CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The problem of management in effectiveness and bad attitude to work among Nigerians is widespread in government owned companies. There has been growing concern among Nigerians on the poor organisational performance and managerial ineffectiveness recorded in these organisations. This concern perhaps is a result of the size of economic and social influence of these government institutions on Nigerian development. (Akpala, 1990:193).
Inspite of the huge capital investments in these companies, the results have been extremely poor. As a result of government, as trustees for the ultimate owners of public enterprises have appointed tribunals, commissions and panels to find ways and means to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the enterprises (CMD, 1985:5).
At the managerial and operative performance levels, the problem is also a general one. In an attempt to explain and subsequentlyliniment government owned companies, two schools of thought emerge. One is of the opinion that the problem is from ill implication of the known theories and principles of management in government owned companies. The other holds that the problem stems from not applying management philosophy that is based on Nigerian culture.
This takes us to the meaning of management. Management can be defined as the art or science of working in an organisation through being directed by and by directing and co-ordinating the activities of people to achieve one’s personal goals in the context of the goals of one’s organisation (Ejiofor,1985:3).
Management involves the performance of all the management functions which include planning, organizing, staffing, directing, controlling and co-ordinating of activities to attain optimum result with organisation resources. Management is concerned with the achievement of objectives, performances result, success, efficiency and effectiveness.
The survival of any company in realizing its objectives, depend among other things in proper management of its human and material resources.
No company or organisation can have its activities moving on without a manager. Managers and company goes hand in hand. The need for managers arises because companies exist. One cannot exist without the other.
Managers have to perform many roles in an organisation and how they handle various situations will depend on their style of management. A management style is an overall method of leadership used by a manager.
There are two sharply contrasting styles that will be broken down into smaller subsets later.
(i) Autocratic
(ii) Permissive