Academic Staff Motivation And Productivity In Public Universities In Rivers State: A Study Of Rivers State University 2008 – 2018
Nwafor ThankGod Chima
Department of Political Science, Rivers State University, Nkpolu- Oroworukwo Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Davies Emmanuel OPUENE
Department of Political Science, Rivers State University, Nkpolu- Oroworukwo Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Keywords: Academic Staff, Public Universities, ACADEMIC STAFF MOTIVATION, RODUCTIVITY IN PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES, RIVERS STATE UNIVERSITY
Abstract
The study investigated Academic Staff motivation and productivity in Public Universities in Rivers State: A Study of Rivers State University 2008 — 2018.The major objective of this study is to examine Academic Staff Motivation and Productivity in Public Universities with a special focus on Rivers State University covering the period 2008 – 20018.. A sample of 279 academic staff was used for the study, which was achieved using simple random sampling technique. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire The questionnaire consisted of two parts; first part elicited personal information, second part gathered information on strategies for academic staff motivation and productivity and information on challenges facing the managing of academic staff for increased productivity in Rivers State University.. The reliability of the instrument was determined using Cronbach alpha method. Four objectives, four research questions and four hypotheses were used to guide the study. Mean, standard deviation and spearman rank order statistical tools were used to answer the research questions why Z-test was used to test the hypotheses. Vroom’s Expectancy Theory was used to couch this study The study found out that productivity ultimately aimed at improving academic staff development, motivation has a significant effect on the development of academic staff, organizing of seminars and conferences and academic staff development while the null was rejected. In this result academic staff identified that provision of study leave, attending both local and international conference, organizing of internal conference and seminar for staff academic updates, organization of workshop and symposia were able to develop academic staff effectively. Based on the findings, the study recommended that, for academic staff to be effective in their role, government should create a framework and platform that will make them productive for good vision and strategic plan; Adequate funding should be made available. This will enhance learning, research and retention of academic staff. Adequate funding should strongly take care of an improved salary structure for academic staff and such other conditions of service that are needed should be put in place among other recommendations.