GLOBALIZATION AND LABOUR RELATIONS OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS FIRMS IN RIVERS STATE NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examines the impact of globalization on labor relations within the telecommunications industry in Rivers State Nigeria, focusing on market, political, and cultural globalization as key dimensions. The study adopted a correlational research design. The population of the study comprised of 7,576 employees from the major telecommunication companies in South-South, Nigeria. The simple random sampling procedure was adopted. The Taro Yamane’s formula was used to determine the sample size for the study and a total sample size of 380 was obtained. The instrument for data collection in the study was a questionnaire designed in five Likert Scale. The reliability of the instrument was determined using Cronbach’s Alpha and a reliability coefficient of 0.78 was obtained. The hypotheses were tested using the Spearman Rank Correlation at 0.05 significant level while the partial correlation is used to test for the moderating effect of the Human capital development. The results indicated a significant positive relationship between market globalization and working conditions (r = 0.224, p < 0.01), industrial harmony (r = 0.611, p < 0.01), and employee participation (r = 0.683, p < 0.01). Similarly, political globalization showed significant correlations with working conditions (r = 0.614, p < 0.01), industrial harmony (r = 0.645, p < 0.01), and employee participation (r = 0.511, p < 0.01). Cultural globalization also demonstrated strong relationships with working conditions (r = 0.518, p < 0.01), industrial harmony (r = 0.606, p < 0.01), and employee participation (r = 0.519, p < 0.01). These findings underscore the need for firms and policymakers to implement strategies that enhance labor protections while leveraging globalization for economic growth.