Impact of Globalization on Human Resource Practices in a Manufacturing Firm in Nigeria

Abstract

Globalization challenges firms to become more streamlined and efficient while simultaneously extending the geographical reach of their operations. It has brought about dramatic changes to business practice around the world. This study examined the impact of globalization on human resource practice in Nigerian manufacturing firms. Enterprises driven by market pressures need to include in their goals improved quality and productivity, greater flexibility, continuous innovation, and the ability to respond rapidly to market needs and demands. Effective human resource practice is vital for the attainment of these objectives. The objectives of this study were to examine whether there would be a significant relationship between global market opportunities and human resource practice and also whether global market opportunities, global market uncertainty and global competitive threat were predictors of human resource practice. The study was also carried out to determine whether there would be a significant difference between global competitive threat and human resource practice. A survey design was adopted and data was collected from one hundred and fifty subjects from Bond Chemicals, Oyo. The findings of the study revealed that there was a significant relationship between global market opportunities and human resource practice. The result indicated that global market opportunities, global market uncertainty and global competitive threat were predictors of human resource practice. The result also revealed that there was a significant difference between global competitive threat and human resource practice. Based on the results obtained from the study, it was recommended among others that manufacturing firms and indeed all organizations should take cognizance of global market opportunities, global market uncertainty and global competitive threat most especially as they affect human resource practice.

Keywords: globalization, global market opportunities, global market uncertainty, global competitive threat, and human resource practice