LASU Journal of Employment Relations and Human Resource Management
(LJERHRM)
ISSN: 2705-3482
Volume 5, No. 2, 2025
Pages 53-67
DOI: 10.36108/ljerhrm/5202.50.0240
Trade Unionism and Perception of Workplace Conflicts in Nigeria
Sylvanus Simon ADAMADE
Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies, Ilorin
Peter ABOGUNRIN
Department of Industrial Relations and Personnel Management, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
Abstract
The relationship between trade unionism and workplace conflict perception in Nigeria remains understudied, particularly regarding the impact of union members’ activeness, economic locations, and union size on conflict perception. Despite the prevalence of workplace conflicts, there is a lack of systematic research on how these factors influence conflict perception, which hinders a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics at play. These related themes were explored in this study using the survey design methodology. Eighty-Six (86) respondents completed and returned the self-constructed electronic questionnaire which contained Eighteen (18) items. Reliability test result of the instrument indicated α =0.714 level of internal and external consistency. Data analyses was done using simple percentages, ANOVA and regression analyses respectively. With F = 6.565 at α = 0.012 which is greater than of 0.05 (1 and 84 degrees of freedom), Ho1a was rejected that perception of workplace and industrial conflict by union members was significantly different based on union members activeness. Secondly, with F-value of 11.979 at α = .001 which is less than 0.05 (1 and 82 degrees of freedom), Ho2i = Ho2A, hence, the effect of member’s activeness on their perception of workplace and industrial conflict is not significantly different for public and private sector unions. Lastly, F = 3.861 at α = .012 which is less than 0.05 alphas level (1 and 82 degrees of freedom), H03i was rejected and its alternative which is H03A: the effect of activeness of members on their perception of workplace and industrial conflict is significantly different for unions of various sizes were accepted. The study concluded that trade unionism shaped members and non-members perception of workplace and industrial conflicts in Nigeria, with members’ activeness and the sizes of the unions being key moderating factors. Based on the study’s findings, it was recommended to implement policies at enterprises and national levels that promote the role of trade unionism as a key means of moderating the negative effects of workplaces and industrial conflicts in Nigeria.
Key words: Analysis, Trade Unionism, Perception, Workplace conflict Industrial