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Regional crises and corruption: the eclipse of the quality of working life in Nigeria

Toyin Ajibade Adisa (School of Business and Law, University of East London, London, UK)
Gbolahan Gbadamosi (Department of Leadership, Strategy and Organisation, Bournemouth University, Bournemouth, UK)

Employee Relations

ISSN: 0142-5455

Article publication date: 11 December 2018

Issue publication date: 20 March 2019

448

Abstract

Purpose

In recent years, there has been a rapid decline in the quality of working life (QWL) of Nigerian workers at all levels. This phenomenon is cryptic and knowledge thereof is inadequate due to a dearth of compelling research on QWL in Nigeria. The purpose of this paper is to a deeper understanding of QWL among Nigerian workers by investigating the impact of corruption and regional crises on QWL in this non-western context. The study also examines what QWL means to Nigerian employees.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs qualitative data gleaned from semi-structured interviews.

Findings

The research reveals that corruption has a strongly negative effect on employees’ QWL, which in turn affects their motivation, attitude towards their job and the psychological contract between them and their employers. Furthermore, the findings revealed that regional crises (such as the heinous activities of the Boko Haram sect in the north–east, the continuing agitation of the secessionists (e.g. the Indigenous People of Biafra), in the south–east, and the tumultuous activities of the Niger Delta Avengers in the south–south) have combined to reduce employees’ QWL.

Research limitations/implications

The extent to which the findings of this research can be generalised is constrained by the selected sample of the research (public sector employees).

Originality/value

These results and the practical implications thereof will be useful to the Nigerian Government, policymakers and organisations for creating and enhancing good QWL in Nigeria.

Keywords

Citation

Adisa, T.A. and Gbadamosi, G. (2019), "Regional crises and corruption: the eclipse of the quality of working life in Nigeria", Employee Relations, Vol. 41 No. 3, pp. 571-591. https://doi.org/10.1108/ER-02-2018-0043

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited

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