Collective bargaining as an instrument of conflict management and workers’ productivity in manufacturing companies in Cross River State - Nigeria

This study investigates the influence of collective bargaining as an instrument of conflict management on workers’ productivity in selected manufacturing companies in Cross River State, Nigeria. One null hypothesis was formulated for the study and ex-post facto design was adopted. A sample of 504 respondents was randomly selected from nineteen manufacturing companies operating in the study area. A modified four point Likert questionnaire consisting of two sections (A and B) constructed by the researchers was used for data collection. Section A contained items on conflict management strategy in terms of collective bargaining, and section B contained items on workers’ productivity. The data collected were analyzed using simple linear regression analysis and the results were tested at .05 probability level. The finding showed that collective bargaining significantly influence workers’ productivity in companies understudy. Based on the finding it was recommended that conflict in whatever form should not be ignored but be effectively managed collectively for better employees’ productivity in the workplace.Keywords: Collective bargaining, instrument, conflict management, workers’ productivity, and manufacturing companies