Effects of extrinsic rewards on motivation of academic staff of Ndejje University, Uganda

Abstract

The study sought to investigate the relationship between extrinsic rewards and motivation of academic staff at Ndejje University. The study was prompted by the fact that there was poor motivation of academic staff at Ndejje University as evidenced by lack of effective teaching, failure to mark students work in time, lack of punctuality and failure to accomplish tasks in time among others. The study was guided by three objectives namely; to find out the relationship between salaries and motivation of academic staff of Ndejje University; to examine the relationship between incentives and motivation of academic staff of Ndejje University; and to establish the relationship between fringe benefits and motivation of academic staff of Ndejje University. The study used a cross-sectional research design with majorly quantitative approach involving a population of 240 and a sample size of 124 academic staff who were randomly selected. The main instruments were a self-administered questionnaire and interview guide. Relevant literature was also reviewed concerning extrinsic rewards and motivation of staff. The study objectives were tested using Pearson’s correlation co-efficient index while qualitative data was analyzed and presented using narrative description of responses. The study found that salaries and wages positively enhance staff motivation among academic staff in Ndejje University; however, the salaries and wages were not provided adequately, not regularly paid and at times not fair or timely. Thus academic staff who are contented with their salaries and wages as motivation strategies were capable of performing highly on their Jobs compared to those who are not contented with their salaries and wages. It was also found out that lecturers and administrators were able to become efficient and effective manipulators of the lecturing environment due to the incentives provided. It was indicated that incentives were vital for the achievement of University goals, targets, mission and values through the motivation of the lecturers. It was established that fringe benefits in form of medical allowance, advance payment, lunch allowance, study leave and providing education to the next-of-kin were the key prioritized benefits of the academic staff at Ndejje University. These were the fringe benefits considered by the University administration for promoting motivation of the academic staff. It was concluded that salary, incentives and fringe benefits have a positive significant relationship with academic staff motivation in Ndejje University. Non Financial incentives have a positive significant relationship with academic staff motivation in Ndejje University. From the findings, it was recommended that if motivation of academic staff is to be improved in Ndejje University the following should be done; more money generating activities like creation of agricultural farms, introducing short learning programmes, introduction of book shops in the University among others should be created to increase on academic staff salaries to match their academic qualifications. The management should ensure that incentives are well defined in the budget, readily and promptly given to academic staff and finally, should give benefits fairly according to contributions of individual staff in the University. Such benefits should base on the individual efforts and contribution of academic staff towards the realization of University goals.