The Application of Uses and Gratification Theory and Pathgoal Theory as Frameworks for Examining the Influence of Academic Social Networking Sites on Lecturers’ Research Productivity

Abstract

Research productivity is crucial for educational quality and career progression in higher education institutions. In Nigeria, low research productivity among academic staff negatively affects their career advancement. The study explain research productivity measures teaching quality and career growth in tertiary institutions. Academic social networking sites facilitate profile creation and peer interaction. The Uses and Gratification theory and the Path-goal theory are used to examine the influence of academic social networking sites and management policy on lecturers' research productivity. The Uses and Gratification theory posits that media consumers base their consumption decisions on personal considerations and cognitive, affective, and social needs. The Pathgoal theory suggests that management policy or leaders' behavior and leadership style influence their subordinates' characteristics, such as satisfaction, motivation, and performance. The study concluded that Uses and Gratification Theory (UGT) and the PathGoal Theory (PGT) differ in their perspectives on the impact of academic social networking sites and management policy on lecturers' research productivity. UGT focuses on lecturers' use of social media for information seeking, social interaction, and entertainment, while PGT emphasizes management policy's role in motivating lecturers