Industrial relations management practice in manufacturing firms' performance in South South Nigeria

This study investigated industrial relations management practice and manufacturing firms’ performance in South South Nigeria. Specifically, the study evaluated the effect of Employer, employee relations, Labour relations, group relations, and public relations on Manufacturing Firms Performance in South South Nigeria. To achieve the objectives of the study, four research questions were raised and four hypotheses were formulated. Related literature was reviewed in respect to the subject matter. The study adopted a descriptive survey design with a population of 385 employees from four selected manufacturing firms in South South Nigeria. The sample size was 191 which was derived from the total population. Questionnaire was used as instrument for data collection. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The research questions were answered using simple percentage and mean. The hypotheses were tested using multiple regressions in SPSS 25 at a significant level of 0.05. The findings of the study revealed as follows: there are significant relationships between employer, employee relations; Labour relations; Group relations and public relations on manufacturing firms’ performance. It was concluded that Industrial Relation Management Practice ensures employees happiness, productivity, enhance employee recognition, policy development and interpretation. Increase employee morale, motivation and establish work environment that cultivates positive attitude in the employees. It ensures employees are paid for their work and employers receive qualitative work. It helps management to make proper decisions and act as determinant of production and labour costs. It was recommended among others that manufacturing firms should maintain the practices of employer, employee relations to ensure employees happiness, productivity, and establish work environment that cultivates positive attitude in the employees.