Job Context-Related Variables and Academic Staff Commitment in Nigerian Federal Universities

Abstract

The study observed the influence of job context-related variables (supervision, job security, organisational policy, working condition, and interpersonal relations) on academic staff commitment in Nigerian federal universities. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The study population comprised all academic staff from the six federal universities in Southwestern Nigeria. Two out of the six federal universities were randomly selected. Using simple random sampling technique, sample for the study comprised 400 lecturers. A self-designed and validated instrument titled “Job Context and Academic Staff Commitment Questionnaire” (JOCASCQ) was used for data collection. Data were analysed using multiple regression analysis. The results showed a significant positive influence of job-context related variables on academic staff commitment in Nigerian federal universities. The results showed supervision to have a more positive influence on academic staff commitment with (β=0.335, p<0.05). Likewise, job security exhibited positive influence on academic staff commitment (β=0.255, p<0.05). Furthermore, interpersonal relations (β=237, p<0.05); working conditions (β=0.183, p<0.05); and organisational policy and administration (β =0.172, p<0.05) significantly have positive influence on academic staff commitment. Finally, the results indicated R2 = .412, this revealed that 41.2% of the academic staff commitment in the selected Nigerian federal universities could be explained by the job context-related variables. The study therefore concluded that commitment exhibited by academic staff in Nigerian federal universities depend largely on the job context-related variables.