IMPACT OF ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURES ON PERFORMANCE OF PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN NIGERIA

Nnamdi S.N. Ene

PhD, Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu, Nigeria

Veronica E. Mogboh

PhD, Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu, Nigeria

Silba I. Uzochukwu

PhD, Coal City Business School, Enugu, Nigeria

Cordyl N. Obi

MSc, Institute of Ecumenical Education, Enugu Nigeria

Abstract

This work investigated the nexus between administrative structures and performance of selected public universities in Nigeria. The work evaluates the influence of organic and mechanistic structures on tasks accomplishment in Nigerian public universities and as well investigates the effect of leadership styles on staff morale in Nigeria’s public universities. The study adopted survey design with data collection from staff of four purposively selected public universities in eastern Nigeria, which are University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu State; Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State; Federal University of Technology, Owerri; and Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki. A self-administered closed-end questionnaire was utilized to generate responses from a sample of 445 respondents who were staff of the four selected public universities. The findings show that organic and mechanistic structures both significantly influenced tasks accomplishment in public universities. The study also found out that leadership styles affected staff morale in the Nigerian public universities. The study therefore concluded that the administrative structures adopted by Nigerian public universities dictate their performance. It was recommended that the management of public universities in Nigeria should do in-depth diagnosis of management-structure decision areas, such as institutional planning, staff training and development, organizational design among others. This should cover issues like the best management systems and techniques to adopt at the right time, with the right cost and to the right staff, and also taking into consideration the environmental factors and variables that are external to the university systems in Nigeria.

Keywords: Administrators, Organizational Structure, Employee Morale, Public Universities,