E-Balanced Scorecard System for Performance Planning and Management of Lecturers in Higher Education Institutions

Abstract

In this study, an electronic based scorecard for measuring the job performance and the excellence of lecturers in a public higher learning institution was proposed. The aim of the study is to develop a better means of performance planning and performance measurement and management. The demographics for data gathering procedures comprised of 20 selected lecturers from the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology in University Malaya (UM). The method used to select the respondents for requirements elicitation was judgement sampling that ensured all responses came from respondents with sufficient experience in using the performance measurement system currently implemented in the university. Strategic planning documents of the university were also examined besides conducting an interview with the Strategic Planning Unit of UM and previous and current deans of the faculty to acquire further clarifications. The results of data analysis showed (a) an average awareness of the balanced scorecard among lecturers even though it is used as a strategic management tool at a corporate level in the university; (b) poor alignment of top management strategies with the tactical plans of staffs; and (c) positive support for an improved performance measurement system, both from the respondents and the management. Possible reasons for average awareness of the tool and top management aspirations are (a) the current performance measurement system is partially automated making alignment efforts futile; and (b) ineffective methods of communicating strategies. The system implementation was focused on providing the faculty with a more effective platform for performance planning, management and measurement to enable lecturers to better plan for performance excellence with supporting features for system administration. Several system evaluations were conducted where satisfactory results proved the effectiveness of the e-Balanced Scorecard (e-BSC) in performance management and measuring the performance of the academic staff.