Factors Affecting Workers To Participate In Social Group And Benefit Of Participation: The Case Of Adama Poly-Technic College, East Shoa Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess self-enhancement of workers to participate in social group and its benefits among workers of Adama Poly-Technic College. A total of 120 workers, 100 for quantitative and 20 for focus group discussion were included in this study. Questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data while FGD was used for qualitative data. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze quantitative data and qualitative data were used to triangulate quantitative information. The study provides information on socio-demographic and economic characteristics that affect social group participation. On the other hand the study also assesses financial, material, idea and psycho- social benefit of social group participation. It is descriptive because the general socio-economic characteristics of the study group were described by sex, age group, income, level of education, family size, religion, ethnic group, etc. The study used qualitative method too to collect additional information on self enhancement of workers in social group. Since respondents are employees with similar socio demographic characteristics, that is, all are educated, participating in social group differ by income level and whether worker is house hold head. Workers are enhanced to participate in social group because of financial benefit, material and idea support from social group, diversified income from social group like income generating works, saving account and social help during mourning and ceremonies. The benefits were financial loan with minimum interest, saving, material and idea support during morning and ceremonies, social and psychological support during emergencies and diversifying income through Income Generating Activities. Because of improved income, families’ expenditures was increased in basic need expense titles. In conclusion, workers who had better income and family head participate more and social group participation benefited financially and psycho-socially. The study depicted material, financial and psycho-social benefit of social group involvement of workers, for this reason it is recommended for workers to participate in social group.