MOTIVATION AND LABOUR UNREST IN SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZE ENTERPRISES IN THE TAMALE METROPOLIS

Abstract

The study assessed the extent to which motivation contributes to labour unrest in SME's in the Tamale Metropolis. The research problem was the fact that most labour unrest situations in SME's originates from conflicts between an employer and a group of workers over demands made either by workers or by an employer. A descriptive study design was used to gather information from 145 employees selected across One hundred and fifty-five (155) small and medium-size enterprises which were registered with the business development department of the Metropolitan Assembly at the time of the study. Both purposive and simple random sampling methods were used to select the respondents. Questionnaires were respectively administered to the respondents. The data was analysed by means of descriptive and inferential statistics using the Predictive Analytical Software (PSW). The study revealed that there is a positive relationship between motivation and unrest situations in small and medium enterprises in the area and that its largely seen as a social problem that has plagued most Ghanaian Institutions, especially the small and medium enterprises for many decades. It predates to the independence of Ghana and has not ceased even with the passage of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651) that is touted as efficacious in preventing labour disputes from escalating into labour unrest. It is recommended that consent and knowledge of the staff in the SME's be included in the design of policies meant for the day-to-day running.