CAN CONFLICT MANAGEMENT AFFECT PERFORMANCE OF PHARMACEUTICAL FIRMS IN LAGOS NIGERIA? AN EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION

Abstract

In recent times, the pharmaceutical industry in Nigeria has been faced with challenges such
as a shortage of qualified personnel, dwindling performance supply chain disruptions, poor
conflict management strategies, ineffective research and development, etc. This study
therefore examines the relationship between conflict management and organizational
performance in selected pharmaceutical companies in Lagos State Nigeria. The descriptive
survey design was used and the population of the study comprised all pharmaceutical
companies headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. Proportionate and random sampling
techniques were used to select the sample size of 389 which was determined using Yamane's
(1967) sample size formula. A closed-ended questionnaire was designed and administered
through computer-assisted means (Google Form) with a 98% response rate. Findings
revealed that the combined effect of both dependent and independent sub-variables revealed
that conflict management has a weak positive and insignificant correlation with
organizational performance in selected pharmaceutical companies in Lagos State, Nigeria
(R = 0.085, p >0.005). The study recommends that the management of pharmaceutical
companies in Lagos State, Nigeria, should formulate a comprehensive business policy aimed
at implementing a contemporary conflict management approach across all departments, in
order to enhance employee morale, it is essential for management to actively foster and
endorse interpersonal relationships among colleagues. It is also recommended that
investment in improving information and communication technology (ICT) tools should be
considered to facilitate efficient and timely communication. By doing so, they would be able
to effectively compete with their counterparts in the industry within Africa and globally.