INFLUENCE OF TEAM BUILDING ON TEAM COHESION WITHIN THE ACADEMIC STAFF UNION OF POLYTECHNIC (ASUP) AT THE FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC NASARAWA

ABSTRACT This study examines the influence of team building on team cohesion within the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) at the Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa. The specific objectives are to evaluate the effect of conflict resolution, assess the impact of role clarity, and analyze the influence of communication skills on team cohesion. Adopting a descriptive survey research design, the study targeted all 812 academic staff members of ASUP. A sample size of 268 was determined using Yamane’s formula, with 272 questionnaires ultimately analyzed. Data were collected through a structured 5-point Likert scale questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) and inferential statistics (multiple regression analysis via SPSS). The findings reveal that conflict resolution (β = 0.312, p = 0.000), role clarity (β = 0.354, p = 0.000), and communication skills (β = 0.281, p = 0.000) each have a statistically significant positive effect on team cohesion, with role clarity exhibiting the strongest influence. The regression model explained 71.9% of the variance in team cohesion (R² = 0.719), confirming the critical role of these team-building dimensions. The study concludes that structured team-building interventions—particularly those emphasizing role clarification, conflict management, and communication—are essential for fostering cohesion among academic staff. Recommendations include: (1) implementing quarterly conflict resolution workshops to address interpersonal disputes proactively, (2) developing role-definition manuals and orientation programs to enhance clarity, and (3) leveraging digital platforms (e.g., Microsoft Teams) to improve transparent communication. For future research, comparative studies across Nigerian polytechnics and qualitative explorations of staff experiences are suggested to deepen understanding of team cohesion dynamics. .