¹Maureen Chinenye Ihim, ²Obianuju Mary Chiekezie, ³Catherine Nkechi Nwankwo, ⁴Ngozi Comfort Chukwujama, ⁵Ngozi Hope Nzewi

¹Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka,Anambra State Nigeria

²Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka,Anambra State Nigeria

³Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka,Anambra State Nigeria

⁴Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka,Anambra State Nigeria

⁵Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka,Anambra State Nigeria

DOI : https://doi.org/10.58806/ijsshmr.2026.v5i3n13

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ABSTRACT

This research examined employee referrals and innovative engagement within telecommunications companies in Anambra State. It specifically investigated how the quality of referrals influenced innovative work behaviour and the effect of referral participation on innovative capacity. The study was grounded in the resource-based view and social exchange theory frameworks. A descriptive research approach was employed, targeting a population of 280 employees. Using Krejcie and Morgan’s table, a sample size of 162 was determined, with 154 valid responses ultimately analysed. A simple sampling method was applied, and data were gathered through a structured questionnaire. The collected data were analysed using descriptive statistics while hypotheses were tested with simple regression and ANOVA. Results showed that quality referrals have a significant positive effect on innovative work behaviours, and referral participation significantly influenced innovative capacity. The study concluded that encouraging employees to engage in referral activities helps attract suitable talent, fostering innovation and creativity. It is recommended that telecommunications companies promote referral participation and enhance referral quality to increase innovativeness and maintain a competitive edge.

KEYWORDS:

Employee Referral, referral quality, referral participation, innovative engagement, innovative work behaviour, innovative capacity

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Cite this Article:Ihim, M. C., Chiekezie, O. M., Nwankwo, C. N., Chukwujama, N. C. & Nzewi, N. H. (2026). Employee Referrals and Innovative Engagement of Telecommunication Firms in Anambra State, Nigeria. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE HUMANITY & MANAGEMENT RESEARCHS, 5(3), 528-540. https://doi.org/10.58806/ijsshmr.2026.v5i3n13

VOlUME 05 ISSUE 03 March 2026