Examining the Relationship between Performance Monitoring and Academic Staff Performance in Private Chartered Universities in Western Uganda. A mixed method

Abstract
This study examined the relationship between performance monitoring and academic staff performance in private universities in Western Uganda. A mixed-methods approach was employed, involving 386 academic staff who completed structured questionnaires and 10 Deans who participated in semi-structured interviews. Quantitative results indicated a significant positive relationship between performance monitoring and academic staff performance (r = 0.614, p = 0.000). Regression analysis showed that performance monitoring accounted for 37.7% of the variance in academic staff performance (Adjusted R2 = 0.377). Qualitative findings supported these results, revealing that effective feedback, fair evaluation, and goal-oriented monitoring enhanced staff motivation, research output, and teaching quality. Staff perceived performance monitoring positively when it was participatory, transparent, and developmental. The study concludes that robust performance monitoring mechanisms positively influence academic staff outcomes and recommends strengthening feedback systems, involving staff in appraisal criteria formulation, and providing technological support for performance management.