Abstract:
The study aim was to assess the career development and staff motivation in higher institution
focus on Jimma University (JU) and to explore overall level of staff motivation. This study was
conducted using descriptive survey design with mixed approach was used. The stratified
sampling techniques were applied and convenience sampling used to select respondents. The
study was carried out at JU and the subjects of the study were academic staff. Primary data was
collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire includes both open and closed
ended questions. The individual sample representatives have been taken based on convenience
sampling. After the survey 182 questionnaires returned out of 192 and all were valid for the
analysis, discussion and drawing conclusion. The descriptive statistics used in this study were
standard deviation, mean, frequency, inferential statistics among the variables. The collected
data was analyzed with the help of computer program statistical package for social sciences
(SPSS) 21 version .The study did not find evidence of severe career development problems at JU
in academic sector; however, there was evidence of some difficulties such as lack of
transparency of procedures and providing information related to staff development; and
mismatch of needs; work load; lack of participation in decision making and lack of training for
further career development. The finding also shows that both motivator and hygiene factors has
impacts on career development and staff motivation by this it is concluded that if there is high
career development, there is also high staff motivation and also if there is low career
development, there is also low staff motivation as well .In JU promotion decisions were handled
unfairly, unavailability of promotional opportunity, the effort JU makes to assist in order to
overcome barriers to career. The paper’s main recommendation include JU need to facilitate
information about career development to the academic in a more open and transparent manner
and JU need to improve the extrinsic factors of work, such as, salary, working condition, quality
of life ,prestige, and job security.
