Workplace Environment and Employee Performance in Two Selected Microfinance Institutions in Bambili, Cameroon

ABSTRACT 

The work environment which encompasses several factors impacts on the way the employees perform their work. A comfortable and all inclusive workplace environment will boost the employees’ performance hence boosting the organizational performance.This research examined the effect of workplace environment on employee performance in microfinance institution in Bambili, Cameroon. The research was guided by three objectives; i) to examine the effect of training and Career Development on Employee Performance in Micro-Finance Institutions in Bambili, Cameroon, ii) to evaluate the effect of Supervisory Support on Employee Performance in Microfinance Institutions in Bambili, Cameroon, and lastly ii) to examine the effect of Working Equipment on Employee Performance in Micro-Finance Institutions in Bambili, Cameroon. The study used a cross-sectional research design and it involved a total population of 143 respondents; out of which 105 were identified as the sample size. Simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques were used to determine the participants in the study. Findings indicated that; training and development significantly affect employee performance in MicroFinance Institutions in Bambili, Cameroon, there is a significant effect interpersonal relationship has on employee performance in Micro-Finance Institutions in Bambili, Cameroon and the findings of this study proved a positive significant effect working equipment have on employee performance in Micro-Finance Institutions in Bambili, Cameroon. The researcher concluded that; training and development enables employees to progress from a present state of understanding and capability to a future state in which higher level skills, knowledge and competencies are required, employees can be allowed to take on responsibilities that are important to the company, and acquire roles within the social framework of the organization, but they are expected to always act with the best interests of the company in mind, hence creating a good relationship between employees and the management, and lastly providing the working equipment to workers reduces the rate of complaints and absenteeism while increasing performance of employees and thus increased productivity, since providing amenities and facilities for the health, safety and welfare of employees is an important employer duty. Recommendations were; MicroFinance Institutions should develop good training plans, and this will help to cater for issues surrounding quality of services, contract compliance, and customer service issues can be resolved internally before going out. The contribution to knowledge was; it is the fact that the following are the working environment strategies which can be used to increase the level of employee performance in MicroFinance Institutions in Bambili, Cameroon; training and development, interpersonal relationship plus provision of working equipment. The following are the common strategies which can be used by the Micro-Finance Institutions to measure employee performance levels; timeliness, quality of Service and feedback.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION..........................................................................................................................................i

APPROVAL ................................................................................................................................................ii

DEDICATION…………...…….……………………………………………………………………........Iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT……………………………………………………………………………….Iv

LIST OFTABLES………….……………………………………………………………………………..V

ABSTRACT................................................................................................................................................ix

CHAPTER ONE .........................................................................................................................................1

INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................................1

1.0 Introduction.............................................................................................................................................1

1.1 Background Of The Study ......................................................................................................................1

1.1.1 Historical Perspective ..........................................................................................................................1

1.1.2 Theoretical Perspective ........................................................................................................................3

1.1.3 Conceptual Perspective ........................................................................................................................3

1.1.4 Contextual Perspective.........................................................................................................................5

1.2 Problem Statement..................................................................................................................................7

1.3 Purpose Of The Study.............................................................................................................................7

1.4 Specific Objectives .................................................................................................................................8

1.5 Research Questions.................................................................................................................................8

1.6 Hypotheses..............................................................................................................................................8

1.7. Scope Of The Study...............................................................................................................................8

1.7.1 Geographical Scope .............................................................................................................................8

1.7.2 Content Scope ......................................................................................................................................9

1.7.3 Theoretical Scope.................................................................................................................................9

1.7.4 Time Scope ..........................................................................................................................................9

1.8 Significance Of The Study......................................................................................................................9

1.9 Operational Definition Of The Key Terms...........................................................................................10

CHAPTER TWO ......................................................................................................................................11

LITERATURE REVIEW ........................................................................................................................11

2.0 Introduction...........................................................................................................................................11

2.1 Theoretical Review...............................................................................................................................11

2.1.1 Taylor’s Theory .................................................................................................................................11

2.1.2 Frederick Herzberg’s Theory.............................................................................................................12

2.1.3 The Hierarchy Of Needs Theory........................................................................................................14

2.2 Conceptual Framework.........................................................................................................................15

2.3 Review Of Related Literature ...............................................................................................................16

2.3.1 Effect Of Training And Development On Employee Performance ...................................................16

2.3.2 Effect Of Interpersonal Relationship On Employee Performance .....................................................19

2.4 Related Studies......................................................................................................................................24

2.5 Research Gap ........................................................................................................................................26

CHAPTER THREE..................................................................................................................................27

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................................27

3.0 Introduction.................................................................................................................................27

3.1 Research Design..........................................................................................................................27

3.2 Research Population....................................................................................................................27

3.3 Sample Size.................................................................................................................................27

3.4 Sampling Procedure ....................................................................................................................28

3.5 Research Instruments..................................................................................................................29

3.5.1 Questionnaire……………………………………………………………………………………29

3.5.2 Interview Guide ...........................................................................................................................29

3.6 Validity And Reliability Of The Instruments...............................................................................29

3.6.1 Validity ........................................................................................................................................29

3.6.1 Reliability.....................................................................................................................................30

3.7 Data Gathering Procedures ..........................................................................................................31

3.7.1 Before The Administration Of The Questionnaires.....................................................................31

3.7.2 During The Administration Of The Questionnaires.....................................................................31

3.7.3 After The Administration Of The Questionnaires ........................................................................31

3.8 Data Analysis................................................................................................................................31

3.9 Ethical Considerations...................................................................................................................32

CHAPTER FOUR.....................................................................................................................................33

DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION....................................................33

4.0 Introduction.................................................................................................................................33

4.2 Workplace Environment In Micro-Finance Institutions Of Bambili, Cameroon..................................35

4.3 Determining The Performance Of Employees In Micro-Finance Institutions In Bambili, Cameroon .38

4.4 Objective One; Effect Of Training And Development On Employee Performance In Micro-Finance

Institutions In Bambili, Cameroon..............................................................................................................41

4.5 Objective Two; The Effect Of Interpersonal Relationship On Employee Performance In MicroFinance Institutions In Bambili, Cameroon ..................43

4.6 Objective Three; Effect Of Working Equipment On Employee Performance In Micro-Finance Institutions In Bambili, Cameroon......................45

4.8 Hypotheses Testing...............................................................................................................................47

CHAPTER FIVE ......................................................................................................................................48

DISCUSSIONS, CONLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ........................................................48

5.0 Introduction.....................................................................................................................................48

5.1 Discussions .....................................................................................................................................48

5.1.1 Objective One; The Effect Of Training And Development On Employee Performance In MicroFinance Institutions In Bambili, Cameroon .................48

5.1.2 Objective Two; The Effect Of Interpersonal Relationship On Employee Performance In MicroFinance Institutions In Bambili, Cameroon ....................49

5.1.3 Objective Three; The Effect Of Working Equipment On Employee Performance In Micro-Finance Institutions In Bambili, Cameroon.............50

5.2 Conclusions......................................................................................................................................51

5.2.1 Objective One; The Effect Of Training And Development On Employee Performance................51

5.2.2 Objective Two; The Effect Of Interpersonal Relationship On Employee Performance.................51

5.2.3 Objective Three; The Effect Of Working Equipment On Employee Performance .......................52

5.4 Recommendations..........................................................................................................................52

5.5 Contribution To Knowledge ..........................................................................................................52

5.6 Limitations Of The Study ..............................................................................................................53

5.7 Areas Of Further Research..............................................................................................................53

APPENDICES...........................................................................................................................................58

APPENDIX I: QUESTIONNAIRE.........................................................................................................58

SECTION B: Workplace environment Questionnaire..........................................................................59

SECTION C: EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE QUESTIONNAIRE..................................................61

APPENDIX II: INTERVIEW GUIDE....................................................................................................63