What factors Affect Personnel Environment in Nigeria

Discuss their implications

i.

Customers: The need to meet customer requirements directly affects the employees
efficiency and productivity. An organizations survival and reason for existence are
directly dependent on its ability to identify customer for its output and meet its needs. An
organizations customers determine virtually everything related to its output by deciding
which goods and services are desirable and at what price.

ii.

Competition: Employees are aware that unless they meet the need of customers as
effectively as its competitors, the firm cannot long survive. In many cases it is important
to realize that customers are not the only area of competition among organizations.
Organizations also often compete for labour, material, capital and the right to use certain
technical innovations.

iii.

Technology: New technological development affect the efficiency with which employees
can manufacture products. In Nigeria, some major technological development that has
profoundly affected employees work efficiency are the computer, laser, xerography,
integrated circuits, semiconductors, television, etc.

iv.

Economic Conditions: Economic conditions affect the labour force as well as the cost
of all inputs and the ability of customers to buy certain goods. For example, in Nigerian
firms, if a recession is predicted, the organization may find it necessary to reduce the
labour force and lay off some employees as well as reduce its inventory of products
because they may not be saleable. On the contrary, if inflation is predicted, management
may find it desirable to increase inventories of supplies where inflation is predicted.

v.

Socio-Cultural Factors: All organizations operate within at least one culture.

Therefore socio-cultural factors including the prevailing employees attitudes and values
influence the organization. For example, in Nigeria unethical business practice such
practice as paying bribe to obtain contracts or political favour, promotion on the basis of
favouritism instead of competence, are as normal and acceptable business practice. Sociocultural factors also affect the products or services an organization provides.

vi.

Political Environment: This factor has an indirect environmental effect on most firms
and the employees. The political stability and policies of a country strongly affect if

multination firms would like to invest in the country. Politically, Nigeria is in a state of

instability. Politics influence how much funding is available in the country, how
much tax the employees and firms pay, minimum wage rates for the workers, and
the quality and quantity of staff available for hire.