International Journal of Research in Business and Entrepreneurship Development
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Vol. 11 No. 1 (2026): January - March
Articles

Employee Work–Personal Life Harmony and Organizational Effectiveness of Industrial Enterprises in Southern Nigeria

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  • Okafor, Chinedu Emmanuel, Ph.D.,
  • Adebayo, Olawale Michael

Published 2026-03-24

Keywords

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Abstract

This research investigated the influence of employee work–personal life harmony on the operational effectiveness of industrial enterprises located in Southern Nigeria. Specifically, the study aimed to: assess the association between employees’ effective use of leisure periods and organizational productivity, and examine how stress reduction influences employees’ creative performance. A survey research design was adopted for the study. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and face-to-face interviews with respondents. The study population consisted of 5,271 employees drawn from selected industrial firms within the study area using a stratified sampling approach. The appropriate sample size of 358 respondents was determined using the Freund and Williams statistical formula. Out of the distributed questionnaires, 309 were properly completed and returned, representing a response rate of 86 percent. Instrument validity was ensured through expert content evaluation, while reliability testing using Pearson’s correlation coefficient yielded a reliability value of 0.73, indicating acceptable internal consistency. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics including mean scores and standard deviation using a five-point Likert scale where values of 3.0 and above indicated agreement. The formulated hypotheses were tested using the Pearson correlation technique. Findings revealed that efficient management of leisure activities significantly correlates with organizational productivity (r = .851) and that stress reduction significantly enhances employee creativity (r = .749). The study concluded that managerial vision, service quality, preservation of core competencies, income growth, workforce development, and effective communication significantly contribute to improved performance among manufacturing firms in Southern Nigeria. Based on these findings, the study recommended that organizations should integrate recreational activities such as staff retreats, social gatherings, and periodic celebrations into workplace practices. Additionally, companies should implement structured programs aimed at addressing employee fatigue, stress, and psychological wellbeing in order to improve workforce efficiency and productivity.

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