Exploring the Impact of Religious Beliefs on Job Performance in Nigeria's Construction Sector
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Keywords
Religiosity, Job performance, Construction workers, Southwest Nigeria
Abstract
Religious beliefs are widely recognised as shaping individuals' ethical orientations, behavioural tendencies, and interpersonal interactions. However, their specific influence on job performance within labour-intensive sectors such as construction remains insufficiently examined. This study explores the relationship between religiosity and job performance among construction site workers in selected states of Southwest Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was distributed to 396 construction site managers and supervisors, resulting in 289 completed surveys (73.0% response rate). Following data cleaning, 263 valid responses (66.4%) were subjected to both descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. Key performance indicators assessed included punctuality, quality of workmanship, safety compliance, and teamwork. The Kruskal–Wallis H test was employed to examine differences in performance outcomes across religious affiliations. Results indicated no statistically significant differences in any of the 27 performance variables across religious groups (p > 0.05), suggesting that religiosity does not serve as a determinant of job performance in this context. These findings imply that worker effectiveness in the construction sector is more closely associated with individual competencies and professional practices than with religious identity. The study underscores the value of merit-based workforce evaluation and advocates for inclusive policies that accommodate religious diversity without bias. Implications are offered for industry practitioners, policymakers, and human resource managers seeking to enhance workforce productivity and cohesion in multi-religious construction environments.
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Dr Olukolajo Michael Ayodele, Federal University of Technology Akure, Nigeria
Dr. Olukolajo Michael Ayodele is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Estate Management, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria. His research interests span real estate investment analysis, land management efficiency, facilities management, property valuation, and environmental valuation. He has authored and co-authored several peer-reviewed journal articles and books on real estate economics, property market dynamics, land-use planning, and valuation methodologies. In addition to his academic contributions, he serves as a reviewer for reputable international journals, further demonstrating his expertise in the field.
Dr Oyetunji Abiodun Kolawole, School of the Built Environment, London Metropolitan University, UK
Estate Management/Researcher
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