HUMAN RESOURCE PLANNING AND COMPETITIVENESS OF INDIGENOUS OIL AND GAS COMPANIES IN SOUTH-SOUTH, NIGERIA

Ehoro, A.

Department of Management, Faculty of Management Sciences, Rivers State University,

Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Tamunomiebi, M. D.

Department of Management, Faculty of Management Sciences, Rivers State University,

Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Nwaeke, L. I.

Department of Management, Faculty of Management Sciences, Rivers State University,

Port Harcourt, Nigeria

and

Biriowu, C. S.

Department of Management, Faculty of Management Sciences, Rivers State University,

Port Harcourt, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

This study examined the relationship between human resource planning and competitiveness of indigenous oil and gas companies in South-South, Nigeria. The study adopted the cross-sectional research survey design. Primary data was generated through structured questionnaire. The population of this study consisted of the thirty-three (33) registered and functional indigenous oil and gas companies in South-South, Nigeria. Because the population was small, the researcher used a census sampling technique to examine all 33 indigenous oil and gas companies in Rivers State. However, 165 managers from 33 indigenous oil and gas companies in South-South, Nigeria participated in the study as respondents. The research instrument was validated by supervisors’ vetting and approval while the reliability of the instrument was achieved by the use of the Cronbach Alpha coefficient with all the items scoring above 0.70.  The hypotheses were tested using the Spearman’s Rank Order Correlation Coefficient. The tests were carried out at a 0.05 significance level. Findings revealed that there is a significant relationship between human resource planning and competitiveness of indigenous oil and gas companies in South-South, Nigeria. Therefore, the study concludes human resource planning positively enhance competitiveness of indigenous oil and gas companies in South-South, Nigeria. The study recommends that management of indigenous oil and gas companies should align their human resource planning with their overall business strategy. By identifying key business objectives and future workforce requirements, companies can develop HR plans that address specific talent needs and support long-term organizational goals.

Keyword: Human Resource Planning Strategies, Competitiveness, Technology Capability, Product Innovation.