Motivational strategies for improving performance and productivity amongst records staff in Ghana

Abstract

One of the greatest challenges facing archives and other information managers in developing countries such as Ghana is the motivation of staff. Agencies, private and public alike, are set up to accomplish goals and objectives namely provision of goods and services. The link between motivation theory and practice of management is crucial to management success. The focus of the study is to gather information on the motivational strategies put in place by Management of Public Records and Archives Administration Department (PRAAD) Head Quarters and its impact on performance and productivity. To achieve this aim, the case study method was used with questionnaires and interviews as the main instruments involving twenty-nine (29) subjects (sub-professional records staff and professional staff). Data obtained were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Descriptive statistics in the form of simple percentages, frequencies, scores, and tables were used. The study exposed that records staff are generally satisfied with their current employment although they are not adequately motivated to continue in the job for a lifetime, PRAAD has an ageing staff, staff were dissatisfied with their income levels and no formal motivational strategies in place. Therefore, it was recommended that PRAAD Management should adopt strategies such as teamwork, personal involvement, quality management and setting of targets to motivate records staff to increase performance and productivity.