Implementation of Management Strategies and Academic Staff Retention in Private Universities in Southwest, Nigeria

Abstract

Implementing management strategies to retain staff is an important issue for universities as it impacts the institution's quality of teaching, research, and administrative services. The study examined the implementation of management strategies and their impact on academic staff retention in nine selected private universities. The research sample comprises 1,736 academic staff members from these institutions. The study investigated the various management strategies employed by private universities to retain their academic workforce and explored their effectiveness in promoting staff retention. The paper utilized a mixed-methods approach, combining both quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques. A survey questionnaire was distributed among academic staff members to assess their perceptions of management strategies and their impact on retention. Additionally, in-depth interviews were conducted with key university administrators to gain insights into the specific strategies employed and their rationale. The findings highlighted the management strategies that private universities adopt to retain academic staff and the implications of enhancing their staff retention efforts. The findings also informed university administrators and human resource professionals about the strategies that can greatly impact academic staff retention if implemented properly.The study concluded that formulation and effective implementation of management strategies will improve academic staff retention. By identifying successful practices and addressing areas for improvement, universities can enhance their ability to attract and retain talented academic staff. This, in turn, will contribute to the overall quality of the universities.