Job satisfaction and lecturers’ job performance: A comparison of liberian public and private universities.

Abstract

The study examined job satisfaction and lecturers’ job performance in Liberian public and private universities. The purpose of the study was to comparatively establish the differences in lecturers’ job satisfaction and performance between public and private universities in Liberia. The study was guided by three objectives; To establish the differences in lecturer’s pay/salary and their job performance between public and private universities in Liberia; To establish the differences in lecturers’ supervision process and their job performance between public and private universities in Liberia; and to establish the differences in lecturers’ working conditions and their job performance between public and private universities in Liberia. A cross-sectional survey was employed as a design of the study on subjects comprising of 141 lecturers using a self-administered questionnaire and 28 administrators using interview guide. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were applied. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis while quantitative data used independent sample test that generated descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings of the study revealed that pay, supervision, and working conditions are the major impediments on lecturers’ morale and job performance in the universities (public and private). The findings showed significant differences between the universities and availed that lecturers have been shifting from private to public universities where there exists higher salaries, a more coordinated supervision process, and better working conditions. The study recommends that in order to enhance satisfaction, promote lecturers’ performance and prestige, retain and maintain equity in the universities, policy makers including administrators in Liberian universities should ensure the provision of a suitable salary which is adequate and competitive; revision in approaches by adopting appropriate measurers and suitable approaches in supervision process that makes lecturers aware of protocols and procedures for informed decisions, contributions and conclusions out of management; and that working conditions be reviewed frequently so as to be given a priority and facilitated to meet the existing demands.