LEADERSHIP BEHAVIOUR, ORGANISATIONAL COMMITMENT, JOB SATISFACTION AND SERVICE QUALITY IN COMMERCIAL BANKS IN UGANDA: A CASE OF AMPALA DISTRICT

Bosco mutambira

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to establish the relationship between leadership behaviour, organizational commitment, job satisfaction and service quality. The study was prompted by reports  of  increased  customer  dissatisfaction  and  complaints  thought  to  be  a  result  of perceived poor service quality in commercial banks.

Results revealed positive and significant relationships between leadership behaviour and service quality, leadership behaviour and organizational commitment, leadership behaviour and job satisfaction, organizational commitment and service quality, job satisfaction and service quality which implies that when one variable is improved it leads to improvement of the other. In addition, leadership behaviour is a better predictor of service quality followed by organizational  commitment  which  implies  that  to  improve  on  service  quality;  emphasis should be put on improvement of leadership behaviour followed by organizational commitment. Introduction

Leadership is widely recognised as a critical factor in the success or failure of an organization (Hasbullah, 2008). Leadership enables an organisation to translate its potential for good performance into productivity (Samuel, 2005). Managers can no longer rely on their hierarchical positions to attain organisational goals. In order to get best result from subordinates, managers need to encourage high morale, a spirit of involvement and co- operation and a willingness to work by adapting desirable leadership behaviour (Asuquo,

2007).The choice of leader behaviour influences the internal environment. Banks being customer-contact businesses, the behaviours and actions of frontline employees during service delivery influence how service quality will be perceived (Malhotra & Mukherjee,

2004). Supportive and participative leader behaviours are key in influencing employee behaviour and commitment towards quality (Forrester, 2000).   The freedom and ability to make decisions and commitments from employees improves on employee-service quality to customers. Leaders need to involve employees in the defining and developing vision statements (Liu, 2006). He further argues that failure of involvement leads to employees being dissatisfied and unwilling to summon the effort needed to provide a higher standard of service quality to customers. This therefore means that commitment and job satisfaction of customer-contact employees is important during service delivery, though banks customers continue to complain about bank services.

Kagenda (2008) noted how Stanbic and Centenary banks managed on the autocratic mode of leadership behaviour have been unresponsive to customer needs, leading to low service quality. For example, Anecdotal findings indicate the hurdles customers experience before their  loans  and  advances  can  be  sanctioned  in  Stanbic  bank  resulting  from  too  much.

Bureaucracy (Kyokunda, 2006). This led to salaried employees shifting their accounts from Stanbic to Standard chartered bank where the procedures and process of acquiring loans are flexible (Loan portfolio report, 2008). Stanbic bank written complaints also increased from

4.9% to 8% (Kyokunda, 2006). Stanbic bank staff are allocated specific roles which cannot be  altered  even  in  cases  of  special  needs  without  prior  authority  (Customer  Evaluation Report, 2003 & Asiimwe, 2010). This has led to long queues when customers are paying schools fees (Daily Monitor 25th, February, 2010). All these undermine the service quality in such banking institutions.

Oseku (2009) noted that the poor relations between the leaders and subordinates undermine service quality. In Centenary bank for example, the loans department manager failed to communicate to employees the progress on the growth of loan portfolios in bank as agreed on before. This made employees dissatisfied with their jobs leading to the reduction of Loan portfolios from 9% in 2006 to 7% in 2007 as centenary bank dissatisfied employees discouraged customers from taking up loans from the bank accusing it of charging higher interest rates with unflexible repayment terms and instead referred them to competitors whose interested rates were slightly low.

Low commitment amongst staff may lead to low service quality. For example Odeke (2010) adds that in Barclays bank Lira branch, the employee commitment reduced due to the banks failure to honour its promise of pay rise and to create a favourable internal climate. This created job dissatisfaction amongst employees. Employees made errors like crediting other customer‟s accounts which took long to be corrected, lack of concern for customer needs, delays  in  approving  and  processing  transactions  leading  to  an  increase  of  customer complaints from 5% in 2008 to 8.8% in 2009 which undermine the quality of service in such

banks. Namubiru (2008) links low commitment with the rise in e-bank fraud as seven bank employees are currently facing fraud charges amounting to 567.6M. One being from Bank of Africa (sh17m), four Crane Bank employees (sh50.6m), three cashiers of Capital Finance Limited (sh500m) (New Vision Friday, 3rd October, 2008).

Institutions need to ensure quality consistence and improved criteria for assessment in addressing the ever increasing concerns on quality banking practices.

LITERATURE REVIEW

The review of the existing scholarly literature about leadership behaviour, organizational commitment, job satisfaction and service quality. This review focuses on supportive, participative and directive which are the constructs of leadership behaviour. Organizational commitment was denoted by the constructs of affective normative and continuous.  Job satisfaction is seen under extrinsic and intrinsic attributes.  Service quality was reviewed using the constructs of tangibility, reliability, responsiveness, assurance and empathy.

Leadership behaviour and service quality

Leadership behaviours adopted by managers have been argued to influence the effectiveness of the service delivery process, resulting in greater levels of service quality being provided to organizational customers (Zeithaml & Bitner, 1996). Leadership is a social influence process in which the leader seeks the voluntary participation of subordinates in an effort to reach organization goals (Omolayo, 2000), a process whereby one person exerts social influence over other members of the group (Bamigboye, 2000), a process of influencing the activities of an individual or a group of individuals in an effort towards goal achievement in given situations (Akanwa, 1997), and a relational concept involving both the influencing agent and the person being influenced (Eze, 1995). Effective leadership is the extent to which a leader continually and progressively leading and directing his/her followers to the agreed destination which is defined by the whole group (Omolayo, 2000) Daft (2005) defined leadership as an influence relationship among leaders and followers who intend real changes and outcomes that reflect their shared purposes. Over the course of time, a number of dimensions or facets of leadership behaviour have been developed and applied as researchers continue to discover what contributes to leadership success and failures. The Path-Goal theory suggests a threefold classification of leader behaviours, as described below.

Directive leadership (initiating structure; task-oriented) tells subordinates exactly what they are supposed to do. This leadership behaviour is similar to the initiating structure or task- oriented leadership styles. According to House, Robert , Terence   & Mitchell (1991); Lunenburg , Fred, & Allen, (2000) and Rollinson, Derek, Ayşen & Broadfield (2002), directive leadership behavior‟s structure has the characteristics such as close control over employees, inspecting employee performances, telling them what to do and describing them their  roles,  standardizing  their  behavior,  not  trusting  them,  not  participating  them  into decision making process, and dominating them. Supportive leadership (consideration; people- oriented) shows concern for subordinates‟ wellbeing and personal needs, and is similar to the consideration or people-oriented leadership styles.

Participative leadership is defined as leadership that involves employees across levels of the hierarchy in decision-making. Participative leaders involve their subordinates in making and implementing decisions  (House, Hanges, Javidan, Dorfman,  & Gupta,  2004). They seek subordinates‟ input on important decisions and value others‟ points of view. Participative leaders also tend to be more tolerant of differences because they know that those differences can improve decision-making. Participative leadership consults with subordinates about decisions. However, there is no one best leadership behaviour. The effectiveness of a particular behaviour is dependent on the organizational situation (Omolayo, 2004; Rad & Yarmohammadian, 2006).

Service quality represents a customer‟s assessment of the overall level of service offered by an organisation (Carman, 1990;  Koelemeijer, 1993), and this assessment is often based upon perceptions of service encounters. The term service encounter is used to denote person to person interactions  between  a  customer  and  an  employee of  an  organisation  during the purchase of a service (Bitner, 1990; Bitner, Booms, & Mohr, 1994; Bitner, Booms, & Tetreault, 1990; Fisk, Brown, & Bitner, 1993; King & Garey, 1997; Mattsson, 1994). The quality of these interactions between customers and employees has been empirically proven to be a source of satisfaction for service customers (Bitner, Booms,  & Tetreault, 1990; Johnston, 1995). Thus, knowing how to improve the quality of these interactions requires leaders adapting appropriate leadership behaviour.

Managers‟ leadership behaviors impose great influence on the working attitudes, behaviors and  performance  of  employees.  In  particular,  supportive  leadership  can  give  rise  to employees’ reaction, generating significant and positive relationship with employees’ working behavior and attitudes (Yukl, 1999; Judge & PiccoloIlies, 2004). Supportive leadership involves support to relationship and jobs. When managers emphasize and support the demand of employees, and keep good relationship with them, the psychological contract will be established between employees and bank (or managers),which is positively related to employees‟ attitudes and further engenders positive influence on employees‟ behaviors(Henkel et al., 2007). The empirical study conducted by Schalk et al. (1998) shows that psychological contract may form series of psychological liability for the employees and managers, and then yield to mutual obligation for each, and finally affect employees‟ behaviors and attitudes. Based on all these arguments, employees motivated by supportive leadership regard it as the obligation to complete the in-role work, keep long relationship with the organization, and positively participate in the organizational management and decision-making, and perform positive word of mouth marketing in the proper occasions which may result into quality service delivery.

Previous research has linked supportive leadership behaviour to delivery of service quality. Singh (2000) found that frontline employees felt that supervisory support enhanced their performance levels. Brown and Peterson (1993) found that contact employees who believed their manager showed concern for them exert more effort in the workplace. As employees perceive greater support from management, their sense of obligation to reciprocate with greater effort will increase. Consequently, it is sound to assume that supportive leadership behaviour is able to enhance the levels of employee service quality to customers (Slatten,

2009).   Yousef (2000) concurs that when supportive leadership behaviour is adopted employees are more committed to their organizations, more satisfied with their jobs, and their performance is high leading to improved service. According to a comprehensive literature review by Yousef (2000), several researchers have also looked into the relationship between leadership behaviour and job performance. Findings were inconsistent as well. A couple of studies in the steel industry and electronic meeting systems reported higher satisfaction and performance levels under directive leadership style when given a highly structured task, while supportive leadership style is preferred for unstructured problems (Downey et al.,

1975; Kahai et al., 1997). Zeithaml and Bitner (1996) as in Farrell (2001) assert that the leadership styles adopted by managers have been argued to influence the effectiveness of the service delivery process, resulting in greater levels of service quality being provided to customers.

Schneider, White, and Paul (1998) found that supportive organizational climate encourages service employees to exert efforts and use their competencies on delivering high service quality,  which  in  turn,  yields  positive  perceptions  and  experiences  of  customers.  Thesupportive leadership may not only induce employees‟ positive emotion, but also indicates

managers‟ recognition and love to employees (Rafferty & Griffin, 2006; Wofford & Liska,

1993). Employees encouraged by relationship supportive leadership will see it as obligation to support the manager‟s work, keep long-term relationship with the supervisor, work hard to accomplish the in-role job, positively participate in the managerial decision, provide first- hand information and compliment their supervisors in the interpersonal association (Grandey,

2000). The desire to keep long relationship with the organization indicates that managers‟ work and leadership behaviors receive employees‟ recognition and make employees generate the commitment to follow managers, keep long-range relationship with the organization and support the managers‟ work (Morgan & Hunt, 1994; Burmann & Zeplin, 2005; King & Grace, 2006; Burmann, Zeplin & Riley, 2009). As to employees‟ service quality building behavior, employees‟ commitment behaves as keeping long relationship with the bank, working hard to complete the in-role job and trying their best to improve the team‟s and firm‟s performance. Employees will try hard to do the in-role and extra-role job better, take better advantage of direct access to customers to provide efficient information for the managerial decision, and conduct more positive word of mouth marketing to repay the trust and support of their supervisors. This assertion is supported by some studies that managers’ support to the work is an important approach for employees to improve their performance (Gardner & Schermerhorn, 2004; Luthans et al., 2008) which leads to improved service quality.

           Leadership Behaviour and Organisational Commitment

Leaders should understand that the issue of employees‟ organizational commitment is a crucial  element  to  be  addressed  to  (Tushman  &  O‟Reilly;  Nadler,  1997;  Limerick, Cunnington & Crowther, 1998). Organizational commitment is influenced by the job environment created by the employee‟s supervisor. This organizational environment, together

with the employee‟s ability and motivation, will largely determine eventual performance (Cummings & Schwabs, 1973). According to Stum (1999), employee commitment reflects the quality of the leadership in the organization. The study by Eisenberger et al. (1986) showed  that  employees‟ organizational  commitment  is  strongly influenced  by perceived (generalized) organizational support. Employees are more likely to feel an obligation to return the supportive behaviour in terms of affective commitment (Shore & Wayne, 1993).

Further, Mottaz‟s (1988) study of 1,385 employees from various occupations found that employees who perceived a friendly and supportive relationship with their co-workers and supervisors had a strong, positive commitment to their respective organizations. Employees who believe their superiors are considerate leaders will be more committed to their organizations than those who do not perceive their managers as such (Johnston, Parasuraman, Futrell, & Black, 1990). Supervisory consideration refers to leader behaviours concerned with promoting the comfort and wellbeing of subordinates (Schriesheim & Stogdill, 1975). Employees may interpret the support provided by their employer as a demonstration of commitment towards them (Eisenberger et al., 1986; Rhoades & Eisenberger, 2002; Shore & Shore, 1995), which in turn tend to enhance their commitment to the organization. Tharenou (1993) showed that support from one‟s direct supervisor led to less absence among subordinates. Pelz (1952) presented data suggesting that at least in large groups, employees were  more  satisfied  with  superiors  who  identified  closely with  higher  management  and assisted them in goal attainment.

Loui (1995) examined the relationship between the broad construct of organizational commitment and the outcome measures of supervisory trust, job involvement, and job satisfaction. In all three areas, Loui (1995) reported positive relationships with organizational

commitment. More specifically, perceived trust in the supervisor, an ability to be involved with the job, and feelings of job satisfaction were major determinants of organizational commitment. Effective leaders are expected to generate higher levels of organizational commitment, as Shamir, House and Arthur (1993) phrased, “Their art is to manufacture ethics to give life through commitment to the spirit of the organization”. In nine studies involving 2,734 persons, Dunham, Grube, and Castaneda (1994) examined how participatory management and supervisory feedback influenced employee levels of affective, continuance, and normative commitment. The researchers found that when supervisors provided feedback about performance and allowed employees to participate in decision-making, employee levels of affective commitment was stronger than both continuance and normative. That is, employees indicated staying with the organization was more related to wanting to, rather than needing to or feeling they ought to.

In another study involving 763 employees, Becker (1992) examined whether employees‟ commitment to different constituencies or to the overall organization were better predictors of job satisfaction, intention to quit, and prosocial behaviour. He discovered that employees’ commitment to top management, supervisors, and work groups contributed significantly beyond commitment to the organization. According to Yousef (2000), those who perceive their superior as adopting consultative or participative leadership behaviour are more committed to their organization. Mathieu and Zajac (1990) suggested that a supervisor who provides more accurate and timely types of communication enhances the work environment and thereby is likely to increase employees‟ commitment to the organization. This view was supported by prior research that showed that organisational commitment was higher for employees whose leaders encouraged participation in decision-making (Rhodes & Steers,

1981), emphasized consideration (Bycio, Hackett & Allen, 1995) and were supportive and

concerned for their followers‟ development (Allen & Meyer, 1990; 1996).    Ito and Brotheridge‟s (2005) agree that supervisory support plays an important role in the quality relationship between leaders and followers leads to organisational commitment although their studies focused on the labour turnover intentions.

The supportive leadership can improve the working efficiency and performance of employees and, promote their willingness to keep a long-term relationship with the organization. Moreover, employees will feel more obliged to do their in-role work better and make full use of their consumers‟ knowledge to provide information assistance for managerial decision owing to the  extra  support  from  the  managers.  Babin and Boles  (1996)  indicate  that managers‟ support to employees‟ work such as providing important resources, which is a central factor for improving employees‟ working performance, can stimulate employees‟ enthusiasm to complete their work. If managers provide the working resources and build psychological contract between the employees and managers, employees will be more likely to perform anticipated behaviors of managers, accomplish working tasks in the requirements of managers to reciprocate managers’ support (Keller & Dansereau, 1995). In the light of social exchange theory, employees tend to repay managers’ support through those approaches which are helpful to business development, such as positively participating in the managerial decision and performing positive word of mouth marketing.

Past literatures have also suggested that successful organizations need leadership mechanism that not only envision the goals, but also provides the right service climate, resources and directs employee towards continuous commitment to service quality (Pecci & Rosenthal,

1996, Hartline et al., 2000; Suliman 2001; Natasha & Subroto, 2003; Clark et al., 2008). Supportive and appreciative attitude and supportive behaviour on the part of managers (e.g.

complimenting on good work) has been shown to be related to employees‟ willingness to provide good service (Schneider & Bowen, 1993). Stressing the value of service excellence is important, through role modeling and verbal stimulation managers can direct employees‟ attention to providing friendly and attentive service and to the importance of ensuring that customers are satisfied.  Also, according to  Pfeffer  (1998),  providing  employees  with sufficient and useful information should help their appreciation of what is important for company performance. Another behaviour that may play a role is fairness. Bowen et al. (1999) argue that if management treats employees fairly, then they in turn will be more likely to treat customers fairly. Thus, employees‟ perception that managers evaluate their performance in a fair manner may also be related to employees‟ commitment to providing good service.

     Leadership Behaviour and Job satisfaction

There  are  limited  studies  on  the  relationship  between  leadership  behaviour  and  service quality. Scholars such as Yukl (2002) found out that leaders help to create an environment that influences the behaviors of their followers at work. Similarly the behaviors of leaders in banking institutions create dyadic relationship between them and their followers. This creates an environment of innovativeness that improves service quality in banks. Research findings indicate that providing employees with information and support contributes to quality service in organisations and that if employees are treated fairly by management, they will be in position to treat service recipients fairly (Den Hartog & Verburg, 2002).

Appelbaum et al. (2004) and Yousef (2000), note that though the relationship between leadership behaviour and job satisfaction received a great deal of attention in past research, however, findings have been mixed (Pool, 1997; Savery, 1994 & Yousef, 2000). Research therefore does not directly link employee satisfaction to a specific leadership style. Instead, many suggest that leadership style needs to adapt to the culture or situation as it attempts to

reduce employee dissatisfaction. Liu (2006) recommends that effective managerial practice for service organizations should include involving employees in the defining and developing of a vision  statement.  He  argues  that  one  result  of  this  kind  of  involvement  leads  to employees being satisfied and more willing to summon the effort needed to provide a higher standard of service quality to customers.

McNeese-Smith (1996) in his study found that the perception of staff toward the leadership behaviour of their managers was significantly related to their job satisfaction. When leaders are  supportive,  they  create  opportunities  that  lead  to  staff  perceiving  their  work  as meaningful, stimulating and giving a sense of coherence (Antonovsky, 1979).   Managers perceived  as  supportive  leaders  influence  staff  job  satisfaction  in  a  positive  way.  Staff working under a manager perceived as supportive rate higher job satisfaction than staff under directive leader. A manager with directive leadership behaviour affects job satisfaction in a negative way. Earlier findings also support the above argument that where poor management practices, including lack of support, feedback and supervision, have been associated with job dissatisfaction (Taunton et al. 1997, Taylor et al. 1999) and intention to leave (Wai Chi Tai et al., 1998). Newman et al. (2002) also found that poor communication was one of the main reasons for dissatisfaction and intention to leave.

Tushman and Nadler (1978) note that verbal (i.e. informal) communication between supervisors and employees is more effective because it facilitates timely exchange of information, feedback and evaluation and, overall, improve employees‟ perception of communication quality which, eventually leads to increased job satisfaction (Lind & Zmud,

1995). Moreover, Johlke and Duhan  (2001) report  that  bidirectional  communication  has positive outcomes for front-line personnel and, as Lings (1999) notes, this is an important aspect of work place conditions that affect job satisfaction. Similarly, Nathan et al. (1991)report that job satisfaction is related to the communication between subordinates and supervisors while Graham et al. (1993), found that employees who communicate with their superiors for pleasure and not just to bide time (escape) report high satisfaction with those superiors. These findings are consistent with those of Infante et al. (1993) and Infante and Gorden (1991) who report that an informal communication climate leads to job satisfaction.

     Organizational Commitment and service Quality

According to Muthuveloo and Rose (2005), organisational commitment refers to ability of employees to be loyal and identify with the organisation in relation to the duties and responsibilities being held. In organisational commitment, the employees identify themselves with the goals and values of the organisation they work for to enable it achieve increased performance (Herscovitch & Meyer, 2002). They argue that commitment can be in form of affective, normative and continuance. Commitment comes with job related behaviours such as reduced absenteeism and this leads to effective quality service. Affective commitment is related to emotional attachment to the organisation based on positive feelings of job characteristics.    This type of commitment is associated with age and organisational tenure (Mottaz, 1988 & Rowden, 2003). Continuance commitment emerges when the employee perceives the costs of leaving being high and decides to remain with the organisation. Normative commitment refers to an employee‟s obligation to stay working with the organisation due to clear understanding of organisational values and goals (Meyer & Allen,

1991; Meyer & Allen, 1997).

Commitment to service quality is defined and understood as “conformity to a specification” (Martin 1986; Witt & Steward, 1996; O‟Neil & Palmer, 2004) and in achieving “excellence” (Peters & Waterman, 1982). It is also about commitment to meet the customers‟ needs and their  expectations  (Witt  &  Steward,  1996),  and  about  building  relationships  between  a

ustomer and the bank (Kandampully, 2002). Accordingly, the most important basis for the assessment of quality is the individual‟s experience of a service that comes from the internal quality service of the internal customer (all the bank‟s employees). Their commitment and willingness  to  serve  is  in  the  best  interest  of  the  customers,  which  incidentally  is  a prerequisite for achieving service quality (Kandampully, 2002). Clark et al. (2008) defined commitment to service quality as the “dedication of employees to render service quality and the willingness to go beyond what is expected of them”.

Past findings have also established that employees who are committed to the organization will remain loyal and are inversely related to turnover (Hartline et al., 2000); Clark et al.,2009; Elmadag et al., 2008). In such conditions, employees were known to spend more time and energy in assisting the organization realize its goals and they also put their own self-interest aside (Tsai, 2008; Sohail & Shaikh, 2004; Yiing & Ahmad, 2008). They would subscribe to the idea of being a citizen of the organisation and be fully committed to the goals of the organisation  (Rashid  et  al.,  2003).  They would therefore  be  fully  committed  in achieving the organizational goals. Hashim and Mahmood (2011) argue that committed employees put in efforts that go beyond normal expectation in the delivery of high service quality because they feel strongly about improving service quality and personal accomplishments in providing service quality. They further assert that it seems that such employees are not only dedicated in ensuring the continuous improvement of their bank‟s service quality but may also have derived personal satisfaction in terms of delivering service quality.

Maignan and Ferrell (1999) perceived higher commitment level to contribute towards increased or higher performance. Joolideh and Yeshodhara (2009) noted that “organisational

ommitment is  critical  to  retain  and  attract  well-qualified  personnel”.  This was  also reinforced by Malhotra and Mukherjee (2004) that Service quality in banks suffers when employees are unwilling or unable to perform a service at the level required. Bank‟s energy entirely depends on the willingness of their employees to support their cause. During the crucial service encounter, it is the willingness of these employees to engage in discretionary effort  that  determines  the  level  of  service  quality  delivered  and  the  satisfaction  of  the customer (Zeithaml et al., 1990). Hence, the willingness of employees to accept and support organisational goals and to behave in a manner likely to promote them influences the level of service quality (Boshoff & Tait, 1996). Any organisation‟s success will be jeopardised if its employees fail to accept the firm‟s missions, goals and objectives (Unzicker et al., 2000) and fail to believe in what the company stands for (Congram & Friedman, 1991).

Long  term  cutomer  relationships  can  be  built  with  a  long  term  committed  workforce (Boshoff & Allen, 2000), as it is unlikely that an organisation will have loyal customers without loyal employees (Reicheld, 1996). Hence, the organisational commitment of frontline employees has an important role to play in determining the level of service quality delivered to customers (Sergeant  & Frenkel, 2000). Committed employees dedicate their time, talents and energy compared to non committed employees (Boshoff & Mels, 1995). This implies that committed employees are more likely to be better service quality performers due to their willingness to engage in discretionary effort beyond the normal call of duty (Hasbullah,

2008). The innovativeness of employees requires commitment that contributes to greater flexibility affecting quality (Morris et al, 1990).

Job satisfaction and service quality

Job satisfaction has been described as the most important predictor for employees‟ intention to remain employed (Shader et al. 2001; Cowin, 2002; Larrabee et al. 2003). Job satisfaction can be considered from a global perspective, such as the feelings and emotions perceived by the individual employee based on work experiences (Price, 2001; Spector, 1997). It can also be explored through a facet approach, studying employee attitudes towards various aspects (facets) of their jobs. Taris and Feij (2001) described two aspects of values, intrinsic and extrinsic where intrinsic values refer to immaterial aspects of the job such as job variety and autonomy and extrinsic values refer to material work aspects such as salary and opportunity for promotion. Job satisfaction decreases when intrinsic work values are not met (Taris & Feij, 2001; Hegney et al. 2006).The main theme of these earlier studies is that job satisfaction is the result of an evaluation of whether ones job meets ones needs; if one feels dissatisfied, searching for and accepting another place to work will likely occur.

Zeithaml and Bitner (2000) argue that “there is concrete evidence that satisfied employees make for satisfied customers”. Research on customer-contact jobs in service sector has established a strong positive relationship between job satisfaction and service quality (Moshavi & Terborg, 2002). In banks, because frontline employees present the “personality of the firm to the customers” (Belt et al., 1999), their dissatisfaction with the job can easily spill over into service interactions, leading to poor perceptions of service quality (Wiley,

1991; Batt & Moynihan, 2002). Employees who are satisfied with their jobs will deliver better service quality than those who are not (Hartline & Ferrell, 1996; Atkins et al., 1996). This is also supported by the works of Motowidlo, (1984) that people who are in a positive frame of mind are more likely to be altruistic, helpful and considerate to deliver exceptional service that satisfies customer needs. Employee satisfaction and loyalty are seen as critical to the capability of service organisations to respond effectively to customer needs, whilst also driving down costs through reduced recruitment and training expenditure and all the cost efficiencies which accrue from skilled workers who are up to speed and familiar with both the tasks at hand and their customers (Silvestro, 2002).

Pearce (1992) points out that outputs from the service industries are intangible goods and quality or value of services gained by the consumers are largely determined by the instantaneous performance of the service employees. In banking operations, service quality extended to the customers is determined by satisfied on-site employees. Employee job satisfaction directly impacts the mood and manner in which the service is performed and hence affecting the service quality experienced by the customer. Extensive studies suggest that job satisfaction plays a crucial role in sustaining the performance of service employees in the workplace, hence the service quality provided to customers (Lee et al., 2006; Karl & Peluchette,  2006;  Mackenzie  et  al.,  1998;  Netemeyer  et  al.,  1997;  Rogers  et  al.,  1994; Hoffman & Ingram, 1992). As ascertained by Hoffman and Ingram (1992), if a business wants to satisfy the needs of its customers, it must first satisfy the needs of its employees. Front-line workers‟ overall  job  satisfaction  is  positively  correlated  with  their  customer- oriented behavior.

Although it is the frontline staff who ultimately deliver the service to the customer, they need the  full  support  of  those  in  the  “backroom”  in  order  for  the  service  encounter  to  run smoothly. Boshoff and Allen (2000) note that banks striving to deliver excellent service must ensure that the desired employee behaviours are actively encouraged and appropriately rewarded to motivate employees to provide service excellence and recovery efforts necessary to enhance service quality so as to restore the satisfaction of a disgruntled customers (Berry

& Parasuraman, 1991). Appropriately rewarding employees for the delivery of quality service

will help to ensure that the vision of service excellence is implemented (Cone, 1998). Dealing with angry customers is a thankless task and employees who perform the task well should be recognised and rewarded. If improved service delivery efforts go unrewarded, they will not be  performed  effectively and  customer  satisfaction  and  retention  will  suffer  as  a  result (Boshoff & Allen, 2000).

In service-based industries, according to Hoffman and Ingram (1992), job satisfaction is an antecedent of customer-oriented behaviour. This belief is supported both by their research findings,  which  revealed  a  positive  relationship  between  overall  job  satisfaction  and customer-oriented behaviour, and by two compelling arguments. The first of these, based on social  exchange  theory,  suggests  that  the  service  provider  benefits  both  extrinsically (financial rewards) and intrinsically (job fulfilment) through satisfying the customer and, secondly, that prosocial behaviour is more likely to occur when the service provider is in a positive mood. Motowidlo (1984) also cites several empirical studies that suggest that people who are in a positive mood are more likely to be altruistic, helpful and considerate. The results are then linked to job satisfaction, suggesting that satisfied workers are more likely to be in a good mood and hence are likely to behave sensitively and considerately toward others. Moreover, Rogers et al. (1994) further points out that for frontline employees who frequently interact with customers, “it is very difficult to provide quality service when employees are unhappy and disgruntled about some aspect of their job”. Generally speaking, satisfied employees create satisfied customers by providing quality service (Karl & Peluchette, 2006). Previous studies have also concluded that unsatisfied employees negatively affect the quality of service they offer which adversely affects customer satisfaction and loyalty to a bank (Atkins, et al, 1996; Al-Mailam, 2005) resulting from improved service quality.

Conclusion

During the process of service delivery the behaviour of employees, is key in influencing customer perception of the service quality they get from the bank. Managers in banks at times influence this behaviour through their leadership behaviour which can have a spillover effect to the customers. When leaders adopt supportive leadership behaviour they tend to create an environment conducive for quality service. For example Supportive leadership behavior‟s structure seen as taking care of the employees, supporting their efforts, participating them into decision making process, establishing a positive organization climate, treating equally, considering  happiness  of  the  employees  (  House  et  al.  1991; Lunenburg  et  al.,  2000; Rollinson et al., 2002) perfectly explains the situation, because the employees who know that they are appreciated make much more efforts and feel commitment for their banks resulting into  better  service  quality.  However when  directive  leadership  behaviour  is  adopted  it excludes employees and limits their autonomy and decisions are made without employee‟s opinion therefore employees will be less likely to accept organizational goals or strategies. Based on this reasoning can be stated that, directive leadership behaviour reduce shared customer oriented values commitment to service quality.

METHODOLOGY

A cross-sectional research design which was quantitative in nature was adopted to evaluate leadership behaviour with the objective of establishing whether it has an impact on the service quality. The design was used because data about variables can be obtained at any given period. A correlation approach was used to establish the relationships amongst the variables.

  Data sources

Data was collected using primary and secondary sources.

   Primary Data

Raw data was collected directly from the respondents (employees and customers) in the selected banks. This was done through administering structured questionnaires with the help of a research assistant.

    Secondary Data

Secondary data was used to support the empirical findings of the study. These other sources of data (Literature review) were majorly used to back up the arguments and findings in chapter four and five.  Secondary data was obtained from existing literature in previous research paper findings, journal articles, Text books, Newspapers, reports and conference proceedings and individual bank publications and websites. This data was also obtained from Uganda Institute of Bankers and Bank of Uganda were also reviewed.

Data Collection Instrument

Primary data was collected through administering questionnaires so as to ensure confidentiality of the respondents. The questionnaire contained structured questions relating to   the   study   variables   about   leadership   behaviour,   organisational   commitment,   job satisfaction and service quality of banks which were constructed on an interval scale with respondents answering in line with the extent to which they agree or disagree with the statements in the questionnaire. The questionnaire was self administered for clarity purposes as it sought to find out respondents‟ opinions. Secondary data was obtained through literature review of previous research findings and existing literature on each study variable.

       Variables and their Measurement

Leadership behaviour

Leadership behaviours of superiors was measured on a 5-point likert scale (1= strongly disagree, 5 = strongly agree) using 21-item of leadership behaviour consisting of attributes like participative, supportive and directive (Harris & Ogbonna, 2001; House 1971; House & Dessler, 1974; Fleishman, 1957; Stogdill, 1963). It was based on statements such as “helps people to make working on their tasks more pleasant”.

Organisational commitment

Organisational commitment was measured by the items of Meyer & Allen‟s (1997). The scale consisted of three dimensions of commitment – affective, continuance and normative. The respondents were asked to indicate their opinion on a 5-point scale (1= strongly disagree, 5 = strongly agree). For example “I would be happy to spend the rest of my career with this organisation”.

Job satisfaction

Job satisfaction was measured by items adapted by (Faragher, Cass, & Cooper, 2003; Huddleston  &  Good,  1999).  The  bi-dimensional  construct  consisted  of  „„intrinsic‟‟  and

„„extrinsic‟‟ satisfaction dimensions. It was based on a 5-point likert scale (1= Very dissatisfied, 5 = Very satisfied). For example “I feel good about working in this bank”

Service Quality

Service quality was  measured using 27 items of intservqual and servqual scale for measuring internal service quality on a five point likert scale of strongly agree to strongly disagree, the measures contained attributes such as assurance, empathy, reliability, responsiveness, tangibles, communication, flexibility and relevance ( Vandermerwe & Gilbert, 1991; Parasuraman,  Zeithaml,  &  Berry,  1988;  Reynoso  &  Moores,  1995).  It was based  on statements like “My behaviour instills trust and confidence in customers”.

Reliability.

A pre-test of the research instrument was done for quality control. This was to test for the reliability and validity. A content validity was used to check for clarity, simplicity, ambiguity and relevance of the instruments.  The research questionnaire was checked for item consistence basing on Cronbach‟s alpha test

The results in the table were generated so as to assess the levels of reliability and validity of the research instrument. The reliability was computed using the Cronbach alpha values while the Validity was assessed using the CVI.

The results showed that the instrument had reliable and valid scale items since the Cronbach Alpha and the CVI values were above 0.5 in either case. With this set of the results, the researcher then went to the field to collect data.

     Data Analysis

The data collected was edited for incompleteness and inconsistence to ensure correctness of the information given by the respondents. Variables were coded and a statistical package for social scientists  (SPSS)  was  used  for  data  entry  and  analysis.  Pearson‟ correlation of coefficient was used to establish the relationships between leadership behaviour, organizational commitment, job satisfaction and service quality. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine how the predictor variables explained the dependent variable.

DISCUSSION AND INTERPRETATION OF FINDINGS

The results in this section reflect the results that were generated from the data analysis phase. The results highlighted in this section were generated using statistical tools such as the cross tabulations, correlations and regression analysis.

     Descriptive Statistics

This section presents the sample characteristics of the employees such as their gender, marital status, qualification  and  number of    years worked  in  the  bank  and  further presents  the characteristics of customers such as how long they have been banking, what type of account they operate and what attracted them to open an account with the bank.

The study revealed that most respondents were female (50.5%) while the males only comprised of 49.5%.  On the other hand, the majority of respondents were also observed to fall in the 30-39 year age group (53.7%). This implies that banks have energetic employees who  can  continuously  provide  quality  service  by  being  speedy  in  serving  customers, providing the service on time and being flexible. The population of this age group was closely followed by respondents in the 20-29 year age group (38.4%) and those in the 40-49 year age group (7.9%). It was further observed that among the males, majority of them (55.1%) were in the 30-39 year age group while only 7.5% were in the 40-49 year age group. Similarly, among the females, the least populous age bracket was the 40-49(8.3%).

            Tenure and marital status distribution of respondents

The marital status and tenure of respondents is presented in table 3 below using cross tabulation so as to determine the proportion of employees based on marital status and number of years worked.

The data revealed that majority of the banking staff are married (58.3%) followed by the singles (38.9%) and the divorced (2.8%). The majority of the married staff in the banking sector have worked for more than 3 years (65.3%). This was followed by respondents who have worked less than three years (29.2%) and more than 7-10yrs (5.6%) respectively. This is an indication that majority of respondents given positions in banks are married so as to ensure stability at the job and easy acceptance of any assignments given that they are settled and their families can accompany them to ease the process of adaptation thus explaining why they spent more than 3 years on the job. This further also means that the longer tenure the easier it is for employees to adapt to the organisational environment as well as accept bank goals and values where service-oriented culture is emphasized and continue providing service quality.

Level of education and tenure distribution

The results showing the percentage proportion of respondents in  relation  to  the highest qualification attained and number of years worked are presented in table 4 below so as to determine the education levels of bank employees and their tenure.

The results above indicate that (72.7%) of the respondents hold a degree with majority of the respondents having worked for less than 3yrs (79.4%) This does not differ from the assumption that most entry jobs in banks are held by people with the first degree thus explaining the short span with their employers(Less than 3 years). This further also implies that the banks can’t continuously offer service quality due to the short employee span as the new  entrants  take  long  to  adjust  and  fit  in  the  bank‟s culture  where  service  quality is emphasized. This was followed by respondents who had worked between 3-6years (74.5%). Master degree respondents followed with a representation of 12.0% with majority having worked for more than 7 years (50.0%), diploma level 7.9% and the least being at the professional level (7.4%).

The results above indicate that majority of the savings account customers (37.0%) were convinced by someone to open up an account with banking institution while .3% of the savings account holders opened at least an account for other reasons. similarly the large proportion of current account customers (33.3%) was advised to open an account by their employers. This means that when banks provide service quality they can be assured of loyal and stable customer base who will continuously recommend the bank to other people because they have trust and confidence that the service provider is competent to supply the service thus explaining why most savings account holders have referred by their friends to openaccounts in the bank/ banks they have dealt with for some time and have developed some trust and relationship with.

 Correlation Analysis.

The objectives of the study were based on the relationships between the different variables which were: Leadership behaviour, organizational commitment, job satisfaction and service quality. In order to achieve this, the Pearson (r) correlation coefficient was computed given the interval nature of the data and the need to test the direction and strength of relationships

that exist among the study variables. Table 7 below presents the correlation analysis results.

The relationship between leadership behaviour and service quality.

Results show a positive relationship between the leadership behaviour and service quality (r =

.37**, p<.01). This implies that if supervisors treat all employees as equals, encourage use of uniform procedures, involve subordinates in decision making and consult them before action is taken, this is bound to result into improved service quality. This quality of service may for instance be manifested in form of regular handling of customer queries, providing individual attention and free- error records.

  The relationship between leadership behaviour and organizational commitment.

A positive and significant relationship was observed to exist between leadership behaviour and organizational commitment (r=.31**, p<.01). This means that when supervisors listen to subordinates, encourage employee participation, team work, freedom in doing organizationalactivities organizational commitment by employees is enhanced. This commitment is exemplified in the employees‟ desire to spend most of their career in such organization, believe in the mission and values of the institution and feel part of the banks‟ family.

  The relationship between leadership behaviour and job satisfaction.

The correlations indicate a positive relationship between leadership behaviour and job satisfaction (r = .35**, p<.01). This observation signifies that supportive tendencies of supervisors tend to lead to increased employee job satisfaction. Job satisfaction may be seen when employees devote all their time and skills towards attaining organizational goals.

 The relationship between organisational commitment and service quality.

Results indicate a positive relationship between organisational commitment and service quality (r= .31**, p=.00). The results imply that organizational commitment dimensions such as feeling emotional attached to the bank, developing the career in the same bank for the rest of employees‟ life in the bank, and employees feeling as part of the bank family lead to service quality. This will lead to improvement in the willingness of the employees to help customers, giving customers prompt service, being never too busy to respond to customer requests and consistently being courteous with customers.

   The relationship between job satisfaction and quality service.

Job satisfaction and quality service are significantly related to each other (r= .27**, p<.01). This implies that when employees are satisfied, they can provide customer service that is reliable, responsive, and empathetic because the employees are more knowledgeable and are able to instill confidence in customers.

Regression analysis.

The regression model was generated so as to examine the degree to which leadership behaviour,  organizational  commitment  and  job  satisfaction  can  explain  the  dependent variable (service quality). This was done since there was more than one predictor variable impacting on the dependent variable. Table 8 below presents the regression analysis results.

The results in table above show that the predictor variables can explain at least 17% of the variance in service quality (Adjusted R Square = .17). This implies an improvement in leadership behaviour, organisational commitment and job satisfaction leads to 17% general improvement in the overall service quality in banks.    The results  further indicated that leadership  behaviour  (Beta  =  .29,  p=  .00),  was  a  better  predictor  of  service  quality  as compared to organizational commitment (Beta = .18, p > .01) and job satisfaction (Beta = .09, p > .20). It means that a change in leadership behaviour leads to .29 positive changes in service quality while organizational commitment contributes to .18. Job satisfaction is not a significant predictor of service quality (Beta = .09, p > .20). Therefore banks should prioritiesleadership  behaviour  and  organizational  commitment  if  they  are  to  improve  on  service quality.

Comparison of service quality perceptions by both bank staff and customers in the banking sector.

Results are presented in table 9 below to show the customer and employee perceptions of service quality received and provided respectively.

Source: Primary Data

These results showed that the perception of service quality based on tangibility, the customers (Mean = 4.43) perceive it to be better than the way the bank employees did rank themselves (Mean = 4.33). However on reliability, responsiveness, assurance and empathy employees rated themselves higher than customers.  On all these service quality measures, there were significant differences on the general perceptions between these two respondent categories (p=.00). This calls for the banks come up mechanisms aimed at addressing the perceived gaps in the kind of service customers obtain from them.

  Discussion

According to this study’s findings, there exists a positive and significant relationship between leadership behaviour and service quality. This shows that the relationship that exists between subordinates and supervisors in the work environment can lead to performance outcomes such as service quality. Followers are likely to exert extra effort to generate creative solutionsfor their problems as a result of intrinsic motivation caused by their leaders’ articulation of long- term goals and visions (Avolio & Bass, 1988; Conger & Kanungo, 1987; Kirkpatrick & Locke, 1996). Schneier, MacCoy, and Burchman (1988) argued that leaders who coach, counsel, mentor and train their followers can enhance their skills and motivation to seek out opportunities and attempt new methods of approaching a problem. This is in line with what the past literatures have suggested that successful organizations need leadership mechanism that not only envision the goals, but also provides the right service climate, resources and directs employee towards continuous commitment to service quality (Pecci & Rosenthal,1996; Hartline et al., 2000; Suliman 2001; Natasha & Subroto, 2003; Clark et al., 2008).

Research findings suggest that the quality of the exchanges that develop between employees and  their  leaders  are  predictive  of  performance-related  job  outcomes,  especially  for employees (Gerstner & Day, 1997; Graen & Uhl-Bien, 1995). These performance outcomes can be exhibited in the ability of employees to respond to customer queries, being helpful to customers and providing service as promised. The quality of the relationships between leader and members determines the amount of physical or mental effort, material resources, information, and social support that are exchanged between leader and follower (Liden, Sparrowe, & Wayne, 1997). Thus, subordinates in such relationships interact frequently with their leaders and have their leaders‟ support, confidence, encouragement, and consideration, and they take on added duties or expend extra effort to achieve work group goals beyond contractual or transactional expectations (Sparrowe & Liden, 1997). Leaders’ expectations alter their perceptions of subordinates. Leaders holding high expectations of subordinates may be more likely to attribute their good behavior to their internal qualities and poor behavior to forces external to them, whereas attributions would be the reverse when the leaders have low expectations of the subordinates (Heneman, Greenberger, & Anonyuo, 1989). Leaders’ expectations may also influence their behavior toward members. High leader expectations for a subordinate may translate into the provision of challenging tasks, feedback, and training. Conversely, a subordinate of whom a leader has low expectations may be left with relatively routine tasks, little feedback, and few training opportunities (Feldman, 1986; Leana, 1986).

            The relationship between leadership behaviour and organizational Commitment

The results in table 7 showed a significant and positive relationship between leadership behaviour and organizational commitment. This implies that when leaders are considerate to employees and ensure that their expectations are satisfied, employees tend to be committed and willing to serve in the best interest of the customers, which incidentally is a prerequisite for achieving service quality. This finding is consistent with some previous studies (Blau,1985; Williams & Hazer, 1986) and lends credibility to the notion that leadership does play an influential role in generating commitment. Employees who are committed are highly involved in their organization, and are more willing to put in considerable effort at work, and possess a strong desire to remain in their organizations. These results were consistent with the pattern found in a number of western studies, as described by Yousef (2000). In his research on major United Arab Emirates organizations, he found that employees can be highly committed to their organizations when they perceive their superiors as adopting supportive or participative leadership behaviours.

Following Katz (1951), when leaders adapt participative behaviours and involve their employees‟ in decision making their propensity to enter or remain psychologically with the organisation results into a positive correlation between leadership behaviour and organizational commitment being posited. And, in fact, several studies have claimed to show that employees who are allowed to participate in decision-making have higher levels of commitment to the organization (Dunham, Grube, & Castaneda, 1994; Jermier & Berkes,1979; Savery, 1994; Yousef, 2000). Schneider and Bowen (1993) proposed that when employees‟ work is facilitated through supporting mechanisms, such as adequate resources and supportive supervision, they can devote themselves to providing good service that meets customers‟ demands. This implies an important role for first line supervisors in helping and motivating their subordinates on the shop floor to attain the desired service excellence. Other scholars like Rhoades and Esienberger, (2002); Shore and Shore (1995) have suggested that support provided by the employer can be interpreted by employees as an act of organizational commitment toward them and thus impact the employee‟s commitment level. By increasing participation, employees become more motivated and understanding of the nature of the firm‟s business and problems (Pitt & Foreman, 1999).

With regard to the relationship between leadership behavior and organizational commitment, several other studies have provided evidence that organizational and supervisory support plays a critical role in enhancing organizational commitment (Allen & Meyer, 1990; Eisenberger et al., 1986; Mottaz, 1988; Reichers, 1986; Vancouver & Schmitt, 1991; Vancouver et al., 1994). Liu, Chiu and Fellows (2007) claimed that individuals who are motivated would be more committed to their tasks and, hence, perform better. Wiener and Vardi (1980) also reported that there is a positive correlation between commitment and job performance. Organizations benefit from a committed workforce because committed employees tend to be absent less often, to make positive contributions and to stay with the organization (DeCotiis & Summers, 1987; Beck &Wilson, 2000; Bishop & Scott, 2000).

 The relationship between leadership behaviour and job satisfaction.

The findings  in  this  study have  showed  that  there is  a significant  relationship  between leadership behaviour and job satisfaction which means that when leaders provide the right

service climate, resources and opportunity to grow from within such employees tend to be satisfied and passionate about their jobs, will spend more time than what is required and will even put aside their self interest for their organizations, there by offering quality service. This is only possible when leaders are seen as being supportive. This finding is consistent with findings in leadership behaviour research where that the dyadic exchange relationship with an immediate supervisor is positively related to job satisfaction and intent to remain because a high quality relationship with supervisors provides intrinsic and extrinsic rewards to members (Gerstner & Day, 1997; Harris et al., 2005; Liden et al., 1997; Meglino et al., 1991; Organ,1994; Raabe & Beehr, 2003; Sherony & Green, 2002; Vecchio & Gobdel, 1984; Wilhelm et al., 1993). Thus, prior leadership behaviour studies have theoretically and empirically explained that high-quality leadership behaviour has significant positive effects on job satisfaction and intent to stay.

This study also demonstrates the role of leadership behaviour in promoting employees‟ job satisfaction and organizational commitment, and reducing their desire to leave the organization.  The  findings  support  earlier  studies  on  Leadership  Behaviour  attitudinal outcome relationships (Nystrom, 1990). This seems to be more true in a relationship-oriented society, where loyalty, trust, and a sense of belonging are highly valued (Abdullah, 1996). According to him, managers must cultivate a personalized relationship with people whom they deal with. The result is in line with studies examining the relationship between cultural values and leadership effectiveness in India (Sinha, 1980; Hassan, 1989). For instance, Sinha identifies   preference   for   personalized   relationship   and   dependency   on   superiors   as employees‟ strong values in Indian organizations. According to him, leaders who are able to cultivate a personalized relationship with subordinates and act as nurturing superiors are rated as more effective in terms of task performance and satisfaction of group members.

Morris  and  Bloom  (2002) found several  important  linkages  between  leadership  and  job satisfaction in their study of mental-healthcare professionals. They argued that Employees who held higher-level positions in the organization tended to be more satisfied than lower level employees. The researchers posited that if lower level staff members were allowed to participate in decisions more readily, the employees might feel more satisfied with their jobs as   well.   Platonova‟s  (2005)   research   confirmed   Morris   and   Bloom‟s  findings   that involvement in decision-making among staff members increased job satisfaction. In research conducted by Stringer (2006), Stringer maintained that when employees have a high-quality LMX, there are also higher levels of job satisfaction, as well as mutual trust, more support, more consideration, communication that is more effective and higher self-esteem. Such employees accomplish more and better help the organization to prosper. Further, employees with a low-quality LMX may perceive their supervisors as being unfair and will end up resenting them (Wech, 2002).

Research regarding public-service employee motivation has demonstrated that considering employees  in  the  decision  making  processes  results  in  higher  levels  of  job  satisfaction (Brewer et al., 2000). Kim (2002) has also revealed a strong linear relationship between job satisfaction   and   participative   management.   Such   findings   are   relevant   for   service organisations like banks since direct customer contact employees, may cause uncertainty in the bank as they attempt to pursue their own objectives (Foreman, 2000). By increasing participation, employees become more motivated and understanding of the nature of the bank‟s business and problems (Pitt & Foreman, 1999). In addition, increasing employees‟ participation allows managers to significantly reduce service failures since service operations and policies align better with customers‟ needs and their behavior during the encounter. As a

result, conflicts with customers decrease and, also, the friction between contact and back- office personnel scales down. Reducing the frequency of conflicts with customers and the intensity of friction with both customers and coworkers‟ results in higher levels of job- satisfaction, both for front desk and back office personnel (Jong et al., 2004).

The relationship between organizational commitment and service quality.

Findings from this study further show a positive and significant relationship exists between the organizational commitment and service quality. This is an indication that in a bid to improve on service quality in banks, the overall commitment, support and positive work attitude of the employees who feel involved, who are attached with the bank, who feel happy to be the part of the banks family, who support the overall goals and strategic directions, who accept and expect that the overall bank problem are also part of their own problem are very important. This will lead to improved service delivery as employees act professionally, treat customers fairly  well,  know  their  needs  and  empathise  with  them.    This finding  was supported by the findings of Valentine et al. (2002) who noted that employees who are committed to the organization are inevitably bound to accept organizational goals and objectives, are highly involved in their organization, and are more willing to put in considerable effort at work, and possess a strong desire to remain in their organizations. It should be noted that service quality is a mandate by banks in Uganda.

This further shows that committed Bank employees offer high quality service to customers, as these employees tend to exhibit discretionary effort. The finding is line with the works of Zeithaml et al. (1990) who argued that Service quality suffers when employees are unwilling or unable to perform service at the level required. Furthermore, when frontline employees who are satisfied with and committed to their jobs share the firm’s customer-oriented values, exhibit low levels of role stress, and deliver the highest level of service quality ( Bowen &Schneider 1985; Hartline & Ferrell 1996; Hartline, Maxham, & McKee 2000; Singh 2000). Findings by Unzicker et al. (2000) and Congram and Friedman (1991) show that any organisation‟s success will be jeopardised if its employees fail to accept the firm‟s missions, goals and objectives and fail to believe in what the company stands for.

Past findings have also established that employees who are committed to the organization will remain loyal and are inversely related to turnover (Hartline et al., 2000); Clark et al.,2008; Elmadag et al., 2008). In such conditions, employees were known to spend more time and energy in assisting the organization realize its goals and they also put their own self interest aside (Porter et al., 1973; Tsai, 2008; Sohail & Shaikh, 2004; Yiing & Ahmad, 2008). They  would  subscribe  to  the  idea  of  being  a  citizen  of  the  organisation  and  be  fully committed to the goals of the organisation (Rashid et al., 2003). They all concurred that employees under certain circumstances, especially if they are satisfied and passionate about their jobs, will spend more time than what is required and will even put aside their self interest for their organizations. Similarly, Meyer and Allen (1991) and Rashid et al.( 2003) found that employees who were emotionally attached to the organization were known to maintain relationships and even subscribe to the idea of being a citizen of that organization. They would therefore be fully committed in achieving the organizational goals resulting into service quality attainment.

             The relationship between job satisfaction and service quality.

Findings from chapter four further indicated that job satisfaction and quality service are significantly related to each other implying that when employees see opportunities to use their skills on job, have decision making authority needed to do their jobs effectively and clear consensus on their bank‟s goals they become happy and satisfied with their jobs. This in turn results into employees dedicating their efforts towards finding out customer needs and providing the service as when needed and being  ready to serve customers even during peak hours like lunch time. This finding is consistent with some previous studies by Judge, Bono, Thoresen, and Patton (2001) who found positive relationship between job performance and job satisfaction and lends credibility to the notion that Job satisfaction does play an influential role in generating commitment towards providing quality service.  In banking operations, since services are provided by frontline personnel and the on-site performance of the bank employees determines  the  service  quality  extended  to  the  customers.  Employee job satisfaction directly impacts the mood and manner in which the service is performed and hence affecting the service quality experienced by the customer.

Extensive studies suggest that job satisfaction plays a crucial role in sustaining the performance of service employees in the workplace, hence the service quality provided to customers (Lee et al., 2006; Karl & Peluchette, 2006; MacKenzie et al., 1998; Netemeyer et al., 1997; Rogers et al., 1994; Hoffman & Ingram, 1992). Laub (1999) proposed that when “workers have higher job satisfaction in a service organization they would be freed up to perform at their highest levels of ability, leading to greater success for the organization”. This implies that Employees who are satisfied with their jobs will deliver better service quality than those who are not (Hartline & Ferrell, 1996; Atkins et al., 1996).   Ivancevich and Matteson  (1999)  argue  that  satisfying  the  needs  of  workers  can  enhance  their  job performance resulting into improved service quality.   Holland (1989) also suggested that satisfaction with one‟s particular job is a by-product of meeting different motivational needs within the employee.    Revelations  by Motowidlo, (1984) are consistent  with  the above finding, that People who are in a positive frame of mind are more likely to be altruistic, helpful and considerate to deliver exceptional service that satisfies customer needs.

According to Eisenberger, Fasolo and Davis-LaMastro (1990), employees who feel supported by their organization tend to be more satisfied with their jobs. They further argue that these employees care about the organization and engage in activities that help to further the organization‟s goals. Lok and Crawford (2003) assert that to have high level of organizational performance and effectiveness it is vital that employees have high level of satisfaction; therefore, the employee‟s level of job satisfaction has positive relationship to the success of the company in terms increased service quality and organizational performance (Dumdum, Lowe, & Avolio, 2002; Morris & Bloom, 2002; Riketta, 2002; Walumbwa, Wang, Lawler, & Shi, 2004). These findings are also in support of Lee et al.‟s (2006) argument that employee satisfaction adds to the human assets quality of a firm by not only ensuring customer service quality but also enhancing employee retention and commitment. The findings are also consistent with Karl and Peluchette‟s (2006) results that satisfied employees believed that their organization could provide customer service that was reliable, responsive, and empathetic, and that employees were knowledgeable and able to instill confidence in customers.

     Conclusion

With reference to the above discussion, the following issues can be drawn;

Leadership Behaviour characterized as supportive tends to contribute to perceived service quality. This implies that where Bank officials recognize this as they seek to influence employees and achieve their organizational goals, supportive Leadership Behaviour tends to be practiced because such banks realize that their success is only contingent upon such behaviour. Supportive leadership behaviour creates a friendly working atmosphere and provides an environment where the employees are well taken care of.

When supervisors provided feedback about performance  and  allowed  employees  to participate in decision-making, employee levels of affective commitment was stronger than both continuance and normative. That is, employees indicated staying with the organization was more related to wanting to, rather than needing to or feeling they ought to. Employees who believe their superiors are considerate leaders will be more committed to their organizations than those who do not perceive their managers as such.

From the research findings it was observed that appropriate Leadership Behaviours and organizational commitment lead to perceived service quality. This implies that for service quality  to  prevail,  there  must  supportive  and  participative  behaviours,  respect  of  the supervisor and the subordinate and a commitment of staff. The quality of service can be realized when the above constructs are prevalent.

The findings support a positive relationship between supportive leadership behaviour and bank staff job satisfaction. Employees want to work in an environment where they are valued and appreciated. Findings show that when leaders are supportive, they raise the motivation and morality of others. This in turn instills pride in employees and encourages them to go beyond self-interests for the good of the bank.

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PREDICTION OF BANKRUPTCY RISK IN INDIAN BANKS: AN APPLICATION OF ALTMAN’S MODEL

 

*Prashant Kumar **Kavita,

ABSTRACT

After the financial crisis and pressure of implementing Basel III norms, financial solvency has become top priority for the banking sector, because there are some factors like failure of management, competition, increasing NPAs, growing incidence of fraud, inability to meet regulatory requirements which create the probability of risk and leads to financial distress. In this context, measuring financial health of a bank has become an imperative need. Bankruptcy risk has always been a matter of concern not only for bankers but for all stakeholders in the business world because the risk can seriously jeopardizes the affairs of the business. Therefore proper assessment of bankruptcy risk is required to smooth functioning of banks and proper implementation of Basel III regulations. It is contemporary to study solvency position of Indian banks. The axle of this study is to predict the financial health and risk of bankruptcy by applying Altman Z Score model in the selected Indian banks. This model highlights that the position of the banks, under study is healthy and comparatively sound. It can be conclded that the selected Indian banks which are under study falls in ‘safe Zone’ as per Z-score criteria and there is not any chance of financial distress.

Keywords: Bankruptcy risk, EBIT, Financial health, financial ratios, Z-score.

Images created and referenced from Trade Nation – What time does the forex market open. All distribution rights belong to the publisher and cannot be used without written permission.

Introduction

Banks play significant role in the financial stability of any economy as banking sector is the main component of financial system. A stable and financially sound banking system leads to economic development of any country. Now these days, financial stability has become the major issue for banking sector because there are some factors such as failure of management, external factors, competition, increasing portfolio of NPA, growing incidence of fraud, inability to meet regulatory requirements which create the probability of risk and leads to financial distress.  Banking sector faces various types of risk viz. credit risk, market risk, liquidity risk, foreign exchange risk, political risk, sovereign risk, interest rate risk, operational risk etc. and high intensity of risk leads to business failure (Campbell 2007).

There are five stages of business failure such as incubation, financial embarrassment, financial insolvency, total insolvency and confirmed insolvency (Fitzpatrick 1932). Bankruptcy or insolvency is the form of financial failure refers to where a firm cannot meet its current obligations, when the current obligations exceed the current assets.

Bankruptcy is a severe matter and very common thing among companies and financial institutions. There may be many reasons like changes in market policy, inflation and political reasons which have led to bankruptcy (Movaziri et al, 2012). Bankruptcy can be used as a proxy for measuring economic sustainability. Because it is considered that bankrupt banks have weak position while non-bankrupt banks have strong economic sustainability and long term survival (Amin Jan et al, 2015).

Global financial crisis blessed with inflation, currency deterioration, economic uncertainty, high interest rates and many other uncontrollable factors was enough to break down the resilience of financial sector. The Financial soundness of banking sector is backbone of every economy. In this context, it is very crucial to analyze the financial soundness of domestic banks (Nishi sharma et al, 2013). Bankruptcy prediction is of immense importance to both for lenders as well as for the investors. There are many techniques that have developed to assess the bankruptcy risk. Bankruptcy is a worldwide problem.  Bankruptcy histories shows that a company with efficient management, strong financial performance and capable to grow without any distress symptoms, can be turned out to be a sudden bankruptcy. In the period from 2000 to 2011, it has been witnessed a wave of bankruptcies in the giant companies like, Lehman Brothers, Enron give examples to the world that no matter how strong the company is, it can face bankruptcy if it is not well managed. On 30th November 2001, Enron bankruptcy was reported and appealed for bankruptcy protection on the 2nd of December 2001. The other company is Lehman Brothers which was the fourth largest investment bank in US.  Lehman filed for bankruptcy protection in 2008 to avoid the possibility of being distressed (Anita et al, 2013). There is a dire need to manage risk of bankruptcy as it is the critical issue for banks. Prediction of bankruptcy is one of the challenging task for every organization (Fawad et al, 2014). In 2008, the largest bankruptcy in U.S. history represents an example for Indian banks to manage their cash flows efficiently .Thus careful attention to the impact of bankruptcy risk level on bank’s profitability is necessary because intense risk puts serious threat to banks and increasingly level of risk may create a chance of closing down the bank’s operations. Financial soundness is of prime importance in the current crisis and financial scams scenario in the banking sector (Parul Chotalia 2014). In the wake of the financial crisis of 2008, Basel-III accord was released in 2010. The New Basel Capital Accord (popularly known as Basel-III) is desirable regulation and major agenda for the commercial banks in India and across the world. The main focus of Basel-III is on the estimation of capital requirements which would ensure financial stability and determine the common standards of banking regulation. From the perspective of Basel III, to maintain the higher capital requirements and to comply with Basel III norms are the concerned areas for banks. Thus, Indian banking sector need to predict bankruptcy risk and analyze their financial statements because the risk of bankruptcy directly hits the financial strength and earnings of banks. Therefore proper assessment of bankruptcy risk is required to smooth functioning of banks and proper implementation of Basel III regulations. The prediction of business failure is an important step for taking timely corrective and remedial measure for protecting business from the problem of bankruptcy. The basic concern of prediction is to evaluate the terms of credit and ensure repayment safely (Roli Pradhan 2014). The problem of business failure is attributed to both financial and non-financial causes such as poor planning, inefficient management and fraud. There is need for predicting financial failure on time for taking curative measures in relation to financial investments (Venkata Ramana et al, 2012).

There are many different models to forecast the complex problem of bankruptcy. There may be many  internal credit rating model used  for bank which improves their current predictive power of financial risk factors and explained how banks assess the credit worthiness of the borrowers and how can they identify the defaulters so as to improve their credit evaluation process (Kishore Navin 2011).  Many internal and external users of financial statements like banks, credit rating agencies, underwriters, auditors, policy makers and regulators analyze company’s financial position. For this purpose different approaches and models are used. During financial and economic crisis selection of model for bankruptcy prediction is essential.  For example when bank financially assists a company, bank predicts risk of bankruptcy of that company prior to financial help. The prediction models are used to check the bankruptcy and can be applied to modern economy to predict distress and bankruptcy of one, two and three years in advance (Sanobar Anjum 2012). But the most influential model is Altman Z score model due to most acceptable and widely used. The well-known Altman model developed by Edward Altman in 1968 called Z score model has been identified as independent variables (financial ratios) as well as the relative weight of each variable which represents dependent variable (Z) through an analytical study of a sample of US companies in 1968 (Ali Abusalah et al, 2012).

ALTMAN’S Z-SCORE MODEL

The Z-score model was constructed by Edward I. Altman in 1968 (Assistant Professor of finance at New York University). It is a multivariate formula and powerful diagnostic tool that measures the probability of bankruptcy within a two year period with proven high degree of accuracy. This model is known as bankruptcy prediction model and has gained popularity since 1985 (Altman 1968). Altman used 22 variables from the financial reports of 66 publicly held manufacturing companies in USA with assets of more than $1 million. The 66 companies were categorized into 2 groups, 33 failed and 33 successful. Altman’s Z-value is derived through a multiple discrete analysis (MDA). The discriminant analysis was applied to calculate the coefficients for Z-score equation. Altman first compiled 22 variables describing the standard ratio categories. He reduced his selection to five ratios. This model is also called multiple discriminant analysis model (MDA).  Z score analysis is capable of predicting default through combining various financial ratios (M Jayadev 2006).  Altman model may be used as an indicator and evidence to determine the firm’s bankruptcy and credibility.  Altman’s z-score model predicts the corporate default and measure financial distress status of companies. Z-score is calculated by multiplying the coefficients by each of financial ratio. Linear combination of 5 common financial ratios has been widely used to predict default risk.  Altman’s model has found 95.0% accuracy rate and also called Zeta. This model is internationally accepted. The Z score original model was developed in 1968 for manufacturing firms.  Altman again devised the Z score to be adapted for private companies in 1983.This model was further developed to create the Z Score model for emerging market companies and for non-manufacturers in 1993. This model kept the first four variables. Altman’s models are:

  • Original model for manufacturing firms
  • Revised model for privately held firms
  • Revised four model for non-manufacturing or emerging market

 Table 1 ALTMAN’S INDEX                          

                                                             COEFFICIENTS
RATIOS Original Model 1968Revised model
1983
Revised four model
1993
X1 = WC/TA1.210.7176.56
X2= RE/TA1.410.8473.26
X3 =EBIT/TA3.30.3.1076.72
X4 = MVE/TL0.60.0.421.05
X5 = S/ TA1.090.998N/A

 

Table 2 Altman’s benchmark

Score 1968Score 1983Score  1993Interpretation
Z > 2.99Z > 2.90Z > 2.60Non-bankrupt firms, Safe zone
1.81 < Z < 2.991.23 < Z <2.901.10 <Z < 2.60Difficult to predict, Grey zone
Z < 1.81Z < 1.23Z <1.10Distress zone, bankrupt firms

Source: Author

FINANCIAL RATIOS

Bankruptcy predictions are based on accounting ratios and other financial variables. Linear discriminant analysis was the first statistical method applied to explain which firms entered in bankruptcy (Richard et al, 2014). The most widely used tool for financial analysis is financial ratios. Financial analysis discloses the financial performance of firm and indicates the possible causes standing behind the deterioration of financial performance (Obaid Saif 2011). Ratios have been using for many years by investors, creditors, lenders, stockholders, auditors and others who may get substantial losses as a result of business failure. Researchers have used financial ratios to construct business failure prediction models. Ratio analysis is used in various part of the world for measuring financial accuracy and creditworthiness of the firms (Vineet et al, 2014).

Financial ratios are the significant component of financial analysis to evaluate and analyze the financial statements. Altman used five standard ratios in Z score viz. liquidity ratio, profitability ratio, leverage ratio solvency ratio, activity ratio. Financial ratios are used to assess profit and risk and provide the basis for estimating the results of business operations and explaining how well a business is doing (Khalid Al-Rawi et al, 2008). Financial ratios are good indicator of the probability of bankruptcy.  While analyzing the ratios, formulas are used to determine the financial position of the firms. Ratio predicts the financial soundness of the firms whether a firm is going to bankrupt or not (Bashar 2015). Financial ratios have been used for making comparison among the firms in same industries. Efficient performing firms have been identified through their financial analysis and higher performance of firms makes their transition towards adopting new regulations easily (Ravi Chandran 2015).

VARIABLES USED IN ALTMAN’S Z-SCORE MODEL

X1 Working Capital/Total Assets

This is the most valuable variable to predict bankruptcy. This liquidity ratio calculates the ability of the firm to finance its short term obligations. A decreasing figure will suggest the higher chance of bankruptcy. This ratio is the measure of liquid asset of firm in relation to total capitalization. WC (working capital) = current assets – current liabilities.

X2 Retained Earnings/Total Assets

This variable indicates the ability of a firm to accumulate earnings using its assets. The higher the ratio the better as it suggests the firm can accumulate earnings. A young firm will usually display a very low RE/TA as it has not had the time to build up cumulative profits hence the incidence of failure is much higher in a firm’s earlier years (Altman, 1968).

X3 Earnings before Interest and Taxes/ Total Assets

This indicates company’s profitability and company’s assets. The decreasing ratio indicates the firm is not earning and decreasing the profit on each investment.

X4 Book Value Equity/ Total Liabilities

This expresses the financial leverage i.e. the proportion of equity. It is directly related to solvency position of firm. It calculates how much the firm’s market value would decline before the liabilities exceeds the assets and firm becomes insolvent. If the market value of equity is below the total debt the firm becomes insolvent.

X5: Sales/Total assets

The sales of a firm depict the manufacturing capability of companies’ assets. In Altman’s model this financial ratio did not deliver any statistical significance but he still found it to be useful to default prediction because of the relationship to other variables in the model (Altman 1968).

USES OF Z-SCORE

Altman’s model still exists and used by the financial institutions to measure creditworthiness of the companies Z score is a beneficial analytical tool and the application of Altman’s failure prediction model is not constrained by geographical boundaries (Oforegbunam et al, 2011). Altman’s model provides credibility to the valuation process. It helps in evaluating the reliability statistically and providing insight into relative performance and financial viability (Altman 2000). The Z-score is the best measure for evaluating the financial soundness of a firm that shows the lower the score higher the chance of failure. The importance of Z-score can be identified by a number of studies. Altman’s Z-score model has been used to predict the financial distress in a number of sectors like empirical analysis examined 21 textile companies listed in the Karachi stock exchange, during the period 2000 to 2010. These result for bankrupted and non-bankrupted show that Altman model can give good predictions (Fawad Hussain et al, 2014), predicted the risk of bankruptcy in cement companies (N VenkataRamana et al, 2012), Measured the financial health of Indian Logistic industry (Vikas Tyagi 2014), Indian Steel industry (M.S.Ramaratnam et al, 2010), Automobile Industry of India (Sarbapriya Ray et al, 2011), Sugar Manufacturing Units (Ramana Reddy et al 2013), Seed industry in India (Praveena et al, 2012).

 Z score has been used as a tool to measure credit risk (Sairani et al, 2014), Altman score is applied to test credit worthiness of company. It can be concluded from the study that the banks face risk more consciously. The model calculates the financial soundness of corporate house in terms of Z values. Z score has originally been devised to signal the probability of bankruptcy of manufacturing firms. But it has been frequently updated to make it applicable for private companies, non-manufacturers and service industries. The model presents for more than 70% accuracy in predicting bankruptcy (Nishi et al, 2013). This study contributes to the field of accounting and finance, specifically on bankruptcy prediction in a developing country. The study is limited to only fifteen quoted firms including Food & Beverages, Manufacturing, Printing, Insurance, Trading in Ghana (Kingsley Opoku Appiah 2011). The empirical analysis by (M Sulphey 2013) examined 220 companies of BSE small cap for financial solvency using Z score. The result showed that only 79 companies were in safe zone. 117 companies were difficult to predict and 24 are the bankrupt firms. The study proved the efficiency of Altman model in predicting failures. The wide usage of the Z-Score Model as a measure of financial distress in the economic and financial research points out that it is widely accepted because it is a simple and consistent measure of calculating bankruptcy.

A popular risk measure in the banking and financial solvency related literature that reflects a banks probability of insolvency is the Z-score. Its widespread use is because of its simplicity and it can be calculated using only accounting information (Laetitia Lepetit 2015).

CRITICS OF Z-SCORE

This model does not always have the same accuracy to different business entities. This model is criticized for discriminating only among three borrower behavior; high, indeterminate, and low default risk. The weights in the Z-score model will be constant or not over any but very short periods, there is no reason to expect. The model ignores important factors (such as qualitative and macroeconomic factors) that may play a significant role in the default or non-default decision.

 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

  • To analyze the financial soundness and risk of bankruptcy in selected Indian public sector and private sector banks.
  • To compare the financial soundness of selected Indian public sector and private sector banks.

 

 MATERIAL AND METHODS

The present study is an attempt to analyze bankruptcy risk in banking sector through the application of Altman Z-score which helps in forecasting the financial health of bank. In order to achieve the objectives of research, a descriptive and analytical approach has been used. Five banks were selected from public sector and five banks were selected from private sector. The present study predicts Z score for 10 Indian banks for a period of 5 years from 2011-2015. Public sector Banks namely state Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank, Punjab National Bank and Union Bank of India and Private sector Banks namely ICICI, Axis Bank, Yes Bank, IndusInd bank and Kotak Mahindra bank were chosen. Data for the present study were collected from secondary sources including bank’s annual report and The Economic Times (newspaper) website for last 5 years to generate the financial ratios. The period of the study is 2011-2015. Altman Z-score model for non-manufacturer or emerging markets (1993) has been used in this study.

The revised Z-score is as:

Z = 6.56 X1 + 3.26 X2 + 6.72 X3 + 1.05 X4

Whereas:

Z = overall score

X1 = working capital / Total Assets

X2 = Retained earnings/ Total Assets

X3 = Earnings before interest and taxes/ Total Assets

X4 = Book Value of Equity / Total Liabilities

 

Altman’s Z score value

 Z Score > 2.60 shows firms are in safe zone, Z < 1.10 reflects firms are in distress zone, 1.10 <Z< 2.60 indicates firms are in grey zone and difficult to predict.

 

 

 

 

 

HYPOTHESES

Two hypotheses have been formulated according to the objectives of study:

Null hypothesis H0: Banks are likely in financial distress and going to bankrupt within twelve months.

 Alternate hypothesis H1: Banks are not likely in financial distress and not going to bankrupt with in twelve months.

H’0:  There is no difference between the financial performance of public sector banks and private sector banks.

H’1:  There is difference between the financial performance of public sector banks and private sector banks

 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

This study was intended to identify the risk of bankruptcy in selected Indian public and private sector banks. Average Z-score have been calculated for 5 Indian public sector and private sector banks from 2011 – 2015. The score would help to identify the financial viability of the banks. This can be presented as:

                         Figure1 Average Z-score of banks (2011-2015)

    Source: Author

It can be seen from the graph that all 10 banks comprise five public sector and five private sector banks come under safe zone. The Z score value of selected Indian banks shows that no banks are going to bankrupt. All banks are in safe zone as their Z score values are more than 1.1                   

 

Figure 2 Z score value for public sector banks

Source: Author

 Public sector banks secured Z score value more than 2.6 means no banks are in distress zone, all banks are safe. This shows bank under observations are not facing bankruptcy. SBI secured highest value among public sector banks in 2015.

Figure 3 Z score value for private sector banks

Source: Author

The graph indicates all five private banks are in safe zone as their Z score value is greater than 2.6. IndusInd bank got highest value among private sector banks. In comparison of last year, Z score value has decreased for IndusInd, Axis bank, Kotak and ICICI bank, but banks position is in safe zone.

Table3 Z SCORE BASED RANKS

Sr.noBANKSAverage z score 2015Z score rank 2015Average z score 2014Z score rank 2014
1Bank of Baroda5.534825.43452
2State bank of India6.269815.71041
3Punjab national bank5.045165.06235
4Canara bank5.142145.12253
5Union bank of India5.077455.03156
6Yes bank4.2333104.307310
7ICICI4.882184.87169
8Axis bank4.878694.93437
9IndusInd bank5.169135.07814
10Kotak Mahindra bank4.889874.92368

Source: Author

Altman model assigns highest rank to SBI among 10 Indian banks. The second rank is assigned to Bank of Baroda which is followed by IndusInd bank. However, other banks are also in safe zone as they secure more than 2.6 score. Z score for Yes bank is the least which is followed by Axis bank.

Figure4 Z score value for Indian public and private sector bank

Source: Author

Z score value of selected Indian banks in 2015 is more than 2.6. In 2015 SBI got highest value among all banks. But as compared to 2014 few banks show decreasing trend such as PNB, Axis bank, Yes bank and Kotak bank. Z score value for IndusInd bank, ICICI, Union Bank of India, Canara bank, SBI and Bank of Baroda has increased as compared to 2014. The graph shows that public sector banks have secured greater score than private sector banks it means public banks are financially sounder than private banks. Although private banks are in safe zone and their financial performance is satisfactory.

HYPOTHESIS TESTING

H0: null hypothesis banks are in financial distress and going to bankrupt within twelve months has been rejected while the alternative hypothesis has been accepted.

The calculated Z score indicates that each bank has got score more than 1.1. So banks are in safe zone. The average Z-score reveals that no banks are going to bankrupt, as all banks are financially healthy.

H’0: The second null hypothesis there is no difference between the performance of public sector banks and private sector banks has been rejected.

Alternative hypothesis has been accepted that there is difference between the performance of public sector banks and private banks. The greater score for public banks shows that public sector banks are financially sounder than private sector banks. Financial performance of public banks is better than private banks.

CONCLUSIONS

The prediction of business failure is very crucial for financial managers, analysts, investors and other users of financial statements.  Z score model is useful to estimate the financial soundness of any entity. The financial ratio is the most significant factor in bankruptcy prediction. In the present study it has been tried to know whether selected Indian banks are in distress zone or not.  The efficiency of Altman model has been highlighted in the present study. The study estimates Z score value for 10 Indian banks comprising five public and five private sector banks. Conclusively it has been witnessed that by using Altman model for a period of 5 years, all banks are financially sound as they all got Z value more than 2.60.There is difference between the financial performance of public sector banks and private banks as public banks have secured greater Z score value than private banks. This shows that the public banks are financially sounder than private banks (Deepak et al, 2014).   The attainment of greater performance would determine safe credit norms, better management of earnings, assets, capital that would easily absorb the risk exposure and ascertain the stability and long term survival of banks. The present study would help the banks to put themselves on the track of Basel-III. It can be concluded from the study that Edward Altman model is a useful tool for investors, managers and other stakeholders to predict the financial failure that can evaluate bankruptcy risk of organizations. The present study is expected to provide efficient framework to policymakers as well as bankers while making investment decision.

 

RECOMMENDATIONS

Based on the result and conclusion from the present study, the following recommendations should be given as a consideration to Indian banks for effective management and good performance. Basel norms should be given special concerns specially capital regulations that may strengthen the risk absorbing capacity of banks. In order to improve risk analysis practices, efforts should be made to strengthen the risk management system of banks. The adoption of sound management practice and corporate governance will definitely reduce the chance of bank failure. The special training efforts should be made to enhance the capabilities of staff members. Banks should not only rely on Altman model or financial ratios as a tool to predict bankruptcy but also other tools should be considered. Banks should identify and evaluate the factors that determine the probability of default. Banks should evaluate Z score on regular basis

 

SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH

In present study an attempt has been made to predict the bankruptcy in selected Indian banks using Altman model, One can use other tools to predict bankruptcy. The Altman model for bankruptcy prediction can be used in other sectors. This type of study can be explored in future studies as Bankruptcy risk puts bank in distress zone or leads to failure. Further research can be done to extent observation years or sample used. The research can be done on testing the efficacy of various bankruptcy risk models and compare them to find out the best model. The analysis of this study can be repeated for other economies using the same methodology.

 

REFERENCES

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ANNEXURE

SBI                                                    in cr.20152014201320122011
Current assets1543723.21385924.31208328.81017855.07923371.44
Current Liabilities137698.0596412.9695455.0780915.09105248.39
Total Assets1910381.71695821.614708061254604.141118487.81
Net sales/Revenue152397.07136350.8119657.1106521.4595525.58
EBIT3108173210931081.7231573.5416291.89
Shares746.57746.57684.03671.04635
Reserves and surplus127691.65117535.6898199.6583280.1664351.04
Total Liabilities1910381.71695821.614708061254604.141118487.81
WC1406025.11289511.31112873.7936939.98818123.05
Z score7.72125347.93461485.32372715.285092055.0843825
X1=working capital/Total assets0.73599170.7604050.75664210.746801280.7314546
X2=Retained earnings/Total assets0.55196350.8646190.06676590.066379630.05753397
X3=Earnings before interest and taxes/Total assets0.16269880.01893420.02113240.025166140.014566
X4=Book value of equity/ total liabilities0.00039070.00044020.00046510.000534860.00056773
      
PNB20152014201320122011
Current assets448499.77403214.66345623.17332395.67280057.3
Current Liabilities17204.8915093.4415019.1513524.1812328.27
Total Assets603334535326.47463857.89444669.82365996.97
Net sales/Revenue46315.3643223.2541893.3339711.5329804.4
EBIT119551138410907.377971.856901.45
Shares371362.07353.47339.18316.81
Reserves & Surplus38708.435533.2532323.4326028.3719720.99
Total Liabilities603334535326.47463857.89444669.82365996.97
WC431294.88388121.22330604.02318871.49267729.03
Z score4.9645835.08121485.06147575.016253255.10196371
X1=working capital/Total assets0.71485260.72501780.7127270.717097220.73150614
X2=Retained earnings/Total assets0.04335860.05566980.06968390.058534150.05388293
X3=Earnings before interest and taxes/Total assets0.019814890.02126550.02351450.017927570.01885658
X4=Book value of equity/ total liabilities0.00061490.00067640.0007620.000762770.00086561
Bank of  Baroda20152014201320122011
Current assets589793.9540657.7423288.6361770.56284836.83
Current Liabilities22329.417811.514703.3811400.469656.73
Total Assets692659.15641693.03532432.06435921.01348740.45
Net sales/Revenue42963.5638939.7135196.6531981.8423884.49
EBIT9915.109291.038999.156774.615932.72
Shares443.56430.68422.52412.38392.81
Reserves & Surplus393913555531546.9227064.4720600.3
Total Liabilities692659.15641693.03532432.06435921.01348740.45
WC567464.58522846.25408585.22350370.1275180.1
Z score5.80622625.46141745.34167675.580406425.48436168
X1=working capital/Total assets0.819255150.814791840.767394090.8037467610.789068489
X2=Retained earnings/Total assets 0.03855370.005637960.059250600.0620857210.059070578
X3=Earnings before interest and taxes/Total assets0.014314540.014478930.016901960.0155409120.017011849
X4=Book value of equity/ total liabilities0.000640370.000671160.000793560.0009459970.001126368
      
Canara Bank        20152014201320122011
Current assets395704.93358452.04288347.06269245.23249534.43
Current Liabilities16629.66 14348.2911325.458891.127804.64
Total Assets531370.9 477573.56401017.15365269.07328274.12
Net sales/Revenue43750.0439547.6134077.9432341.8224470.09
EBIT6950 6796.195890.014494.235062.76
Shares475.20 461.26443443443
Reserves & Surplus31384.04 29158.8524434.7920181.8217498.46
Total Liabilities531370.9 477573.56401017.15365269.07328274.12
WC379075.27 344103.75277021.61260354.11241729.79
Z score5.4113341 5.42011944.830130574.9398709575.109386324
X1=working capital/Total assets0.7133910 0.72052510.690797410.7127734910.736365663
X2=Retained earnings/Total assets0.19454160.183076800.060932030.0552519270.053304415
X3=Earnings before interest and taxes/Total assets0.0130793 0.01423060.014687680.0123038890.015422355
X4=Book value of equity/ total liabilities0.0089429 0.00096580.001104690.0012128050.001349482
      
      
Union Bank Of India20152014201320122011
Current assets284841 257449.25228551.35197512.08175292.53
Current Liabilities9625.15 8313.297005.776799.957442.67
Total Assets371990.78 345467.62304855.04255411.49228541.78
Net sales/Revenue32083.96 29349.3925124.722383.8917684.3
EBIT5823.47 5218.105582.73688.653091
Shares635.78 741.31707.79661.55635.33
Reserves & Surplus19125.10 17734.0516588.3912437.6810555.35
Total Liabilities371990.78 345467.62304855.04255411.49228541.78
WC275215.85 249135.96221545.58190712.13167849.86
Z score5.0826630 5.015420485.070200185.1567796155.06228725
X1=working capital/Total assets0.7398458 0.721155740.726724350.7466857890.734438403
X2=Retained earnings/Total assets0.0375089 0.055485800.054414030.0486966350.046185647
X3=Earnings before interest and taxes/Total assets0.0156548 0.015104450.018312640.0144419890.013524879
X4=Book value of equity/ total liabilities0.0017091 0.002145810.002321730.0025901340.002779929
      
YES BANK     20152014201320122011
Current assets89246.2167771.9655898.5445727.6640045.72
Current Liabilities7094.186387.755418.725677.282583.07
Total Assets129076.23102628.0493685.467984.8356423.92
Net sales/Revenue11572.019981.3582947123.714658.12
EBIT3249.582687.972141.691514.071158.76
Shares417.74360.63358.62352.99347.15
Reserves & Surplus11262.256761.115449.054323.653446.93
Total Liabilities129076.23102628.0493685.467984.8356423.92
WC82152.0361384.2150479.8240050.3837462.65
Z score4.469926614.21988713.7879874.11320644.5758533
X1=working capital/Total assets0.636461330.59812320.53882270.589107590.66394979
X2=Retained earnings/Total assets0.037472890.03573720.02928840.028696250.02327488
X3=Earnings before interest and taxes/Total assets0.025176660.02619140.02286040.02227070.02053668
X4=Book value of equity/ total liabilities0.0032360.0035140.00382790.005192180.00615253
 

 

ICICI

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

2012

 

 

2011

Current assets454823.74412941.64360754309472.4266803.5
Current Liabilities31719.8634755.5532133.617576.9815986.35
Total Assets614409.44559886.03504661.1456070.1390247.3
Net sales/Revenue49091.1444178.1540075.63990632369.69
EBIT19719.9116594.5713199.238401.86825.65
Shares1159.661158.041158.121155.151152.11
Reserves & Surplus79262.2672051.7365547.8459250.0953938.82
Total Liabilities614409.44559886.03504661.1456070.1390247.3
WC423103.88378186.09328620.4291895.4250817.1
Z score4.84969245.15127144.8732724.7485294.787423
X1=working capital/Total assets0.68863500.67546970.6511710.6400230.642713
X2=Retained earnings/Total assets0.03514770.15915410.1298850.1299140.138217
X3=Earnings before interest & taxes/Total assets0.03209570.02963910.0261550.0184220.017491
X4=Book value of equity/ total liabilities0.00188740.00206830.0022950.0025330.002952
      
INDUSIND BANK20152014201320122011
Current assets83098.9764446.5452896.2142367.3331488.57
Current Liabilities3718.962718.732099.991810.81694.83
Total Assets105396.984307.271206.5255785.2743941.01
Net sales/Revenue9691.968253.536983.235942.394036.13
EBIT3098.222595.961839.461230.88915.67
Shares543.50536.66533.58478.65473.95
Reserves & Surplus10101.038506.37096.674043.723350.92
Total Liabilities105396.984307.271206.5255785.2743941.01
WC79380.0161727.8150796.2240556.5329793.74
Z score5.18635735.46218815.1860395.1627874.847906
X1=working capital/Total assets0.75315280.73217720.7133650.7270110.678039
X2=Retained earnings/Total assets0.01310470.1366570.0996630.0724870.07626
X3=Earnings before interest and taxes/Total assets0.0293950.03079160.0258330.0220650.020839
X4=Book value of equity/ total liabilities0.00515660.00636550.0074930.008580.010786
      
Axis Bank 20152014201320122011
Current assets327075.25267286.2224467.5190176.4168448.6
Current Liabilities15055.6713788.8910888.118643.288208.86
Total Assets446876.72369456.99329672.6276984.5234504.5
Net sales/Revenue35478.6030641.1627182.5727026.1719343.63
EBIT13385.4411456.099303.136492.035368.27
Shares474.10469.84467.95413.2410.55
Reserves & Surplus44202.4137750.6432639.9122395.3418588.28
Total Liabilities446876.72369456.99329672.6276984.5234504.5
WC312019.58253497.31213579.4181533.1160239.8
Z score4.83164565.17892294.7638034.7220194.896607
X1=working capital/Total assets0.69822290.68613480.6478530.6553910.683312
X2=Retained earnings/Total assets0.0150010.14361040.0990070.0808540.079266
X3=Earnings before interest and taxes/Total assets0.02995330.03100790.0282190.0234380.022892
X4=Book value of equity/ total liabilities0.00106090.00127170.0014190.0014920.001751
      
KOTAK MAHINDRA BANK20152014201320122011
Current assets74384.2860993.8554355.8443649.733303.62
Current Liabilities4857.973333.822789.812553.673032.36
Total Assets101154.1184251.4880903.8863112.847818.31
Net sales/Revenue9719.878767.128042.497032.284739.06
EBIT2997.452577.152156.611623.751170.93
Shares386.18385.16373.3370.34368.44
Reserves & Surplus13754.9111889.939091.197610.416464.95
Total Liabilities101154.1184251.4880903.8863112.847818.31
WC69526.3157660.0351566.0341096.0330271.26
Z score4.77545525.33237534.7314774.8437144.766181
X1=working capital/Total assets0.6873300.684380.6373740.6511520.633047
X2=Retained earnings/Total assets0.0194570.1940140.112370.1205840.135198
X3=Earnings before interest and taxes/Total assets0.0296320.03058870.0266560.0257280.024487
X4=Book value of equity/ total liabilities0.00381770.00457160.0046140.0058680.007705

 

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Self-regulated Learning: A Narrative Review

 

Husain Abdulhay

 

Abstract: Issue of self- versus other-regulation is also diligently stressed and applied in contemporary education so as to put person at the helm of situation, not a pawn at the mercy of circumstances. In the same vein, this study aims to draw attention to a newly developed concept of learning which overemphasizes the role of individual learner in attunement of his thought, emotions and strategies to accelerate and escalate the extent of his acquisition. To do so, an overview of this new phenomenon known as self-regulated learning is given at first and evidence attesting to the fruitfulness and utility of such strategy is dispensed in the following.

Keywords: Self-regulated learning, motivation, cognition, metacognition, context

 INTRODUCTION

Self-regulated learning (henceforth SRL) emerged as a result of inquisitiveness into “how students become master of their own learning” (Zimmerman and Martinez-Pons, 1990, p.4). It has been eventuated from inquiry into the process of learning by those learners who have been assiduous and triumphant in their learning despite hindrances to their efforts (ibid).

Self-regulation has gained momentum in educational psychology consonant with constructivism approach to learning to attend more to the role of individual learner and his/her needs for better management of his/her learning. Research in educational domain is likewise exploiting this advancement by highlighting all aspects of individuals which are worth the investigation and consideration for an effective learning to occur.  This prompted researchers to pedagogically extend an operational definition for self-regulated learning.

Self-regulation has come to the fore as learner’s responsibility for learning and taking active role for constructing his own knowledge is much more acknowledged and promulgated in developmental education. Contemporary education acknowledges the centrality of learner and learner’s development and seeks to lend assistance to advance this development by considering all aspects of learning and teaching affecting learners’ progress. Knowledge is not any more transmitted to acquirers; rather, it is obtained in a way, bound and determined by learners, to actualize this entity.

Learners are much more valued in the contemporary educational system in so far as their roles as the builders of knowledge are more gratified. SRL is congruent with constructivism and learner-centered education.  Self-regulated learning is in parallel with constructivist view of learning and teaching in that it puts learner at the epicenter of learning and construction of knowledge and, hence, it merits more heed in contemporary education. Constructivism underscores the importance of individual self in building meaning (Vygotsky, 1978). Learner acts out as an umpire of feeding inlet of knowledge to them.

Disassociation from text-based education and moving towards constructivism seeks learners to be independent self-regulative learners and this is much sooner accomplished in a milieu which supports and provides sufficient altitude for learners to experience and implement their skills and strategies to self regulate their learning. Teachers can provide enough leeway for learners to participate and engage by creating an environment which is secure to experience and maneuver over their learning. Cultivating  a milieu which is encouraging and motivating allow for experiencing and implementing skills and strategies more willingly and get feedback for establishing and if deemed necessary altering their strategies to learn more effectively.

Literature aims to spur teachers and practitioners to reckon at learners’ responsibilities and decision making, congruent with constructivism and schism from transmission of knowledge, rote learning, and spoon-feeding schools of teaching.

 

 

  1. REVIEW OF THE RELATED LITERATURE

 

Self-regulated learning has been in the limelight over the last three decades. It has grabbed attentions among academics and psychologists. It stems from educational psychology and percolates in educational and non-educational studies and instruction. SRL has attracted many fields from psychology to mathematics, health, sport, medic, technology, policy making, and language education. Myriad empirical and non empirical studies exist concerning educational and non educational self-regulation learning.

Effect of self-regulatory strategies on academic success has been well established in many studies (Pintrich & De Groot, 1990; Pintrich, 1990; Zimmerman, 1990). Self-regulated learners indulge much higher self-propulsion in their learning in comparison with those who do not self-regulate. Zimmerman and Martinez-Pons (1990) refer to a growing body of correlational research which denotes higher achievements with greater usage of learning strategies by self- regulated learners than with little utilization of self-directed learning strategies.

Wolters, A. C. (2010) in a review study entitled the relation between the 21st Century and self-regulated learning (SRL), with reference to multiple studies, evinced that however forging students into a self-regulated learner establishes the stepping-stone to volition, motivation, and self-management in them, transferable also to contexts outside of school.

Effect of schooling on the different dimensions of self-regulated learning has been examined in different fields of study. Leutwyler, Bruno & Maag Merki, Katharina (2009) in a longitudinal study extending for almost two years in gymnastic school revealed significant effect of schooling on development of self-regulatory capacity of young learners.

Pratontep and Chinwonno (2008) scrutinized the self-regulated learning strategies of 30 Thai university students in a reading comprehension program. The results uncloaked significant differences between the students’ English reading comprehension, divided into upper and lower level groups based on their competencies in reading comprehension,  especially for the lower level group, in pre- and post-test. Students reported frequent use of metacognitive and performance regulation strategies through the self-regulated learning interview schedule. The students in upper level group actively used self-regulated learning strategies more often than the lower level did to regulate their metacognition and performance. Furthermore, the students’ verbal protocols of reading unveiled the use of self-regulated learning strategies in the performance or volitional control phase more often than in the forethought or self-reflection phases.

The positive effects of interventions studies designed to promote students’ SRL have now been well established. Training programs are carried out and pilot tests are conducted as part of the syllabus or running experiments to enhance self-regulated learning. Cleary and Zimmerman (2004) present an anecdote of a cyclical model of academic self-regulation in a case study program to highlight the primary processes and techniques used by an self-regulation coaching (henceforth SRC) working with a 12-year-old Caucasian student and, eventually, to empower her self-regulation skills. The program was sprouted from social-cognitive theory and research and integrated many of the essential features of the problem-solving model. Interventions used in the Self-regulation empowerment program (SREP) comprising making graphic, cognitive modeling and coaching, and structured practice sessions. The SRC assessed Anna’s motivational profile as well as how she used strategies to self-regulate her learning according to triadic phases of self-regulation and, at the end, after getting a feeble grade in the tests she was offered an intervention approach in an individualized training program to teach her to set goals, to record in person the performance processes (i.e., strategies used) and outcomes (i.e., test grades), and to evaluate goal progress and strategy effectiveness. The intervention programs at the end endorsed her improved test score of 90 as a result of her newly acquired study strategies.

The training program much attended to the psychological side of Anna and encouraged her to press in and press on by recording and monitoring her progress with the help of delivered self-regulation strategies taught by her coach. Taking more responsibility for her learning and modifying her beliefs and motivating herself helped Anna to elevate her grades in school. The studies bear robust evidence of the positive effects of SRL instructional programs on children’s academic achievement. It must also be mentioned that training programs will benefit more students and even educators when they are implemented concurrent with other academic interventions or social programs and when they consider all aspects of learners (affective, cognitive, motivational and cultural) and learning settings and self-regulation stages cannot be applied in a rigid way to every  learning activity (ibid).

Causal-effect study carried out by Liu (2008) showed that self-regulatory capacity of learners can predict learners’ self-perceptions in English achievement that in practice affects their successes. This notifies how the enrichment of self-regulatory capacities in the forms of perceptions and beliefs assists learners to attain success.

 

 

  1. A DEFINITION OF SELF-REGULATED LEARNING

 

Self-regulated learning is a composite concept encapsulating besides cognitive and metacognitve strategy also motivation and affection in its framework. Currently, self-regulation is recognized as an amalgamation of cognition, metacognition, motivation and emotion. Zimmerman (1989) posits that the learner’s decisive self-management of environment, behavior, and personal processes is the most visible indicator of a learner’s degree of self-regulation.

Self-regulated learning with its broadened definition is “multi-component, iterative, self-steering processes that target one’s own cognitions, feelings, and actions, as well as features of the environment for modulation in the service of one’s own goals” (Boekaerts and Karoly, 2005).

Paris and Paris (2001) identify self-regulated learning in its three words as the mobilization of autonomy and control by the individuals steering and regulating their actions toward attainment of the goals.

While self-regulation is defined in its discourse meaning as control process of learning, academic self-regulation is identified as proactively active participation of learners in the process of learning.Theorists have their own set interpretation of self-regulated learning contingent upon tradition and schools they’ve adopted for learners’ learning processes.

The terms “self-regulation” and “self-control” are being used interchangeably, albeit some subtle distinctions are drawn by different researchers. Some use the term self-regulation more broadly to refer to goal-directed behavior whereas “self-control” may be associated specifically with conscious impulse control (Baumeister and Vohs, 2004). To Schmeichel and Baumeister (2004), self-regulation associates well with both conscious and unconscious alteration of responses by the self, while “self-control” implies a more explicit and cognizant process of response alternation. By the same token, it can be said that through self-regulation learners wages into acting of the self to change its own responses.

Zimmerman (1990) asserts that however self-regulated learning  is defined differntly according to adopted theoretical orientations by different  researches but the commen conceptualization shared among them is that self-regulated learners are cognitively, metacognitively, motivationally and behaviorally predisposed to accomplish their goals . To become self-regulated learner means that one becomes adept in orientating his/her learning to reach his/her own goals despite cognitive, motivational and emotional impediments. Self-regulation enacts as an interim gadget for optimizing learning and expediting process of goal achievement. Paris and Paris (2001) propound that each person builds his/her own theory of self-regulation.

Self-regulation appeals for heeding the interplay of context and individual behavior (Bandura, 1986). Many instruments and methods exist and are developed to understand self-regulation (e.g. the Learning and Strategies Study Inventory to assess self-regulation strategies in general; LASSI (Weinstein, 1987) , Scale of English Self-Regulated Learning Strategies originated by Wang, Wang, and  Li, 2007 and Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire, MSLQ originated by Pintrich, Smith, Garcia & McKeachie (1993).

 

 

  1. THEORIES AND MODELS OF SELF-REGULATED LEARNING STRATEGIES (SRLs)

 

SRL is examined against various theoretical perspectives for the inclusion of many facets of control and learning (Paris and Paris, 2001). They name Piaget’s constructivist theory, Vygotsky’s socio-cultural theory, social learning theories, and information-processing theories as the central tenets of these theoretical perspectives to study SRL. Zimmerman (1989) expounds it in terms of phenomenological, social cognitive, Vygotskian and cognitive constructivist theories and volitional.

The most prominent theory which overshadows the self-regulation studies and research is Albert Bandura’s social cognitive theory (Zimmerman and Schunk, 1989). Zimmerman (1995), the avant-garde author on self-regulated learning, pursues social cognitive theory to study self-regulation.

However, social cognitive theory has illuminated self-regulated learning studies by providing a holistic backdrop against which the self processes are enacted. It seeks to emphasize reciprocal interactions between the environment, the person, and his/her behavior (Bandura, 1997). It purveys a theoretical framework to scrutinize learning in its real context. All the contributors, inside and outside of the individual learners, to control and regulate learning is encapsulated in social cognitive theory. Learners, in this theory, are identified with their thorough dimensions in which their thoughts, feelings and actions interact reciprocally in an integrating and molding environment to generate the desired learning.

Social cognitive theory addresses the interrelationship between the learner, the learners’ behaviors, and the social environment of classroom (Bandura, 1997). Social cognitive theory expounds on how learners’ properties are influenced by characteristics of learning environment. It represents a broad spectrum of the factors which influence the learners and learning processes.  With the help of the theory researchers are enabled discern umbilical nexus between the learners and learning environment. The consideration of environment in determining actual learning is urged by social cognitive theory, an assumption akin to Vygotscian view of learning, to swerve the riveted attention on the sole studies of cognitive individual development.

Social cognitive theory regards contextual or situational variables as potent contributors to students’ motivation and self-regulation than personal attributes.  It implies in a sense that the context is influential in individual’s cognitive, behavioral and motivational processes of learning. In this view, the individual’s self-regulated learning is not seen as a stable trait in all situations. However it is liable to alternation and change over the course of time and leaned upon different settings. So as a result of the application of this theory to education, self-motivational beliefs and behaviors will vary depending on the nature of educational setting or the specific tasks which learners are required to do.

There are many models of self-regulated learning each of which originates from a different theoretical perspective. In the domain of academic studies many models of self-regulation have been projected, each of which traces back and is imputed to a different theoretical approach, which categorically overlap in their construct and conceptualization (Wolters 2010). The following showcases some, the most prominent of which is the Zimmerman’s model.

 

  1. The Personal Responsibility Orientation model set forth by Brockett and Hiemstra (1991)
  2. The Effort Management Hierarchy model developed by Thomas and Rohwer (1993)
  3. Zimmerman’s three-phase self-regulation model (Zimmerman, 1990)

 

The Personal Responsibility Orientation model set forth by Brockett and Hiemstra (1991) places self-direction in learning as an overriding theme with two related sub-dimensions. There exists the following two constructs under the umbrella of self-direction: (a) self-directed learning which incorporates the concepts of the adult learner and teaching-learning process set forth by Knowles, and (b) learner self-direction which focuses on characteristics internal to the individual that incline person toward taking self-initiated onus.

According to Thomas and Rohwer (1993), the effort management hierarchy model is based on four hierarchical levels of study activity. These activities include monitoring, self-regulation, planning and evaluating. Thomas and Rohwer purport that learner self-direction occurs in a continuum of activities which range from awareness of needs to individual control of one’s study efforts including concentration, time and effectiveness of learning. They add that the key to self-directed learning is regulation and remediation.

Zimmerman’s triadic self-regulation model introduces self-regulation as a cyclical process involving learner assessment and feedback of personal, behavioral, and environmental factors during three phases of the learning process: (a) the forethought phase during which goal setting and social modeling occur; (b) performance control during which the learner compares their performance to that of other learners and provides self-instruction regarding learning strategy; and (c) self-reflection, the stage of self-evaluation, resultant feedback, and self-reward for performance success (Schunk, 2001).

Pintrich (2000) proposes four assumptions for self-regulation and learning:

The first assumption, active constructive assumption, assumes that all acquirers be active, efficient participants in the learning process. Learners subsume new material and anchor it based on previously internalized information to establish individualized meaning, purposes, and strategies. Secondly, control potential is the assumption that learners have the ability to self-manage their thought processes, motivation and behavior and the environment. Third, goal assumption, assumes that learners set goals and self-regulate their efforts by monitoring thought processes, behavior, and motivation en route to reaching those goal. The fourth assumption, mediation, recognizes the role of learners’ personal, behavioral, and environmental self-regulation processes of learning for adjusting mercurial volatility of the individual, the learning context and goal attainment (ibid).

Paris and Paris (2001) extended a developmental metaphor of self-regulation based on socio-cultural model of learning in which students develop competencies and become more self-regulated. In this model of learning Piagetian tenet is also applied in which behaviors are molded and organized through participation of learners in zone of proximal development and self-regulation is an adaptive representation of this organization demonstrated in a situation than a set of skills to be learnt (ibid.).

 

 

  1. COGNITIVE & METACOGNITIVE FACETS OF SELF-REGULATED LEARNING

 

Metacognition is considered as an effective strategy for putting self-regulation into effect. Positive direct effects of metacognitive self-regulation on deep learning strategies and on self-regulatory strategies was sealed by Al-Harthy and Was (2010).

Metacognition is ken about cognition and regulation of cognition. It refers to ability to mull over and control ones’ own learning (Flavell, 1979, 1981). Knowledge about cognition encompasses three sub-processes facilitating reflective aspect of meta-cognition: declarative, procedural and conditional knowledge. Regulation of meta-cognition includes planning, monitoring, debugging and evaluation of strategies. The metacognitive self-regulation component refers to the awareness of and control over the cognitive processes.

Susimesta (2006), in an attempt to identify the theoretical and empirical boundary line between self-regulation, self-regulated learning and metaconition, concluded that drawing a boundary line between cognition skills and strategies and metacognition skills and strategies is sometimes difficult. Dinsmore, Alexander, and Loughlin (2008), by rehashing and dissecting 225 studies, found that metacognition is so pertained to cognitive orientation while self-regulation more to human action. Duckworth, K., Akerman, R., MacGregor A.,Salter, E., & Vorhaus , J. (2009) endorse that cognitive and non-cognitive skills are entwined.

Zimmerman and Martinez-Pons (1990) purport that, students who are mecognitivley aware show a better performance and are more strategic than those learners who are less informed of. Not to mention, many of the metacognitive knowledge and skills are not necessarily and specifically taught in classroom. As Elliot (1999) puts it, students mould their ideas and reactions gradually and only after undergoing many challenging learning.

 

However, there is some inconsistency between findings in some researches. Pokay and Blumenfeld (1990) evidenced the negative relationship between meatcognitive strategy use and achievement. To quote Zimmerman (1995, p. 217), “it is one thing to possess metacognitive knowledge and skill but another thing to be able to self-regulate its use in the face of fatigue, stressors, or competing attractions”.

 

 

  1. MOTIVATIONAL FACETS OF SELF-REGULATED LEARNING

 

According to Boekaerts, M. (1999) most studies have focused on modifying cognitive dimensions of self-regulation for optimal learning to happen than those of affection, motivation and performance. Zimmerman (1995) claims that self regulation is more than metacognitive ken and thinking skills. It concerns with self efficacy beliefs and the sense of agency and going through motivational and behavioral processes to effectuate the in-place beliefs. However, self-regulation is comprised of a convoluted system of social, motivational and behavioral processes that is inaugurated by individual referenced to self-factor (ibid). He persuades and prevails on researchers to traverse metacognitive knowledge and skill to consider more the motivational and behavioral processes underlying self-efficacy and personal agency for effectuating these self beliefs.

Reaserch  in domain of strategy instruction denotes that strategy awareness is good predictor of learners‘ use of strategies but motivatioenal belief of lerners is good indicator of putting these strategies into use. Motivational studies of self-regulation are escalating as motivational beliefs play a significant part in deployment of metacognitive strategies (Wolters C, A. & Pintrich P, R. 1998;Young, 2005).

Studies on motivation and strategies demonstrate a close link between motivational beliefs and use of strategies. Existing research has documented positive relations between students’ academic self-efficacy and their use of self-regulation strategies (Schunk, 2005). In an early schooling study, Pintrich and De Groot (1990) found that middle school students’ self-efficacy beliefs were positively related to their cognitive engagement and academic performance. The findings documented that school children who believed they were capable of learning were more likely to report use of SRL strategies and to persist longer at difficult academic tasks.

Paulsen and Gentry (1995) examined the relationships among motivational variables (intrinsic and extrinsic goal orientation, task value, control of learning, test anxiety, and self-efficacy), cognitive learning-strategy subcategories (rehearsal, elaboration, and organization), self-regulation subscales (time, study, and effort), and students’ academic performance (final grade) in an Introduction to Financial Management course. They found that all motivational variables were significantly related to the academic performance, final grade in the course, where path analysis revealed the self-efficacy as the strongest predictor of performance.

Motivational beliefs act as cantilevers which strengthen the suspensions of attitudes to sustain effort and persistence for finalizing the goal. Self-regulated learner is tantamount to a self-efficacious learner who persists in his beliefs despite worries and has the adequate will to strive to attain his goals. Self-regulated learner is tantamount to a self-efficacious learner who persists in his beliefs despite worries and has the adequate will to strive to attain his goals. Research denotes that effective self-regulation is pivoted on students’ sense of self-efficacy for self-regulating their learning and taking on actions (Schunk, 1995).

 

 

 

  1. ENVIRONMNETAL FACETS OF SELF-REGULATED LEARNING

 

SRL is conceptualized as a dynamic process enhanced by some contextual features (Boekaerts and Corno, 2005). Social cognitive theory sets great store by interrelated interaction of the environment, the person, and his or her behavior (Bandura, 1986). Social cognitive theorists postulate that student’ social experiences in learning environment, particularly their interactions with teachers, can affect self-regulated learning (Zimmerman, 1989).  An allover calibration of the factors influencing learning overshadowed by social cognitive theory has helped researchers and educators to scrutinize self-regulated learning much scrupulously.

Myriad studies of strategy instruction have shown that cognitive practices along side with non-cognitive support result in higher attainments. Pintrich and De Groot (1990) believe that the importance of classroom contextual factors for instigating key enablers of learning, viz. ‘will’ and ‘skill’ represented as older cognitive models of learning, to succeed is irrefutable.

Zimmerman (1997) recognizes environmental determinants as physical and social attributions. Social experiences in learning are like autonomy support, feedback to self-evaluate, leaner-centered. Influence and contribution of learning and teaching context and domains can be examined at three levels of macro (school) micro (classroom) and personal (individual level) and this study only considers the social aspects of learning and teaching at micro levels. Physical attributions are facilities, equipments, arrangement of classroom and et cetera.

There are multitudes of studies that vindicate the irrefutable effect of the contextual factors on developing self-regulatory capacity of learners (Cleary and Zimmerman, 2004; Lin, 2004; Perry, 1998; Sungur and Gungoren, 2009; Wolters and Pintrich 1998; Yen, 2005; Young, 2005). In a correlational study conducted by Yen (2004) the strength of association between student-teacher interactions and self-regulated learning(r =.36, p <.01) was found to be large which endorsed once again the constructive role of teachers in creating a setting conducive to fostering and spurring student’s self-regulated learning. Young ( 2005) in a study aiming to fathom motivational effect of the classroom environment in facilitating self-regulated learning  found that delivery with high interaction, encouraging feedback, and clear goals that emphasize learning over grades will augment intrinsic motivation and the use of self-regulated learning strategies. Leutwyler and Merki (2009) conducted a longitudinal study in an ecologically valid setting of 20 public and two private high schools in Switzerland (Gymnasium, ISCED 3A) without specific training programs.  The results showed the significant effects of schooling and instructional processes on students’ progress in self-regulated learning though differing in degree of stability contingent upon different features of the school and instructional process. The development of many aspects of cognitive and metacognitive self-regulation was impacted by school process variables, to a greater degree, than students’ extra-curricular experience. The findings implied the effect of various social and didactical factors on the promotion of self-regulation of cognitive, metacognition and motivation. Cognitive and metacognitive self-regulation variances explained by these variables ranged between 1.8 % for transformation strategies and 5.3 % for monitoring strategies and evaluation strategies. Perceived social inclusion played an important role in the positive development of practically all dimensions of motivational self-regulation (βmin = .131; p < .05). With regard to the didactic aspects of classroom instruction, requiring students to elaborate frequently promoted the development of intrinsic motivation (β = .089; p < .05) while teachers’ use of a process orientation showed no effect at all and high self-reliance of learners had a demonstrable effect on only one single case. The degree of transferring orientation in teaching (measured using the scale “elaboration”) illustrated the positive relations with the development of cognitive and metacognitive self-regulation. Only one association between motivational self-regulation and teachers’ use of transfer orientation was demonstrable in isolated cases only. Gender had impacts only on some aspects of cognitive and metacognitive self-regulation, explaining between 12.8 % and 25.3 % of the variance for monitoring strategies and transformation strategies and explained much of the variances in motivational self-regulation both of which accounted for students’ starting conditions.

Critical role of specific contextual and situational variables on students’ motivation and self-regulation has been attested in recent studies. (Lin, Xi-zhe 2004; Linnenbrink & Pintrich, 2002; Young, 2005; Zimmerman, 1989). Classroom environment contributing to students’ motivation and autonomy to have opportunity and take responsibility for personal experience is recommended by Paris and Paris (2001).

Many aspects of learning environment like autonomy support in the form of providing choices and opportunity, teaching programs, teaching approaches, student-teacher interaction, and motivational beliefs have been found to contribute to fostering and development of this skill (Ames, 1992; Lin, 2004).

The optimal conditions for developing self-regulation occur when children and young people have an opportunity to pursue goals that they themselves find meaningful; they will also be invited to develop their skills by selecting their own activities, taking initiative, engaging in challenging and co-operational learning experiences and making their own decisions (Boekaerts and Corno, 2005). Self-regulation, as an indivisible compartment of such professional development, is emphasized by social constructivist theory. This means that knowledge is constructed through social interaction and is a shared experience rather than an individual one (Vygotsky, 1978). Teachers need to be involved in sharing and reflecting on their practices with their colleagues. Teachers leading a solitary practice may not be aware of the need to make changes in their instructional perspectives. Teachers’ collaboration with one another has been widely studied as a remedy to the isolation that many teachers experience. Butler, et al., (2004) propound that cooperation creates a professional learning community that holds members accountable while sustaining momentum during “inevitable challenges”.

Classroom environment contributing to students’ motivation and autonomy to have opportunity and take responsibility for personal experience is recommended by Paris and Paris (2001). So as for learners’ self-regulated learning a supporting and empowering environment is likewise required to be designed and implemented by teachers and educators to motivate learners to deploy self-regulatory strategies.

Harrison and Prain (2009) conducted a case study on 11 year 8 students’ self-regulation of learning beliefs and practices in two English task completion and engagement within an 11 month schooling program influenced by the learning and teaching processes, contextual, organizational factors in an Australian regional secondary school context with a low socio-economic origin. Students were questioned on affective and cognitive strategy uses after completing tasks by the authors and teachers after two or three weeks. students reported use of self-regulatory strategies by honing independent  learning through constructing an environment that cater for their differences in interest and also by harnessing structure of the class  and learning and teaching process.

 

The research comprised part of a tri-schooling study project to obtain self-regulatory capacities of students on lessons, within and in pursuit of task completion activities, by classroom observations and interviewing learners and teachers. Their perceptions and strategies were noted these were coded as the springboard for the further analysis on the self-regulatory development patterns. Engagement was operationalized in respect of cognitive, emotional and behavioral processes.  Within task completion, interview yielded that learners reported affective responses to the tasks and use of strategies.

Among 11 participants, nine showed sundry self-regulatory tactics, alacrity to take responsibility for executing the tasks, seeking help from teachers and classmates and  peer learning and happiness on achieving set goals and also managements of their own times. One of the participants, Albert, having gone through inquiry into his failure on task completion revealed that he had difficulty in implementing the strategies he had shown at other skills than school work at which he was good.

Experiencing transformed organization of the class in a new learning community and teacher’s expectation of students to work independently in inquiry time had significant impact on student’s perceptions and subsequently on their self-regulatory practices. The new learning community brought with it the convolution of each specific environment which had an enabling effect on students’ developments. Support of teachers showed significantly the improvement of self-regulatory strategies. Unscheduled syllabuses in the new learning community dissipated the monotony of the activities while provoking some uncertainty and anxiety over what will come next but axiomatically offering more challenge and responsibility and providing more opportunity in the new environment.

Results had some implications for future reinforcement of self-regulatory capacity of schoolchildren students through caring for students’ differences, providing non-rigid and positive non-competing learning environment, more accurate learning evaluative system, and support for teachers to meet student’s need collaboratively.

 

 

 

  1. 8. IMPORTANCE OF SELF-REGULATED LEARNING IN ACADEMIC ENDEAVORS

 

Self-regulated learning has been introduced in education taking its roots from educational psychology. SRL has grabbed attention of many people from different fields from psychology to mathematics, health, sport, medical, technology, policy making, marketing and language education. It is in line with constructivist epistemology and in parallel with the learner-centered education and gradual schism from teacher-directed learning through providing learners with opportunity and laissez-faire to have control over their learning skills and participating them in decision-making

Educational psychology research has dealt extensively with self-regulation and its significance as a mediating variable for academic performance, success and social competence (Zimmerman, 1990; Magno, 2010). Self-regulated learning is a composite concept encapsulating apart from cognition and metacogniton also motivation and affection in its construct.

 

Effect of self-regulatory strategies on academic success has been well-established galore in many studies (Kitsantas, Steen, and Huie, 2009; Lindner and Harris 1992; Pintrich, 1999; Pintrich and De Groot, 1990; Zimmerman, 1990). In the realm of academic self-regulated learning cross-sectional and longitudinal studies in naturalistic and non naturalistic contexts prevail that do address the development and enhancement of self-regulated learning. Self-regulation is believed to be the best predictor of academic performance on all the outcome measures, suggesting that the use of self-regulatory strategies, such as comprehension monitoring, goal setting, planning, and effort management and persistence is essential for academic performance on different types of actual classroom tasks (Boekaerts and Corno, 2005; Zimmerman and Pons, 1986, 1988).

Previous studies dealt exclusively with pure cognitive models of SRL but by expansion of theories and models research is currently encapsulated other dimensions of self-regulated learning which interplay in self-regulated learning process. Duckworth et al. (2009) state that self-regulation is not concerned with ‘thinking skills’; it also questions the role of emotion, motivational beliefs, self-concept and contextual factors in learning. The word self is more appreciated when it is reflected as a whole enacting and formulating in connection with world. Individual as a whole entity integrated in setting, yields more precise speculations about his thought, motivation and behaviors.

Studies depict that the acquisition of self-regulation skills is not an all or nothing phenomenon learnt overnight. This is not a skill acquired instantaneously and automatically and like other learning needs to be nurtured and practiced by schooling. It is a skill that beings from early schooling and continues to flourish cognitively by age and diminish motivationally at the same time, invigorated and empowered by co- and other-regulation. Hong and O’Neil (2001) revert back to multitudes of studies which evince that it is a trait which is not stable and is subject to fluctuation and oscillation.

While many educators consider self-regulation as a set of skills, some consider it as the deployment of all individual resources to invigorate learning process. Paris and Paris (2001) extended a developmental metaphor of self regulation based on socio-cultural model of learning in which students develop competencies and become more self-regulated. In this model of learning Piagetian tenet is also applied in which behaviors are molded and organized through participation of learners in zone of proximal development and self-regulation is an adaptive representation of this organization demonstrated in a situation than a set of skills to be learnt (ibid.).

Self-regulation is also studied as the state or the trait attributes in relation to the psychological characteristics. With self-regulation as a protean system, trait-related measures are also important in self-regulated learning to be studied in connection with academic performance. Hong and O’Neil (2001) concur that differences of trait and state constructs for self-regulation in individual learners are also in need of consideration both for learning and performance and for offering training programs by instructors. Winne and Perry (2000) maintain that self-regulated learning measure tools can be categorized as an aptitude gauge and an activity (event) gauge. Measurements of aptitude examine stable qualities and properties of students that represent predictable behaviors in the future that come in the form of self-reporting questionnaires, structured interview and teacher judgment or as event gauge which describes state and processes of individuals while they are self-regulating.

The research on self-regulation has not been limited to the traditional settings and are implemented to nontraditional settings like distance education and online learning where personal and self-factors more than social and contextual factors play a definitive role in  prompting academic achievement (Azevedo and Seibert 2004; Susimesta, 2006).

 

In addition, many studies on self-regulated learning have been done in the domain of foreign language learning. English learning skills also have been subject of inquiry in terms of exploitation of self-regulated learning strategies. Usefulness of self-regulation as a strategy for productive learning in second language learning and acquisition discipline is being endorsed by several studies (Harrison and Prain, 2009). Tseng, Dörnyei, and Schmitt (2006) evinced the transferability of self-regulation construct from educational psychology into the field of second language acquisition by examining self-regulatory capacity for vocabulary learning strategies of Taiwanese university and high school students.

However it should be noted that, very few studies exist that systematically delve into how far elements of self-regulation differ by gender (Zimmerman and Martinez-Pons, 1990), or by characteristics of the family such as socio-economic background. Leutwyler and Merki (2009) found that that gender played no role in the deployment of self-efficacy and persistence. Gender was stabilized to explain no variances in cognitive and metacognitive self-regulation (ibid).

 

 

  1. CONCLUSION

 

Taking into account the relevant theories, research, reviews, and meta-analytical studies of the self-regulation literature, it is generally agreed that the findings about the organization of self-regulation and its strong relationship with performance and success are highly reliable (Pintrich and Schunk, 1996). The literature elucidated the value of self-regulated learning and constructive role of learning and teaching environment in its burgeoning and fostering.

With self-regulation skill training programs being incorporated as separate courses in most disciplines in addition to content knowledge teaching programs in today’s education, magnitude of this skill in enabling effective learning is being conveyed. Helping students to reach the point that they have the capacity to regulate their own learning is advised to equip learners to advance their learning. By the same token, other- regulation and co-regulation is a way of propelling learners into self-regulation.

However, trickling learners into academic self-regulation and dispensing gradually with other regulation and co-regulation with teachers and peers seeks a supporting learning environment. Transition from other regulation by teachers and co-regulation by peers to self regulation seeks a fostering learning environment which provides skill and will for self-regulated learning. Paris & Paris (2001) assert that helping students to become self-regulated not only promotes more sui juris, competent, and determined learners, but is also likely to elevate test scores. A supporting and empowering environment is required to be designed and implemented by teachers and educators to motivate learners to deploy self-regulatory strategies. However, despite this strong advocacy of the value of this capacity, teachers still struggle and hesitate to provide learning experiences that support this learning capacity in students (Prain, 2008).

As literature enlightened how cognition, motivation, affect and context are closely intertwined in promoting self-regulation, attending to all these elements in conjunction with teaching of strategies and skills elevates higher achievement and wellbeing of learners. The review made it clear how the enrichment of self-regulatory capacities in the forms of perceptions and beliefs assists learners to attain success. It commands attentions of learners and teachers at collegiate levels and beyond and even more importantly those serving at basic levels of education and primary school to heed more attention to this skill since the development of this capacity appeared to be incremental developing faster and faster after the initial stages of schooling.

The aforesaid studies accentuating the interplay between self-regulation phenomenon and success encourage learners to mull once again over self-regulatory strategies and put this fruitful skill into use.  The concrete data also remind practitioners and educators to rehash and review their content delivery methods, interaction with students, apprehension of self-regulatory behavior of college language learners and thorough insight into learners’ perceptions of motivational beliefs. The evidence provided prevails on educators and curriculum developers to cogitate more on modifying and revising learning and teaching environment. With contextual factors, directly and indirectly, affecting development of this skill more practice en route to enhancing self-regulated learning, which eventually, result in deep learning is suggested.

The literature likewise spur curriculum developers and syllabus designers to revise their materials for incorporating more problem solving tasks and group working activities, intervention programs, strategy training courses for bolstering self-regulated learning which has been shown to be the cornerstone of constructivist learning.

 

References

 

[1] Al-Harthy, I. S, & Was, C.A. (2010). Goals, efficacy and metacognitive self-regulation. International Journal of Education. 2010, Vol.2, No.1.

[2] Ames, C. (1992). Classrooms; Goals, structures, and student motivation. Journal of   Educational Psychology, 84, 261-271.

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THE EFFECTS OF ACTIVITY -BASED INSTRUCTIONAL APPROACH ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF STUDENT IN INTERGRATED SCINCE EDUCATION IN KATSINA STATE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION NIGERIA

MUHAMMED ABDUL BUGAJE1 AND HAMZA ABUBAKAR2

Abstract

The study investigate the effects of activity based introduction approach on the academic performance of student integrated sciences which focuses on the level of success in using this method and its affectivity in teaching and learning integrated sciences education .the study is attempt to land out the significant differences between activity based instructional strategy and conventional method of teaching (lecture method).   The   research is a pilot study restricted to the department of Integrated Science Education in Katsina  State College of education Nigeria.  The sample comprise thirty (30) students of NCE II randomly selected.  The groups were place into two categories, experimental and control groups.  The experimental and Control groups. The experimental groups were taught using Activity-based approach and the control groups were taught using conventional methods. Quisi-experimetal design is used using pre-test posttest control group deign.  The data collected were analyzed using t-test statistic at P0.05 level of significant.  The instrument used for data collection is integrated science process skills (ISPS) test.  The results obtained shows that there is significant differences between the two approaches which entails the use of Activity-base is effective and efficient methods of teaching and learning science on general.  Recommendations were made for the effective use of Activity-based approach in teaching and learning integrated science education.

Introduction

Pedagogy is the instructional methods methods for strategy teachers adopt to facilitate instructional delivery for the achievement for the achievement of stated curriculum objectives.  Instructional delivery for the achievement of stated curriculum objectives.  Instructional strategy is the major factor in delivery effectiveness for it determines the success of the lesson.  The instructional method that the teachers adopt in teaching a lesson is a vital because this can make students like or dislike the subjects.  Teachers need to adopt teaching methods that will influence students’ interest, enthusiasm and understanding positively in the subject leading to acquisition of the pre-requisite knowledge, skills, value and scientific attitudes.

However the methods a teacher employ depends on the number of factors ranging from the nature of subjects, age, the students, specific objectives, teacher and environmental variable as stated by Etuibon (2014).  There are varieties of instructional methods from which a teacher may select the effectiveness for instructional delivery.   This range from demonstration, conventional, discussion, field trip to more innovative methods like co-operative learning, concept mapping which actively involves students in learning, Ajewole (2010).

The best method of teaching integrated science education is that methods that engage students participation in activities. Active participation in learning concept in integrated science will provide students with their own personal experience that will facilitate learning which many never be forgotten. The activity base approaches enriches the teaching learning process by ensuring the students actively participate in the lesson rather than just being passive listeners in the classroom Eboka, (2014)

Mastropiere & Scruggs (1995) lamented that many students benefit from learning science through activity base approach that reduces the relevance on textbooks, lectures, knowledge of vocabulary and prevail paper test this kind of approach seek to promote that allow them to discover and experiment with science through discovery and inquiring teachers involve students in creating and expanding their knowledge and understanding about content area being studied.

The philosophy of integrated science emphasize and stresses the effectives use of activity base strategy as a tentative method of teaching integrated science in the Nigeria colleges of education as stated by national commission for colleges of education (NCCE) accompanied by science teacher’s association of Nigeria (STAN). The minimum standard for science 2012 edition NCE curriculum outline the philosophy and objective of integrated science.

          The philosophy of the Nigeria certification education (NCE) integrated science is anchored on the following areas:

  • Fundamental unit of science
  • The use of scientific methods as a common approach in problem solving
  • The role and function of science in every day life
  • To prepare students for further students is integrated science.

Objectives NCE (2015) minimum standard

  • Enabling the students gain concept of the fundamental unity of science
  • Installing the student with community of approach to problems of a scientific method.
  • Increasing students understanding of the role and definition of science in every day life and in the world in which they live.
  • Making students well informed and scientifically literate.
  • Enabling student acquire and demonstrate the intellectual commence and professional skills to the teaching of integrated science.
  • Developing students ability to impart and encourage in their pupils the spirit of inquring into living and non living things in the environments.
  • Developing the ability and motivation is students to work and think in an independent way/ manner
  • Enabling students to carry out scientific investigation emphasizing co operation development of appropriate scientific process and skills and improves their written and oral communication skills
  • To develop in students the interest to pursue higher studies in integrated science.

Integrated science is the unity of all knowledge the conceptual unity of the sciences, a unified process of scientific inquiry and an interdisciplinary study as defined by Brow, (1977). The development of process skills and basics skills is an emphasized objective of Nigerian integrated science projects capable for teachers to make use if activity base approach to assist the students to observe carefully and thoroughly, report completely and accurately what is observe. Organize information acquired generalize on the basic of acquired information predict as a result of generally design experiment to check production use models to explain phenomena and continue the process of inquiring when new data do not conform to prediction these can absolutely be acclaimed through the effective use of activity base approaches in teaching learning integrated science.

                    Foecke, (2004) in an article on the education

 of teachers of integrated science observe that how can

we expect teachers who have science only in

                   specialized packages and by methods which

may have stressed lecture and memorization and

avoided direct involvement from this background

                   and teach science in an integrated and

inquiry – oriented manner?.

Pine G. (1989), Define Activity:- based method as a technique adopted by a teachers to emphasize his or her method of teaching through activity in which the students participate rigorously and bring about efficient learning experiences. It’s a child centered approach. It is method in which the child is actively involved in participating mentally and physically learning by doing is the main focus in this method. Learning by doing is imperative in imperative in successful learning. Since its well proved that more the senses are stimulated more a person learns and longer he/she retains

          The corporation of schools of Chennai (2003) which was developed and originated by the pioneer of the method David Horsburgh out line the affectivity of the activity based strategy and lamented that.

Activity:- based approach required actives problem solving by students in finding patterns in the information through their own investigation and Analysis. With continued practice in these processes, students learn not the content of the lesson but also develop many other skills.

Horsburgh D. (2003) out line the importance of activity based method or the main purposes of carrying out activity based approach in the teaching and learning science in generate are:

  • It exchange creative aspect of experience.
  • It give reality for learning.
  • Use all available resources
  • Provide varied experiences to the students to facilitate the acquisition of knowledge, experience, skills and values
  • Builds the students self confidence and develop understanding through works in his/her group.
  • Experiences develop interest, enriches vocabulary and provide stumulus for reading.
  • Develop happy relation ship between students, teachers and students.
  • An activity is said to be language of the child a child who lacks in verbal expression can make up through use of ideas in the activity.
  • Subject of all kind can be taught through activity
  • Social relation provides opportunity to mix with others.

Objective of the study:

  1. To determine the effectiveness of the significant difference between activity-based approach and conventional method (lecture method) of teaching and learning integrated science.
  2. To determine the skills acquired between activity-based approach and conventional method of teaching and learning integrated sconce.
  3. To investigate the role played by the teachers in using activity based approach in instruction of integrated science in the classroom.

Research questions:

  1. What are the effects of using activity based method and conventional method of teaching.
  2. What is the effect of gender when exposed to activity based approach in teaching and learning integrated science.
  3. What is the role of a teacher in organizing effective use of activity base approach in teaching and learning integrated science.

Research Hypothesis

H01. There is no significant difference between activity based approach and conventional (lecture) method of teaching and learning integrated science.

H02. There is no significant difference between the skill obtained in activity based approach and conventional lecture method in teaching and learning integrated science education.

Operational Definition  

  • Nigerian integrated science project ( NISP): Capable of desiring and produced science teaching and learning materials in order to make learning effective and efficient.
  • Nigeria integrated science teacher education project (NISTEP): capable of producing high efficient science teachers through designing the modern approach of pedogoyical teaching and learning through optimum supporting system.
  • Basic science process skills (BSPS) and integrated science process skills (ISPS): Science process approach (SAPA) group science process skills under two headings. The first is called the basic science process skill (BSPS) such as observation measuring and using number and classifying (BSPS) provide the intellectual group work in scientific inquiring walters & soyibo, (2001). These skills are those which must be acquired in the first level of primary and secondary education and letter is called integrated science process skills (ISPS), Such as controlling variable, formulating hypothesis and experimenting. These skills are structured.

Research Methodology:

          In the study pretest and posttest experimental control group design was used. The main study sample comprised 30 students in a total of them of them constituted the control group. When creating the experimental and control group, it was aimed not to cause any district differences between the groups to ensure this SPST had been done before the study and them choices were made randomly in the classes that had similar performances to one another. The study was conducted the one of Katsina State College of education Nigeria. The study was conducted during the two semesters.

          The science process skills test (SPST) was used to measure the integrated science skills the test developed by Nigerian integrated science project (NISP) and Nigerian integrated science teacher education project (NISTER) in collaboration with Nigerian national commission for colleges of education (2002).

          With its 33 items. The ISPST which has 11 eleven dimension 5 items related to formulating hypothesis 6 items related to identifying variable 6 items related to define operationally 6 items related to interpretation of data 3 items related to formulating models and 7 items related to experimenting.

          Pre-test post-test control group design, which is one of the methods of the experimental design is applied all participants attendant the four hours lectures per week in a science course. While the students in the control group were being taught the conventional method (lecture method). The one in the experimental group were supplied some hands activities prepared by the researcher to improve their science process skills. Through out the studies to topics to be studies is in the conformity in the green book of th

 students did 150 hands on activities for a complete semester in order to improve their science process skills they worked in group of atleast 3 and maximum of 5 students. The groups were nitrogenous with respect to their science achievement. The students in the experimental group were trained about activity based teaching method and hands on activities.

          During the student the student were asked some  open-ended questions to attract their orientation to the topic and activities and they were asked to answer them working co – operatively. At that stage, the students were obtain supported by researchers the group were demanded their funding and results attains in writing or verball of when ever they finished working together they write some group report and different students in the work groups provided oral explanations to the rest of the students about each one of those reports the finished were discussed all together to have some specific results to consolidate things.

          All NCE II students the number of the hands on activities the content knowledge relate to the science process skill and instructional time were held constant. Dependent variables of the study were the students achievement scores of ISPST. Independent variables of the study were the different types of instruction employed. When students pretest ISPST for experimental and control group score and post test for experiment and control groups core were used to test the research question and to determine the treatment effects on students. The data collected was analyzed using analysis of variance and it test statues of P< 0.05

Result Analysis   

The raw scores of students of Experimental and Control Groups were arranged and then analyzed  by suing means score, standard deviation and t-test statistical tools.  The analysed data have been interpreted in the following ways:

The tabulated value for 58 degree of freedom at 0.05 level of significance, since  the calculated t (7.90)is less greater than  the critical value (1.684), Ho may be retained. We may conclude that there is significant difference between activity based instruction and conventional methods of teaching. It is indeed, the basic skills were acquired during the experimental studies.  Hence activity based instruction is effective and efficient in teaching and learning science all level of education

Recommendation:

          Learning by students through activity-based teaching strategies on experience you get is at great importance because the education sector, with many goals and the advantages and benefits. The recommendations are as follows:

  • The teachers should increase the students attention and willingness to respond to the educational settings.
  • Guide the development trend of students and their needs and develop their talents and the direction of education is correct.
  • The teachers should employ and emphasize on improvisation which capacitated the acquisition of basic and process skills.
  • Teachers should provide opportunities for students to self-study, where the benefit of the teaching learning situation in their future.
  • Adequate supply of learning and teaching materials should be provided so as to enhance learning and teaching effectively.
  • Adequate funding should be provided by the government.
  • Non-governmental organization should assist the situation through provision of materials and other learning materials.
  • Encourage for work in group for co-operative learning process.
  • Encourage the students to take responsibility of their own learning.
  • Students role towards the development of activity based learning strategies are.

Their personal interest

  • Participate in educational objectives
  • Developing god organizational skills
  • Involve in the programme flow
  • Demonstrate enthusiasm in seeking new knowledge
  • In collaboration with others

The teachers role in the development and use of activity based teaching strategies are:

  • Planning and preparation for
  • Identify outcome
  • Having noted the outcomes of learning using proper strategies
  • Mechanisms within the group
  • Promote co-operation in carry out activities

Conclusion

Activity based teaching strategies describes a range of pedagogical approach to learning teaching its core premises include the requirement that learning should be based on doing some hand experiments.     The idea of activity based approach is rooted in the common notion that children are active learners rather than passive recipients of information. If child is provided the opportunity to explore by their own and provide an optimum learning environment then the learning become joyful and long lasting.

Reference

http//www.best teaching. Com/060510-activity based teaching strategies

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Dr. Anandalakshmi ‘A Report on ABL” (http/www.ssa.tn.nic/docu/ ABL

Report by Dr. Anandalakshmi ptf), SSA PP 1-8

Dalhatu H. (2011), a survey of pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) on

NCE students in teaching of experimental skills in physics

Remziye et al, (2011). The effect of enquiry based science teaching onn\

elementary schools students science process skills and science attitudes.

Bulgerian journal of science and education policy (BJSE), Volumes Number

         National Commission for colleges of education curriculum minimum

         stardard revised edition (2012) Green book.

        Isa U. (2012), Introduction to science education for NCE and Undergraduate

Book 1 E- Watch print media Ibadan, Zaria.

Safqat H, et,at(2011): The Effect of pair Group  Activity-based Learning on

            Students academic achievement in Physics at Secondary school Level.

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Challenges and Delivery in the Higher Institution: A Survey of University Autonomy in Nigeria.

Olakunle Folami

Abstract

Public universities are owned either by the federal or state governments. Corruption, strike, funds and economic doldrums limit the research and teaching capacity of universities in Nigeria. These affect the contribution of university system to the development of the nation. McClelland’s Learned Needs Theory was employed in this paper to explain the desire of the universities to accomplish successfully research and teaching delivery in a competitive environment. Quantitative method of data collection was used in this paper to collect data from the respondents. Questionnaires were administered among one hundred and thirty six respondents from six states and federal universities across the nation. The paper found that both state and federal universities could not meet their financial obligations. Paucity of funds has led to incessant strike, student unrest and brain drain. It was also found that scarcity of funds has affected research and development in the universities. The paper therefore, recommended autonomy and external source of funding for the universities. Internationalisation of the universities research, and public/private partnership were also recommended.

 Keywords: Autonomy, Funding, University, Research.

Introduction

Education, most especially the university education is central to the national development and its importance to individual growth and wellbeing cannot be overemphasised. There is a link reaction between individual development and education. According to Aluko (1996) university is a place where human potentials are developed and refined for the utilisation of national development. Universities provide manpower needed by the nation. The quality of manpower available to a country is largely determined by the standard of its education (Jega, 1994). Funding is a major instrument which determines how well a university achieve its objectives. No matter how lofty the objectives of a university are, inadequate funding is capable of hampering its realisation. Adequate funding promotes research and development, qualitative teaching, good learning environment, and ability of the university to contribute to national development adequately. Education generally in Nigeria receives low attention from government. Olorode (2005) claims that unstable university calendar, strikes, brain-drain, lack of autonomy and low morale among the lecturers contribute to the quality of universities outputs in terms students and research.

In recent times, university system has been overwhelmed with strike, brain-drain, student unrest and closure due to lack of adequate funding. The ability to generate fund privately is hampered by the status that created the university system in Nigeria. Section 106 of the nation’s education policy recognizes that the financing of education is a joint responsibility of the Federal, State and Local government (Onyekwu, 2011).  But in practice the funding is left solely to the owners. It has become difficult for university to secure funds from private organization to support research. Scholarships, grants and bursaries for students and researchers are difficult to come by. Olorode (2005) says that the culture is not simply there among the business organisations to support research and scholarship in Nigeria. The Tertiary Education Fund and Petroleum Technology Development Fund are created by Acts of Government  as compulsory contributions from the business organisations to finance education in Nigeria through a fixed percentage tax deduction from the source (cdnetng.org. n.d).

The proposition the paper seeks to explain is that; first, inadequate funding could result to brain-drain in the universities; and second, there is a relationship between university funding, research and teaching in the universities. The study therefore, sets to examine the extent of funding available to the public universities in Nigeria. It seeks to know the sources of funding available to Nigerian universities. It also examines alternative means available to universities in Nigeria to generate more fund. The study like others in the field of sociology of education and management attempts to link paucity of funds to challenges such as brain-drain, strike, ineffective research and absent of season lecturers in the Nigerian universities.  This article is divided into the following sections; one, needs theory and challenges facing universities; two, strike, brain-drain and university system; three, private sector and funding of university; four, method; and five, results and conclusions.

Needs Theory and Challenges

McClelland’s Learned Needs Theory is used in this study to explain the desire of universities in Nigeria to accomplish moderately performance goals, be successful in competitive situation, assume personal responsibility for fund sourcing and internationalisation of programmes. Three motivational needs were identified by McClelland (1969) including achievement motivation (n-ach); authority/power motivation (n-pow); and affiliation motivation (n-affil). First, the n-ach person is ‘achievement motivated’ and therefore seeks achievement, attainment of realistic but challenging goals, and advancement in the job. There is a strong need for feedback as to achievement and progress, and a need for a sense of accomplishment. Second, the n-pow person is ‘authority motivated’. This driver produces a need to be influential, effective and to make an impact. There is a strong need to lead and for their ideas to prevail. There is also motivation and need towards increasing personal status and prestige. Third, the n-affil person is ‘affiliation motivated’, and has a need for friendly relationships and is motivated towards interaction with other people. The affiliation driver produces motivation and need to be liked and held in popular regard. These people are team players (Businessballs, 2015).

The need for autonomy by the universities to meet the current challenges explains why power with limited moderation over activities by external agencies like state or federal government is desirable. The desire by the universities to conduct their businesses with interferences requires a high ‘socialized power’ in which they seek power for autonomous purpose (Rue and Holland 1986). According to Smelser (1962) universities with a strong affiliation need to form positive relationships with outside world. Donnel and Gibson (1987) says that universities with a high need for achievement make better entrepreneurs because they are able to work autonomously towards the challenging goal of establishing a new source of funding (Sergiovamni and Carver, 2003).

In the modern era, university should encourage partnership with private sector of the economy through research and development. This will provide a strong economic base and a better source of finance for the university (ICAN study kit, 1998). The research output of a university could be sold to a private sector or government agencies (Croft 2004). University must be ready to seek grants and endowed research chair for professors who can attract funds (Olorode, 2005).  These could go a long way to finance its budget if not for lack of autonomy that hampered such ingenuity in Nigeria (Olorode, 2005).

In Nigeria, the annual budgetary allocation to education has dropped from 19.6% in 1993 to 12.4% in 2010. In 1996, OECO countries accounted for 85% of the total R&D investment; China, India, Brazil and East Asia represented 11% and the rest of the world (inclusive of Nigeria that is) only 4% … Nigeria has only 15 scientists and engineers per million persons. This compares with 158 in India and 4,103 in the United States (World Bank, 2002).  Nigeria’s number of scientific publication for 2005 was 711 significantly less than its 1991 output which was 1,062 (Task Force 2010). The country’s low research output probably reflects the low priority accorded to research and development by government. Nigeria’s federal university system spends only 1.3% of its budget on Research (Harnett, 2000).

The introduction of a special agency “Education Trust Fund” to generate funds to finance education in Nigeria has not recorded desired results. Obikwe (2006) said that the funding of Nigeria universities is at all time low, despite the purported efforts of successive government, no much can be shown for the efforts. Onweh (1997) states that there is an urgent need for stakeholders in the country’s education sector to align their different objectives to rescue university system from total collapse. On education, Nigeria spends an estimated 2.4% of its GNP while sub-Saharan Africa as a whole spends 5.1%…. school drop out have continually risen and also, the education standards have reportedly declined. Between 2000 and 2007, for example, the Government Allocation for higher education declined by 27%… even as enrollment grew by 79%. The result is a dramatic fall in the quality of University education and research as implied by the 62% drop in the real value of recurrent expenditure per student during this period (Saint, 2010).

 

Strike, Brain-drain and University System

 

University system continues to experience problems such as strike, closure, irregular academic calendar, brain-drain, low level of research and other problems as a result of small budgetary allocation to education by government in Nigeria. Research into the financial ability of universities has not been taken the central stage until it becomes clear that Federal and State government could not cope with the financing of the nation’s Universities as a result of global economic meltdown and a need to develop decades of infrastructures neglected by successive military governments in Nigeria.  According to Aluko (1996), low academic salaries coupled with more frequently university closure which linked to students’ unrest and government interferences on a number of campuses have prompted numerous university staff to forsake the academic calling. The World Bank notes that some 23,000 qualified academic staffers are emigrating from Africa each year in search of better working conditions. It is estimated that 10,000 Nigerians are now employed in the United States alone. More often, however, it is a neighboring country which beckons, South Africa attracts staff from Malawi, Zambia, and Nigeria, and the universities in Botswana and Swaziland attract Zimbabweans (Aluko, 1996).

The economic doldrums which the country currently witnessed have had serious effects on the university system in Nigeria. The budgetary allocation declines led to the rationalization or cancellation of a number of services rendered by the universities (Olorode, 2005). The services that were affected included support and sponsor of staff to conferences, both local or overseas; inadequate and epileptic supplies of stationary items and other academic materials such as books for the library, chemical for laboratories, drugs for health centers and clinics (Adelemo, 2001). Chalk, in some instances, could not be provided. Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are obviously more expensive and would seldom be among the priority items to preoccupy the attention of the various managements of the universities (Okebukola, 2002). The culmination of the shortage of fund and simultaneous expansion in students’ enrolment, universities had to contend with shortage of accommodation, classrooms, inadequately library books (Olajuwon, 2004). According Salmi (2004) lack of facilities led to lower morale among the staff and those who felt that they could not cope either left Nigeria universities for overseas universities or found a well-paid job in the other sector of the economy. Jega (1994) emphasizes at this juncture that the struggle embarked by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASSU) to save the universities in the eighties and the nineties were preceded by those of the students in the sixties and the seventies.

Academic standards have no double measure. Its measurement is international, Olorode (2005) says there is no hide out for Nigerian society than to improve its education standard if it will remain among fast growing economy and fulfill its 2015 Millennium Development Goals. It has become a duty for Academic Staff Union of Universities to fight for better pay and better conditions of service for academic in order to direct government attention to education and to retain the academic staff that are still remain within the system and attract new ones. It is worrisome to note that the perennial strikes embarked by the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) in Nigeria were as a result of inadequate funding for the universities from the government. Research and teaching become almost non-existing in the universities as a result of paucity of funds. Truscott (1946) described a university as a society of scholars, all of whom are learning, but the more senior scholars spend part of their time teaching the junior scholars, and they also increase their own knowledge by adding to the store of human knowledge. This they do through research.

Private Sector and Funding of University

 

Funding of education in Nigeria, most especially the university education should not be a sole responsibility of government. Challenges before government to provide social facilities make it problematic to fund education as expected.  The contribution of private sector to the education sector is very important. However, private organisations have not seen education as their primary responsibility.  Private organisations in Nigeria do not patronise home grown knowledge. Research out-puts remain in archive of knowledge begging for adoption by the government and private organizations. According to Flexner (2000) the conservation of knowledge and ideas is and has always been recognised as the business of universities, sometimes, perhaps, as almost their only business. Thus, a university must seek to increase the bounds of knowledge through research, must act as a repository or store of such knowledge through research, and must also disseminate it.

Scarcity of fund in the nation’s education sector calls for public/private partnership which is aimed at injecting private sector know-how into failing public schools. University can choose to contract out specific educational services to private companies in order to access more fund. Paucity of fund can be resolved by a strong based private-sector ideology, competition, experimentation, and incentive. For- profit companies to run school systems more efficiently and produce better outcomes by applying private sector logic. Good teachers would be attracted to teaching and retained-by performance based pay schemes, while under performing teachers could be removed more easily. Composition within and between schools would lead to higher levels of innovation, privatized schools would have more liberty to institutionalize the result of successful research (see Giddens, Duneier and Appelbam, 2005).

Method

This study was carried out in Nigeria. Nigeria is the largest black nation in the world. It has the population of about one hundred and forty million (140million) (see 2006 national population report). Nigeria is divided into six geo-political zones such as Northeast, Northwest, Northcentral, Southeast, Southwest and Southsouth.

Sampling method

Two universities each were selected from the three out of the six geographical zones of the country; Northwest, Southwest and Southeast. Each of these zones has at least a Federal and a State university. The total number of Universities in the country is one hundred and seventeen (2011 UMT Brochure University): Federal Universities twenty-five (36); State Universities twenty (36); and Private Universities twenty-five (45). The following universities were randomly selected: Northwest (University of Sokoto also known as Uthman Dan Fodiyo University and Nasarawa State University); Southwest (University of Ibadan and University of Ado Ekiti); and Southeast (University of Nigeria and Imo State University).

 

Selection of Participants

Participants in this study were drawn from Bursary Department, Registry Department and Academic Planning of the selected Universities. Letter of information was sent to each university administrative council to intimate the university administration about the purpose and objectives of the study. The approved letter with the consent form was given to head of each unit which was signed and passed on to the selected participants. Each participant was also allowed to fill the consent form before filling the questionnaire. The following participants were selected based on informed consent form early signed:

  1. Bursary Department

Deputy Registrar, Chief Accountant, Accountant 1& 11, and Account Technicians.

  1. Registry Department

            Principal Assistant Registrar, Assistant Registrars and Administration

             Officers.

  1. Academic Planning Unit

           Chief academic Planning Officer and Administration Officers.

No name was written on the questionnaires but serial numbers were provided for easy coding and analysis. The participants were given the opportunity to withdraw from filling out the questionnaires. Their responses were immediately destroyed upon withdrawal of intention halfway. The well filled out questionnaires were packed in a sealed envelope and transported to the researcher office for analysis. The Quantitative method of data collection was employed to gather data from one hundred and thirty six respondents out of the two hundred questionnaires that were administered. One hundred and thirty-six returned questionnaires which represented 68% of the total administered questionnaires is adequate for data analysis.

Structured questionnaires that consist of open-ended and close-ended questions were distributed. The followings distributions were obtained: University of Sokoto 27 (55.77%); Nasarawa University 21 (44.23%); University of Ibadan 28 (63.46%); University of Ado Ekiti 20 (36.54%); (University of Nigeria 26 (57.69%) and Imo State University 14 (42.31%). Pilot survey had earlier been carried out in three Universities in the three selected regions to test the reliability and validity of the research instruments. Permission of National University Commission was taken before embarking on the field work. It took the researcher one year and nine months to complete the study. Data collected were analyzed with the aid of simple percentage, cross-tabulation and chi-square. The summary and finding of the survey was sent to the selected university administration and library for documentation.

 

 

 

Results

 

The results obtained from the analysis of data were presented here. Tables of percentages and chi-square were presented as well. Interpretation and conclusion on each table and chi-square were also presented. The paper presents results on the following: years of experience; number of students; amount of subvention in naira; grant received from government and others agencies; grant received from local and international agencies; effects of paucity of fund on the public universities; sources of fund; funding and brain – drain; and funding and teaching.

None of the Universities selected was established less than 10 years ago. The oldest University in Nigeria, University of Ibadan was established sixty-three years ago, University of Nigeria was established fifty-six years ago and also, Uthman Dan Fodiyo University was created thirty-six years ago. These Universities are owned by the Federal Government of Nigeria. They have no autonomy in terms of administration and funding. The other selected three universities such as Nassarawa State University, Ekiti State University and Imo State were established ten, twenty-nine and thirty years ago respectively by the State Government. They also lack autonomy, in spite they were created by concurrent status.

Number of students in each of the universities in the three regions is as follow: Southeast has the highest figure 57,000, University of Nigeria 36,000 and Imo State University 21,000; follow by southwest 24,654, University of Ibadan 12,000 and Ekiti State University 12,654 and, Northwest 21,123, Uthman Dan Fodiyo University 12,007 and Nassarawa State University 10,116.

The above table provides the number of both academic and non-academic staff working in the selected universities. The University of Ibadan has the highest number of staff with 4,197, follow by The University of Nigeria with 3,271 staff and the Uthman Dan Fodiyo University 2,512. The State owned universities have the lowest number of staff: Imo State University 2,752; Ekiti State University 2,223; and, Nassarawa State University 2,512.

Legends:

UDU- Uthman Dan Fodiyo University

NSU- Nasarawa State University

UI-University of Ibadan

ESKU-Ekiti State University

UNN- University of Nigeria, Nnsuka

IMSU-Imo State University

The amounts of subventions such as grants, donations and others accrued to the selected universities are stated below. State owned universities are poorly funded. Their subscription is less than one billion naira ($7million) while the federal Government owned Universities collect a little above one billion naira ($7million for) for both capital and recurrent expenditures in a year.

It is clearly indicated from table one that funds available for Universities are not sufficient 75(55.15). Funds from the Federal and State government, internally generated revenue and funds from other donors are not adequate to run the universities. Also, both the Federal and State Universities demonstrate that funds are lowly sufficient 53 (38.97), sufficient 06 (4.41) and, averagely sufficient 02 (1.47).

Universities are poorly financed in Nigeria. From the above table 04 (2.9%) of the respondents said they received little grant from local and international agencies such as Education Trust Fund, National University Commission, UNESCO and other international donors while 18 (13.3%) of the respondents said that these grants were not sufficient. However, the largest percentages of the respondents 114 (83.8) said that grants are not available at all.

The effects of scarcity of funds on the public Universities are extremely enormous. Table II shows that the effects as follows: Research and Development 33 (24.27), strike 28 (20.59), Brain-drain 25 (18.38), Student Unrest 08 (5.88), teaching capacity 13 (9.56), Sponsorship 09 (6.62), external links 13 (9.56), and community development 07 (5.15).

The possible means by which Universities in Nigeria source for funds were examined in table III. Apart from running grants from governments, 43 (31.62%) of the respondents agreed that funds could be sourced by buying and selling of security, bonds and shares. Also, 29 (21.32%) of the respondents believe that funds could be sourced internally by selling of admission forms, increase in the number of in-takes, increase in school fees, deregulation of accommodation fees and commercialization of universities’ halls of residence. Public/private partnership is another way by which funds could be generated, 28 (20.59%) of the respondents supported this idea. About 19 (13.97%) and 17 (12.50%) of the respondents said that funds could be made available to the universities by the internationalization of university programmes and commercialization of research output respectively.

Funding and Brain – drain

                        Federal                        State                           Total

Yes                              68 (82.93)                    38 (70.37)                    106 (77.94)

No                               14 (17.07)                    16 (29.63)                    30  (22.06)

                                    82(100)                        54 (100)                       136 (100)

x2                                 = 2.36

d.f                                = 1

a                                  = .05

Critical value   = 3.84

The acceptance region for this test using a = .05 and d.f = 1. The critical value is 3.84. Since the critical chi-square value exceeds the observed value of x2, I accept the null hypothesis of independence of the classification and conclude that inadequate funding could lead to brain-drain in the Universities.

Funding and Teaching 

 

                                    Federal                        State                            Total

Yes                                          66 (80.49)                    40(74.07)                     106 (77.94)

No                                           10(12.20)                     08(14.82)                     18 (13.24)

I don’t know                 06 (07.31)                    06(11.11)                     12 (8.82)

 Total                          82 (100)                        54(100)                        136 (100)

x2                                 =          1.86

d.f                                =          2

a                                  =          .05

Critical value   =          5.99

In this text, the chi-square is accepted using a = .05 and d.f = 2. The critical value is 5.99. Since the critical value exceeds the observed value x2 =1.86, I accept the null hypothesis of dependence of the classification and conclude that there is a relationship between University funding and teaching capacity of academic staff.

Conclusion and Recommendation

This study was set to examine the funding of universities in Nigeria and other problems confronting the system. It was found in this paper that grants from the government to the universities either from the federal government or state government was crossly insufficient. The insufficiency of fund for universities has actually led to the inability of the universities to meet with the challenges of education in this globalization era. However, for a university to compete favourably with its counterparts all over the world it must be adequately funded. Education generally in Nigeria is not adequately founded. It was reported that budgetary allocation to education in Nigeria continuously dwindling in the last two decades (Duyilemi, 2007).

The effects of paucity of fund on the universities administration were also examined in this paper. Inadequate funding has bandwagon effects. Regrettably, research and development is grossly affected in the Nigerian universities. Universities lack fund to sponsor research. Private organizations have also failed to help in this direction. Lack of research fund has push some lecturers out of the Universities this actually led to brain-drain experienced in the nation’s ivory towers. Incessant strikes by the university staff – both the academic and non-academic, many of the strikes boiled down on the inability of the university management to meet the demands of its workers as a result of paucity of fund.

It was also concluded in this paper that inadequate funding has led to students’ unrest and the inability to secure capable teaching hands. This is supported by the chi-square test that stated that there is a strong correlation between funding and teaching capacity (see hypothesis 2). Sponsorship for teachers and students to attend conferences, workshops, seminars and training both locally and internationally were also hampering by insufficient funds. However, new development could only be leant by the university professors without attending conference, workshops, seminars and training. More so, external linkage/exchange programme would be difficult to establish because university needs enough fund to accomplish this task. Inadequate fund has affected the ability of universities to contribute meaningfully to the community development because funds available could not go round.

This paper examines way out of perennial shortage of fund in the universities. It is important for a university to source for fund; this could be done both locally and internationally. It was concluded that, practically, universities could raise fund internally from establishment of enterprises, increase in school fees payment, accommodation payment. Also, commercialization of research outputs could be used as a viable source of funding. Research outputs could be sold to private organizations, government and interested international buyers.Buying and selling of government security, shares and bonds could generate funds for universities. Though, this recommendation is not popular with public universities. The autonomy of universities could make this possible. Public/private partnership is a new global initiative that could brings development to moribund institutions in the country. Universities could enter into partnership with private individuals, business organizations and international consortium. Finally, this paper recommended internationalization of university’s degree. The more foreigners patronize a university, the more increases her income. Globalization of the world has made internationalization of education possible and practicable.

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STRATEGY ON HOW  TO REDUCE INDISCIPLINE IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN KENYA

Nickson Moseti Ongaki, Dr. Okibo Walter Bichanga & Dr. Willy Muturi

  1. Introduction

This Innovative Programme is based on proper formation and efficient management of school based peer counseling clubs as the best way of reducing indiscipline and also restoring peace among pupils in secondary schools. In most schools the controversial issue of discipline and conflict management to enhance peace among the pupils has been left in the hands of teachers with pupils having no say on most of the issues affecting them at school. However, due to the soaring population and understaffing in most public secondary schools country wide, teachers have either inadequate or no time to deal with growing indiscipline among pupils. Moreover, very few teachers are trained in peer counseling and therefore posses limited skills to cope up with programmes that can restore discipline in secondary schools. More often than not, prefects are used to identify defiant pupils who are later handed to the teachers for appropriate punishment. Most teachers often take the prefects’ word when solving indiscipline cases among pupils and may subsequently ignore other testimonies from non prefects. This stereo type belief that prefects always tell the truth may increase conflicts among pupils rather than solve them. Other pupils may be depressed when they believe that it’s only the prefects who are trusted and believed by the teachers. Prefects are also sometimes given powers to even administer punishment to other smaller children thus increasing acrimony among the learners.

This innovative programme therefore identified a more participatory and efficient ay of discipline management in schools by piloting a way which would involve the children themselves in reducing the growing indiscipline in the school. Through the formation of peer counseling clubs many children would be involved in informing others on the best way to behave while in schools. Members of the school peer counseling clubs would be used as peace ambassadors who would not only enlighten others on the benefit of a peaceful co-existence but also be moulded into responsible models for others to admire.

  1. Problem Statement

Growing indiscipline among secondary school pupils has continued to have a negative impact on efficient education management and administration in Kenya. In Mugai secondary school, the school had the problem of growing indiscipline among the pupils which compromised peace among the learners. I observed frequent fighting and noisy quarrels among the pupils, rampant destruction of school property and poor relationships among the pupils despite punitive intervention measures from the teachers to check the vice. Furthermore, the school prefects were the most hated in the school because they were seen as either spies of the school administration or as representatives of the unjust and corrupt society.

The school administration on its part used non corporal punishment as the best way of restoring discipline among the pupils. The culprits were made to weed the school sugarcane farm the whole afternoon or uproot tree stumps in the school compound or slash tall grass in the playground. Weeding the school Napier grass was also another alternative to punish wrong doers. However, despite all those aforementioned interventions, indiscipline in the school continued to soar. There were more fighting among the pupils and the big pupils did not respect the teachers and the school subordinate staff. The drop out rate in standard six, seven and eight was very high. Some girls got pregnant and stopped coming to school while some boys opted for casual jobs this was may be due to lack of peace in the school.

The school administration involved both parents and guardians of the affected pupils but the results were negative. In most cases most parents and guardians sided with their children, accusing the administration of segregating the children on the basis of social class, gender or ethnic background. This led to a very poor relationship between the school administration and the community. During parents’ meetings, parents would turn such meetings into a finger pointing and shouting match. At times prefects could be waylaid on their way home by bullies and beaten; such issues would be left in the hands of the Provincial administration.

They were two teachers trained in peer counseling in our school but they were almost giving up on their effort to guide and council the growing number of deviant pupils. The purpose of this programme was therefore to use peer counseling club as the best way of restoring discipline among the pupils.

 

  1. Addressing the problem

In January 2009 I sought the permission from the school administration to start a peer counseling club which I was granted. With the help of two teachers trained in peer counseling, we held a two day school based inset in which we sensitized teachers on how the club was to function and the support we needed from them. Some  teachers were very co-operative although some argued that the club could not work in such a harsh environment. Yet others waited to see how we could start so that they could join us.

  The second step I took was to seek advice from other non- teachers who had a vast experience in working with the youth. I got invaluable advice from workers of non governmental organizations like Amkeni, APHIA II Western and members of Straight talk of which I was a coordinator. They gave me a lot of information and resource materials on how to educate the youths on emerging issues. I also held a one week awareness programme among the pupils from standard four to eight. The main objective of this programme was to inform the pupils on the role of peer counseling clubs in helping them cope with the every day’s challenges. The programme also gave them the opportunity to know their role in helping the fellow pupils and members of the peer counseling club in trying to reduce indiscipline. The forum also gave us an opportunity to find the root causes of indiscipline, depression and frustration among the pupils.

Later I formed the peer counseling clubs involving pupils from standard four to standard eight. The steering committee of the club consisted of elected class representatives of the four classes who were a boy and a girl representing each class. Other members were on voluntary basis but had to be disciplined to be maintained in the club. All club members were to be of very high integrity and to be role models to others. Any club member found breaching the club’s code of conduct was to be suspended from the club until he/she reformed.

The club’s meetings took place every Friday after classes. During such meetings, the club’s weekly activities would be evaluated. The meetings also enabled the peer counselors and other available resource people to educate the club members on how to carry out their roles effectively. The club members would also update us on more challenging and emerging issues which required attention from the teachers or peer counselors.

The club members on their part organized to interact with their fellow pupils every Wednesday after classes. With the assistance of teachers, peer counselors and other volunteers, the club members would use this opportunity to create awareness among the fellow pupils on the need to behave well while in school. Situations which were beyond the scope of the club members were referred to the teachers. The teachers also helped in grouping the pupils into manageable groups according to either gender or age; depending on the topic of discussion. Sometimes resource people were also invited to help the peer club members in clarifying the most challenging issues.

The club would also be involved in spreading peace messages in the school through music, drama, poetry, writing articles and drawing cartoons on the school notice board. During various school functions like Education Days, Parents’ Days and School Assembly, club members would get an opportunity to pass the message to the peers. The club members also made a suggestion box where responses from other pupils on their opinions concerning the school were dropped. Such suggestions were thoroughly discussed during club meetings and the necessary actions taken. The council of prefects also met club members once every month where they were advised on how to make fair and just decisions.

The major obstacle at the initial stages of the programime was lack of support from the parents. Most of them objected the idea of their children being tutored by others. They termed this as an attempt by the lazy teachers to delegate their work to minors who were not mature enough to lead. The school management on its part, managed to call a parents’ meeting where we enlightened them on the club’s call. Some parents were satisfied and started supporting the programme while others were still suspicious on the aims of the club. Another big obstacle was instilling confidence in club members. Most pupils were shy and had no exposure of standing and speaking before others; furthermore, some naughty pupils were always ready to humiliate their fellow peer tutors. However, we gave a lot of motivation and confidence to peer counseling club members and prepared them on how to endure the challenges from their friends. Furthermore, the teachers and other counselors were always ready to stand in for issues that would not be handled by the young ones. There also pessimism from some teachers who forecasted doom for the project. They argued that the peer counseling clubs could not have the necessary machinery to cure indiscipline. However, those determined always moved forward with program implementation. Lack of funds to purchase the necessary materials and stationery was also a big obstacle. The club had to rely on the school administration and volunteers for such materials. Moreover the club’s trips were limited to a few neighboring schools which were a walking distance away. With the availability of funds, the club intends to widen its scope to cover as many schools as possible in their campaign.

  1. Outcomes

Six months after initiating this programme, I have realized a lot of changes in the school. The club membership has risen from sixteen to over sixty members. The discipline of the school pupils has started to improve. This can be inferred from the few cases of indiscipline being handled by the teachers of late. The administration has also reported very few cases of culprits being send home on indiscipline grounds and very few pupils are punished for disobeying school rules.

Most parents and guardians have also started changing their attitudes towards the school after realizing what the club has achieved. Most of them report to the teachers that their children have improved their behaviour even at home. During parents’ meetings, many stakeholders still encourage the teachers to maintain the club for the benefit of the whole community.

The school notice board has become active with pupils’ letters, cartoons and articles on the benefit of the responsible youths. This is unlike before where the notice board only had announcements from the school administration. School functions are always lively with pupils’ performances in drama, poetry and music. This has increased the confidence and creativity among the learners. In fact, the school performed well I Choir up to the provincial level in the year 2009.

The attitude of pupils towards prefects has improved tremendously. Most prefects make just and fair decisions, they do not victimize their enemies on mistakes they did not do. Most teachers have now agreed to treat all children fairly, irregardless of the social background, gender or ethnic background. This has restored the confidence of pupils in prefects and teachers.

Teachers have also a very easy time controlling the pupils. They have also reported an improvement in the academic performance among the pupils this has boosted their morale and their perceptions on the behavior and ability of the children.

  1. Findings

The best way of initiating positive changes in the behaviour and perceptions of children is to actively involve them in youths’ awareness campaigns through clubs. The peers spend most of their time together during various activities and it is easier and cheaper to involve them in self-corrections and correcting others than involving the adults. Playmates, for instance, can get corrections from friends and change for the better than when the corrections come from others. When peers correct others, they gain a lot of responsibility and acceptance in the society. They also practice leadership roles when they are still young. This can go along way in reducing indiscipline and strikes witnessed in most public secondary and private secondary schools country wide.

The teachers can use peer counseling clubs as the most efficient way of reducing indiscipline in schools. Use of drama, music and sports in helping children correct their behaviour has a lot of success.

I also encouraged the peer counseling campaign to go beyond the school boundaries and capture the neighbouring schools and the community at large. This was by arranging visits for club members to visit other schools for the awareness campaign. During days such as National AIDS Day and Public Holidays the club members would perform music or plays which stressed on peaceful co-existence among members of the community. This was well received in the community and encouraged. With the availability of funds, the club plans to extend its visits to cover a larger population.

  1. Sustainability

The future plans for the club are to widen the scope of the content of the club’s campaign to include HIV awareness and gender equality campaign among the learners. This will enable the club address the most challenging and contemporary issues facing the youths.

In trying to intensify community participation in the programme, we have scheduled visits in the neighbouring school community. The visits will serve to sensitize parents and guardians on how to help the club achieve its goals. They will be advised on how to support disciplining their children and ensure that they are in good company. Parents will also be updated on their children’s behaviour and how they can help their children to change in the positive. The club is also planning to hold a fundraising targeting parents and other well-wishers. The funds will cover advertising costs for the club’s programmes and visits to other schools to exchange views on emerging challenges.

The formation of peer counseling clubs can be used by schools, colleges or other institutions of higher learning to reduce riots and strikes witnessed in many institutions countrywide. Other stakeholders can also replicate this programme by expanding it to campaign on issues like gender mainstreaming, HIV AIDS awareness and reduction in levels of corruption. This is because peer counseling clubs is the best platform for creating responsible and peace-loving citizens and hence foster the achievement of Vision 2030

CHANGING strategic TRENDS IN STUDENT LEADERSHIP IN public School system IN KENYA

Nickson Moseti Ongaki, Dr. Okibo Walter Bichanga & Dr. Willy Muturi

ABSTRACT

Against the wider background of increasing interest in the improvement of management and leadership practices in public schools, this paper focuses on the involvement of students in leadership beyond the traditional structure of school prefects. It also seeks to show how the school administrators can be retrained in fresher insights into leadership and management in order to make their institutions responsive to changing trends in administration. Furthermore, the paper seeks to interrogate the prefect system of student representation in secondary schools, its process and outcomes. New ways of conceptualizing leadership are discussed in relation to students’ roles as active agents in improving learning especially in light of the April 2001 educational legislation that prohibited school corporal punishment. The abolition of corporal punishment in schools as (Ng’ang’a 2002:4) has argued, has left a gap which cannot be filled and this has led to the prevalence of diverse disciplinary problems in schools. Schools are compelled to operate within the regulatory framework of the Ministry of Education which may at times conflict with their peculiar needs, situations and circumstances. To this end, schools are somewhat constrained in combating the rapidly escalating problems with discipline. Furthermore, parental attitude toward educators and school authorities exacerbate the disciplinary control in schools due to parents’ skepticism towards disciplinary measures. This paper proposes the idea of ‘democratic governance” as one of the novel ideas that can make school system relevant to changing realities. It further introduces the concept of “Leadership by Students” (LbS) to underscore the fundamental need by education authorities to conceptualize a school system where each student is given a leadership role in the school as an important way of ending the prefecture system which is responsible for the school strikes and a skewed view of leadership where a few dominate the majority. This paper argues that a perception of leadership as a relational process of influence rather than a hierarchical power structure gives credence to the view that students’ leadership is developed more within a climate of democratic governance than dictatorship. Schools and networks of schools are suggested as important sites for the enactment of leadership as influence through the lateral modalities of power such as negotiation and persuasion which may contest and change existing structures of student leadership. In recent years the term “student voice” increasingly has been discussed in the school reform literature as a potential avenue for improving both student outcomes and school restructuring (Harber & Meighan, 1989; Harber, 1995; Ruddock & Chaplain, 1996). The concept addresses a core voice that has been missing in the discussion of school reforms – the dilemma of ownership. Student voice initiates public schools to reevaluate who gets to define the problems of a school and who gets to try to improve them (Trafford, 2006; Flutter & Ruddock, 2004; Apple & Beane, 1995; Chapman, 1995).  A key challenge for policy workers is to understand how different school governance structures and educational reforms impact on the role of student leaders and most importantly on the ability of school leadership to provide effective teaching and learning, (Hargreaves, 2003).  Since 2001, Zawadi Leadership Project in Secondary Schools under the auspices of Zawadi Counselling and Research Centre has been conducting research and seminars on LbS in 20 selected schools from Nairobi and its environs. These studies have found out that the school prefecture system in public schools is an important cause responsible for the rising cases of school strikes. These studies have adopted a multi-method approach including both quantitative and qualitative data analysis. This paper looks outward, focusing on the imperatives of student leadership rather than inward, on school heads and governing boards.  (604 words)

Key Words: leadership by students, democratic governance, educational governance, management and leadership practices, negotiation, persuasion, school prefects, school restructuring, student voice.

A. INNOVATIVE STATEMENT

In this paper, WE argue that a lack of democracy in schools coupled by an authoritarian education system which creates a sort of police system of student governance is the main cause of these school strikes and unless this fact is assimilated by education policy makers, there will be no end in school strikes in Kenya. Consequently, this presentation is a condensation of research and training findings spanning a period of 8-years (2001-2009) that interviewed members of school communities who include: headmasters-also referred to as principals, teachers, students, parents, members of board of governors (bogs), prefects and parents. Furthermore, this presentation probes the prevailing school culture defined as “historically transmitted patterns of meaning that include the norms, values, beliefs and myths understood by members of the school community” especially as it pertains the role and place of student leadership in the overall school leadership and management structure. The research question pervading the entire spectrum of this discussion is: How best can the students’ voice be heard in the public school system? And the title for this innovative project is: “Changing Trends in Student Leadership in Public School System: Introducing the Concept of Leadership by Students (LbS)”

 INTRODUCTION

“Democratic Management” is the new concept that ought to be incorporated by schools’ in order for them to fit in the “new school order realities” and in order for the students’ voice to be heard. The word “democratic” is used to stress the openness of schools and educational systems; the term “management” is used to underline the technical and instrumental dimensions of governing. We govern those things or beings, the behaviour of which cannot be predicted totally. We manage things or beings, the behaviour of which is easier to predict. When we govern, we negotiate, persuade, bargain or apply pressure, because we do not have full control of those we govern. When we manage, we tend to instruct and order because we think we have strong and legitimate power to do so. Thus, as schools are becoming more and more open institutions, rooted in specific local social and economic settings, and characterized by a complex array of different needs and interests, then governance rather than management is what should characterize relations with students. And since so many factors cannot be controlled by executive powers alone, an open and democratic approach is the only way to a successful and sustainable leadership in a modern school.

From 2001, Zawadi Counselling Centre has been conducting a series of researches and training seminars on the minority Prefectorial System of governance and management in 20 secondary schools in Nairobi and its environs and how best to improve governance and management in schools. One of the ways in which Zawadi Counselling Centre has helped initiate this concept of democratic management in schools is through the LbS concept which involves all students in leadership and management of their respective schools. Furthermore, such an involvement lends credence to the concept of “the naked public square” where leaders are publicly elected by the majority students to represent the student body under an agreeable formulae as opposed to the culture of secret selection by the few (headmaster and teachers) using an unknown formulae where the select few student leaders make major decisions affecting every student becomes the norm. The LbS concept will make school strikes a thing of the past since dialogue born of democratic governance will be the in-thing in human relations. The LbS idea is an important aspect of the concept of “transformational leadership” which focuses on the importance of teamwork and comprehensive school improvement as an alternative to other modes of leadership. Transformational leadership is contrasted with instructional leadership which encompasses hierarchies and leadership structures and usually excludes teacher development, and, transactional leadership which is based on an exchange of services for various kinds of rewards that the leader controls, at least in part. Advocates of school reforms also usually advocate altering power relations. The problem, explain (Mitchell & Tucker, 1992) is that we have tended to think of leadership as the capacity to take charge and get things done. This view keeps us from focusing on the importance of teamwork and comprehensive school improvements. Thus, “instructional leadership” is “out” and “transformational leadership” is “in”.

The research literature identifies productive high schools as those that educate all of their students well, have a clear vision of their teaching and learning goals, and take action on those goals (Silins et.al., 2000). They also have high expectations for all students. Productive high schools are built on humanized, intellectual relationships for learning. Students are viewed as individuals and they know that the adults in the school care about them both personally and academically. This way of viewing students is reflected by a number of local private secondary schools most of which do not have this Prefectorial System. These private schools are used as control group in Zawadi. Research has shown that school strikes are more pronounced in “prefects run schools” than in “non-prefects run institutions”, where student voice is respected, acknowledged and encouraged (Mangi, Otieno & Ng’ang’a, 2003:30). The concept of democratic governance can benefit schools in primarily preparing young people to become participating, democratic adult citizens. The LbS is in my view, one of the best ways to introduce the culture of democratic governance in our schools.

B. PROBLEM STATEMENT

Research by Zawadi has revealed that many school principals may be ill-prepared to cede ground for a new paradigm shift in student understanding of their role in running of schools. An aspect of this paradigm shift is the flexibility in the learning environment brought about by among other factors the rise and rise of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), which unfortunately seems escape the perceptions of minders of the traditional school system best represented by the public school system in Kenya. The developments in the growing ICT culture among especially secondary school and college going youth is significantly affecting the education culture defined in this context as “shared interpretations about beliefs, values and norms of a learning environment which affect the behaviors of members of a school community”. One area which is being affected by this ICT changes is the move from traditional learning environment focused on the teacher as deliverer of knowledge to new open learning environments focused on the learner as information seeker. The role of the teacher and learner change in the new learning environment; the teacher becomes: a facilitator, coach, guide and co-learner. The learner becomes; an information server, explorer, problem solver, co-teacher. (Grabinge & Dunlop, 2000:8-38).

In other words, the image of the teacher as the sole purveyor of knowledge is fast becoming obsolete and with it, the belief that a few select student administrators famously called “prefects” personify student leadership and can effectively instill student discipline and order. What is generally missing in majority public schools and some private schools is the culture of a data driven school improvement which seeks to answer the ageless question: is it good because we have been doing it for a long time, or is it good because we have tangible evidence of its worth? In other words, can data use improve education? Studies by Zawadi have shown that generally speaking unpopular “good and bright” students are often favored for the positions of school prefects by the school administration (headmaster and teaching staff). But the truth of the matter is that the popular “bad and less bright” students often have the sympathies of the students in general. And because of these sympathies, this category of un-selected student leaders, have the ability to unbalance the school order. Unfortunately, the school system as currently constituted has failed to recognize and utilize their hidden potential for leadership, and where administrators are concerned that their continued stay in school may disturb the status-quo, they have expelled them. The chasm between the traditional model of education and the emerging ICT based model of shared learning was clearly brought to the fore by the infamous school strikes of June 2008 where a reported 300 schools were rocked by violent strikes (Daily Nation, 2008).

What was striking in this national shame was that the mobile phone, a modern product of ICT, was a major culprit in the sense it was used to communicate the strike, student to student and school to school. But what is perplexing was the response by top education officials in explaining the reasons behind the strikes and the panacea for the same.

But even more worrying was the findings by David Koech, the chairman of Parliamentary Committee on Education. According to Koech, “drug use, insecurity schools and parents’ neglect of their children were some of the major reasons behind the strikes in schools”. Furthermore, the House Committee recommended radical changes in the education system which includes among other things, “pocket to be banked with the school to avert cases of drug abuse” (East African Standard, 2008). Earlier on Education Minister Sam Ongeri had introduced tough measures in schools which “banned the use of mobile phones in schools by students and ordered the removal of music systems and DVDs from school buses among other measures” (East African Standard, 2008). These measures are based on partial conclusion of the problem. Conclusions by top education officials failed to recognize the crucial role that can Subordinate Staff play to fuel skirmishes in schools. In fact, little attention has been devoted to the recognition of the office of Subordinate Staff in schools. The traditional triangle concept of describing key actors in a school as consisting of, Teachers, Students and Parents is misleading. Studies by Zawadi have noted the huge influence the Subordinate Staff (Supporting Staff) bear on the school system, given that they tend to stay longer as employees of schools as compared to the triumvirate of Teachers, Students and Parents. This aspect of ‘permanency’ by Subordinate Staff means that they understand better the school culture. And if this cooperation between the Subordinate Staff and students becomes a conspiracy to commit evil, the results can be catastrophic. That is why there is need to reconfigure the triangle of relationships and include the Subordinate Staff as the fourth independent and critical element in the school architecture. To include this segment as a core member of the school community will affect education policies and could eventually become an important step in the democratization of schools. The success of the Zawadi Counselling Centre Leadership initiative was demonstrated during the infamous school strikes of 2008. All the 20 schools which have undergone this leadership and management for change programme did not indulge in this strike.

C. ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM

But how can schools contribute to the (LbS) initiative? From 2001, the Zawadi program conducted a series of researches and trainings in leadership and management in 20 selected schools within Nairobi and its environs. The total cost involvement from 2001-2009 was $200,000 and involved 18-25 specialized personnel. Prior to the involvement with this secondary school project, we considered expanding the project to include primary schools, colleges and universities. But a lack of enough specialized personnel for such a mammoth project coupled by inadequate finances meant that we could only limit ourselves to secondary schools in Nairobi. The selected schools were grouped in four groupings: schools from rich neighborhoods; schools from Eastlands neighborhoods; schools from slums; private schools.  Another criterion was based on gender considerations. Thus, girls’ schools were balanced proportionately with boys’ schools. Three mixed schools were selected. Two major approaches were used: training seminars and research. In the initial pilot study in 2001, a focus group session was conducted in one selected school where the research was carried out. Ten principals participated in the exercise of which the main purpose was to highlight the essence of student leadership seen collectively as the entire student population and not selectively as in few student representatives chosen only by the principal and the teaching staff. In order to conduct the nomothetic research a questionnaire was designed and applied. The nomothetic deductive method is the one that is used by researchers who want to learn something about social regulations – things that apply to people in general (Hardin,1985).

For the purpose of empirical investigation (2001-2009), a total of 1000 students, 300 teachers, 150 members of BOGs of 15 schools, 85 subordinate staff and 200 prefects were included. To obtain information regarding the interviewees’ perceptions and experiences of what ails the school system, a questionnaire was administered using the medium of the English language. The questionnaire was scored quantitatively by means of appropriate statistical techniques such as frequencies, percentages, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and chi square analysis, and included an open question that was evaluated qualitatively. The scoring of the questionnaire was done electronically. The reliability of the questionnaire was between 0.93 and 0.97 which may be considered as very good. The ideographical research was carried out by means of focus group interviews, semi-structured interviews with principals, teachers, students, subordinate staff, members of boards of governors and prefects of schools that were involved in the 8-year study. to find more about the participants’ experiences, thoughts, and general feelings regarding what they thought about the concept of LbS.  In order to lend ethical consideration to the empirical study, certain measures have been considered. This was done by obtaining permission from all relevant stakeholders.

Our study conceptualized four levels of a successful implementation of the LbS initiative within a democratic governance model. At the first level, appropriately called the “Entry Point”, there was need by school management to recognize and accept that a new paradigm of LbS is gradually and perceptibly replacing the old model of authoritarian and militarian leadership where age and seniority are taken for granted as acceptable substitutes for wisdom and know-how. In the second level of implementation, we recognized the growing importance of leadership and management practices in schools. Thus, we sought to reeducate the school administrators on the three salient principles of leadership and management, namely, cooperation, competition and conflict. At the third level is the development of human values and behaviors of mutual respect, rights and responsibilities and, above all, trust. At this third level, the school is seen as an important bearer of democratic values. It is an open school, with regular communication with higher authorities to give them good grounds for future decisions. Student members in school councils or school boards are given special training in meeting procedures. In fact, by the end of the 4-year school cycle, each student must have served as a school leader at the various levels of leadership available in the school. The student leaders also get a budget of their own to run their offices. Both formal and informal consultations produces systemic and structured information flow and sharing of responsibilities even in difficult areas of budgeting, curriculum development, strategic planning, school-based teacher training, student self-improvement trainings, evaluation, and teaching. At the fourth level we propose that there be a deliberate reconstitution of the school prefect structure by setting up a LbS-student council where all students are represented, with a number of representatives for the student body meeting regularly, perhaps with a chairman and a secretary as the only leading positions. But the council can also be organized much more elaborately by having a Senate with two representatives from each class and chaired by the Vice-president and The Cabinet, led by the President, who has the executive power. President and Vice-president are elected by the student council without undue interference by the school principal or teachers. Their mandate comes from the Senate which is itself elected after every school term to give chance for as many students to participate in its deliberations. Then there is the Court which has one member from each class. The Court acts as mediator in conflicts between students and between students and teachers. The objective of the Court is to reach consensus between conflicting parties. Members of the student council are given special training and support in their work by the school head. One of the outcomes of this system of student leadership is greater mutual respect and trust between teachers and students. Also, the teachers tend to see students more as equal partners in the learning process.

This research experienced four major drawbacks in the form of: limited financial resources; non-cooperation from some school heads, teachers, and BOGs; inability to meet the Parliamentary Committee on Education and top education officials; limitation in the generalization of the research findings given that this investigation was conducted in a certain geographical zone. How these bottlenecks were overcome is as follows: we were able to work on a shoe-string budget For the obstinate principals, teachers and BOGs, sustained training seminars which were professionally conducted gradually thawed their resistance. We are currently making good progress in meeting the House Committee on Education and top education officials. In recent times we have been having a series of discussions with two potential donors signaling that there is hope that we might conduct country-wide research.

D. OUTCOMES

Before the program came into life, the situation in the schools involved in this study was one where there was a preponderance of the traditional learning model where the headmaster is king and the rest, including teachers’ are his/her acolytes, existing only to do his biddings. Some of the factors that have led to the success of the program include:

  • the “easy to identify with” questionnaires and focus groups interviews;
  • the spirit of confidentiality which even under duress we have chosen to upheld;
  •  the program’s longevity and consistency which has created confidence among participants’ and served to market the group to other schools;
  • the practicality of the LbS proposal and its widespread acceptability among the student population;
  • the high professional standards exhibited during the seminar trainings and by the research environment;
  • the moral and ethical dispositions by members of our team;
  • being known and recognized by the relevant educational officials.

E. LESSONS LEARNT

This program has taught us valuable lessons. Initially we made the mistake of thinking that because we understood the problem clearly, the schools will follow suit and immediately there will be a revolution. We now know better. The process of influencing a change of policy which must deliberately involve all the stakeholders in the education sector is as convoluted as it is necessary. Again, we made the mistake of believing that training seminars are enough in changing thinking and relating patterns among people. Now we know better. Humans are a complicated lot and in our African-Kenyan experience of ethnicity and politicization of all sectors of work, every initiative, every person, every word and gesture is judged on the basis of the ethnic backgrounds and/or political affiliations of the initiators of a program and not on the merit or lack of it of a particular initiative. And no institution is so riddled with this cancer as the school system. We have also on the need to include and cooperate with like-minded organizations for peer review reason. Initially when we begun, there was virtually no organization, at least in Nairobi and its environs, that was directly involved in conducting research and training. In terms of recruiting personnel for research and training undertaking we have learnt not to recruit based on what appears on the CVs, but to subject candidates to both written and field work experience in order to gauge their suitability for the task. The program was publicized by word of mouth. The overall aim of the program is to have the community own the ideas and then take charge of their own destiny.

F. SUSTAINABILITY

The development of LbS within democratic governance will ensure that our program nourishes learning and creates conducive learning environment. In determining the sustainability of this our program we note the following significant weaknesses regarding the education sector vis-à-vis the development of student leadership: lack of clear definition of good student leadership program in secondary schools in particular and schools in general; inadequate preparation programs for students in leadership and management; absence of collaboration between schools and higher education institutions, public and private sectors; absence of a national sense of cooperation in preparing student leaders. The Zawadi consultative team has just finished drawing the Action Plan for our program for the next 5-years phase (2011-2016) where we have comprehensively discussed how to tackle the preceding “significant weaknesses”. Broadly, the Zawadi Leadership Project 2011-2016 Action Plan (Ng’ang’a & Otieno: 2010) proposes a five-pronged approach in addressing the LbS concerns: Active, sustained, and constructive engagement with Parliament; Ministry of Education and other stakeholders in the education sector; media, church and international NGOs involved with education. The focus is to agitate for the change of policy to allow the wind of democratic governance to sweep through the school system and obtain for students a more active role in leadership and management of their schools. I will argue how the LbS could be replicated or adapted in other organizations or settings in line with the seven principles of sustainable leadership by Hargreaves and Fink (2006), which borrow from the environmental and corporate sustainability literature to frame sustainable leadership in terms of energy restraint, renewal, and release. The seven principles by are as follows: Sustainable leadership creates and preserves learning that lasts and engages students intellectually, socially and emotionally; Sustainable leadership secures success over time. The challenge is to let go, move on and plan for ones own obsolescence; Sustainable leadership sustains the leadership of others; Sustainable leadership addresses issues of social justice and is an interconnected process; Sustainable leadership develops rather than depletes human and material resources It develops all its students rather than lavishing rewards on selecting or rotating a few already proven stars; Sustainable leadership develops environmental diversity and capacity; Sustainable leadership undertakes activist engagement with the environment. It develops sustainability by how the school leadership sustains itself and other around it to promote and support learning.

The practical part to these principles which guides the successful implementation of the LbS idea is this: first and foremost create a platform/an assembly where all the students can without inhibitions voice their concerns guided by the democratic ideals of Listening, learning and transforming. Again as in my preceding conclusion, the concept of LbS will ensure that schools become centers of creativity and innovation guided by the undying principles of freedom, democracy and individuality. By using the LbS idea, schools will become centers of participative decision making where power is consensual and facilitative manifested through others instead of over them. (Leithwood 1992 & Sigor 1992).

  CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The human person is multi-dimensional and cannot be defined unilaterally without risking to devalue him and to consider him inconsequential to the structures and systems he is supposed to annihilate, create and re-create in his search for what is meaningful within his historical and cultural contexts. The public school system as currently formulated and practiced in Kenya does not respect the collective student voice which is swamped under a traditional, daddy-is-always-right system of doing things with a small class of student leaders famously called prefects expected to represent student leadership abilities as a collectivity.  The LbS initiative is an attempt to change this way of conducting student and school affairs. Furthermore, the promotion of holistic education and learning has in recent times become the buzz-word among educationists keen on changing the current state of affairs where student voice is muzzled prompting the venting of student anger through devastating strikes. Bronfenbrenner & Evans (2000:115-125), have introduced the five-system bio-ecological model to explain this multifaceted nature of human interactions. These five systems include: Microsystem (refers to family, peers, school, roles and relationships in the immediate environment); Mesosystem (relationship between home, schools, neighborhood, child care centres); Exosystem (community health services, parks, recreation centres, informal groups); Macrosystem (ideology, values, laws, regulations, customs and culture); and, Chronosystem (includes all aspects of time and how they impact on development).

Analysis of the questionnaire responses from the interviewees in relation to student participation in leadership and management conducted by Zawadi Leadership Project from 2001 to 2009 reveal the following dimensions which indicate well functioning schools. These are: Trusting and Collaborative Climate -The extent to which the school’s climate and culture is one that supports collaborative work, sharing of information and open communication; Taking initiatives and risks-The extent to which the school leaders and school structures support experimentation and teachers, student and supporting staff feel valued and rewarded for taking the initiative; Shared and Monitored Mission-The extent to which teachers and students especially participate in all aspects of the school’s functioning, including decision making and review, sharing a coherent sense of direction and acknowledging the wider school community; Professional Development-The extent to which staff draw on available knowledge and skills to continuously improve their performance; Vision and Goals-The extent to which the principal works toward whole staff consensus in establishing school priorities and communicates these priorities and goals to students, staff and supporting staff giving a sense of overall purpose; Culture-The extent to which the principal promotes an atmosphere of caring and trust among staff, sets a respectful tone for interaction with students and demonstrates a willingness to change his or her practices in the light of new understandings; Structure-The extent to which the principal establishes a school structure that promotes participative decision making, supports delegation and distributive leadership and encourages teacher and student council autonomy for making decisions; Intellectual Stimulation-The extent to which the principal encourages staff to reflect on what they are trying to achieve with students and how they are doing it; facilitates opportunities for staff to learn from each other and models continual learning in his or her own practice; Individual Support– The extent to which the principal provides moral support, shows appreciation for the work of individual staff and takes their opinion into account when making decisions; Performance Expectation-The extent to which the principal has high expectations for teachers and for students and expects staff to be effective and efficient.

The foregoing is the essence of the public school restructuring process which ultimately does the following:

{1} Develops a vision that unites projects;

[2] Identifies outcomes that will be assessed;

[3] Obtains the active support of the community;

[4] Redefines the role of principals from power wielders to facilitators;

[5} Changes the basic organizational practices to better meet the needs of at-risk students.        (4, 409 words)

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 SIGNIFICANCE OF SOME INDICATORS OF UNDER-FIVE YEARS MORTALITY IN NIGERIA

1Ogunsanya B.G.                   2Adewunmi Olusola A.          3Olagbegi  Moses

ABSTRACT

This study examines the level and determinant of under-five mortality in remote Area of Ikorodu Local Government, Lagos state, Nigeria. The survey was carried out through self-administered questionnaires on selected 200 respondents. A multiple stage sampling was used to select the eligible respondent. 4 wards were selected at random from the 7 wards at Ikorodu Local Government Area. Thereafter four streets were randomly picked at random from each of these houses were selected on each street using systematic random sampling method with the interval once a house is chosen. A house hold was selected randomly from a house that has more than one household. In any polygamous household the respondent were chosen among the wives by lettering method. Data collected was analysed electronically, using SPSS 21.0. The analysis revealed that eighteen (18) of the twenty four (24) indicators paired under study were significantly correlated while twenty three (23) of the twenty six (26) indicators paired were found to be significant indicators of under five years mortality in Nigeria.

Keywords: Indicators, Mortality, Nigeria, Significance, Under Five, Years.


INTRODUCTION

            Mortality rate is a measure of the number of deaths (in general, or due to a specific cause) in some population, scaled to the size of that population per unit time. Mortality rate is typically expressed in units of deaths per 1000 individuals per year, in that entire population, or 0.95% out of the total. It is distinct from morbidity rate, which refers to the number of individuals in poor health during a given time period (the prevalence rate) or the number who currently have that diseases (the incidence rate), scaled to size of the population.

A condition such as tuberculosis can cause morbidity and mortality (disease and death). A mortality rate is a death rate. There are a number of different types of mortality rates such as:

  • The foetal mortality rate: The ratio of foetal deaths to the sum infant mortality rate.
  • The maternal mortality rate: The number of maternal deaths related to child bearing divided by the number of live births or by the number of live births.

There has been increasing interest in measuring under-five mortality as a health indicator and as a critical measure of human development. In countries with complete vital registration system that capture all birth and deaths under-five, mortality can be directly calculated. In the absence of a complete vital registration system however, child mortality must be estimated using surveys that ask women to report the births and death of their children. Two survey methods exist for capturing these information: Summary Birth History and Complete Birth History. A summary birth history requires a minimum of only two questions: how many live births has each mother had and how many of them have survived. Indirect methods are then applied using the information from these two questions and the age of the mothers to estimate under-five mortality going back in time prior to the survey. Estimates generated from complete birth histories are review as the most accurate when survey are required to estimate under-Five mortality especially for most recent time period. However, it is much more costly and labour intensive to collect these detailed data especially for the purpose of generating small area estimates.

The main tenets of the fourth and fifth Millennium Development Goal (MDG 4 and 5) are to reduce under-five mortality rate and improvement in maternal health which by implication increases the chance of child survival. Child mortality is a fundamental measurement of a country’s level of socio-economic development as well as the quality of life especially of the mothers. Under-five mortality rate (5q0) represents the probability of a child who survives to age one, dying between age one and age five (Adlakha & Suchindra, 1984; National Population Commission and ICF Macro, 2009; World Health Organisation (WHO), 2011). Almost half of the child mortality (42%) in the world occurs in Africa and about 25,000 under-five children that die each day are concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia (WHO, 2011). Under-five mortality rate (U5MR) is generally 29 times higher in developing nations compared to developed countries (Black & Liu, 2012; Gambrah & Adzadu, 2013; Marx, Coles, Prysones-Jones, Johnson, Augustin, Mackay, Bery, Hammond, Nigmann, Sommerfelt et al, 2005). Globally, under-five mortality has dropped significantly by almost 45 percent between 2009 and 2011 but this progress is not the reality for all countries. Despite much progress in advanced countries, Nigeria has failed to make significant progress in checking the rising mortality rate among the under-five. Currently, about half of the world’s under-five deaths occur in Nigeria, India, Congo, Pakistan and China (National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), 2011; World Bank, 2013).

Statistics revealed that up to 20 per cent of child deaths in sub-Saharan Africa still occur in

Nigeria. Also, the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS4) report indicated that under-five

mortality in Nigeria increased from 138 per 1,000 live births in 2007 to 158 per 1,000 live births in 2011 (National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), 2011; World Bank, 2013).

Under-five mortality rates within Africa also vary. In some countries, one-quarter to one-third of children die before reaching the age of five. Also, within the under-five age group, there are specific periods of increased vulnerability. For instance, 60 percent of under-five mortality can be attributed to deaths that occur during the first year of life, of which the first 24 hours of life is the most vulnerable period, followed by the first week and then the first month (Marx et al, 2005). Among the suspected factors that have contributed to drastic reduction of under-5 mortality in advanced economies include but not limited to improvement in socio-economic and environmental conditions and strategic implementation of child survival interventions (Finlay, Özaltin & Canning, 2011; Kyei, 2011; United Nations Children’s Fund, 2010, 2011, 2012).

Child mortality can be associated with two categories of acquired ailments: one is a heavy load of infectious diseases and the other, those diseases that are caused by inadequate nutrition (Cooper, Hickson, Mitchel, Edwards, Thapa & Ray, 1999; Katona & Katona-Apte, 2008). Socio-economic factors including immunizations, exclusive breastfeeding and the adoption and usage of insecticide-treated nets have been revealed by several studies have strong predictors of child mortality especially in the developing countries. Included among these proximate determinants are the risk of morbidity and mortality, education of mother, sanitation facilities, access to safe drinking water and maternal and child health care services (Uddin, Hossain & Ullah, 2008). However, despite these known factors, under-5 mortality rate in sub-Saharan Africa is abysmally far above the prevalent rate in other countries of the world.

 

 

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

 

The purpose of this study is to examine the level and determinant of under five mortality in remote Area of Ikorodu Local Government, Lagos state, Nigeria.

The specific objectives are:

  1. Identification of socio-economic health and behavioral factors affecting under-five mortality in remote area of Ikorodu local government.
  2. Determining the significance of selected mortality indicators.
  3. Determining the correlation significance of the selected mortality indicators.

SCOPE OF THE STUDY

 

This study covers some selected indicators of under-five years mortality in Nigeria. The indicators were correlated and put to paired test to achieve the set purpose.

The study survey was carried out through self administered questionnaires on selected respondent. A multiple stage sampling was used to select the eligible 200 respondents. Four (4) wards were selected at random from the 7 wards at Ikorodu Local Government (case study) Area. Thereafter four streets were randomly picked at random from each of these houses were selected on each street using systematic random sampling method with the interval once a house is chosen. A house hold was selected randomly from a house that has more than one household. In any polygamous household the respondent were chosen among the wives by lettering method.

LITERATURE REVIEW

According to UNICEF (http://www.unicef.org/nigeria/children_1926.html), every single day, Nigeria loses about 2,300 under-five year olds and 145 women of childbearing age. This makes the country the second largest contributor to the under–five and maternal mortality rate in the world.

Underneath the statistics lies the pain of human tragedy, for thousands of families who have lost their children. Even more devastating is the knowledge that, according to recent research, essential interventions reaching women and babies on time would have averted most of these deaths.

Although analyses of recent trends show that the country is making progress in cutting down infant and under-five mortality rates, the pace still remains too slow to achieve the Millennium Development Goals of reducing child mortality by a third by 2015.

Preventable or treatable infectious diseases such as malaria, pneumonia, diarrhoea, measles and HIV/AIDS account for more than 70 per cent of the estimated one million under-five deaths in Nigeria.

Malnutrition is the underlying cause of morbidity and mortality of a large proportion of children under-5 in Nigeria. It accounts for more than 50 per cent of deaths of children in this age bracket.

The deaths of newborn babies in Nigeria represent a quarter of the total number of deaths of children under-five. The majority of these occur within the first week of life, mainly due to complications during pregnancy and delivery reflecting the intimate link between newborn survival and the quality of maternal care. Main causes of neonatal deaths are birth asphyxia, severe infection including tetanus and premature birth.

Similarly, a woman’s chance of dying from pregnancy and childbirth in Nigeria is 1 in 13. Although many of these deaths are preventable, the coverage and quality of health care services in Nigeria continue to fail women and children. Presently, less than 20 per cent of health facilities offer emergency obstetric care and only 35 per cent of deliveries are attended by skilled birth attendants.

This shows the close relationship between the well being of the mother and the child, and justifies the need to integrate maternal, newborn and child health interventions.

It is important to note that wide regional disparities exist in child health indicators with the North-East and North-West geopolitical zones of the country having the worst child survival figures.

Under-five mortality rate (U5MR) is the probability of a child born in a specified year dying before reaching the age of five if subject to current age-specific mortality rates and expressed as a rate per 1,000 live births (United Nations Children’s Fund, 2012; United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation, 2013). It also refers to as the death of infants and children under the age of five. Child mortality has remained a national and global concern and its import in socioeconomic rating of country’s development cannot be overemphasised. Sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia face the greatest challenges in child survival, and currently accounted for more than 80 per cent of global under-five deaths (United Nations Children’s Fund, 2012). Several factors had been identified as contributors to the increasing levels of child mortality in most developing countries. Studies have shown that there is a close relationship between educational attainment and lower mortality rates (Antai, 2011; Fayehun & Omolulu, 2009; National Population Commission and ICF Macro, 2009). This was further established through the results in the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) Report (2009), that children born to mothers with no education have the highest under-five mortality rates (209 deaths per 1,000 live births), while mothers with secondary education have 68 per 1,000 live births.

Although, there are vagaries of statistics and estimations for child mortality for different countries and the world by different sources, the patterns and trends are specifically similar. Among the general patterns is that the global under-five mortality rate has declined by almost 47 percent between 1990 and 2012 (measuring 90 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1990 and 48 in 2012) while the trend in sub-Saharan Africa is apt to increase (United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (2013). Globally, several causes of under-five mortality were noted among which are: pneumonia which contribute up to 17 percent of the entire death, preterm birth complications that cause about 15 percent of child death, intrapartum-related complications (10 percent), diarrhoea (9 percent) and up to seven percent due to malaria (United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation, 2013). Also, a survey carried out in Bangladesh shows that child mortality rate was highest (1.64%) for the children of illiterate mothers and lowest (0.54%) for the children whose mother’s educational level is secondary and above (Uddin, Hossain & Ullah, 2009). Educated mothers are more likely than non-literate mothers to ensure a healthy environment, nutritious food, and have better knowledge about reproductive health at conception and health care facilities for their children. Literate mothers will give birth to healthier babies because they themselves tend to be healthier and are likely to experience lower mortality among their children at all ages (Pandey, 2009).

Several of diseases causing child mortality have connections with hygiene condition and unclean environment these are not limited to dirty feeding bottles, utensils, inadequate disposal of household refuse, poor storage water, to mention but few (Jinadu, Olusi, Agun & Fabiyi, 1991; NBS, 2011). Other reports have shown that maternal education is a significant factor influencing child survival (Caldwell, 2009; Osonwa, Iyam, & Osonwa, 2012). Children from poorer or rural households are reported to be more vulnerable than their counterparts from other regions (United Nations Children’s Fund, 2010). A child born to a financially deprived and less educated family is at risk of perinatal death or within the first month of life. The reasons for these are obvious since the mother may be poorly nourished during pregnancy, had little or no antenatal care and likely to deliver in ill-equipped health facility. Besides, the level of competition over resources when the family is large could enhance poor care among the family members including the very young ones. All these factors are further aggravated by limited access to health services due to poor income and low levels of maternal education, often leading to the non-immunization of the child (Policy Project/Nigeria, 2002).

 

METHODOLOGY

 

The most widely available type of data on child mortality is report by mothers on the number of children still surviving. Frequency distribution, bivariate correlation analysis and paired t-test were employed as analysis techniques for the study.

RESULTS

 

From the analysis, 59(29.5%) of the respondents were currently in the age bracket of 30-34 years while only 1(0.5%) of the respondents was in the age bracket of 15-19 years. 81(40.5%) had their first marriage in the age bracket of 20-24 years while 7(2.5%) had their first marriage in the age bracket of 30-34 years. 72(36.0%) of the respondents were civil servants while 7(3.5%) were into Nursing. 73(36.5%) delivered their children at private hospital while 15(7.5%) deliver at home. 53(26.5%) have 4 children while only 1(0.5) has more than 10 children. 107(53.5%) have pregnancy interval of two years between children. 101(50.5%) of the respondents have only primary education while 4(2.0%) have post secondary education.

Table 13 revealed that there is a negative but imperfect correlation between indicators Paired 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 16, 17, 20 and 23, while there is a positive but imperfect correlation between Paired 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19, 21, 22 and 24. However, of these correlations, only correlations for Paired 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 23 and 24 were significant at 0.05 level of significance.

Table 14 revealed that twenty three (23) of the twenty six (26) indicators paired were found to be significant indicators at 0.05 level of significance.

CONCLUSION

From the analysis of the research study, it can be concluded that eighteen (18) of the twenty four (24) indicators paired under study were significantly correlated while twenty three (23) of the twenty six (26) indicators paired were found to be significant indicators of under-five years mortality in Nigeria.

 

RECOMMENDATIONS

  1. Care during labour and child birth should be provided by a skilled attendance. Early recognition of slow progress in labour and timely interventions to prevent prolonged labour and intra partum foetal distress which can reduce mortality.
  2. Poor sanitation, lack of accessible clean water and inadequate personal and domestic hygiene are responsible for an estimated 88 percent of diarrhea cases everywhere. Proven prevention measures that can significantly reduce the burden of diarrhea include early and exclusive breast feeding (a non-breastfeed child is 10 times more likely to die diarrhea in the first 6 months of life than an exclusively breastfeed child).
  3. To accelerate progress and achieve improved health outcomes for all children ensuring universal-access to high quality care safe water and sanitation, safe and nutritious food and safe housing is crucial as is access to education, social security and other social services.

  1. In addition, investment in women’s health and education and in the empowerment of women and the poorest and most disadvantage population groups is vital to ensure an effective response to under-five mortality rate.

 

REFERENCES

[1]        Adlakha, A.L. & Suchindra, C.M. (1984). Biological and Social Factors affecting Infant and Child Mortality in Jordan, Tunisia, Egypt and Yemen Arab Republic. Final Report, July 1984. DOI: PN-AAT-222.

[2]        Antai, D., (2011). Regional Inequalities in Under-5 Mortality in Nigeria: A Population-based Analysis of Individual and Community-Level Determinants. Population Health Metrics, Vol. 9, No. 6, 2011.

[3]        Black, R.E., & Li, Liu (2012). Global Under Five Mortality: Where Do We Stand Today? Johns Hopkins, Bloomberg School of Public Health for the Child Health Epidemiology Reference Group of WHO and UNICEF.

[4]        Cooper, O. William, Hickson B. Gerald, Mitchel F. Edward, Edwards M. Kathryn, Thapa B. Purushottam & Ray A. Wayne (1999). Early Childhood Mortality from Communityacquired Infections. American Journal of Epidemiology, Vol. 150, No. 5, 1999. The Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health, USA. 1999. Pp 517-527.

[5]        Fayehun, O. & Omololu, O., (2009). Ethnic Differentials in Childhood Mortality in Nigeria. Paper Presented at Detroit, Michigan, USA. April 30 – May 2, 2009.

[6]        Finlay, E Jocelyn, Özaltin, Emre, Canning, David (2011). The association of maternal age with infant mortality, child anthropometric failure, diarrhoea and anaemia for first births: evidence from 55 low- and middle-income countries. BMJ Open, Vol. 1, Issue 2, 2011. DOI:10.1136/bmjopen-2011-000226. ISSN 2044-6055.

[7]        Gambrah, Patience Pokuaa & Adzadu, Yvonne (2013). Using Markov Chain to Predict the Probability of Rural and Urban Child Mortality Rates Reduction in Ghana. International Journal of Scientific & Technology Research, Vol. 2, Issue 11, November 2013. P73-78. ISSN 2277-8616.

[8]        Jinadu, M.K., Olusi, S.O., Agun, J.I. and A.K. Fabiyi (1991). “Childhood Diarrhea in Rural Nigeria: Studies on Prevalence, Mortality and Socio-Environmental Factors” Journal of Diarrhea Diseases Research, Vol. 9, No. 4, 1991. P323-327.

[9]        Katona, Peter & Katona-Apte Judit (2008). The Interaction between Nutrition and Infection, In (ed.) Ellie J. C. Goldstein, Clinical Practice Invited Article, Clinical Infectious Diseases, Oxford Journals, Vol. 46, No. 10, 2008. Pp1582-1588. DOI: 10.1086/587658

[10]      Kyei, A. Kwabena (2011). Socio – Economic Factors Affecting Under Five Mortality in South Africa – An Investigative Study. Journal of Emerging Trends in Economics and Management Sciences (JETEMS), Vol. 2, No. 2, 2011. Scholarlink Research Institute Journals. Pp104-110. ISSN: 2141-7024.

[11]      Marx, M., Coles, C., Prysones-Jones, S., Johnson, C., Augustin, R., Mackay, N., Bery, R., Hammond, W., Nigmann, R., Sommerfelt, E., Lee Benntt, H.J., and Lambert, R. (2005). Child survival in Sub-Saharan Africa: Taking Stock. Washington DC, USA: Support for Analysis and Research in Africa (SARA) Project.

[12]      National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) (2011). Nigeria: Monitoring the situation of children and women. Nigeria Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2011Summary Report. National Bureau of Statistics, Abuja Nigeria. 2011.

[13]      National Population Commission and ICF Macro (2009). Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey 2008. National Population Commission, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria and ICF Macro Calverton, Maryland, USA. 2009. P630

[14]      Osonwa, O.K., Iyam, M.A., & Osonwa, R.H., (2012). Under-Five Mortality in Nigeria: Perception and Attitudes of the IKWERRES in Rivers State towards the Existence of “OGBA – NJE”. Journal of Sociological Research, Vol. 3, No. 2, 2012. ISSN 1948-5468.

[15]      Pandey, M. J. (2009). Maternal Health and Child Mortality in Rural India. ASARC Working Paper 12. Institute of Economic Growth, Delhi, INDIA.

[16]      Policy Project/Nigeria, (2002). Child Survival in Nigeria: Situation, Response, and Prospects.

[17]      Uddin, M., Hossain, M., & Ullah M.O., (2009). Child Mortality in a Developing Country: A Statistical Analysis. Journal of Applied Quantitative Method, Vol. 4, No. 3, 2009.

[18]      UNICEF (nd). http://www.unicef.org/nigeria/children_1926.html

[19]      United Nations Children’s Fund (2010). Levels and Trends in Child Mortality – Report 2010. Estimates Developed by the United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation. United Nations Children’s Fund. 2010.

[20]      United Nations Children’s Fund (2012). Levels and Trends in Child Mortality – Report 2012. Estimates Developed by the United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation. United Nations Children’s Fund. 2012. http://www.unicef.org/videoaudio/PDFs/UNICEF_2012_child_mortality_for_web_0904.pdf.

[21]      United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (2013). Levels & Trends in Child Mortality – Report 2013. UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation. United Nations, New York. 2013. http://www.mamaye.org.ng/evidence/levels-trendschild- mortality-report-2013.

[22]      World Bank (2013). World Development Indicators: Mortality (Table 2.21). World Bank Group. 2013. http://wdi.worldbank.org/table/2.21

[23]      World Health Organisation, WHO (2011). Child Mortality: Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 4. The Partner for Maternal and New Born Birth, World Health Organisation. September, 2011. http://www.who.int/pmnch/media/press_materials/fs/fs_mdg4_childmortality/en/.

 

Fighting Cynicism in Organizations: The Role of Job Autonomy

Sarah Shaharruddina, Dr Fais Ahmadb,

Abstract

This research examined the role of job autonomy in influencing the level of organizational cynicism. By using a survey method through the questionnaires distribution, 504 data set was utilised for the analysis. Several statistical techniques such as factor analysis, reliability test, correlation analysis, and regression analysis were conducted in this research. Through the data analysis, this research indicates a negative relationship between and organizational cynicism. With based on the analysis result, this research suggests that job autonomy could be favourable towards decreasing the level of organizational cynicism.

  1. Introduction

Some of the research on positive workplace attitudes such as  job satisfaction and organizational commitment have gained numerous attention by scholars for decades. Recently it is shown that researchers have increased interest towards paying attention on a negative workplace attitude such as organizational cynicism (Bashir et.al,2011).  The issue relating to organizational cynicism has become the topic of interest for researchers more the past several years ago.

Organizational cynicism is believed as one of a big problem that organizations have to deal with, which should be taken into account and serious consideration by the organizations. However, despite the existence of this problem, it is important for the researchers to investigate what factors that lead towards the development of organizational cynicism This issue is something that cannot be ignored, as it could bring a continuous negative effect on employees and organizational efficiency. (Tekin, & Bedük, 2015).  With this regards, it is important for every organizations to find better solutions in reducing this phenomenon which may hinder organizational and employees success.

The lack of job autonomy given is believed to be one of the major factors that influencing organizational cynicism among the employees. It is suggested that more studies on organizational practices need to be further investigated whether it can reduce organizational cynicism among employees (Chiaburu et.al, 2013). In viewing the level of job autonomy and its influence on organizational cynicism, it is believed that low autonomy could influence the level of organizational cynicism. For example, as cited in Bashir (2011), a lack of autonomy creates melancholy (Stets, 1995) and frustration which results towards misbehaviour and felony (Agnew, 1984) creating serious problems for the organization. Although employees are hardworking and take seriously on their work, but still they seems to less satisfied and lack of passion which cause them to be less committed to the organization. These problems happened as employees feel restricted from working freely and be a part in decision making regarding their own work by themselves. (Naqvi, Ishtiaq, Kanwal & Mohsin Ali, 2013).  In handling with the issue of organizational cynicism, job autonomy  is believed to be one of the necessary weapons  to reduce negative attitude, as employees will not be strictly controlled in their job (Meyer,1987). Furthermore, autonomy also will enable employees to have more freedom in terms of controlling their work and to form procedures on work assessment (Dee,Henkin & Chen,2000).

Although job autonomy has been found to negatively related with organizational cynicism (Avey, Hughes, Norman and Luthans ,2008), there are some inconsistencies found in the past research which seems difficult to confirm the association of these two variables. This can be due to the understanding that job autonomy sometimes is considered as a risky option and this is why not every  employees are  willing to be empowered with autonomy (Bashir; 2011). For example, job autonomy is somehow becoming quite difficult to handle as it requires a high level of trust and accountability on the individuals. It was found that if a high level of trust is required, autonomy turns out to be risky especially when there is least supervision takes place (Langfred,2004). On the other hand, job autonomy may cause employees to be more vulnerable to emotional exhaustion. This is happened if the workload exceed employees’ capacities, where employees will feel trapped and emotionally distressed (Fernet, Austin, Trépanier, & Dussault, 2013). Based on the inconsistencies found, it is relevant for the present study to continuously investigate and discover the influence of job autonomy on organizational cynicism.

  1. Literature Review and Hypothesis Development

Some of the research on positive workplace attitudes such as  job satisfaction and organizational commitment have gained numerous attention by scholars for decades. Recently it is shown that researchers have increased interest towards paying attention on a negative workplace attitude such as organizational cynicism (Bashir et.al,2011).  The issue relating to organizational cynicism has become the topic of interest for researchers more the past several years ago.

Organizational cynicism is viewed a as general or specific attitude characterized with anger, disappointment, and also a tendency to distrust individuals, groups, ideologies, social abilities or institutions (Andersson ,1996). This kind of attitude mostly experienced among employees who believe that their organization is lack of honesty.

Wanous, Reichers and Austin (1994) have specifically described organizational cynicism as “encompassing pessimism about the success of future organizational changes based on the belief that change agents are incompetent, lazy or both” (p.269).  In the context of organizational change management perspective, Ince & Turan (2011) viewed organizational cynicism as an attitude that arise in the workplaces due to the mis-managed of change efforts and it is believed that organizational change is considered as one the major factors of organizational cynicism (Nafei,2013).

Dean et.al (1998) define organizational as “ a negative attitude toward one’s employing organization, which involves a ‘belief’ that organization lacks of integrity and negative affect toward the organization which has tendencies to disparaging critical behaviors toward the organization that are consistent with these beliefs and affect” (p.345). The term of organizational cynicism which defined by Dean et.al (1998) is known as the most commonly cited in the literature and it is conceived as representing an attitude rather than an enduring trait. It is because, organizational cynicism is known as a state variable which may change depends on the experience faced by employees.

Job autonomy is   the extent of power that employees have to delegate their own task and other job activities, which specifically concerns on the voluntary power and freedom towards the work goals,  task elements arrangement and determining the process and the pace of task that are conducted (e.g. Kwakman, 2003; Xanthopoulou, Demerouti, Bakker, & Schaufeli, 2007). It has been   generally defined it as “the degree to which the job provides substantial freedom, independence, and discretion to the individual in scheduling the work and to determine the procedures to be used and  carried out (Hackman & Oldham 1975; Marchese & Ryan, 2001; Morgeson, Delaney-Klinger &Hemingway, 2005; Parker, Axtell & Turner,2001; Dysvik and Kuvaas 2011; Humphrey, Nahrgang, & Morgeson, 2007). On the other hand, it is  also specifically refers to employee’s self rule and independence in terms of decision making (Hackman &Oldham, 1976)

2.1       Job Autonomy and Organizational Cynicism

            It is found that the high level of job autonomy brings employees to feel well adapted with the situational factors compared with other employees who experience less autonomy (Gellatly & Irving, 2001).  In comparison with those who have little job autonomy, those who with more job autonomy will show more satisfaction with variation aspects of the work context (Oldham & Hackman, 1981), positive affect, self confidence and internal motivation (Hackman & Oldham,1976).

Besides, it enables employee to expand their creativity (Oldman & Cummings,1996)  and  less emotional dissonance (Abraham 2000).  Having jobs with adequate autonomy in the organization could equip employees to experience more engagement as autonomy helps to decrease emotional dissonance (Karatape, 2011).   On the other hand, as job autonomy is important towards employee wellbeing, it gives employees more opportunities to adapt themselves with stressful situation and assist them to make decisions on how and when to respond to job demands. With such benefits, employee will face less burnout (Bakker and Demerouti ,2007).

Research has also indicated that job autonomy has a huge impact in influencing employees work attitude (Naus et.al,2007). This is because employee who are empowered to control over their work will be able to meet the job demand and adapt with ambiguity that placed on them which also may reduce the role ambiguity that they have faced (Çekmecelioğlu et.al, 2011). On the other hand, Çekmecelioğlu et al, (2011) also found that job autonomy helps to build the level of employee self confidence, creativity and performance. This may encourage employees becoming  more independent to carry out their task. As other benefits, autonomy may give employees more opportunity to show their extra role behaviour such as OCB (Runhaar , Konermann & Sanders,2013)

H1: There is negative relationship between job autonomy and organizational cynicism.

  • METHODOLOGY

This section  discussed the sample  of the study, scales of variables and process of analysing the obtained data.  Finally, discussion of the findings, conclusions and suggestions of the future research are made in the light of the findings.

3.1       The sample population

The survey based on a disproportionate stratified random sampling technique  was carried out, as it could reduce the sampling error due to the imbalance of population in certain groups (Babbie,1995;& Butcher,1973). The  samples for this study were chosen based on the selection of  the immigration officers (uniform based employees) of the Immigration Department of Malaysia  (IDM),  who work under the  security and defence group, ranging from the upper position of employees  scheme grade,  KP 48 to the lowest KP17 (as shown in Table 1). About 800 questionnaires have been distributed to four selected Immigration states offices and 504 usable data  (63% of response rate) were chosen in this study for the analysis.

3.2       Measures

The data was collected using a questionnaire survey. The first section contains demographical information such as age, gender, qualification, experience and more. The second section is about organizational cynicism which consist of 14 items adopted from Dean et.al,(1998). The alpha reliability for this variable  was 0.868, and sample items included such as “I believe my organization says one thing and does another”, “My organization’s policies, goals, and practices seem to have little in common”, “When my organization says it’s going to do something, I wonder if it will really happen”, “My organization expects one thing of its employees, but rewards another”. “I see little similarity between what my organization says it will do and what it actually does”. “When I think about my organization, I experience aggravation.”, “When I think about my organization I get angry.”, “When I think about my organization, I get tension.”, “When I think about my organization, I feel a sense of anxiety”, “I complain about what is happening in the work to my friends beyond my institution.”, “We look at each other in a meaningful way with my colleagues when my organization and its employees are mentioned”, “I often talk to others about the ways things are run in my organization”, “I criticize my organization practices and policies with others”, “I find myself mocking my organization’s slogans and initiatives”.  How ever, after the Factor Analysis has been conducted, the item number 11 was removed due to high crossloading. Therefore, only 13 items were proceed for the next stage of analysis.

The third section relates to job autonomy, adopted from Karasek, (1979),  and the alpha reliability was found to be at 0.735. The job autonomy items included “My job requires high level of skills”, “My job requires me to learn new things”, “My job requires non repetitive jobs” and “My job requires creativity”, “My job allows me freedom to decide how to organize my work”, “My job allow me to make decisions on my own”, “My colleagues are helpful in assisting in one’s own decisions”, and “I am allowed to say over what had happened”.

  • FINDINGS

Based on the correlation analysis depicted in Table 3,  job autonomy was shown to be negatively correlated with organizational cynicism ( r = -0.106 , p < 0.01). Based on the results, the negative relationship indicates that high job autonomy is more likely to reduce organizational cynicism than with lower job autonomy.

 Meanwhile, the regression results shown in Table 4 indicates that job autonomy has a significant influence upon organizational cynicism (b=0.101, p =0.001; Sig = 0.022 p<0.05). Therefore, this finding confirms that organizational cynicism could be overcome when job autonomy is given focus attention.

  1. Discussion

The  hypothesis result of this research is accepted, where job autonomy is negatively significant in influencing organisational cynicism. As expected, Job autonomy is functioning as an important role to hinder organizational cynicism. This is consistent with the previous research  finding that job autonomy are likely to result in positive outcomes such as increase in job satisfaction and commitment (Naus et.al,2007). Relevant and as demonstrated by the present study, job autonomy  would help to prevent  the possibility of employees from easily developing a cynical attitude, where employees feel more trusted by the organization to carry out tasks. Hence, the presence of job autonomy could result in a higher level of  employees’ intrinsic motivation and more committed employees will be. This finding supported the previous study which showed increase in job autonomy was significantly allied with an upsurges in job commitment (Khamisabadi,2013).

The finding of the present research that depicted a significantly negative influence of job autonomy and organizational cynicism was also evidenced in previous research where it  supported that employees who have more autonomy in their job shows more positive feelings, and self confidence (Hackman & Oldham, 1976), less mental stress (Karasek, 1979), and  less emotional dissonance (Abraham,2000). Additionally,  as been captured by Naus et.al, (2007), the restriction in terms of autonomy could hinder employees self expressive behaviours, which it will potentially evoke opposition and resistance that could lead to negative attitudes and behaviours such as cynicism towards the organization. This problem occurs when there is a  very strict structural controls in terms of rules and procedures  and tight organizational control that impede employees capabilities, work competency and ideas to perform the job. This might cause negative feelings among the employees where they feeling forced to follow all those overly strict procedures which limit their freedom in contributing their ideas and decisions.

Based on the findings that have been obtained,  this study therefore confirms  that,  job autonomy is negatively significant in influencing organizational cynicism,  where  employees who perceive lack of job autonomy will feel more frustrated with their  role and career, which it will ultimately affect their level of commitment and satisfaction level. In the mean time,  the absence of job autonomy cause employees to develop a negative belief about their organization that they are not valued and appreciated, this in turn may also result towards negative emotions and behaviour among the employees.

5.1       Limitations and Direction For The Future Research

There are few limitations of the research that should be acknowledged. First, since all the measurement scale used in this study was adopted from the past studies, factor analysis showed that one item from the dependent variable  was not permanent due high crossloading. How ever, the scale showed satisfactory reliability in this study.

Second, this research is mainly quantitative in nature, where quantitative research is generally little is known about “why” and “how” regarding the antecedents and consequences of the relationship among the variables. Nevertheless, this approach still does not jeopardize the whole findings of the present research as quantitative research could help in generalizing the result by using a large sample size.

Since this study has significant implications for both theoretical and practical contributions, future researchers also should consider to expand the organizational cynicism research by adding organizational culture as a moderating variable. This is to test whether organizational culture could moderate the relationship between the independent and dependant variable. Furthermore, to investigate if there is any type of organizational culture that could weaken or strengthen the relationship between job autonomy and organizational cynicism.

Another useful extension for the future researchers to highlight is to conduct more research into investigating the consequences of organizational cynicism For example, by examining whether organizational cynicism could influence the level of employees engagement, employee deviant behaviour and employees’ union commitment.  . This can be examined by having organizational cynicism as a mediating variable.

5.2       Conclusion

This research summarizes that job autonomy is negatively related with organizational cynicism, where organizational cynicism may reduce if job autonomy is high and given focus attention. Additionally,  it gives an important indication that job autonomy appears to be something that is need to be highlighted in organizational cynicism research context, whether it is beneficial or risky to the employees.  With these findings, this research contributes a new knowledge in the organizational cynicism research.

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