WORK INCENTIVES AND EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE IN NIGERIAN BREWERIES, LAGOS, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined the effect of work incentives on employee performance in Nigerian Breweries Plc, Lagos, Nigeria. Specifically, the study investigated the effects of fringe benefits and employee participation on employee effectiveness. A survey research design was adopted. The population comprised 7,134 employees of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Lagos. Using the Yamane (1967) formula, a minimum sample size of 379 was obtained, after which a 10% allowance was added to account for possible attrition, resulting in 417 questionnaires distributed. Out of the questionnaires distributed, 401 were validly completed and used for analysis, representing a usable response rate of 96.2%. Data were collected using a structured five-point Likert-scale questionnaire. Reliability analysis using Cronbach's alpha produced coefficients above the recommended threshold of.70 for all constructs. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson product-moment correlation, and multiple regression with SPSS version 28. The findings revealed that fringe benefits had a positive and statistically significant effect on employee effectiveness (β =.351, t = 7.682, p <.001). Employee participation also had a positive and statistically significant effect on employee effectiveness (β =.468, t = 10.289, p <.001). The regression model explained 79.4% of the variation in employee effectiveness (R² =.794), and the overall model was statistically significant, F(2, 398) = 882.43, p <.001. Although employee participation had the larger standardised coefficient in the present sample, no formal statistical test was conducted to establish whether the two coefficients differed significantly. The study concludes that both fringe benefits and employee participation are important correlates of employee effectiveness in Nigerian Breweries, Lagos. It recommends that management should continually review employee welfare packages and strengthen institutional mechanisms for employee participation in organisational decision-making.