Managing Public Enterprises in Nigeria; Issues, Problems and Prospects”

Managing Public Enterprises in Nigeria; Issues, Problems and Prospects”

    This chapter enumerates the procedure adopted in carrying out the research work. Thus, the sub-topics in this chapter are: the area of coverage, sources of data, sample plan, data analysis techniques etc.

3.2 AREA OF COVERAGE
    This research is limited to a particular area. The study covers the Ezzamgbo building material industry, Abakaliki.
3.3 SOURCES OF DATA
    The researcher made use both primary and secondary sources of data to generate information for the research work.
The primary data include:
(i)                 Questionnaire which the researcher administered to a total number of 42 staffs, workers and managers in Ezzambgo building material industry.
(ii)                Observation: This was achieved mainly in the form of survey carried out in the industry to record arbitrary comments and reactions by staffs and employees.
(iii)              Interview: The researcher also conducted personal interview on some staff of different departments to know the administration of Ezzamgbo building material industrial Abakaliki.
    The researcher got the secondary data from textbooks, journals, lecture notes, Newspapers and magazines and it was used extensively in the literature review.
3.4 SAMPLE PLAN
    According to Anyanwu (1994: 81) “sample means that part taken from a whole to show how the rest is like. Also, according to Odo (1992: 46), as quoted in Anyanwu (1994: 81) sampling is a process of selecting a proportion of a population for the purpose of generating the findings for the sample.
    Sample frame;
    This means the place or area which is being used as a case study. The sample frame of this research work is the Ezzamgbo building material industrial.
Sample Unit:
        The researcher studied the workers, staff and managers in Ezzamgbo building material industry.
Population of study and determination of Sample Size
     The population of study for this research work is 48. The researcher considered a total of 48 respondents for the study. He decided to use the entire population as sample size since the number is not all that much and he felt the population can be easily accessed and generate reasonable information needed for the study.
3.5 DESCRIPTION OF DATA ANALYSIS TECHNIQUE:
        The data were organized using classification tables (Tabulation). This ensured adequate comprehension of the data, and created a good background for effective analysis and interpretation. The data were also analyzed using simple statistical measures such as percentages
3.6 SUMMARY
This chapter discussed the various methods adopted in this study as well as the underlying rationale behind their application. Also the techniques for data analysis were discussed as they particularly affected this study so as to ensure the achievement of an objective and unbiased results, solution and recommendations.
DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION
4.1 STATISTICAL TECHNIQUE:
        This chapter deals with the presentation, analysis and interpretation of data generated from the study through the questionnaire. In analyzing the data much emphasis was laid on those questions that have direct bearing with the objective of the study. Such responses were analyzed using the simple tables and percentages
   4.2 QUESTIONAIRE ANALYSIS.
In generating information for the study, questionnaires were administered on the respondents.
RESPONSEES FROM QUESTIONAIRE SET.
Qualifications
  Option
RESPONSE
PERCENTAGE
F.S.L.C.
           6
         12.5
OND
           7
         14.58
HND
           9
          18.75
B.SC
           11
           22.92
DIPLOMA
            15
           31.25
TOTAL
             48
            100
        The table above shows that most of the respondents are Diploma holders, about 31.25% of them. 12.5% hold F.S.C. and 14.58 have OND. 18.75% of the respondents have HND certificate while 22.92% of them are B.SC holders.
Question 1: Is your industry doing well when compared with other public enterprise in Nigeria?
Option
Response
Percentage
Yes
       36
          75
No
      12
         25
Total
      48
         100
        The above question was asked as to know whether the Ezzamgbo building material industry is lively or not.
        From the table, it can be seen that a number of 36 people said yes i.e. 73% of the respondents while 12 people representing 25% said no which means that the industry still suffer some problems.
Question 2:
        In your opinion, would you prefer working at public industry?
Options
Responses
Percentage
Yes
           32
        66.66
No
           16
         33.3
Total
           48
         100
        From the table above 66.66% of the respondents prefer working in public enterprises while 33.3% dislike it.
Question 3
        How do you perceive the strength of your organization?
Options
Response
Percentage
Effective
          16
             33.3
Ineffective
           22
             45.8
No idea
           10
              20.8
Total
           48
              100
                This question was asked to know how the workers perceive the strength of the organization. From the analysis, it can be seen that 16 or 33.3% said it is effective, 22 or 45.8% said it is ineffective while 10 people or 20.8% said they have no idea.
Question 4.
        How often have you contributed in improving the operations of the organization?
Options
Response
Percentage
Very often
          16
            33.3
Not quite often
          12
            25
Rarely
          20
            41.67
Total
          48
            100
        From the table, it can be seen that 16 or 33.3% often contribute to the improvement of the organization. 12 or 25% percent have helped but not quite often while 20 or 41.47% of same have rarely contributed.
Question 5.
        Does the effective remuneration in your organization motivates you in working hard?
Option
Response
Percentage
Yes
           29
           60.4
No
           19
           39.6
Total
           48
           100
        From the table above, it can be seen that 60.4% of the respondents said that effective remuneration of workers motivates them in putting more effort to the growth of the organization while 39.6% said it does not.
Question 6.
        Do you really think that the strategy adopted by your organization in terms of improvement is the best?
Option
Response
Percentage
Yes
              30
           62.5
No
              18
            37.5
Total
             48
           100
        The table above, shows that 62.5% of the respondents feel that the organization is adopting the best strategy while 37.5% view that it is not the best.
Question 7
Does your organization produce annual financial statement to the public?
Options
No of response
Percentage
Yes
         30
          62.5
No  idea
          18
          37.5
Total
          48
         100
From the above analysis, 62.5% of the population were of the view that the organization prepares annual financial statement and it is made known to the public while 37.5% said they have no idea.
Question 8
        Do you think that the structure of the organization will help actualizing objectives?
Option
Response
Percentage
Yes
            32
             66.7
No
           16
             33.3
Total
          48
             100
        The above table indicates that 66.7 of the respondents agreed that the management structure of the organization will help in the attainment of its objective while 33.3% said no.
Question 9.
        Does the management structure of the organization positively affect your performance?
Option
Response
Percentage
Yes
            32
           66.7
No
           16
             33.3
Total
           48
           100
Most of respondents presented by 66.7% have the view that management structure of the organization affects their performance positively while 33.3% of them said No.
Question 10.
        Do you agree that the problems with the organization are mainly operational structure of the organization?
Option
Response
Percentage
Yes
             26
            54.2
No
             22
            45.8
Total
            48
            100
        From the table above, 54.2% of the respondents agree that the problems with the organization is mainly that of the operational structure of Ezzamgbo building material industry while 48.8% of same held an opposing view.
Question 11
        Please indicate the constraints encountered by the Ezzamgbo building material industry?
Option
Response
Percentage
Lack of capital
           22
           45.8
Lack of equipment
          17
           35.4
Incompetent staff
           4
            8.3
Undue government intervention
           5
             10.4
Total
          48
            100
        The data above shows that 45.8% of the respondents indicated that one of their problem is lack of capital, 35.4% of them indicated lack of equipment, 8.3% others mentioned the problem of incompetent staff while the remaining 10.4% indicated the problem of undue government intervention.
  4.3   RESEARCH FINDINGS.
        From the analysis done above the following findings were observed:
        The benefits received by workers usually have effect on                                           their performance.
        Based on the benefits, workers prefer working in public/government enterprises.
        The strength of most public enterprises are effective.
Most workers often contribute to the improvement of the organization.
        Majority of the workers in Ezzamgbo building material industry are B.sc holders.
        Effective remuneration motivates the workers in working hard.
        Most public enterprises do not make their annual financial statement accessible to the public.
        The structure of most public enterprise does not enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
        There are some constraints encountered by most public enterprise especially the enterprise under study.
      SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
        Based on the analysis of the research questions, the following findings were made;
It was observed that many of the respondents work in Ezzamgbo building material industry as a result of the benefit they get from the organization and in this case are being influenced by many factors. It was also observed that the benefit they get motivates them to work hard.
        Also the respondents in Ezzamgbo building material industry Abakaliki prefer working in public enterprise this preference behaviour is interactions network. People’s behaviour are charged and changed with others.
        Furthermore, it was revealed that many respondents/employees in the industry under study have contributed in improving the operation of the organization and in this case have adopted different strategies to do the best they can to ensure the accomplishment of its objectives.
        It was also observed that the way in which the organization is structured helps in the actualization of its objectives and many of the respondents are of the view that the management structures of the organization invariably affect their performance. Also, it was revealed that most of the problem in the organization is mainly that of operational structure of the organization.
        Observation shows that the organization made manifest the annual financial statement of the organization and that this financial statement is made accessible to the public.
5.2 CONCLUSION
        One can no more be in doubt about the merit of the wide agitation that “Nigeria-public enterprises are poorly managed” be it at the local state or federal level. Indeed it has been a house-hold notion that the public enterprise do not perform up to expectations and that poor performance is ascribed to poor management. This calls for serious concern. If these agencies of government establishment to cater for peoples socio-economic needs and development are left to die of poor management, the purpose of the state is defeated. “The state”, according to Aristotle “comes into being to provide for the basic needs of life but it continues being for the sake of good life”.
        In recognition of the invaluable role of the government organizations, this study is set out to ascertain whether the notion of poor management is only a notion or a fact, then the causes, effects and prospects. And since it is a fact from all indications and investigations, we begin from there to start tackling the problems of public enterprises. Most public enterprises have been discovered to operate without sound management techniques and no organization has succeeded without adopting modern technique in management. Managers of public enterprise have a task of ushering in sound administration and seeking a way of motivating their workforce by designing good welfare packages, adequate remuneration and participative management.
        In the course of this study, it has come to be, that management and organizational development programmes are often inhibited by blocks or barriers which lie outside the system. These restraining force or barriers include government interference, its restrictive regulations and control, under funding on the part of government also, economic recession and general environmental or societal changes. Other set-backs are government appointment of low caliber men and women as board members as well as appointing wrong and unqualified persons as managers. In a nut –shell, government itself contributes to the poor administration of its own organizations to the detriment of the masses through its appointment. This has really compounded the problems of these organizations and this is why any attempt to solve these problems of poor performance without redressing this issue would fail.
        Past attempts by successive governments to bring sanity to these organizations according to Aguluo (Daily star February 28, 1995) were half-hearted, and therefore did not go to the roots of the problems. Getting into the roots, in solving the problems of inefficiency, and mismanagement which had characterized these organizations, is to put in place sound management, competent and qualified managers, establishing strong financial base with appropriate equipment to enable them achieve self sustenance, hire qualified workforce, motivate and remunerate the staff adequately and finally government should remove structural impediments to growth and reduce excessive regulations that prevents such organizations from shifting resources in response to signals from the market places. With these and other recommendations made here, based on the findings of the investigation, the public enterprises in Nigeria would be liberated permanently from the clutches of poor management and they would begin to render effective services to the public and continue their socio-economic and development roles in the country.
5.3  RECOMMENDATIONS
        Base on the results and findings from this study, there is no doubt that most Nigerian public enterprises are actually suffering from a common disease “poor management” which has consequently caused them lack of effective and efficient performance to the disappointment of the masses they are meant to serve. There is no doubt that we as people, have the means to cure this ugly disease which befall most of our public enterprises. As to what need to be done, one may highlight some measure thought to have the greatest chances of making our public enterprises more effective.
        Therefore, believing that the results and findings made from the Ezzamgbo building material industry can be generalized to include other public enterprise in Nigeria, the measures being suggested or recommended are as follows:
        Government should provide an adequate-financial base for public enterprises as well as equipment to enable them operate optimally and minimize the frequency with which they call on government for fund. Effort should be made to ensure efficient financial management in the public enterprises. To engender a greater degree of financial responsibility, all the public organizations should render annually, up to date audited accounts within six months of their financial year (Atulegwu; 1993: 15).
        Competent, qualified and good chief executives or managers as well as members of the boards of directors should as a matter of policy be appointed for the public or government owned enterprises. And once appointed, they should give them the free hand to operate or pilot the affairs of the organizations, after spelling out clearly the functions and limitations of the board in the overall management of affairs.
        Finally, great care should be taken in selecting employees of the public enterprises. This is because selecting the right person for the job means greater and better production, less overtime, less personnel turnover and fewer complaints.
        Laid down processes and procedures should be strictly followed in staff recruitment and not the present practice of discrimination flooding public enterprises with unqualified friends and relations in form of employment.
 Favoritism and nepotism in staff recruitment are as dangerous to the effective and efficient performance of these organizations as they are in general management of the public enterprises.

—————-not complete———–not complete————–

This article was extracted from a Project Research Work/Material Topic MANAGING PUBLIC ENTERPRISES IN NIGERIA; ISSUES, PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS

Do you want the full project work?

You can get the full project work by paying N5, 000 to:

 BANK NAME: FIRST BANK

 ACCOUNT NAME:  CHIBUZOR TOCHI ONYEMENAM

 ACCOUNT NUMBER:  3066880122

After payment, send the depositors name, Bank used, project topic and a valid email address to 07033378184 or articlesng@gmail.com. Example : (jhon, first bank,Project Topic,youremail@xxx.com)

As soon as we receive confirmation from our bank, we will send the ebook to your email within 30 minutes. For further information or you want to see the full table of contents or chapter one, call us on: 07033378184

Our original Project Research Works/Materials contain the following:

General Introduction

Literature Review/Theoretical framework

Research Methodology

Data Presentation and Analysis/Result

Discussion and Summary of Findings

Conclusion and Recommendation

Reference

RECOMMENDED TOPICS

[simple-links category=”3215″]

Managing Public Enterprises in Nigeria; Issues, Problems and Prospects”

 

One Comment on “Managing Public Enterprises in Nigeria; Issues, Problems and Prospects””

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *