A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the
Award of the Degree of Master of Science in Human Resources Management
(MSC. HRM) of Mzumbe University
Motivation is vital for organizations to perform well; without motivation
employees will not contribute enough and the organizations performance would
be less efficient. It is in view of this that this study was conducted to assess the
contribution of motivational policies and practices to the performance of Ardhi
University. The case-study approach was adopted for the study with qualitative
techniques such as simple random sampling and judgmental/purposive sampling
techniques were employed. Key informant interviews and questionnaires were
the methods of data collection for the study. Based on the sample of 100
employees, the study found that, motivation packages for the staff Ardhi
University are inadequate, poorly implemented and unfairly distributed among
employees. Findings have revealed that although senior members of staff
expressed the same sort of dissatisfaction, it was still possible for them to
perform better because they are highly motivated unlike their counterparts who
are junior staff who complained bitterly that motivation policies and practices are
not well implemented and also motivation packages was unfair among staff. This
was evident in distributions of incentives to members of staff whereby junior
staff enjoys medical care through National Health Insurance and other few
benefits while senior members enjoy responsibility allowance, housing
allowance, entertainment allowance and utilities allowance. Monetary rewards
and a conducive-working environment were the preferred form of motivation for
workers. The effects of poor motivation on work performance at Ardhi
University were absenteeism, low output and high labour turnover. The study
therefore, recommends that management should support the implementation of
motivational policies and practices, employee’s performance should be the basis
of motivation, equal opportunities in decision making among academicians and
supporting staff as well as increase women representatives in decision making
and lastly the government should increase flow of funds to the University in
order to build morale of employees in the fulfillment of the core mission of the
University.