Chapter One — 1.1 Background to the Study

Over the past decade, the relationship between employee wellness programs and organizational commitment has become a subject of considerable debate among scholars and industry practitioners alike, particularly within the context of Selected States in South-East Nigeria where operating conditions differ markedly from more developed markets.

Selected States in South-East Nigeria presents a useful setting for examining this relationship precisely because the conditions there — structural, regulatory, and behavioural — differ from those typically assumed in the broader literature, most of which draws on evidence from more developed economies.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

While employee wellness programs is widely discussed in policy and industry circles, empirical evidence on its actual effect on organizational commitment within Selected States in South-East Nigeria remains sparse and, in places, contradictory. This lack of localized, rigorous evidence makes it difficult for decision-makers to know with confidence whether current approaches to employee wellness programs are helping or hindering organizational commitment — a gap this study sets out to close.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

1. To examine the effect of Employee Wellness Programs on organizational commitment in Selected States in South-East Nigeria.
2. To assess the extent to which employee wellness programs influences organizational commitment within the study area.
3. To identify the challenges associated with employee wellness programs in relation to organizational commitment.
4. To recommend strategies for optimizing employee wellness programs in order to improve organizational commitment.

1.4 Research Questions

1. What is the effect of employee wellness programs on organizational commitment in Selected States in South-East Nigeria?
2. To what extent does employee wellness programs influence organizational commitment within the study area?
3. What challenges are associated with employee wellness programs in relation to organizational commitment?
4. What strategies can be adopted to optimize employee wellness programs in order to improve organizational commitment?

1.5 Significance of the Study

This study is significant to a range of stakeholders. For policymakers and regulators, the findings offer evidence to guide the design of frameworks that support healthier outcomes around organizational commitment. For managers and practitioners within Selected States in South-East Nigeria, the study provides practical insight into how employee wellness programs can be better managed. Finally, it contributes to the academic literature on human resource management by extending existing knowledge into a specific empirical context, and offers a reference point for future researchers.

1.6 Scope of the Study

In terms of scope, this study confines itself to Selected States in South-East Nigeria, focusing specifically on how employee wellness programs relates to organizational commitment within that setting. Findings are interpreted within these boundaries rather than as universal claims applicable to every organization or market.