The Impact of Academic Staff Appraisals on Job performance in Rwanda's Private Universities

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the impact of staff appraisals on job performance within higher education institutions in Rwanda. Its objectives were to assess the types of appraisals conducted in private universities, evaluate job performance in a selected university, and determine the impact of staff appraisal on job performance. Methodologically, the study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative research methods. A sample of 40 academic staff and 2 senior officials from one university was selected using universal and purposive sampling techniques. Data was collected through structured questionnaires and one-on-one interviews. Key quantitative findings included a low frequency of academic staff appraisals, with Management by Objectives (MBO) and self-evaluation being the predominant methods. Despite this, job performance among academic staff was generally high, with an overall mean score of 3.49. Statistical analysis revealed a significant correlation (p < 0.01) between staff appraisals and job performance, indicating a moderate relationship (r = 0.547) between the two variables. Based on these findings, it is recommended that higher education institutions in Rwanda consider enhancing their staff appraisal systems to further improve job performance. Implementing more regular and comprehensive appraisal processes, along with diverse appraisal methods, could potentially lead to increased motivation and productivity among academic staff