TIME MANAGEMENT AND JOB PERFORMANCE OF COUNTY EXTENSION DIRECTORS
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Date
1990
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UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES GKVK, BANGALORE
Abstract
The primary purpose of the study was to examine the time management practices of Pennsylvania county extension directors (CEDs) and to analyze the relationships between time management, job performance and select demographic variables. A secondary purpose was to determine the congruency among self (CED), superior (ARD) and subordinate (agent) appraisals of CED job performance.
The design for the study was descriptive-correlational research. The target population for the study consisted of full-time extension personnel employed by Penn State Cooperative Extension. Fifty-two CEDs and 98 extension agents were randomly selected following a combination of cluster and stratified random sampling procedures. In addition, the five assistants to the five regional directors (ARDs) were also included in the study to assess CED job performance. A three-part questionnaire consisting of time management, job performance and demographic characteristics was developed by the researcher. The statements were measured on a five point Likert-type scale. The questionnaire was reviewed for content and face validity by a panel of experts consisting of faculty and administrators at Penn State. The Cronbach's reliability coefficient alpha of .96 was obtained for die entire instrument. A total of 49 CEDs (94%), 4 ARDs (80%) and 85 agents (87%) responded to the survey.
Data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, means and correlations (PPMR). In addition, two non-parametric techniques (coefficient of concordance and Spearman rho) were also utilized to determine the congruency between self, superior, and subordinate appraisals of CED job performance.
The findings suggest that Pennsylvania CEDs ""sometimes"" to ""very often"" practice the skill of time management. The overall score of 3.10 for the time management portion indicates that Pennsylvania CEDs recognize the importance of time and how to manage it well.
The CEDs generally ""agreed"" or ""strongly agreed"" with the seven CED job performance dimensions. The mean scores ranged from a low of 3.52 (supervision dimension) to a high of 4.38 (budget dimension). The CEDs perceived themselves to perform their CED job responsibilities at a relatively high level.
Significant relationships were found between five time management and seven CED job performance dimensions. Further, a significant relationship (r=.64,p<.001) was found between the overall CED job performance score and the overall time management score. This meant that CEDs who scored high on time management likewise scored high on job performance, suggesting that those CEDs who perceived they managed time well also perceived themselves to perform better in their CED job responsibilities. Therefore, it was concluded that management of time is one key influence on managerial performance.
Among demographic variables, only gender was positively associated with planning and goals and self-management dimensions of time management. However, a negative relationship was found between CED experience and the work environment dimension of time management.
In regard to the seven CED job performance dimensions, only gender and highest education level were positively related with programming and coordination dimensions of CED job performance.
The findings revealed general agreement among self (CED) superior (ARD) and subordinate (agent) appraisals of CED job performance. The coefficient of concordance between self, superior and subordinate rankings was very high (W=.84). The findings also indicated that CEDs tended to rate their performance slightiy more favorably than their superiors and subordinates.
In light of this study, it is recommended that inservice training programs should be conducted to enhance CED managerial effectiveness. Specifically it is recommended that programs to enhance CED leadership and supervisory skills be initiated. Finally, it is also recommended that this type of study be replicated with other extension personnel to gain insight into varied aspects of time management and job performance.
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