EFFECT OF EMPLOYEE RELATIONS ON EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE. A STUDY OF PROCESSING FIRMS IN CROSS RIVER STATE
Abstract
The study examined the effect of employee relations on employee performance. Three (3) objectives were formulated for the study. The data for this study were derived through a cross- sectional survey design. Cross-section survey uses questionnaire to collect data from a population in a systematic way and explores the relationship between dependent and independent variables. The study on effect of employee relations on employee performance is carried out in three senatorial districts in Cross River State. This includes South, Central and Northern Senatorial Districts. The target population of the study comprised selected processing firms in Cross River State. The population of the study was as follows: Lafarge (120) employees, Honey Feed Company Limited (80) employees, Aje Ndoma Nigeria Enterprise (76) employees. Stratified sampling technique was employed in this study. The study adopted census population of two hundred and seventy three (276). Data for this study were primary sources. Multiple regression was employed as a statistical tool in the study. Based on the empirical results, the study revealed that effective communication has a positive significant effect on employee performance. It also showed that employee engagement has a positive significant effect on employee performance. Conflict resolution has a positive significant effect on employee performance The study recommended that organisations should prioritise effective communication strategies, implement structured employee engagement and recognition programs, and adopt robust conflict resolution mechanisms to foster a supportive and productive work environment.