JOB CHARACTERISTICS AS ANTECEDENTS OF MEANINGFUL WORK AMONG LECTURERS IN COLLEGES OF EDUCATION IN NORTH-WEST NIGERIA

Hassan Birchi Abdulkadir, Hauwa Ado

Abstract


This study investigated the predictive influence of job characteristics on meaningful work among lecturers in Colleges of Education in North-West Nigeria and examined whether gender differences exist in lecturers’ perception of meaningful work. Anchored on the Job Characteristics Model, the study adopted a quantitative correlational survey design. A sample of 382 lecturers was selected using proportionate sampling techniques. Data were collected through structured questionnaires measuring five dimensions of job characteristics: skill variety, task identity, task significance, autonomy, and feedback and a Uni-dimensional meaningful work scale. Instrument validity was established through expert review, while reliability was confirmed using Cronbach’s alpha coefficients. Data was analyzed using multiple regression analysis and independent samples t-test at the .05 level of significance. Results indicated that job characteristics jointly and significantly predicted meaningful work, with autonomy emerging as the strongest predictor. The findings further revealed no significant gender difference in lecturers’ perception of meaningful work. The study concludes that meaningful work among lecturers is primarily influenced by job design rather than demographic characteristics. It recommends institutional policies that strengthen autonomy-supportive work environments and inclusive organizational practices to enhance lecturers’ meaningful work experiences.


Keywords


job characteristics, meaningful work, autonomy, gender differences, colleges of education.

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References


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