The Impact of Workplace Conflict on Employee’s Productivity in Nigeria’s Banking Industry

Abstract

The study examines workplace conflict on employee productivity in the banking industry of Nigeria. Specifically, the study examined the relationship between goal incompatibility, inequitable treatment, job task-related conflict, and employee productivity. Using the purposeful sampling technique, the study sampled 91 respondents (bankers) from 5 commercial banks in Owerri, Imo State, namely Access Bank, Zenith Bank, First Bank, UBA, and GTBank. Applying the Pearson moment correlation coefficient analysis, the study found a negative and significant correlation indicating a correlation between goal incompatibility and employee productivity. It was also found that the relationship between inequitable treatment and employee productivity is strong and negatively significant. Finally, the study found a significant negative relationship between job task-related conflict and employee productivity. Based on the findings, the study recommended, among others, that the management should adopt participatory goal-setting and regular feedback mechanisms to ensure that employees’ objectives align with organisational goals. These foster shared purpose, minimise goal-based conflicts, and enhance commitment to performance targets.