Published Article

ABSTRACT
This study assessed the determinants of human resources management practices in
multinational and indigenous construction firms in Akwa Ibom State. This study adopted
a survey research design. The study was conducted in Akwa Ibom State. The population
of the study referred to specific elements of interest in a study. The elements of interest
in this study are targeted professionals. The sampling frame for this study consists of
large and medium MCFs and ICFs executing public projects within the study area.
Therefore, the sample size for this study is sixty-two (62) construction firms. This study
adopted both primary and secondary data collection tools. Data obtained from
respondents was analyzed using Percentages, mean item score to analyses
respondents’ ranked opinions based on the 5-point Likert scale. All hypotheses were
tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study concluded that Human Resource
Management is very complicated subject in which standardized practices cannot be
implemented and followed. This is so because human beings possess varying degree of
psychological behaviors, skills, expertise, emotions, motivation levels, loyalty and desire
for professional growth. There is a strong relationship between good HRM practices and
workers’ productivity in construction firms in Akwa Ibom State. This shows that workers
will be committed in construction firms where HRM practices are effective. The result
indicated that a firm where HRM is characterized by inconsistencies and deployment
challenges, workers’ productivity will be low. It is also concluded that there is significant
difference in HRM practices of indigenous construction firms (ICFs) and that of
multinational construction companies (MCFs) in the study area. Finally, there is
significant difference in workers’ productivity between indigenous and multinational
construction firms. One of the recommendations made was that the construction
organizations in Akwa Ibom State should embark on a serious employee training
campaign in order to get more from her workers.
KEYWORDS: Human Resources Management, Multinational, Indigenous, Construction
Firms and Akwa Ibom State