Employers and the Enhancement of Industrial Harmony in Private Sector Organizations in Nigeria

Abstract

The study examines the role of employers in enhancing industrial harmony in organizations with a focus on private sector organizations in Nigeria. The paper posits that conflict is inevitable in all organizations and, as such, the employer who has the responsibility of making major organizational policies to achieve corporate objectives must play a dominant role in ensuring industrial harmony. The paper exposes some of the factors that undermine industrial harmony and productivity in private sector organizations to include leadership behaviour, lack of effective communication, work environment, and non-recognition of trade union as a bargaining party. It further explicates that productivity and growth are not fully enhanced because of management practice of exclusionism, poor labour-management policies, and dehumanization of work environment. As panacea to mitigate conflict and promote a culture of harmony that will achieve organizational goal, the study proposes that management of private sector organizations in Nigeria should fashion out a framework of joint committee/expanded collective bargaining, create work culture that is based on collaboration and team work, initiate participatory management and develop and restructure an effective communication process. Instituting these measures will help to close conflictual loopholes that hinder industrial harmony and productivity in private sector organizations in Nigeria.