Rewards and retention of academic staff in private universities in Uganda: A case of Nkumba University

Abstract

The study sought to investigate the relationship between rewards and academic staff retention in Nkumba University. It was guided by two objectives; to find out the relationship between the monetary and non-monetary rewards on academic staff retention in Nkumba University. The study was both quantitative and qualitative. It was cross-sectional in nature involving a total of 69 members of the academic staff who were selected using purposive sampling technique. The main research instruments involved the self-administered questionnaire for academic staff and an interview guide for the administrative staff. The variables of the study were quantitatively tested using Pearson’s Correlation – Co-efficient index while qualitatively it involved the thematic analysis technique. The findings of the study revealed a positive significant relationship between monetary, non-monetary rewards and academic staff retention in Nkumba University. It was therefore concluded that monetary, and non monetary rewards have a positive significant relationship on academic staff retention in Nkumba University. It was recommended that if academic staff retention is to be improved in Nkumba University, policy makers in the Ministry of Education and Sports, National Council for Higher Education, the appointment and welfare committee of Nkumba University, Deans of the respective faculties and Heads of departments should do the following: The appointment and welfare committee of Nkumba University should design and implement competitive reward packages which would serve to attract, motivate and retain staff while at the same time keeping control of the cost, so as to ensure the university financial viability. The government should consider reviewing taxation policies with regard to staff salaries and all other activities in private universities. The administrators should be more responsive to academic staff needs and should adopt employee participation system in the decision making and implementation of the university programs.