The Influence of Job Satisfaction on Employee Performance Among Non-academic Staff at the University of Nairobi

Abstract

In any work place, an employee’s performance is significantly influenced by two main factors, Job satisfaction and motivation. The objective of the study was to investigate the influence of job satisfaction on employee performance among non-academic staff at the University of Nairobi. The study was guided by Herzberg's Two-Factor theory and the Social Exchange theory, which explored how job satisfaction impact employee performance. The study employed a descriptive survey methodology, targeting a population of 2,300 non-academic staff members, with a sample size of 364 respondents selected through stratified random sampling. Data collection was conducted using questionnaires, focusing on various aspects of job satisfaction, including rewards, work environment, training and development, work-life balance, management/leadership style, organizational commitment, and motivation. The findings revealed a significant positive relationship between job satisfaction and employee performance, with job satisfaction accounting for 31.6% of the variance in employee performance. Key factors influencing job satisfaction include recognition and rewards, availability of resources and tools, professional development opportunities, and a supportive work environment. The study concluded that enhancing job satisfaction through effective reward systems, training programs, and supportive management practices can improve employee performance. Recommendations from the study include implementing comprehensive career development programs, establishing better reward systems, and promoting work-life balance policies. The research highlighted the importance of job satisfaction in fostering employee performance and provides valuable insights for human resource management practices in higher education institutions. The limitations of the study were that the researcher had limited time and resources to be able to do a more comprehensive research across different universities in the country. The researcher recommends further studies to be carried out on relationship between job satisfaction and employee performance and identify other factors that influence employee performance