Corporate Governance and Human Resource Management in Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Industry
Abstract
This study examines the impact of corporate governance practices on human resource management (HRM) within Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, focusing on three key aspects: employee commitment, employment contracts, and disciplinary and grievance structures. Using a sample size of 400 retrieved questionnaires from a distributed 480, the study employed statistical analyses to test three hypotheses. The findings reveal a significant positive relationship between corporate governance practices and HRM outcomes. Firstly, strong corporate governance practices were found to foster higher employee commitment, driven by transparent, ethical, and accountable leadership. This commitment enhances organizational productivity and reduces employee turnover. Secondly, corporate governance was shown to play a crucial role in the formulation of fair, transparent, and legally compliant employment contracts, which are essential for maintaining healthy labor relations in the highly regulated oil and gas sector. Thirdly, the study highlights that robust governance structures improve disciplinary and grievance procedures, ensuring fairness, reducing conflicts, and promoting organizational harmony. The study concludes that corporate governance is a critical driver of effective HRM practices in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. By promoting accountability, transparency, and ethical leadership, organizations can enhance employee trust, motivation, and overall workplace environment. Recommendations include strengthening corporate governance frameworks through ethical leadership training, enhancing employee engagement, ensuring compliance in employment contracts, and implementing fair disciplinary and grievance structures. The study also emphasizes the need for further research to explore the evolving relationship between corporate governance and HRM practices, especially in industries facing unique operational and environmental challenges.
References
Adagbabiri, M., & Ogujiuba, K. (2024). "An Empirical Study of Human Resource Management Practices in Nigeria's Oil and Gas Industry." RUDN Journal of Public Administration, 11(1), 15-30. https://doi.org/10.22363/2312-8313-2024-11-1-15-30
Anyadike, N. O. (2013). Assessment of the implication of full-scale deregulation of the downstream oil sector of the Nigeria economy. The neoliberalism approach. Global journal of Political Science and Administration, 1(2), 23–48.
Anyadike, N. O. (2013). Assessment of the implication of full-scale deregulation of the downstream oil sector of the Nigeria economy. The neoliberalism approach. Global journal of Political Science and Administration, 1(2), 23–48.
Armstrong, M. O. (2009). Armstrong’s handbook of human resource management practice. London: Kogan page.
Armstrong, M. O. (2009). Armstrong’s handbook of human resource management practice. London: Kogan page.
Arowele, O., Ali, A., & Shadrach, S. (2023). "Corporate Governance and Financial Performance of Oil and Gas Firms." Asian Business Research Journal, 9, 1–6.
https://doi.org/10.55220/25766759.148
Asikhia, O.U., Fabunmi, S.A., Akinlabi, B.H., & Makinde, G.O. (2023). "Corporate Governance Mechanisms and Financial Performance of Listed Oil and Gas Firms in Nigeria: An Empirical Assessment." Asian Journal of Economics, Business and Accounting, 23(16), 41-54. https://doi.org/10.9734/ajeba/2023/v23i161025
Barney, J. (1991). "Firm Resources and Sustained Competitive Advantage." Journal of Management, 17(1), 99-120. https://doi.org/10.1177/014920639101700108
Boxall, P., & Purcell, J. (2023). "The Relationship Between Corporate Governance and Employee Voice." Human Resource Management Journal, 33, 89-104.
https://doi.org/10.1111/1748-8583.12456
Dambudzo, K. (2023). "Corporate Governance: The Link with Human Resources Management." Indiana Journal of Economics and Business Management, 3(2), 8-13. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1234567
Dambudzo, K. (2023). "Corporate Governance: The Link with Human Resources Management." Indiana Journal of Economics and Business Management, 3(2), 8-13. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.
Danciu, M. (2023). "Influence of regulatory compliance on environmental sustainability. Academy of Strategic Management Journal, 22, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1108/ASMJ-04-2023-0056
Danciu, M. (2023). "Influence of Regulatory Compliance on Environmental Sustainability." Academy of Strategic Management Journal, 22, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1108/ASMJ-04-2023-0056
Early, C. (2023). "Sustainability practices in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry." Journal of Energy Research and Development, 48, 101-115.
Ejiofor, A. (2014). Poor corporate governance retards growth of Nigeria’s oil industry. Retrieved from www.http://allafrica.com/stories/201460632.html
Ejiofor, A. (2014). Poor corporate governance retards growth of Nigeria’s oil industry. Retrieved from www.http://allafrica.com/stories/201460632.html
Farndale, E., Paauwe, J., & Stiles, P. (2023). "Corporate Governance and Strategic Human Resource Management." Journal of Management Studies. https://doi.org/10.1111/joms.12632
Freeman, R. E. (1984). Strategic Management: A Stakeholder Approach. New York: Boston: Pitman.
Graeme, M & Gollan, J. P. (2012). Corporate governance and strategic HRM in the UK financial service sector: The case of RBs. The International Journal of HRM, 23(c6), 3295 - 3314.
Graeme, M & Gollan, J. P. (2012). Corporate governance and strategic HRM in the UK financial service sector: The case of RBs. The International Journal of HRM, 23(c6), 3295 - 3314.
Gutpa, K., Chandrasekhar, K. &Tourani-Red, A. (2013). Is corporate governance relevant during the financial crisis? Journal of international financial markets, institutions and money, 23, 85 – 90.
Gutpa, K., Chandrasekhar, K. &Tourani-Red, A. (2013). Is corporate governance relevant during the financial crisis? Journal of international financial markets, institutions and money, 23, 85 – 90.
Hajlties, M. &Witteloostuijn, V. (2003). Configurations of markets environments, competence strategies, manufacturing technologies and human resource management policies: A two industries and two country analysis of it. Scandinavian Journal of management.
Haniffa, R., & Cooke, T.E. (2023). "Corporate Governance Practices in Malaysia: The Role of Stakeholders." Journal of Business Ethics, 174, 123-138.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-023-05000-x
Ibrahim, H., & Zulkafli, A.H. (2024). "An Empirical Inquiry into the Relationship Between Corporate Governance and Human Resource Management." Journal of Business Research, 145, 12-25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2024.01.002
Ibrahim, H.I., & Zulkafli, A.H. (2023). "An Empirical Inquiry into the Relationship Between Corporate Governance and Human Resource Management." International Journal of Business and Economic Sciences Applied Research, 15(1), 7-17. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.
Iwuchukwu, S. (2023). "Overview of the Applicability of the Nigerian Code of Corporate Governance (NCCG) on Oil and Gas Operations in Nigeria." CANDELP. Retrieved from https://www.candelp.com/post/overview-of-the-applicability-of-the-nigerian-code-of-corporate-governance-nccg-on-oil-and-gas-operations-in-nigeria
Jensen, M.C., & Meckling, W.H. (1976). "Theory of the Firm: Managerial Behavior, Agency Costs and Ownership Structure." Journal of Financial Economics, 3(4), 305-360. https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-405X(76)90026-X
Knut, M. (2017). Corporate governance effects on firm performance: A literature review Regional Formation and Development Studies, 3(29), 84 – 95.
Kohlert, M., & Schellenberg, L. (2022). The impact of corporate governance on human resources management in global oil and gas firms. Energy Economics Review, 11(3), 95-110.
Kondalkar, V. G. (2007). Organisational behaviour. New Dehli: New Age International publishers.
Krause, J., & van der Walt, P. (2022). Corporate governance, employee satisfaction, and commitment in multinational corporations. Journal of Business Ethics, 158(2), 243-263.
Kryriazopoulos, G. (2017). Corporate governance and firm performance in periods of financial distress. Corporate Ownership & Control, 14(3), 209 -222.
Mendez, E. (2023). The role of corporate governance in managing employee grievances: A study of oil companies in Africa. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 34(1), 112-134.
Mendoza et al., (2024). "Linking Corporate Governance Practices to Human Resource Management Outcomes." International Journal of Human Resource Management, 35, 45-60.
https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2024.1234567
Monks, K., &Minow, N (2004). Corporate governance. Boston, M A: Blackwell publishers.
Nerantzidis, M. Filos, J &Lazaride, T. G (2012). The puzzle of corporate governance definition(s): A content analysis. Corporate Board: Role, Duties 1st composition, 8(2), 13 - 23.
Ogujiuba, K., & Okafor, C. (2023). "Internal Corporate Governance Mechanism and Environmental Disclosure of Listed Oil and Gas Companies in Nigeria." International Journal of Intellectual Discourse, 6(3), 237–252. https://ijidjournal.org/index.php/ijid/article/view/431
Oyewole, A.T., Okoye, C.C., & Ofodile, O.C. (2023). "Human Resource Management Strategies for Safety and Risk Mitigation in the Oil and Gas Industry: A Review." International Journal of Management Economics and Social Sciences, 6(3), 45-60. https://doi.org/10.51594/ijmer.v6i3.875
Oyewunmi, O. A., Falola, H. O. A. &Olusola, J. O. (2017). Organisation by integration: a corporate goverance and human resource management dimension. International review of management and marketing, 7(1), 265 – 272.
Oyewunmi, O. A., & Adeyemi, K. (2023). "Corporate governance and HRM in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector." EconBiz, 15, 45-60.
Oyewunmi, O. A., Adeyemi, K. S. &Ogunnaike, O. O. (2017). Corporate governance and human resource management in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector. Scientific Annals of economic and Business, 64(2), 139 – 153.
Rahman, H., Singh, M., & Lee, T. (2023). Corporate governance and employee engagement: A longitudinal study. Corporate Governance: An International Review, 31(4), 1245-1267.
Schillhofer, A. (2003). Corporate governance and expected stock return: Emperical evidence from German. Galber: Wiesbaden.
Shopify (2024). "What Is Human Resource Management? Definition and Benefits." Retrieved from https://www.shopify.com/ng/blog/what-is-human-resource-management on 25th January, 2024.
Soremekun, K. (2013). Nigeria oil and the Yamani syndrome public lecture series. Nigeria: Covenant University
Storey, J., Steward, J. & Pollard, O. (2011). Introduction: Rethinking corporate governance. New York: Cambridge press.
TechTarget (2024). "What is Human Resource Management (HRM)?" Retrieved from https://www.techtarget.com/searchhrsoftware/definition/human-resource-management-HRM on 25th January, 2024.