COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES AS MEDIATOR BETWEEN CONFLICT-HANDLING BEHAVIOUR AND WORKPLACE COMMITMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCHERS IN SOUTHWEST NIGERIA
Keywords:
Agricultural researchers, conflict-handling behaviour, communication strategy, workplace commitmentAbstract
No organization can perform maximally except each employee is committed to its growth. However,
employees’ conflict-handling styles always challenge their level of productivity. This study assessed
the mediating effects of communication strategies on conflict-handling behavior and workplace commitment of agricultural researchers in selected institutions in Southwest Nigeria. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 113 agricultural researchers for the study. Primary data were obtained on employees’ conflict-handling communication strategies and workplace commitment using a
structured questionnaire and analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, mean, and hierarchical
regression analysis. Results indicate that 54.9% of the respondents were male, 61.1% were married
with an average age of 44 years and 9 years of experience. Most (59.3%) of the respondents noted
that they always view conflict from both positive and negative sides while 53.1% reported that conflict
related issues were discussed with mutually beneficial and lasting solutions reached. 45.1% of the
respondents always avoid the discussion of issues which may engender conflict in the workplace.
55.8% of the researchers reiterated they work harmoniously well with other researchers who consider
their feeling as a topmost priority. The hierarchical regression analysis revealed a significant (p<0.05)
relationship between Conflict handling behaviour and workplace commitment (β = 4.28). Also, communication strategies was significantly related (b = .04, p > .05) to workplace commitment. It is concluded
that conflict handling behaviour is a predictor of workplace commitment with communication strategies
serving as a mediating variable. The study recommends that constant capacity building workshops on
Conflict Handling Behaviour and communication strategies in the workplace should be organized for
the researchers.
References
Addae, H.M., Wang, X. 2006. Stress at
work: Linear and curvilinear effects of psychological job and organization-related factors: An exploratory study of Trinidad and
Tobago. International Journal of Stress Management. 13(4): 476–493.
Ahmad, A. R., Marinah, A. 2013. Learning organization and organizational commitment in primary school. International Proceedings of Economics Development and Research,
(12); 34-49
Alexander, V., Havercome, C., Mujtaba,
B. G. 2015. Effectively managing employees to get results in a diverse workplace
such as American Express. Journal of Business Studies Quarterly, 7, 13-26
Anderton, C.H., Carter, J.R. 2011. Conflict Datasets: A primer for academics, policy
makers and practitioners. 22 (1); 21-42
Asefa, A., Kerga, A. B. 2018. The effect of
Workforce Diversity on Employee Performance (The case of Ethio-Telecom SouthWest Addis Ababa zone). Asian Journal of
Economics, Business and Accounting, 8, 1-27.
Ayub, S. H., Manaf, N. A., and Hamzah,
M. R. 2014. Leadership: Communicating
strategically in the 21st century. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 155, 502-506.
Benoniel, Barbara 2023. What’s your conflict management style? Walden University.
Chau-Chiuan, Y. 2005. Organizational Behavior, Taipei: Wu-Nan Book Co. Ltd., 55-
, 198- 214
Demovsek, D. 2008. Creating highly engaged and committed employee starts at the
top and ends at the bottom line, Credit Union National Association, Inc.
Dessler G. 2011. Human Resource Management 12th ed. Prentice-Hall, USA; 2011.
Dunham, R. B., Grube, J. A., Castaneda,
M. B. 1994. Organizational commitment:
The utility of an integrative definition. Journal of Applied Psychology, 79(3), 370-380.
Effendy, O.U. 2006. Ilmu Komunikasi Teori
dan Praktek. Bandung: PT Remaja Roesdakarya.
Gabriel, R.J. 2011. Managing Conflict, Law
Library Journal, 103(4); 685-66.
Gitonga, D. W., Kamaara, M., Orwa, G.
Workforce Diversity and the PerforM.O. OOSE, T.O.A. BANMEKE, T. OLAIFA AND M.O. UMUNNA
J. Hum. Soc. Sci. Crtv. Arts 2023, 18(1&2):1– 14
mance of Telecommunication Firms: The
Interactive Effect of Employee Engagement (A Conceptual Framework). International Journal of Humanities and Social Science,
, 65-77
Havenga, W. and Visagie, J. 2011. Managing conflict in a South African non-profit
organization: An analysis of conflict generating factors and conflict management
styles. Journal of International Management
Studies, 6 (1); 56-67
Ian, S., Mahmud, M 2018. A Study of
A c a d e m i c O r a l
Communication Strategies of EFL Graduate Students. 10 (2): 21-37
Lindner and Wingenbach 2002. Handling
Nonresponse in Social Science Research.
Journal of Agricultural Education 41(4); 43-53
Metcalfe, J., Naom, S 2013. Communicat i o n S t r a t e g y U s e o f H i g h
and Low Proficiency learners of English at
T h a i l a n d U n i v e r s i t y . L e a r n
Journal Education and Acquisition, 6: 2631-
Meyer, J. Allen, N. 1997. Commitment in
the workplace: Theory, research, and application.
Nabukeera, M., Ali, B., Raja, N. B 2015.
Performance evaluation of public service
institutions (CQS) framework. World Journal
of Social Science. 2(1):1-25. http://
wjss.sciedupress.com
Nakatani, Y. 2006. Developing an Oral
Communication Strategy Inventory: Modern
Language Journal, 90, 151-168
Nik, M. N. A. R., Sharmin, S. 2011. Islamic human resources management practices
and employee commitment: A test among
employees of Islamic banks in Bangladesh.
Paper presented at Asia-Pacific Business Research Conference, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Oose, M.O., Oke, F.O., Oladoyinbo,
O.B., Adetarami, O, Adesina, O.M. 2022.
Organization Citizenship Behaviour and Job
Performance of Agro-Faculties in Two Universities Offering Agriculture. Does Emotional Intelligence Matter? Nigerian Agricultural Journal 53(1): 6-13.
Oose, M.O., Fapojuwo, O.E., Agbabiaka,
J.A 2021. Influence of Internet-based Mobile Phone Applications on Employees Job
Commitment in Agricultural Research Institutes in Oyo State, Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural Extension 25(2): 43-53.
Ongori, H. 2007. Managing behind the
scenes: A view point on employee empowerment. African Journal of Business Management, 3
(1), 009-015.
Pablo, G. 2023. What are the different conflict resolution theories? https://
www.mylawquestions.com/what-are-the-differenttypes-of-conflict-resolution-styles.htm Accessed
/02/2023.
Patricia, G. B. 2021. Validation of Conflict
Management Scale in the Workplace. Journal
of Child and Family Studies, 28(2): 21-32
Preacher, K. J., Leonardelli, G. J. 2001.
Calculation for the Sobel test: An Interactive
Calculation Tool for Mediation Tests
(Computer Software).
Pruitt, D.G., Rubin, J.Z., Sung, H.K.
Social Conflict: Escalation, Stalemate
COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES AS MEDIATOR BETWEEN CONFLICT-HANDLING ...
J. Hum. Soc. Sci. Crtv. Arts 2023, 18(1&2):1– 14
and Settlement McGraw-Hill Higher Education 3rd Edition.
Stewart, F. 2000. Crisis Prevention: Tackling Horizontal Inequalities. Oxford Development Studies, 245-62. Thousand Oaks,
CA: Sage.
Tian, S., Mahmud, M 2018. A Study of
Academic Oral Communication Strategies
of EFL Graduate Students. 10: 21-46
Vilhelm, A. 2003. Competition and Dissensus: Two Types of Conflict and Conflict
Resolution. Journal of Conflict, 7(1): 26-42
Wrench, J.S., Carter, N.P. 2012. An Introduction to Organizational Communication.
The Oxford University Press
Zulkarnain, N., Kaur, Sarjir 2018. Oral
English Communication Strategies of
Diploma of Hotel Management Students at
U i T M . T h e S o u t h w e s t A s i a Journal of English. 20, 93-112.
