and emotional involvement of a person in a group situation that encourages him to make his own contribution towards the realization of group goals and share responsibility for them. This study is carried out to find out reasons why organization currently takes an interest increasing the role of ordinary employees in decision making.

The first reason is that they (organizations) have been forced into the situation as a result of political pressure (i.e in the European Union). Cole (2002:452) sees participation and empowerment as means of obtaining greater employee motivation and commitment to organization objective.
Important reasons for encouraging greater employee participation in decision making, even if only through increased consultation is that it can lead to improved efficiency and effectiveness in delivering goods and services to customers. If the means of participation not only increases employees’ contribution to problems analysis (which may bring a sense of recognition to individuals), but also enhances their ability to make important operational decision, then increased employees’ commitment and motivation is likely. This in turn is likely to lead to better product or service quality and enhance customer satisfaction. Thus, there are sound practical reasons for finding ways of increasing the involvement of ordinary employee in the day-to-day running of the organization.
It is also the view of some Management Scholars that Managers sometimes need the assistance of their employees in order to function and to make a good decision. Managers, therefore need information in form of suggestion, views and ideas from both the superiors and the subordinates to prepare the strategic, techniques and immediate plans of action that effect their organization.