EFFECT OF PERCEPTUAL BIASES ON WORKPLACE HARMONY AMONG EMPLOYEES IN SELECTED SMES IN ZAMFARA STATE

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.