EMPLOYEE PARTICIPATION IN DECISION MAKING AND ORGANIZATIONAL EFFICIENCY

This research work investigates the impact of Employee Participation in Decision Making on Organizational Efficiency, with a specific focus on selected manufacturing firms in Aba, Abia State. The study was necessitated by the growing need for indigenous firms to transition from autocratic management styles to more inclusive frameworks to remain competitive. The primary objective was to determine how involving subordinates in the decision-making process influences productivity, employee morale, and overall operational output.The study adopted a Descriptive Survey Research Design, utilizing a population of 200 staff members. A sample size of 133 respondents was determined using Slovin’s Formula, and data were collected through a structured 5-point Likert scale questionnaire. The data generated were analyzed using simple percentages and Chi-Square ($X^2$) statistical analysis to test the research hypotheses at a 0.05 level of significance.Findings from the study reveal a significant positive relationship between employee participation and organizational efficiency ($p < 0.05$). Specifically, the results indicate that when employees are involved in operational decisions, there is a measurable reduction in material wastage and a marked improvement in job satisfaction. However, the study also identified rigid hierarchical structures and a lack of trust between management and labor as primary barriers to effective participation.Based on these findings, the study recommends that management, led by stakeholders such as Chief Ubani Ezindu and Onwuemedo Otuoma, should institutionalize "Quality Circles" and "Consultative Committees" to bridge the communication gap. The study concludes that for firms in Aba to achieve sustainable growth, they must treat employees as strategic partners rather than mere tools of production.