Influence of Perceived Organizational Politics in Performance Appraisal Process on Lecturers’ Job Performance at Public Universities in Kenya: A Case of the University of Nairobi

Abstract

Institutions of higher learning across the globe are progressively upholding high levels of academic staff performance by conducting performance appraisals. This is to maintain good quality educational outcomes and to improve the performance of both the academic staff and the institution. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of perceived organizational politics in performance appraisal process on lecturers’ job performance at public universities in Kenya, a case of the University of Nairobi. Three objectives served as the foundation for the study: to determine the impact of lecturers' perceptions of performance appraisal feedback, the utility of the PA findings, and weight distribution on performance.  Purposive and stratified proportionate sampling and simple random sampling techniques were used to sample 11 deans of faculties, 19 chairs of the departments and 100 lecturers. Interview guide, open and closed-ended questionnaires and document analysis were the main instruments for data collection. The data was analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative techniques. The result of the study revealed that provision of performance appraisal feedback was selective and inconsistent. It was also found that the system lacked utilization of performance appraisal results and that the system favored performance in research and publications activities. As a result lecturers were not willing to take extra workload, and guide students promptly in their academic works. The study concluded that performance appraisal process was not fare thus it had negative influence on lecturers’ job performance in public universities. The study recommend that there is need to revise the performance appraisal system in public universities to factor in best practices that would promote fairness in order to realize effective lecturers’ job performance.

Keywords: Performances Appraisal Process, Organizational Politics, Lecturers’ Job Performance

DOI: 10.7176/JEP/14-20-05

Publication date:July 31^st 2023