Influence of Outsourcing Adjunct Faculty on Students’ Satisfaction in Public Universities in Kenya

Abstract

This study aimed at establishing the influence of outsourcing adjunct faculty on students’ satisfaction in Public Universities in Kenya. Outsourcing is the current norm in many organizations today but more so in public universities. Public universities outsource many services but the one that stands out is outsourcing of adjunct faculty. Outsourcing of adjunct faculty was triggered by massive increase of students’ population in public universities which consequently resulted in an acute shortage of lecturers. The study objectives were based on the following variables: competence, role profile, work ethics, working condition and students’ satisfaction. The study was instrumental to outsourcing companies, human resource managers, Commission for University Education and all their stakeholders since it has put in the light the vice or otherwise of outsourcing. The study which targeted Students, Heads/chairpersons of Department and Directors Quality Assurance in public universities in Kenya employed cross-sectional survey research design. This study took place in public universities in Kenya. The target population for the study was 237,004 students, Heads of Departments and Director Quality Assurance in nine public universities in Kenya. A sample size of 258 respondents was drawn from the population using Calmorin and Calmorin formula. Simple random sampling was used to select the nine public universities and individual respondents. Stratified random sampling was used to sample the three categories of the respondents. Two hundred and fifty eight questionnaires with open and closed-ended questions were used to collect data. Validity and reliability of the research instruments was determined using Cronbach alpha, factor analysis and Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin. Data analysis and presentation started with data entry into SPSS version 21 then cleaned. The data was presented quantitatively. Any qualitative data was first converted into quantitative data for ease of analysis using homogeneity index formula. The results were presented using tables and graphs. The findings noted that there is a medium positive relationship between the three independent variables; competency, role profile and work ethics on students’ satisfaction. It was noted that for every unit increase in competency, role profile and work ethics there is an increase in students’ satisfaction. It was also noted that there is significant moderating effect between outsourced adjunct faculty and working conditions. The study observed that outsourced faculty have the required competencies to teach in institutions of higher learning however, they lack teaching skills and effective communication skills. It was also established that they do not carry out all the roles required of a lecturer, they behave unprofessionally at work and their working condition is not conducive. The study recommends that university and other organizations to do outsourcing because outsourced employees are competent however their roles in the organization should be stipulated very clearly. There should be a strict and adhered to policy in place to aid in recruitment and selection of the best candidate. They should be provided with conducive working environment. Recommended areas for further research include: to establish the factors that influence outsourcing of employees in other public sectors in Kenya.