Effect of performance appraisal system on staff performance in Ghanaian academic libraries

Abstract

Performance appraisal is the systematic review of an individual employee’s performance on the job which is used to evaluate the effectiveness of his or her work. The present research seeks to evaluate the performance appraisal system at the University of Cape Coast library. The authors in this study adopted the survey approach to gather data from library staff located in the University of Cape Coast Library. Using the descriptive statistics, it was found out that library staff (76.8%) affirmed the existence of a performance appraisal system in the library. From the participants view, performance appraisal system was necessary to assist in determining the input of staff, bring motivation to workers and ensure effective work by the staff. The majority of the library staff (70.2%) stressed that their immediate boss was responsible for appraising their work output in the UCC library. Based on the major findings of the study, the authors recommended to the management the following: clarity of the rating criteria or qualities, training of appraisers, appraisal interview or discussion and counselling, frequency of appraisals, responsibility for appraising staff, staff motivation, use of computer software and periodic review the appraisal system.