BUSINESS LEADERSHIP PRACTICES AND ORGANISATIONAL PERFORMANCE AMONG MANUFACTURING AND SERVICE INDUSTRIES IN ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between business leadership practices and organisational performance among selected industries in Enugu State, Nigeria. The study was motivated by the need to understand how leadership behaviours such as effective communication, employee motivation, participation in decision-making, vision clarity, and support for innovation influence organisational outcomes in a competitive industrial environment. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was adopted. The population comprised 1,280 employees drawn from five selected manufacturing, industrial, and service organizational in Enugu State. Using the Taro Yamane formula, a sample size of 305 respondents was determined. Data were collected through a structured five-point Likert-scale questionnaire, while multistage sampling techniques were used to select respondents. The instrument was validated by experts and achieved a Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient of 0.78. Of the 305 questionnaires distributed, 289 were duly completed and returned, representing a 94.8% response rate. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Pearson Product Moment Correlation at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings showed that business leadership practices were generally high (grand mean = 3.74), while organisational performance was also rated high (grand mean = 3.65). A strong positive and statistically significant relationship existed between business leadership practices and organisational performance (r = 0.742, p < 0.05). The study concludes that effective leadership is a critical driver of productivity, efficiency, customer satisfaction, and competitiveness. It recommends sustained leadership development, participatory management, improved communication systems, and stronger innovation-oriented leadership practices.