Employee Turnover and Retention Among Academic Staff in Selected Public Higher Learning Institutions in Rwanda

ABSTRACT This study entitled “Employee turnover and Retention among Academic Staff in Selected Public Higher Learning Institutions in Rwanda “aimed at Determining factors leading to a high rate of employee turnover in public institutions of higher learning in Rwanda. The study was carried out based on three specific objectives, that is to say: to determine the extent of employee turnover in selected public higher learning Institutions, to establish the level of retention strategies in selected public higher Learning Institutions in Rwanda, to determine if there is a significant relationship between the extent of employee turnover and the level of retention strategies in selected public higher learning Institutions. The study was in form of descriptive correlation design, the population study comprised of 548 Academic staff from the two selected Institutions from which a study sample of 232 respondents was chosen using Slovin’s formula. A questionnaire measured on a scale was used to collect data from respondents. The results showed that factors such as lower salary package, no participation in decision making process, no recognition and reward for good performance and lack of autonomy were found as the most important causes that influence employees in Public higher Institutions of learning to look for other employment. The researcher recommends to the Public Institutions of higher learning not only tailor their retention strategies around financial benefits without taking into consideration intrinsic motivation

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preliminaries Page

DECLARATION A ii

DECLARATION B iii

APPROVAL SHEET iv

DEDICATION v

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT vi

LIST OF TABLES vii

Abstract viii

Chapter Page

ONE: THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE 1

Background of the Study 1

Statement of the Problem 3

Purpose of the Study 3

Research ObjectiveS 4

Research Questions 5

Null Hypothesis 5

Scope of the study 5

Significance of the Study 7

Operational Definitions of Key Terms 7

TWO:REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE 9

Concepts, opinions, ideas from Authors/ Experts 9

Theoretical perspectives 10

Other related studies 36

THREE:METHODOLOGY 38

Research Design 38

Research Population 38

Sample Size 39

Sampling Procedure 40

Research Instrument 40

Validity and Reliability of the Instruments 41

Data Gathering Procedures 42

Data Analysis 42

Ethical consideration 43

Limitation of the study 43

FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND

INTERPRETATION 45

FIVE:FINDINGS,CONCLUSION AND

RECOMMENDATIONS 56

Findings 56

Conclusion 57

Recommendations 58

REFERENCES 61

Appendix I: IntroductorY letter 64

Appendix II. A: Researcher’s Request for Permission 65

Appendix II B: Researcher’s Request for PermissiOn 66

Appendix III: Acceptance Letter KIE 67

Appendix IV: Acceptance Letter HIAAH 68

Appendix V: Transmittal Letter for the Respondents 69

Appendix VI: Questionnaire 70

Appendix VII: Researcher’s Curriculum Vitae 73