Pages: 6-18

Abstract

This study investigated personal factors as determinants of performance among employees of Foreign Cuisine restaurants in Ibadan metropolis, Nigeria. The study was a descriptive cross sectional survey and was conducted in foreign cuisine restaurants at selected locations in Ibadan. Study population comprised all categories of employees and instrument of data collection was questionnaire administered on 322 randomly selected restaurant employees. Data were analysed using statistical techniques which included table of percentages, T-test, Chi-square, and Kruskal Wallis. Findings from the study revealed that workers with extrovert tendencies (59%) were more than workers with introvert tendencies but there was no significant difference in the performance scores of the two groups- extroverts: (M = 130.74, SD = 29.307) and Introverts: (M = 125.75, SD = 36.611; t (285) = 1.24, p = .201]. There was small positive correlation between personality and job performance (r = .266, n = 247, p < .0005); small negative correlation between age and performance (r = .199, n = 235, p < .0005); strong positive correlation between religiosity and job performance (r = .322, n = 269, p < .0005)  There was also a statistically significant association between educational qualification and performance, as well as between marital status and performance among workers in the work organisations studied. The study concludes that personality and other personal factors are very important determinants of employees’ performance in foreign cuisine restaurants and business owners should take cognizance of the factors during their staff recruitments.