An Investigation of the Causes and the Effect of Industrial Dispute on the Administration of Tertiary Institutions

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

  Background Of The Study

The educational sector, notably universities in Nigeria, has been besieged by constant closures owing to labor disputes in recent years. According to Adeniran (2011), an industrial dispute is one that arises as a result of a disagreement or discrepancy between labor and the government or employers, or between employers and employees, or as a result of the government’s failure to implement workplace conditions and other agreements reached between labor and the government.  The typical case is the  protracted labor conflict between the government and academic employees at Nigerian universities (Chijioke, 2013). While some researchers have argued for the need of industrial disputes to stimulate changes in the quality of service and innovation at tertiary institutions, the negative consequence is always reflected in the institution’s low academic standards, since academic learning is interrupted (Davar, 2008).  Conflict arises when two or more parties have divergent interests in the ownership and distribution of resources, as well as in other aspects of development. Ogbuka (2010) asserts that disputes might be sparked by employees, students, management, or labor unions. Similarly, Gouldner (2013) said that disputes may arise between management and labor, as well as between students and faculty at postsecondary institutions, and even between a school and its host community.  Furthermore, industrial disputes may occur between union leaders and management or between management and union leaders. Industrial strife often results in employees going on strike and management and employers going on lockout. According to Akpala (2012), industrial conflict is defined as any disagreement or conflict of interest including the failure of both parties to follow agreed–upon work terms and agreements.  Thus, the study will examine the causes and consequences of industrial disputes on the effectiveness of administration at tertiary institutions in Abia state.

Statement Of The Problem

Industrial disputes, according to Aninih (2000), herald the end of amicable ties between labor and management. Industrial action has repercussions. In the light of this , it is anticipated that industrial activities will compel management to change its stance and advocate labor demands. Additionally, it is presumed that such activities will result in an increase in working conditions and overall productivity. According to Akpala (2012), industrial actions are collective work stoppages by employees with the goal of compelling management to yield to employee requests that impede the smooth operation of tertiary institutions’ academic calendars. Furthermore, this action disturbs students’ ongoing education and academic activities inside the school. As a result, this research is primarily focused on the causes and consequences of industrial disputes on tertiary institution administration.

Objectives Of The Study

The overall aim of this study is to critically examine the causes and the effect of industrial dispute on the administration of tertiary institutions. Hence, the study will be channeled to the following specific objectives;

1.        Ascertain the extent to which industrial dispute occur in tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

2.        Outline the causes of industrial dispute in tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

3.        Determine how industrial dispute affect administration in tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

Research Question

In the course of this study, the following questions will be addressed.

1.        What is the extent to which industrial dispute occur in tertiary institutions in Nigeria?

2.        What are the notable causes of industrial dispute in tertiary institutions in Nigeria?

3.        How does industrial dispute affect administration in tertiary institutions in Nigeria?

  Significance Of The Study

The study advocate the need for industrial harmony in our academic institutions as industrial dispute plunges tertiary institution into a devastating condition thereby affecting the standard of our education.

Additionally, subsequent researchers will use it as literature review. This means that, other students who may decide to conduct studies in this area will have the opportunity to use this study as available literature that can be subjected to critical review. Invariably, the result of the study contributes immensely to the body of academic knowledge with regards to the causes and the effect of industrial dispute on the administration of tertiary institutions.

 Scope Of The Study

This study is structured to generally investigate the causes and the effect of industrial dispute on the administration of tertiary institutions. However, the study will further ascertain the extent to which industrial dispute occur in tertiary institutions in Nigeria, outline the causes of industrial dispute in tertiary institutions in Nigeria, and determine how industrial dispute affect administration in tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

This study will be delimited to two(2) selected tertiary institutions in Abia State.

Limitation Of The Study

Like in every human endeavour, the researcher encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. Insufficient funds tend to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection, which is why the researcher resorted to a limited choice of sample size. More so, the researcher simultaneously engaged in this study with other academic work. As a result, the amount of time spent on research will be reduced.

 Definitions Of Terms

Industrial Relation: Industrial relations are defined as the study of the institutions of job regulation.

Industrial Dispute: Industrial Disputes as defined  by the industrial Act of  1947  stated that it is Any dispute arising from the discrepancy or disagreement  between labor and the government or employers,  or between employers and workmen, resulting from the non- implementation of the condition service of employment  and other agreement entered into between labor and the government. The typical case is the incessant industrial dispute between the government and academic staff of Nigerian universities.

Strike: Strike is the employees collective stoppages of work with the aim of persuading management to concede to the employee demands.

Conflict: Conflict occurs when two or more parties have different interests over the control and share of resources, and other development issues. Dispute can be caused by staff and student’s, management and labor interactions. It can result from dispute between management and labor, and students in tertiary institution, and sometimes between school and its host community. Industrial dispute can also arise – between union leaders and managers, (ii) between management and union leaders. Industrial conflict most often leads to strike on the part of workers and lockout on the part of management.