DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND EMPLOYEE PRODUCTION: A MODERATING ROLE OF LEADERSHIP STYLE IN MANUFACTURING FIRMS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The study focused on digital transformation and employee productivity; a moderation role of leadership style  in manufacturing firms in Rivers State of Nigeria. The study adopted the cross-sectional survey research design and used both primary and secondary data. The primary data were collected from board members, data processing managers, work study managers, supervisors and head of operations of the firms. The population of the study was 850 permanent employees drawn from 28 registered manufacturing firms in Rivers State with a sample size of 265. The study adopted a census technique. The instrument used for data collection was a structured questionnaire. The reliability of the research instrument was obtained using Test-retest method with Cronbach alpha at a 0.70 threshold. The instrument was validated by my supervisor and one expert. The data retrieved was analyzed using frequency, mean, and standard deviation at the demographic and univariate level. Spearman’s Rank Order Correlation Co-efficient for the test of bivariate hypothesis at .05 level of significance and the partial correlation for the multivariate analysis test on leadership style. Findings revealed that digital transformation correlate with employee productivity. Therefore, the study concluded that digital transformation enhances employee productivity. Thus, the researcher recommended that management should train employees on ICT in order to be more productive. More so, organizations should adopt a favourable business model with less stress in introducing and implementing needed transformation.