Perceived influence of the work environment on productivity among administrative staff: a case of University of Nairobi

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of the work environment on the productivity of administrative staff. The factors under investigation in the study were the physical environment, job related factors and the fringe benefits impact on administrative staff productivity. The study was guided by the specific objectives; to itientify influence of physical work environment on productivity among administrative employees in the University of Nairobi; to assess the relationship between the office ergonomics and employee productivity among administrative staff in the University of Nairobi and to establish the extent that job - related factors affect employee productivity among administrative staff at the University of Nairobi.

The target population of the study consisted of 161 Senior Administrative staff and Administrative Assistant staff in six colleges, Central Administration and Students' Welfare Authority where a sample of 93 respondents was carried out. The researcher used both qualitative and quantitative methods to collect data which included the questionnaires and five key informant interviews. Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS). Study findings indicated that there is an impact of the physical environment with regard to the noise factor which was identified to be disruptive and difficult to control particularly among the open plan office design some offices. Job related factors were also indicated to have an impact on the productivity of employees which was ranked poorly by the study participants.

The study respondents acknowledged the management's effort to provide fringe benefits in the course of their work among which medical cover was the most coveted. Respondents indicated that management should consider the harmonization of fringe benefits offered to staff across Departments and Colleges. Based on these findings the study made the following recommendations, the University of Nairobi should continuously assess the physical working conditions of administrative staff and implement measures. University management to increase the number of potted plants in staff work spaces to counter the effect of high humidity which has been observed to contribute to illness; The university of Nairobi management should consider harmonization of fringe benefits offered to administrative employees across the colleges .