WORK PLACE DESIGN AND JOB PERFORMANCE OF ACADEMIC STAFF IN STATE POLYTECHNICS, IN SOUTH-SOUTH NIGERIA

Abstract

The study examined workplace designs and job performance of academic staff of State polytechnics in South South, Nigeria. The study was guided by three research questions and three research hypotheses. Correlational research design was adopted for the study. The   population   of the study consisted 1762 academic staff of State polytechnics in South-South Nigeria. A sample size of 326 academic staff in State polytechnics was obtained using Taro Yamane’s formula. The sample was selected for the study using proportionate and simple random sampling technique. The researcher-developed instrument used in collecting data for the study was titled “Workplace Designs and Job Performance Questionnaire (WDJPQ)”. The instrument was structured using a four-point scale and duly validated by three experts in the Faculty of Education and Faculty of Vocational Education, Library and Information Science, all in University of  Uyo, Uyo. Cronbach Alpha statistics was used to obtain a reliability coefficient of 0.86 for the WDJPQ. Regression analysis statistics was used in answering the research questions and in testing the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study indicate that office layout, furniture and lighting significantly influence job performance of academic staff of State polytechnics in South-South, Nigeria. Recommendations made, among others, include; Polytechnic management should ensure that office layouts are well planned to promote effective movement, accessibility and interaction among academic staff. Adequate office space should also be provided to enable staff perform their teaching, research and administrative responsibilities efficiently. Also, Polytechnic authorities should provide comfortable and ergonomic office furniture that supports the health and productivity of academic staff. The furniture provided should be durable, functional and suitable for the academic tasks carried out by staff members.