EFFECT OF PERCEPTUAL BIASES ON WORKPLACE HARMONY AMONG EMPLOYEES IN SELECTED SMES IN ZAMFARA STATE
1 Department of Business Administration The Federal Polytechnic Kaura Namoda, Zamfara State.
* Corresponding author: abbdulsaburhassan@gmail.com
* Corresponding author: abbdulsaburhassan@gmail.com
Abstract
Perceptual biases such as selective perception, stereotyping, halo effect, and projection distort
employees’ judgments about their colleagues and supervisors toward achieving organizational
and individual set goals and objectives. It is on this note that the study on the effect of perceptual
biases on workplace harmony among employees in selected SMEs in Zamfara State was
conducted. The aim is to examine the effect of perceptual biases like stereotyping, halo effect,
and selective perception on workplace harmony among employees in selected SMEs in Zamfara
State was workplace harmony among employees in selected SMEs in Zamfara State. The sample
size of the study is 397 derived from Taro Yamene sample formula. A purposive sampling
technique was used to extract the respondents. Five-point Likert scale questionnaires containing
five questions each on the construct were adopted for the study. Data were interpreted and
analyzed using Partial Least Square -Structural Equation Model (PLS-SEM). The result revealed
that stereotypes and halo effect have a positive and statistically significant effect on workplace
harmony among employees of selected SMEs in Zamfara State while selective perception has an
insignificant effect on workplace harmony among employees of selected SMEs in Zamfara State.
These results underscore the need for SME managers to enhance capacity building to reduce the
biasness of stereotypes and to ensure cleared, transparent and consistent performance
evaluations processes to reduce halo effect in employee promotion and recognition in the
organization. There is equally a need for to develop policies and rules that facilitate optimum
supervision and good leadership to achieve workplace harmony.
Keywords
Stereotyping
Halo Effect
Selective Perception
Workplace Harmony
Employees
References
- Agabe, N. A. (2023). Conceptualizing of Workplace Harmony in Organization. BW Academic Journal, 10-10.
- Agabe, N. A. (2023). Conceptualizing of Workplace Harmony in Organization. BW Academic Journal, 10-10.
- Al-Hasnawi, S. M. M., Alwan, B. M., Mahdi, R. S., & Amanah, A. A. (2024). The role of harmony in the workplace to improve entrepreneurial performance: Mediating role of human resource ambidexterity. International Journal of Studies in Business Management, Economics and Strategies, 3(6), 27–[add ending page if known].
- Anggraini, D., & Mardhiah, D. (2023). Strategi Perempuan Single Parent dalam Menjalankan Fungsi Pendidikan dalam Keluarga. Jurnal Perspektif, 6(1), 69–78. https://doi.org/10.24036/perspektif.v6i1.729
- Azizah, Z., & Ulfah, E. (2021). Improving Student's Critical Thinking Ability Through The Jigsaw Learning Model. SPEKTRUM: Jurnal Pendidikan Luar Sekolah (PLS), 9(2), 242. https://doi.org/10.24036/spektrumpls.v9i2.112606
- Bargh, J. A. (2022). The cognitive unconscious in everyday life. The cognitive unconscious: The first half century, 89-114.
- Bednarska-Wnuka, I., & Syper-Jędrzejak, M. (2022). The meaning of stereotypes in the workplace in respect of employability. Journal/Conference name not provided, University of Lodz, Poland.
- Bello, M. A., & Umar, K. (2019). Credit quality and financial performance of deposit money banks in Nigeria. Bayero Journal of Management Sciences, 2. https://bayerojoms.ng/?page_id=268
- Bello, M. A. (2023). Financial literacy among young adults: An empirical analysis of Nigerian university students. Bayero Journal of Business Management. https://bayerojoms.ng/?page_id=268
- Bello, M. A. (2025). Impact of withholding tax reform on dividend policy and shareholder value in Nigerian firms. Global Scientific Journals, 13(4), 1760–1771. http://www.globalscientificjournal.com
- Bello, M. A., & Dantsoho, A. M. (2025). Effect of digital banking on customer satisfaction of commercial banks in Kano and Zaria, Nigeria. NOUN Journal of Management & Innovative Development, 9(1), 30–41. https://iomaid.nou.edu.ng/index.php/iomaid/issue/view/13
- Biçer, C. (2022). Avoiding Halo Effect in Employee Selection: Implementing Effective Techniques in Hiring. Fiscaoeconomia, 6(2), 743-758. Doi: 10.25295/fsecon.1074425.
- Bob-Manuel, I. V., Georgewill, I. A., & Tamunomiebi, P. M. (2024). Self-awareness and workplace harmony of printing companies in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. International Journal of Innovative Psychology & Social Development, 12(4), 40–50. https://www.seahipublication.org
- Breckler, S. J., Olson, J. M., & Wiggins, E.C. (2006). 5.Projection is a psychological defense mecha Personality Science, 5, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1177/27000710241257814
- Georgescu, I., Bocean, C. G., Vârzaru, A., Rotea, C. C., Mangra, M. G., & Mangra, G. I. (2024). Enhancing organizational resilience: The transformative influence of strategic human resource management practices and organizational culture. Sustainability, 16(10), 4315.
- Hauwa, M. A., Calvin, O. Y., & Ladan, S. A. H. N. U. N. (2025). Workplace Harmony and Employee Performance of Selected Banks In Nigeria: Role Of Employee Voice. Journal of Contemporary marketing, 10(2).
- Kankam, H. (2025). Perception and Attention. In A Brief Excursion into Human Cognition: The Evolving Influence of Social Media & Artificial Intelligence (pp. 17-31). Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland.
- Kordsmeyer, T. L., Freund, D., Ueshima, A., Kuroda, K., Kameda, T., & Penke, L. (2024). Halo effect of faces and bodies: Cross-cultural similarities and differences between German and Japanese observers.
- McKenzie, L. M. (2017). The stereotypes and biases that plague millennial leaders: Best practices and strategies for job promotion (Doctoral dissertation). https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/etd/852/
- Noor, N., Beram, S., Yuet, F. K. C., Gengatharan, K., & Rasidi, M. S. M. (2023). Bias, halo effect and horn effect: A systematic literature review. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 13(3). https://doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v13-i3/16466
- Nwinyokpugi, P. N., & Okere, A. E. (2019). Position power management and workplace harmony in the construction sector in Rivers State. International Journal of Business and Management Invention, 8(01), 34-44.
- Ojiaku, O. C. (2025). Conflict resolution strategies and employee performance of small and medium enterprises in Abuja metropolis, Nigeria. International Journal of Business & Law Research, 13(1), 296–309. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15076818
- Rafiuddin, R., Hasana, F. A., Jelita, D. A. R., Hariyono, H., & Pasopati, R. U. (2025, April). How Stereotypes Are Formed: The Discontents of Syntagmatic and Paradigmatic Relations in Cultural Models. In Proceeding International Conference on Religion, Science and Education (Vol. 4, pp. 431-442).
- Shao, Y. (2023). How do the halo effect and horn effect influence the human resources manager's recruitment decision in an occupation interview? Proceedings/Conference or Journal not specified. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
- Stuijt, J., Vernooij, C., & Louwers, F. (2022). Understanding, biases, organizational behaviour, and change. In Organizational Behaviour and Change Management (pp. 30-79). Routledge.
- Suleiman, A., Aliyu, M. S., & Bello, M. A. (2021). Market orientation dimensions and firm financial performance: The role of perceived environmental dynamism. Nigeria Journal of Business Administration, 19(1), 1–21. http://www.njba.uniben.edu.org.ng
- Suveren, Y. (2022). Unconscious bias: Definition and significance. Psikiyatride Güncel Yaklaşımlar-Current Approaches in Psychiatry, 14(1), 414–426. https://doi.org/10.18863/pgy.1026607
- Suwanopeese, P. (2024). Cognitive Biases and Perceptual Distortions in Human-Computer Interaction (Doctoral dissertation, University of Canterbury).
- Uchendu, O., Omomo, K. O., & Esiri, A. E. (2024). Strengthening workforce stability by mediating labor disputes successfully. International Journal of Engineering Research and Development, 20(11), 98-110.
- Usman, A. D. A. M. U. (2025) Dynamics Of A Leader's Emotional Intelligence In Promoting Workplace Harmony. Port Harcourt Journal Of Society And Environment, 166.
- Van Laar, C., Meeussen, L., Veldman, J., Van Grootel, S., Sterk, N., & Jacobs, C. (2019). Coping with stigma in the workplace: Understanding the role of threat regulation, supportive factors, and potential hidden costs. Frontiers in psychology, 10, 1879.
- Willie, M. M. (2025). Leader-member exchange and organisational performance: A review of communication, biases, and personality challenges. Golden Ratio of Human Resource Management, 5(1), 120-132.
- Wiltshire, T. J., Lobato, E. J. C., McConnell, D. S., & Fiore, S. M. (2015). Prospects for direct social perception: A multi-theoretical integration to further the science of social cognition. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 8, 1007. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2014.01007
- Wojtowicz, E. (2021). Stereotypes in management – Does leadership have a gender? Humanities and Social Sciences Research Journal, 28(1), 125–134.
- Wu, S. J., Mei, B. Y., & Cervantez, J. (2022). Preferences and perceptions of workplace participation: A cross-cultural study. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 806481. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.806481
- Zhang, W. (2020). Stereotype threat at work. Xi'an International Studies University, School of Chinese Studies, Xi'an, China.
How to Cite
Sabur, H. A., & Aliyu, O. (2026). EFFECT OF PERCEPTUAL BIASES ON WORKPLACE HARMONY AMONG EMPLOYEES IN SELECTED SMES IN ZAMFARA STATE. Bayero Business Review, 10(1), 1-22. https://doi.org/10.67894/bbr.2026.fexg4ipc
H. A. Sabur, and O. Aliyu, "EFFECT OF PERCEPTUAL BIASES ON WORKPLACE HARMONY AMONG EMPLOYEES IN SELECTED SMES IN ZAMFARA STATE," Bayero Business Review, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 1-22, June 2026. doi: 10.67894/bbr.2026.fexg4ipc