STAFF MOTIVATION AS A TOOL FOR EFFECTIVE UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATION

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Motivations are energizing factors that drive the action of any living entity, including humans. Because motivation keeps employees dedicated to their obligations and encourages them to take their jobs seriously and passionately. According to Adebisi, (2001), one of the reasons for the success of employees and hence organizations is the presence of high levels of motivational variables in those businesses.

Motivation is the driving force that propels, directs, and sustains conduct. It might be intrinsic, where behavior is influenced by factors that originate from the job itself and are self generated, or extrinsic, where behavior is influenced by elements that occur when things are done or for individuals to motivate them (Armstrong, 2012).

In recent years, there has been a focus on the role that motivational tools play in encouraging employees to give their all at work. Various studies have revealed that people work hard if their basic requirements are addressed (Adebisi, 2001)). They argue that managers in institutions must be aware that employees have values, attitudes, and feelings that influence their performance significantly, and that these values, attitudes, and sentiments change from one employee to the next. Since their inception in the 1990s, universities have faced challenges such as government policies, curriculum innovations, religion, limited resources, the limitations of state universities, the prevalence of human immuno virus/autoimmune diseases (HIV/AIDS), quality maintenance, and rising demand for higher education.

Staff motivation is a factor that influences employees to pursue job tasks or goals. According to Hackett (2006), motivation is something that implies a person to behave, a reason for behavior. It is about recognizing the need for urge that drives people to accomplish things and providing strategies for organizations to assist them in satisfying those requirements. Motivation is the sense of need, the desire that drives a person to perform. According to Stoner Chowdhury, (2009), motivation is a human psychological trait that incorporates the variables that create, channel, and sustain human behavior. Motivation is concerned with "what makes individuals think." Staff motivation is one of the policies used by management to improve the effectiveness of job performance among employees in businesses. Motivated employees are aware of the specific goals and objectives that must be met, and they direct their efforts in that direction. According to Bulkns, (2009), motivation makes an organization more effective because motivated employees are continually looking for better ways to execute their jobs. Getting people to execute their best job, especially in difficult situations, is one of the most stable and significant problems, and this may be accomplished by inspiring them.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The majority of Nigerian local governments have been confronted with multifaceted issues. Inefficiency, low production, and bureaucratic bottlenecks are only a few of the issues. According to Anuguom (2000), "the challenges that universities face include: a lack of capacity, corruption, excessive bureaucracy, the leadership component, and discontent." These issues have persisted and become endemic in Nigeria's local government structure. Many of the universities are bankrupt. They have under performed expectations and rely primarily on government funding to stay afloat, failing to justify massive human, material, and financial expenditures in the organizations. Universities have become plagued by inefficiency, corruption, and low productivity.

Adebisi, (2001) opines that employees that are happy and motivated provide fantastic service to the organization, with outstanding outcomes to back it up. Staff at universities find it difficult to address the requirements of the students and clients if their own personal needs are not met. The administration of universities is responsible for the well-being and effectiveness of their workforce, as well as providing exceptional services (Adebisi, 2001). Employees must be motivated in order to boost production.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The primary objective of this study is to assess staff motivation as a tool for effective university administration. Other objectives of the study are:

i.          To determine the different ways university staff are motivated

ii.        To examine the effects of staff motivation on academic achievement of students

iii.      To examine the different reasons why there is lack of motivation among university staff

iv.      To establish the gender difference in level of application of motivation tools of the staff of universities.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The following research questions will be answered in this study:

i.          What are the different ways university staff are motivated?

ii.        Does staff motivation have effect on academic achievement of students?

iii.      What are the different reasons why there is lack of motivation among university staff?

iv.      Is there any gender difference in level of application of motivation tools of the staff of universities?

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The search for solutions to the numerous difficulties confronting Nigerian institutions has nearly proved futile. These issues have prompted a slew of studies into ways to decrease these abnormalities to a bare minimum, allowing colleges to produce better results and become self-sustaining. The search for solutions has even resulted in some measures implemented in Nigeria to boost educational standards.

As a result of these non-performance or poor performance circumstances, this study aims to contribute to the search for a solution to the problem of staff motivation and low productivity in Nigerian universities. The study's findings and recommendations will undoubtedly aid in resolving basic problems of work in Nigerian universities. Again, the significance of the study will be appreciated once it is clear that an organization with all the trappings of efficiency and high productivity will be rendered impotent and ineffective if the individual human beings whose efforts are to be co-ordinated and harnessed towards the achievement of the organization's goal are dissatisfied and thus unmotivated.

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study will be focused on assessing staff motivation as a tool for effective university administration. It will specifically be focusing on determining the different ways university staff are motivated, examining the effects of staff motivation on academic achievement of students, examining the different reasons why there is lack of motivation among university staff and establishing the gender difference in level of application of motivation tools of the staff of universities.

This study will be using staff of the University of Ibadan as enrolled participants for its survey.

1.7 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

This study will be limited to assessing staff motivation as a tool for effective university administration. It will specifically be limited to determining the different ways university staff are motivated, examining the effects of staff motivation on academic achievement of students, examining the different reasons why there is lack of motivation among university staff and establishing the gender difference in level of application of motivation tools of the staff of universities.

This study will be using staff of the University of Ibadan as enrolled participants for its survey, therefore the results cannot be generalized to other secondary schools outside the state.

1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Staff: all the people employed by a particular organization.

Motivation: Motivation is what explains why people or animals initiate, continue or terminate a certain behavior at a particular time.

Tool: A tool is an object that can extend an individual's ability to modify features of the surrounding environment.

Effective: successful in producing a desired or intended result.

University: A university is an institution of higher education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. Universities typically offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs in different schools or faculties of learning.

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