Influence of Human Relations Practices on Employee Commitment and Work Attitude among Commercial Bank Employees in Rivers State

Authors: ONWUANAKU, Blessing and UCHENNA N. Anireh

Abstract:
Human relations practices remain a critical determinant of employee commitment and workplace attitudes in modern organizations, particularly in service-driven industries such as banking where human capital represents a strategic asset. This study examined the influence of human relations practices on employee commitment and work attitude among commercial bank employees in Rivers State, Nigeria. Drawing on Employee Relationship Management (ERM) theory and Leader–Member Exchange (LMX) theory, the study conceptualized human relations practices in terms of communication openness, leadership support, and employee participation in decision-making. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. The population consisted of 95 Management and 266 Administrative employees drawn from selected 19 deposit banks in Rivers State, while a structured questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection. Data were collected using a validated researcher-developed instrument titled: Influence of Human Relations Practices on Employee Commitment and Work Attitude (IHRPECWA). The instrument was designed on a four-point scale of VHE(4), HE(3, ME(2) LE(1); measuring key constructs relating to human relations practices, employee commitment, and work attitude. The reliability of the instrument was obtained using pilot survey approach with Cronbach Alpha analyzes that yielded 0.87 reliability coefficient. The research questions were analyzed using mean and standard deviation. Findings revealed that communication openness has a high extent influence on employee commitment across selected deposit banks. Also, leadership support influences employees’ work attitude; and finally, participatory decision-making influences employee commitment and work attitude. The study concludes that human relations practices, particularly communication openness, leadership support, and employee participation in decision-making play a significant role in shaping employee commitment and work attitudes in Deposit Banks industry. Recommendation calls for strengthen internal communication channels to ensure transparency and employee inclusion; while emphasizing the need for leadership development programs targeted on mentorship, feedback, and employee recognition among other things..

Keywords: Communication Openness. Communication Openness, Employee Participation in Decision-Making, Employee Commitment and Employee Commitment

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