Sustainability of Employment Relations Target and Enhancing Entrepreneurial Development in Medium Size Enterprises in Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between the sustainability of employment relations— specifically job security and fair wages—and entrepreneurial development in medium-sized enterprises (MSEs) in Rivers State, Nigeria. The objective was to determine how job security and fair remuneration influence the entrepreneurial performance and resilience of MSEs in a developing economy context. The research was anchored on the Human Capital Theory, which underscore the strategic value of investing in employees and addressing their welfare to ensure organizational sustainability and growth. A correlational survey design was employed, using a sample of 302 employees selected from 34 registered medium-sized enterprises in Rivers State. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, linear regression, and ANOVA via SPSS version 25. Reliability was confirmed with Cronbach’s Alpha coefficients ranging from 0.78 to 0.85. The findings revealed a significant positive relationship between job security and entrepreneurial development, as well as between fair wages and entrepreneurial outcomes. Employees with secure jobs and fair compensation demonstrated greater commitment, innovation, and productivity—critical factors for enterprise growth. The study concluded that sustainable employment relations are strategic enablers of entrepreneurial development in MSEs. It recommended that enterprise managers and policymakers enhance job security and ensure competitive wages to foster an innovative, motivated, and stable workforce capable of driving long-term entrepreneurial success in Rivers State.