Sources of Conflict among Nigerian Workers

Abstract

This study was aimed at finding the correlates of industrial conflict among workers. Data were collected from 600 employees randomly selected from three manufacturing industries in Lagos, Nigeria. The sample included 450 junior workers, 90 supervisors and 60 managers. The parsimonious model of the multiple regression analysis revealed that 9 out of 27 interpersonal, intergroup and organizational climate variables, significantly predicted the occurrence of conflict in the organization. The variables including: standard, warmth, risk and organizational support were significant at p<.01 respectively; reward and identity were significant p<.05 respectively; health, type of industry and shift schedule were significant at p<.10 respectively. However, all the 9 variables jointly account for about 34% variance in industrial conflict at p<.01, df=31/568, F=9.30. Analysing the test scores with One-way ANOVA, the results did not indicate any significant difference in the perception of industrial conflict among the managers, junior workers and supervisors. The results did not also indicate any significant difference among the food, textile and shoe industries. Using the t-statistics to analyse the data, the results did not reveal any significant difference between the male and female employees. The findings show that the sources of industrial conflict are the same to all categories of workers. This portends a very good omen to the management to be able to adopt a unique method of conflict resolution and create a conducive atmosphere for the industrial relations practice. The results have implications for the management of change and the enhanced relationship between management and labour union.




(IFE Psychologia (2002) 10(2), 62-69)