POWER AND HEALTH OF STATE-OWNED GOVERNMENT AGENCIES IN RIVERS STATE

Omiete, K. F.

Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Administration and Management, Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

and

Jaja, S. A.

Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Administration and Management, Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

This study, focused on investigating the relationship between power and the health of State-owned government agencies in Rivers State. The study was designed as a correlational design, and draws on the systems as its underlying theoretical base. The theory is adopted based on its suitability in explaining group behaviour and the nature of political behaviour in the workplace. The population for the study was seven State-owned agencies in Rivers State, from which 62 participants were drawn for the study based on their roles as key and principal officers within the context of the target organisations. The study also adopted the quantitative methodology, and utilised primary data (based on a cross-sectional time horizon), generated using the structured questionnaire. The measure of goodness fit was assessed using both validity and reliability tests with all instruments registering reliability scores above the adopted benchmark of 0.70. The validity test was carried out using the content and face validity. The test for the hypotheses was carried out using the Spearman Rank Order Correlation with the results revealing significant correlations in all instances; hence, all previously stated null hypotheses were therefore rejected. It was therefore concluded that the balancing of power in the workplace is vital for promoting and advancing the health of the State-owned agencies in Rivers State. Furthermore, it was recommended that the management and administration of State-owned agencies in Rivers State, build on ensuring power balance through the fair treatment of staff, non-bias in policies and the equitable distribution of resources.

Keywords: Power, politics, organisational health, cohesion, solvency