Loading...
Performance management and academic workload in higher education
Author(s)
Parsons, Philip Graham
Date Issued
2000
Type
Thesis
Publisher
Cape Technikon
Abstract
This research project investigated the need for a method of determining an equitable
workload for academic staffing in higher education.
With the possibility of the introduction of a performance management system at the Cape
Technikon it became imperative that an agreed, objective and user-friendly method of
determining the workload of each academic member of staff be established.
The research project established the main parameters of the job of an academic staff member
and their dimensions that would influence both the quantity and quality of work produced.
They were established based on the views of a panel of educators drawn from a diverse range
of disciplines.
Using the identified dimensions an algorithm was developed and refined to reflect the
consensus views regarding the contributory weightings of each of the parameters'
dimensions. This algorithm was tested and refined using a base group of academic staff who
were identified by their colleagues as those whose workload could be considered a
benchmark for their discipline.
The most significant result of the research programme is the agreed algorithm that can form
the basis for a performance management system in higher education. The user interface that
was developed at the same time reflects the transparency of the system and allows for it to be
adapted to the needs of various groups of users or individuals within an organisation.
On the basis of this research it has been established that a system for determining an
equitable workload which encompasses an extensive range of parameters can be developed
using a participatory approach. Using a significant sample of academic staff as a basis, it
would appear that the system is valid, reliable, useful and acceptable to academic staff in the
context of a performance management system.
workload for academic staffing in higher education.
With the possibility of the introduction of a performance management system at the Cape
Technikon it became imperative that an agreed, objective and user-friendly method of
determining the workload of each academic member of staff be established.
The research project established the main parameters of the job of an academic staff member
and their dimensions that would influence both the quantity and quality of work produced.
They were established based on the views of a panel of educators drawn from a diverse range
of disciplines.
Using the identified dimensions an algorithm was developed and refined to reflect the
consensus views regarding the contributory weightings of each of the parameters'
dimensions. This algorithm was tested and refined using a base group of academic staff who
were identified by their colleagues as those whose workload could be considered a
benchmark for their discipline.
The most significant result of the research programme is the agreed algorithm that can form
the basis for a performance management system in higher education. The user interface that
was developed at the same time reflects the transparency of the system and allows for it to be
adapted to the needs of various groups of users or individuals within an organisation.
On the basis of this research it has been established that a system for determining an
equitable workload which encompasses an extensive range of parameters can be developed
using a participatory approach. Using a significant sample of academic staff as a basis, it
would appear that the system is valid, reliable, useful and acceptable to academic staff in the
context of a performance management system.
Additional information
Thesis (MTech (Human Resource Management))--Cape Technikon, Cape Town, 2000
File(s)![Thumbnail Image]()
Loading...
Name
Performance Management and Academic Workload in Higher Education.pdf
Size
5.02 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum
(MD5):f6aea85693ff1b379e789e87f57ea8e7