Published Article

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to explore the determinants of human resource management (HRM) practices of indigenous and multinational construction companies in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Survey research design was adopted for the study. The study was conducted in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The research population consists of large and medium (MCFs and ICFs) operating within the study area. A preliminary study conducted shows that out of one hundred and fifteen (115) construction firms obtained from the list of registered firms with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, only seven (7) MCFs and fifty-five (55) ICFs were identified as large and medium construction firms, respectively. Therefore, the sample size for this study is sixty-two (62) construction firms. The main instrument used in this study was a questionnaire titled "Human Resource Management Questionnaire (HRMQ)". The validation of the instrument was carried out by an expert in test, measurement, and evaluation to ensure the validity of the instrument. Data obtained from respondents was analysed using percentages and mean item score to analyse respondents’ ranked opinions based on the 5-point Likert scale to assess the level of use of HRM practices and evaluate factors influencing HRM practices of construction firms in the study area. Descriptive statistics was used to answer the research questions, with the Mann-Whitney U-test used to compare the practices of MCFs and ICFs. The Kruskal-Wallis text for this study was determined using SPSS. Based on the findings of this study, it was therefore concluded that in a firm where HRM is characterised by inconsistencies and deployment challenges, workers’ productivity will be low. One of the recommendations made in the study was that the top management must consistently and periodically review the results of HR practices in their companies so that these should serve the company’s mission statement and quality policy.

KEYWORDS: HRM Practices, Indigenous construction firms, Multinational construction companies and Akwa Ibom State.