SOCIO-CULTURAL FACTORS AND THE SMES’ EMPLOYEES COMMITMENT IN SOUTHSOUTH, NIGERIA
Okoye, Salome Omoye Ada , Okoye, Chukwuemeka Asouzu and Oniku, Ayodele C.
Volume 11 Issue 1
Abstract
This study focuses on the influence of socio-cultural factors, specifically in the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) of Nigeria's South-South region. The study examines the impact of religious beliefs, financial disparity, and cultural norms on affective, normative, and continuance employee commitment. This study employed a descriptive research design to analyze the state of SMEs in Nigeria's South-South region, focusing on participants' characteristics, behaviours, and opinions through quantitative data collection. Using stratified random sampling, three states—Edo, Delta, and Rivers—were selected from the region, and structured questionnaires were distributed to a sample of 300 employees from 15 SMEs per state. Data were analyzed with SPSS, utilizing the Chi-square test to identify significant associations between socio-cultural factors and employee commitment across the sampled SMEs. The findings showed that religious beliefs, wealth distribution, and moral values significantly impact SME workers' commitment in South-South Nigeria. This indicated that the interplay of socio-cultural factors plays a crucial role in shaping employees' commitment within SMEs in South-South Nigeria. The study recommends that business management create an inclusive environment that respects and supports employees' socio-cultural identities, including religious beliefs, to foster unity and collaboration. By integrating socio-cultural factors into organizational strategies, companies can enhance employee commitment, build a positive workplace culture, and improve overall performance. Keywords: Employee Commitment, Religious Beliefs, Wealth Distribution, Moral Values, (SMEs), Niger Delta.
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