PSYCHOLOGICAL EMPOWERMENT AND EMPLOYEE MORALE OF ACADEMIC STAFF IN BAYELSA STATE UNIVERSITIES

Authors: Okpu, Tarela Oboro & Poazi, Deinmodei Francis W.

ABSTRACT

There is a paucity of empirical research on employee morale. This study filled this gap by examining the influence of psychological empowerment on workers affective, future goal and interpersonal morale. Using cross-sectional survey research, a sample size of 310 academic staff were obtained from a population of 1563 employees with the aid of Krejcie & Morgan (1970) Sample Size Determination Table. A structured questionnaire adopting Likert 5-Point scale was used to generate data. The hypotheses used Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient to ascertain the relationship among the variables of the study. The findings revealed that meaning, competence, self-determination, and impact had a significant positive relationship with affective, future goal and interpersonal morale. It was recommended that academic staff should be exposed to regular professional development programmes, constructive feedback through appraisals, flexible work arrangement and granted autonomy in job duties. These would increase their sense of being valued, ability to meet set targets and foster collaboration and positive interpersonal dynamics in higher institutions.

Keywords: psychological empowerment, employee morale, future goal, interpersonal, academic staff

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