ABSTRACT

The study investigated the effect ofbusiness environment on employees productivity (A study of manufacturing organizations in Abia State, Nigeria). The study specifically determined the effect of political environment on employees productivity in manufacturing organizations in Abia State; ascertained the extent cultural environment boost employees productivity in manufacturing organizations in Abia State; established the relationship between business environment and employees productivity in manufacturing organizations in Abia State; ascertained the extent economic environment influences workers’ productivity in manufacturing organizations in Abia State; and ascertained the extent socio-ethical environment boost workers ’ productivity in manufacturing organizations in Abia State. Data for the study was gathered through primary and secondary sources. Data were obtainedfrom 19 workers in Harmony Foam Nig. Ltd, Ahuwa Oboro, 44 workers in Tonimas Ltd, Aba; 37workers in Valumberg Flour Mills Aba: 47workers in Saclux Paints Ltd, Umuahia; and 63 workers in Nifex Vegetable Oil Mills Ltd that gave 210 respondents in the study area using a well structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics like mean scores and Pearson product moment correlation coefficient (r) were used to analyze the data gatheredfor the study. The study found out that to a high extent political, cultural, economic and socio-ethical environments affected employees’ productivity in manufacturing organizations in Abia State. The studyfound out that there was a positive correlation existing between the mean scores ofemployees on business environment and their mean scores on employee’s productivity in selected manufacturing organizations as Harmony Foam Nig. Ltd, Ahuwa Oboro, Tonimas Ltd, Aba; Valumberg Flour Mills Aba; Saclux Paints Ltd, Umuahia; and Nifex Vegetable Oil Mills Ltd, Aba. The hypotheses tested in the study were done at 5% significance level. The result showed that there is significant effect of political environment on employee productivity in the selected manufacturing organizations in Abia State. Cultural environment to a high extent boost employee productivity in the selected manufacturing organizations in Abia State. There is significant relationship between business environment and employee’s productivity in the selected manufacturing organizations in Abia State. Economic environment to a high extent influences workers’ productivity in the selected manufacturing organizations in Abia State. Socio-ethical environment boost workers ’ productivity to a high extent boost workers’ productivity in the selected manufacturing organizations in Abia State. The study concluded that business environment to a great extent favourably affected the employees productivity in manufacturing organizations in Abia State. The study recommends there is needfor manufacturing organizations in Nigeria to ensure that they operate in a favourable business environment that will positively influence employees’ productivity. Politics at workplaces should be avoided and all workers should be given a sense of belonging that will make them commit more to their work and increase productivity