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Social Awareness and Task Cohesiveness of Commercial Banks in South-South, Nigeria

Gift-Orgwu, Hilda Amezhinim, Prof. Alagah, A. D., Oshi, J. E. O.

Abstract

Commercial banks in South-South Nigeria face persistent challenges in task cohesiveness, evidenced by delayed loan processing, compliance lapses, and recurring customer complaints, despite significant investment in core-banking technology. These challenges are often linked to under-developed human capabilities in reading internal politics and external environmental cues, known as organisational awareness and situational awareness. This study employed a cross- sectional census survey design targeting 326 middle-level managers and team leads across 14 national and international commercial banks in the six oil-rich states of the region, achieving 293 usable responses. Data analysis using SPSS v.25 showed high mean scores for organisational awareness, situational awareness, and task cohesiveness, with Pearson Correlations indicating significant positive relationships: organisational awareness and task cohesiveness and situational awareness and task cohesiveness. The study concludes that in high-interdependence, highly regulated banking environments, social awareness is a critical input that enhances behavioural synchrony and team cohesion. It is recommended that banks embed micro-learning modules on organisational mapping and real-time environmental scanning into leadership development programs and that the Central Bank of Nigeria incorporate team-level social-awareness metrics in prudential reviews to strengthen operational resilience.

Keywords

Social AwarenessOrganisational AwarenessSituational AwarenessTask CohesivenessTeam Effectiveness

References

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