EXAMINING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STRIKE ACTIONS AND EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE IN THE BANKING INDUSTRY: A CASE STUDY OF UBA BANK LIMBE, CAMEROON

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

In contemporary times, strikes have become a prevailing occurrence on a global scale, particularly in Africa nations  as highlighted by various studies (Olusegun Ajayi, 2018; Rapatsa & Matloga, 2019). According to Olusegun Ajayi (2018), the prevalence of strike actions is acknowledged as a widespread phenomenon, reflecting its global nature. 

Strike action is a common mechanism through which workers express their dissatisfaction with their working conditions in order to achieve a desired result. When negotiations between labor unions and management come to a standstill, employees adopt these lawful strategies to break the impasse (Matudi et al., 2019). Similarly, it is a work stoppage caused by mass refusal of employees to work; it usually takes place in response to employee grievances. Strike generally could be defined as the refusal to work by employees of an establishment to protest for certain inadequacies in their conditions of service.

Additionally, various factors contribute to the occurrence of strikes, including dissatisfaction with company policies, salary and incentive issues, wrongful discharge or dismissal of workers, and the withdrawal of concessions or privileges. However, excessive and unmanageable demands often stem from poor working conditions, ineffective management styles, suboptimal working designs, inadequate remuneration, and communication gaps. Consequently, these factors may lead to a decline in employee job performance, where job performance is defined as the total expected value to the organization of discrete behavioral episodes that an individual carries out over a standard period of time (Motowidlo, 2022).

Furthermore, it is essential to recognize that strikes, being a consequence of these underlying issues, impose significant costs on both the banking industry and its workforce. The economic and operational ramifications of strikes underscore the importance of addressing and resolving the root causes to maintain a harmonious and productive work environment for both managers or employers and employees. Additionally, strike actions within the banking industry refer to organized and collective efforts by staff members to protest against workplace conditions, policies, or disputes with management. Such actions often involve the withdrawal of labor as a means of exerting pressure on employers to address grievances or negotiate improved terms. In recent years, the Cameroon banking industry has witnessed a notable increase in the frequency and intensity of strike actions, raising concerns about their implications for the sector's stability and the well-being of its workforce.

Several underlying factors contribute to the occurrence of strike actions in the banking industry. These factors may include disputes over wages, working conditions, job security, and grievances related to management decisions (Ackers,2020).Additionally, according to Abundance (2019), the evolving nature of the financial sector, coupled with the increasing demands placed on banking professionals, has heightened tensions and contributed to a climate where industrial actions become a recourse for expressing dissatisfaction. Therefore, a survey will be conducted to examine the relationship between strike actions and employee performance in the banking industry: a case study of UBA bank Limbe, Cameroon.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

As the foundation of financial transactions and economic stability, the banking sector is essential to any economy. The issue of employee strikes in this industry has gained traction because of the possible impact it may have on workplace dynamics and employee performance. However, the impact of strike actions on employee performance in the banking industry is complex. The disruption caused by strikes can lead to delays in financial transactions, affecting customer service and eroding public trust (Gyamfi, 2021). According to Seniwoliba (2021), the psychological stress and uncertainty associated with strikes can adversely affect the mental well-being of employees, influencing their job satisfaction and overall performance. Furthermore, the strained relationship between management and staff during and after a strike may create a lingering atmosphere of mistrust and hinder collaborative efforts within the organization. Thus, it is in the light of these that the study seeks to examine the relationship between strike actions and employee performance in the banking industry: a case study of UBA bank Limbe, Cameroon.

1.3  Objectives of the Study

The main purpose of this study is on examining the relationship between strike actions and employee performance in the banking industry: a case study of UBA bank Limbe, Cameroon.  Specifically, the study will;

1.Determine the extent of strike actions by staffs in the Cameron banking industry.

2.Investigate the underlying factors that contribute to strike actions in in the banking industry

3.Investigate the impact of strike actions on employees’ performance in the banking industry. 

1.4 Research Questions

The following questions have been prepared for the study:

To what extent have staff in the Cameron banking industry engaged in strike actions?

What are the underlying factors contributing to strike actions in the banking industry in Cameron?

How does the occurrence of strike actions in the banking industry impact the performance of employees?

1.5  Research Hypotheses

H0: There is no significant relationship between strike actions and employee performance in the banking industry.

Ha: There is a significant relationship between strike actions and employee performance in the banking industry.

1.6  Significance of the Study 

This study on strike actions and employee performance in the banking industry is significant for its potential to inform positive changes in workplace dynamics, contribute to economic stability, and facilitate the development of policies that benefit all stakeholders involved in banking industry. Also, it will improve labor-management relations between management and employees. Building a more collaborative and communicative environment will contribute to long-term organizational success.Furthermore, subsequent researchers will use it as a literature review. This means that other students who may decide to conduct studies in this area will have the opportunity to use this study as available literature that can be subjected to critical review. Invariably, the result of the study contributes immensely to the body of academic knowledge with regards to examining the relationship between strike actions and employee performance in the banking industry: a case study of UBA bank Limbe, Cameroon.

1.7 Scope of the study

The scope of this study is to examine the relationship between strike actions and employee performance in the banking industry: a case study of UBA bank Limbe, Cameroon.  Empirically, this study will determine the extent of strike actions by staffs, investigate the underlying factors that contribute to strike actions and investigate the impact of strike actions on employees’ performance in the banking industry. 

Geographically, the study will be delimited to staff of UBA bank Limbe, Cameroon

1.7 Limitation of the study

In the course of carrying out this study, the researcher experienced some constraints, which included time constraints, financial constraints, language barriers, and the attitude of the respondents. In addition, there was the element of researcher bias. Here, the researcher possessed some biases that may have been reflected in the way the data was collected, the type of people interviewed or sampled, and how the data gathered was interpreted thereafter. The potential for all this to influence the findings and conclusions could not be downplayed. 

More so, the findings of this study are limited to the sample population in the study area, hence they may not be suitable for use in comparison to other schools, local governments, states, and other countries in the world.

 1.9 Definition of Terms

Strike: a collective and organized refusal by workers to perform their duties, typically as a form of protest or negotiation against workplace conditions, policies, or disputes with employers.

Strike Actions: are forms of industrial action and are often characterized by the withdrawal of labor as a way to influence employers or bring attention to specific concerns.

Employee performance:  refers to the effectiveness, productivity, and overall contribution of an individual employee to the goals and objectives of their organization.

Banking industry:  the sector of the economy that includes financial institutions engaged in activities such as accepting deposits, providing loans, facilitating financial transactions, and offering a range of financial services.