Morale Survey: Exploring Employees’ Views for Contributory Management Advantage and Productivity Upturn in 21st Century Firms of a Developing Economy

Morale refers to the feeling employees have towards their jobs, fellow workers, management and the company generally. It connotes the level of cheerfulness, confidence and enthusiasm with which an employee engages in activities. Morale influences and is influenced by such factors as courage, confidence and determination. When morale is high, the spirit and confidence of an employee or group are generally good resulting in a high level of performance. When morale is low, performance is usually correspondingly poor. Researches had been carried out, workshops and seminars had also been held, but the actual cause of employees’ low productivity in developing economics is not yet discovered (Nigerian business institutions inclusive). The writer is of the view that there is direct relationship between morale and employees’ productivity in business organizations.This is evidenced by available accounting literature, business articles and empirical studies incorporating the words “morale and productivity” in their titles. However, much is yet to be done most especially in consideration of the economic depression many developing nations (Nigeria inclusive) are facing today and the recorded low level of employees’ work morale in the business world. Hence this paper titled “Morale Survey: Exploring Employees’ views for Contributory Management Advantage and Productivity Upturn in 21^st Century Firms of a Developing Economy”. Morale Survey serves as a conspicuous mirror through which a business institution sees itself in relation to management systems, operating plans and implementation, corporate policies and employees’ reactions. It is a new insight into gaining employees’ feelings about the organization and its management. Morale survey should not be undermined in recent times. The question becomes pertinent in consideration of what is going on in many developing nations (such as Nigeria) today. The productive capacity of workers and other resources in some developing economies is underutilized. The management of some firms are yet to accept fully the fact that the management of any organization consists of two key players – the management (goal-setting machine) and the employees (goal-achieving machine). They hide behind conventional theories to accuse the poor and innocent workers of indiscipline in justification of their authoritarian management. The magnitude of corruption (a dreadful canker in some economies) is alarming and has raised serious concern. The average worker is disillusioned and regresses. Work morale and productivity shall continue to suffer until the management of business institutions in developing economies recognize employees as the goal-achieving machine. Management of enterprises must cause employees to determine why they should be productive and put forth their best performance. Contributory management is employee oriented in approach. It focuses on the Human components of the enterprise with particular emphasis on the employees (the Goal-achieving machine of the Enterprise). Accordingly and from available literature, we seem to be entering into a new paradigm where new strategies must be evolved, the management systems must be harnessed, employees' morale must be high, inter-personal trust and shared feeling of confidence must be recovered, credibility and acceptance of financial plans must be restored and employees’ productivity should be targeted.