Challenges Militating Against Effective Human Resources Management in Residential Property Development in Owerri Metropolis Imo State, Nigeria

The effective management of human resources (HR) is a critical determinant of successful residential property development, particularly in rapidly urbanizing environments such as Owerri Metropolis, Imo State, Nigeria. Despite the increasing demand for residential properties in the metropolis, numerous challenges continue to hinder effective human resource management (HRM) within the property development sector. This study explored these challenges by drawing insights from property developers, construction professionals, and HR practitioners. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, using structured questionnaires administered to 213 stakeholders, of which 174 valid responses were analyzed, representing an 81.7% response rate. Both descriptive statistics (frequency, mean, RII) and inferential (regression analysis) analyses were employed to examine the extent of HRM challenges and their impact on development outcomes. Findings revealed that major HRM challenges included inadequate training and capacity building, high labor turnover, poor motivation and welfare schemes, weak recruitment and selection processes, limited technological integration, and regulatory bottlenecks. The study further showed that these challenges significantly affected productivity, cost efficiency, and project delivery timelines in residential property development. The study concluded that addressing HRM challenges through continuous professional development, fair labor practices, and the adoption of modern HR technologies can substantially improve performance outcomes in the sector. The study recommended policy support, capacity-building initiatives, and a more structured HR framework to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of residential property development in Owerri Metropolis.