Factors affecting motivation of staff of institutions of higher learning in Kenya. (case of University of Nairobi)

Abstract

Human resources are a key asset to any organization; their level of motivation to commitment depends on the motivational factors offered by the institution. This study examined the factors affecting motivation of staff of Institutions of higher learning in Kenya, a case study of University of Nairobi. The study examined a number of parameters that affect motivation of staff. Such parameters included training and development, working conditions, standards and goals of University of Nairobi, supervision and leadership and remuneration.

The study sought to find out if remuneration is a factor that affects motivation of staff at University of Nairobi, to establish the relationship between working conditions and motivation of staff at University of Nairobi. It also sought to determine if training and development of staff is a factor that affects motivation of staff at University of Nairobi and to determine if the standards and goals of the university are factors affecting motivation of staff at University of Nairobi. Finally the study sought to determine if leadership style is a factor affecting motivation of staff at University of Nairobi.

The study was conducted at the University of Nairobi. The target population was 444 employees, which was sampled from academic, administration and support staff. Descriptive research design was adopted in this study because it allowed a considerable amount of information to be obtained from a large sample. Stratified random sampling was used in this study because the researcher was able to control the sample size in the strata. The researcher used questionnaires as a data collection instrument. Data from questionnaires was analyzed using data management software known as the statistical package for social scientist (SPSS).

During the study the research faced various challenges including lack of time and at times uncooperative respondents who claimed to be too busy to fill the questionnaires. At the period when data was being collected the lecturers strike was on and most of the respondents were not willing to fill the questionnaires which they thought were in relation to the strike. 300 questionnaires were filled and collected out of the 444 questionnaires distributed. This formed a "67.6% response rate. The conclusion from the study was that out of the five parameters that affect motivation of staff, remuneration affects motivation to the greatest extent. It is therefore recommended that the university management look into ways of improving the pay package for the employees so as to ensure effective work performance.

At the end of the study, the researcher established that training and development, supervision and leadership, working conditions, remuneration and standards and goals are factors affecting motivation of staff in University of Nairobi.