Effects of Downsizing on Employee Performance of Selected Manufacturing Firms in Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examines the effects of downsizing and employee performance in selected manufacturing firms in Anambra state, Nigeria. The study seeks to: ascertain the extent of relationship that exists between job insecurity and absenteeism in selected manufacturing firms. Examine the extent of relationship that exists between staff redundancy and employee turnover in selected manufacturing firms. The sources of data collection were primary and secondary sources. Structured questionnaire and interview were used to elicit vital information from the respondent. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as mean, simple percentage and standard deviation while the hypotheses were tested using simple regression. The major findings revealed a positive and statistically significant relationship between job insecurity on absenteeism in the studied manufacturing firms. There is a positive and statistically significant relationship between staff redundancy and employee turnover in the studied manufacturing firms. The study therefore concluded that increase in global competitiveness, together with advances in technology and ongoing changes in the environment, requires organizations to continuously adapt and be willing to change their structures, strategies, methods and practices to remain competitive.