Decision Making in Improving Work Productivity (Case Study of Private University Lecturers in Manado)

The issue of work productivity among lecturers at private universities in implementing the Tridharma of Higher Education is very minimal. This is evident in that private university lecturers holding academic functional positions are partly due to the low productivity of lecturers in implementing the Tridharma of Higher Education, such as the scarce output of textbooks, limited writing of scientific articles, and their publication in journals, lack of participation in scientific seminars, and insufficient planned community service activities. Another reality is that various activities related to the implementation of the Tridharma of Higher Education are often carried out merely to fulfill credit points for faculty promotion, rather than as responsibilities that should be undertaken as a lecturer. This condition creates an urgent need to identify the factors influencing work productivity. This research uses qualitative methods with a case study approach and a naturalistic research paradigm. In this study, there is a tendency to analyze data inductively and the essential meaning of attention for the researcher. Data was collected through interviews, observations, and documentation studies of informants, including leaders of educational institutions in Manado City as well as leaders of universities and their lecturers in several private universities in Manado City. The results showed that increasing faculty productivity does not only depend on individual capabilities but also requires systemic support from the university. Efforts to develop lecturers’ capacities through training, provision of facilities, and conducive policies become important strategies. This research provides significant contributions both theoretically and practically in understanding and managing lecturers’ decision-making as a key factor in enhancing work productivity in private universities.