A study of the relationship between incentives and library staff productivity in public libraries in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between incentives and staff productivity in public libraries in Ilorin metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria. The study was carried out in Kwara State library, Ilorin. Two research questions were formulated and answered in this study. They include: What is the level of financial and non - financial incentives provided to staff in public libraries in Ilorin metropolis? What is the level of staff productivity in public libraries in Ilorin metropolis? To this end, descriptive survey research method was adopted in this study. Eighty - six library personnel of Kwara State library were selected through total enumeration sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured, validated, pretested (Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient value of 0.81, 0.88 and 0.73) and administered questionnaire titled “Incentive and Staff Productivity Assessment Questionnaire (ISPAQ)” which was designed through the extensive literature review. A response rate of 100% was achieved. Data were statistically treated with both descriptive and inferential statistics. Precisely, mean and standard deviation were used to analyse the research questions raised while, Pearson Production Moment Correlation (PPMC) statistics was used for testing the null hypotheses formulated at 0.05 significance level. The results revealed that, the level of financial incentives provided to staff was low (cluster mean = 2.15); the level of financial incentives provided to staff was moderate (cluster mean = 2.67) while, the level of staff productivity was also at moderate level (grand mean = 2.67). Findings from the tested null hypotheses revealed that, there was a weak correlation between financial incentives and staff productivity (r = 0.209; p<0.05); and there was a positive correlation between non-financial incentives and staff productivity (r = 0.326; p<0.05). The study concluded that both financial and non-financial incentives influenced staff productivity in public libraries in Ilorin, with non-financial incentives having a greater influence. Based on the findings and conclusion observed, it was recommended that, library managers should recognised the role of both financial and non-financial incentives in boosting the morale of their employees for efficiency and optimum productivity.

Key Words: Financial Incentives, Non-financial Incentives, Staff, Productivity