Are there factors that affect the performance and motivation of academics? An investigation on UK and Nigerian lecturers.

This study investigates and seeks to identify factors that affect the performance and job satisfaction of academics and lecturers from different geographical locations with the purpose of identifying practical implications for improving job satisfaction and performance of these academics. This would be beneficial to the students and institutions as well. A total of 20 in-depth interviews were conducted in different institutions in the UK and Nigeria after adequate permission had been received. These academics interviewed were typically motivated by freedom and ability to undertake personal tasks, relationship with immediate supervisor, inter-personal relationship with colleagues and students, encouragement, supportive management, practical applications to study, personal love for the profession, acting as a mentor, enthusiasm and commitment from students. These academics were de-motivated by a bureaucratic organisational system, excessive workload, time constraints, poor working conditions and accommodation, poor attitude of management, lack of infrastructure and unavailability of working equipment, insufficient funds for research study etc. All these affected job satisfaction and performance of these academics. Institutions should endeavour to see that these entire de-motivating factors are eliminated so as to improve the satisfaction and performance of these academics. When this is accomplished, student satisfaction would be increased impacting positively to the institution and the economy at large. This study also provides limitations and suggestions to improve future research in this field