The impact of staff-poaching among radio stations in the Kumasi metropolis

Abstract

Poaching key employees from close competitors has become a common phenomenon in Ghana. The study investigates the extent to which staff-poaching has hit the radio industry in Kumasi Metropolis and discusses its impact on the radio stations and their listenership. Relevant data was obtained from three key players in the radio industry: management, presenters/producers and listeners who are the regular and ardent radio listeners. The paper employs exploratory method to assess the dimensions of staff-poaching by giving an in-depth analysis of the factors influencing the phenomenon of staff-poaching among radio stations. The study found out that there is a bond of loyalty that unconsciously tends to be formed between listeners and particular radio stations and presenters. Consequently, loyalties or interests can change when there is poaching of staff. This has both positive and negative impacts. The study reveals that staff-poaching becomes rife when there is emergence of new private radio stations, and lack of proper contract leads to staff-poaching. The study therefore recommends that there should be proper contract and good relationship between employers and employees which will help manage the high attrition rate in the radio stations.

Key words: Staff-poaching, Attrition, Non-compete clause (CNC), predatory hiring, competitive poaching