Identifying Root Causes of Low Performance Ratings Among Mathematics Faculty: A Case Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69569/jip.2025.496Keywords:
Faculty commitment, Faculty development, Performance commitment, Performance evaluation, Root cause analysisAbstract
This study examines the root causes of consistently low Individual Performance Commitment and Review (IPCR) ratings among the mathematics faculty of a Philippine state university. Grounded in the Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM) framework and Goal-Setting Theory, the research employed an explanatory case study design to explore faculty perceptions through three focus group discussions (FGDs) involving 22 instructors and professors. Data were analyzed using the 5 Whys technique and causal factor charting, identifying five primary issues: unattainable performance standards, inadequate understanding of the IPCR system, excessive workload, low research self-efficacy, and limited access to training and extension opportunities. These findings reveal structural and perceptual barriers to faculty performance, with implications for institutional policy, faculty development, and the refinement of performance appraisal systems. Institutions can foster a more effective and motivated academic workforce by aligning performance expectations with realistic goals and enhancing capacity-building initiatives.
Downloads
References
Abun, D., Magallanes, T., Nicolas, M. T., Apollo, E. P., & Encarnacion, M. J. (2021). The work environment mediates employees' self-efficacy and work performance. International Journal of Research in Business & Social Science, 10(7), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.20525/ijrbs.v10i7.1470
Adrias, A. F. C. (2022). Strategic human resource management framework for state universities and colleges in the Philippines. International Journal of Scientific Research and Management, 10(4), 3303–3311. https://doi.org/10.18535/ijsrm/v10i4.em8
Advani, A., & Jalees, T. (2017). Impact of performance appraisal on employee retention: A study on the banking sector of Pakistan. Journal of Independent Studies and Research – Management, Social Sciences and Economics, 15(1), 21–38. https://tinyurl.com/y4pjxvms
Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. New York: W. H. Freeman. https://doi.org/10.1891/0889‑8391.13.2.158
Dilawari, P. K. (2013). A study to assess awareness and perceptions of employees towards the performance appraisal system in a corporate super-specialty hospital in Amritsar. International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), 2319–7064. https://www.ijsr.net/archive/v5i5/4051601.pdf
Ball, D. L., Thames, M. H., & Phelps, G. (2008). Content knowledge for teaching: What makes it special? Journal of Teacher Education, 59(5), 389–407. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022487108324554
Berman, E. M., Bowman, J. S., West, J. P., & Van Wart, M. R. (2019). Human resource management in public service: Paradoxes, processes, and problems (6th ed.). CQ Press.Blackmore, P., & Kandiko, C. B. (2011). Motivation in academic life: A prestige economy. SRHE.
Blackmore, P., & Kandiko, C. B. (2011). Motivation in academic life: A prestige economy. Research in Post‑Compulsory Education, 16(4), 399–411. https://doi.org/10.1080/13596748.2011.626971
Blume, B. D., Ford, J. K., Baldwin, T. T., & Huang, J. L. (2010). Transfer of training: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Management, 36(4), 1065–1105. https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206309352880
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Daniyal, M., & Khan, M. (2020). The role of HRM practices in retaining employees: Evidence from the banking sector. Journal of Management Info, 7(4), 232–247. https://doi.org/10.31580/jmi.v7i4.1654
Cardy, R. L., & Dobbins, G. H. (1994). Performance appraisal: Alternative perspectives. Cincinnati, OH: South‑Western Publishing Company. https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:141747751
Dechev, Z. (2010). Effective Performance Appraisal – a study into the relation between employer satisfaction and optimizing business results. Master’s Thesis, Erasmus University Rotterdam. https://tinyurl.com/5fj79u79
Deem, R. (2001). Globalisation, new managerialism, academic capitalism and entrepreneurialism in universities: Is the local dimension still important? Comparative Education, 37(1), 7–20. https://doi.org/10.1080/03050060020020408
DeNisi, A. S., & Murphy, K. R. (2017). Performance appraisal and performance management: 100 years of progress? Journal of Applied Psychology, 102(3), 421–433. https://doi.org/10.1037/apl0000085García, J.,
Escribano, A., & Sánchez, J. (2020). Barriers to conducting research in mathematics education: A review of teacher perspectives. International Journal of Educational Research Open, 1, 100011. https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.ijedro.2020.100011
Dilawari, S. (2013). Performance management: A practical guide. New Delhi, India: ABC Publishers.
García, J., Escribano, A., & Sánchez, J. (2020). Barriers to conducting research in mathematics education: A review of teacher perspectives. International Journal of Educational Research Open, 1, 100011. https://doi.org/j.ijedro.2020.100011
Gul, R., Tahir, T., & Batool, T. (2021). Impact of teachers' workload on their time management skills at the university level. Indian Journal of Economics and Business, 20, 819–829. https://tinyurl.com/4snrrfcz
Gulzar, S., Advani, A., & Jalees, T. (2019). Impact of performance appraisal on employee retention: A study on the banking sector of Pakistan. JISR-Management and Social Sciences & Economics (JISR-MSSE), 15(1), 85–101. https://doi.org/10.31384/jisrmsse/2017.15.1.6
Igiri, C. E., & Effiong, O. E. (2015). Impact of instructional materials in teaching and learning of biology in senior secondary schools in Yakurr LGA. International Letters of Social and Humanistic Sciences, 62, 27–33. https://doi.org/10.18052/www.scipress.com/ILSHS.62.27
Islam, R., & Rasad, S. (2006). Employee performance evaluation by the AHP: A case study. Asia Pacific Management Review, 11(3), 167–173. https://doi.org/10.6126/APMR.2006.11.3.04
Kapur, R. (2019). Development of teaching-learning materials. https://tinyurl.com/ypkkawbf
Khalique, S., & Singh, M. K. (2019). Role of self-efficacy in improving performance. International Journal of Research & Technology, 7(12), 1–5. https://tinyurl.com/y9ayhzev
Kim, T., & Holzer, M. (2014). Public employees and performance appraisal: A study of antecedents to employees’ perception of the process. Review of Public Personnel Administration, 36(1), 31–56. https://doi.org/10.1177/0734371X14549673
Kinman, G., & Wray, S. (2018). Work-related wellbeing in UK higher education: Risk factors and implications. British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 46(4), 421–432 https://doi.org/10.1080/03069885.2018.1468004
Lansbury, R. (1988). Performance management: A process approach. Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources, 26(2). https://doi.org/10.1177/103841118802600204
Locke, E. A., & Latham, G. P. (2002). Building a practically functional theory of goal setting and task motivation: A 35-year odyssey. American Psychologist, 57, 705–717 https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.57.9.705
Mackenzie, L. N., Wehner, J., & Correll, S. J. (2019). Why most performance evaluations are biased, and how to fix them. Harvard Business Review. https://tinyurl.com/fwurrdxz
Marginson, S., & Considine, M. (2000). The Enterprise University: Power, Governance and Reinvention in Australia. Cambridge University Press.
Mbaleka, S. W. (2015). Factors leading to limited faculty publication in Philippine higher education. International Forum, 18(2), 121–141. https://tinyurl.com/yv52cr4a
O’Meara, K. (2016). Whose problem is it? Gender differences in faculty thinking about campus service. Teachers College Record, 118(8), 1–38. https://doi.org/10.1177/016146811611800808
Rani, N., Tahir, S., & Batool, S. (2021). Time management and performance of university teachers: A case study. Journal of Education and Educational Development, 8(1), 51–64. https://tinyurl.com/4snrrfcz
Rooney, J. D., & Vanden Heuvel, L. (2004). Root cause analysis for beginners. https://tinyurl.com/ycv5ek9y
Roman, A. (2021). Research competencies and performance of higher education institutions (HEI) faculty. International Journal of Research Publications, 78, 37–44. https://doi.org/10.47119/IJRP100781620211975
Shulman, L. S. (1986). Those who understand: Knowledge growth in teaching. Educational Researcher, 15(2), 4–14. https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X015002004
Situmurang, G., & Hidayat, R. (2019). Analysis of the effect of workload on the employee performance of the production operator in the PEM plant PT. Schneider Electric Manufacturing Batam. Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, 377, 1–6. https://doi.org/10.2991/icaess-19.2019.41
Situmurang, G., & Hidayat, R. (2019). Analysis of the effect of workload on the employee performance of the production operator in the Pem Plant PT. Schneider Electric Manufacturing Batam. Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, 377, 220–226. https://doi.org/10.2991/ICAESS‑19.2019.41
Soleman, & Aminah. (2011). Analisis beban kerja ditinjau dari faktor usia dengan pendekatan recommended weith limit (studi kasus mahasiswa UNPATTI Poka). Jurnal Arika, 5(2). https://tinyurl.com/4kzvtp3b
Tan, J., & Lim, M. (2022). Performance management and academic careers in Singapore: Shifting emphases and challenges. Asian Education and Development Studies, 11(3), 463–478. https://doi.org/10.1108/AEDS-08-2021-0181
Torneo, A. R., & Mojica, B. J. (2020). The strategic performance management system in selected Philippine national agencies: Assessment and policy recommendations. Asian Politics & Policy. https://doi.org/10.1111/aspp.12540
Vangrieken, K., Dochy, F., Raes, E., & Kyndt, E. (2015). Teacher collaboration: A systematic review. Educational Research Review, 15, 17–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2015.04.002
Vangrieken, K., Meredith, C., Packer, T., & Kyndt, E. (2015). Teacher communities as a context for professional development: A systematic review. Teaching and Teacher Education, 61, 47–59. https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.tate.2016.10.001
Walters, M. (1995). The performance management handbook (Developing practice). Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Journal of Interdisciplinary Perspectives

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.