THE IMPACT OF OFFICE ERGONOMICS ON EMPLOYEE

PERFORMANCE; A CASE STUDY OF THE GHANA

NATIONAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION (GNPC)

By

ASANTE KINGSLEY
(PG. 4095010)

A Thesis submitted to the Institute Of Distance Learning, Kwame Nkrumah

University of Science and Technology in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the degree of

COMMONWEALTH EXECUTIVE MASTERS OF BUSINESS

ADMINISTRATION

SEPTEMBER 2012
 DECLARATION

I hereby declare that this submission is my own work towards the Executive Masters of Business

Administration and that, to the best to my knowledge, it contains no material previously

published by another person nor material which has been accepted for the award of any other

degree of the University, except where due acknowledgement has been made in the text.

Declaration by:

KINGSLEY ASANTE …………………………….. …………………

(PG4095010) Signature Date

Certified by:

DR. SETH AGYEMANG …………………………….. …………………

(Supervisor) Signature Date

Certified by:

PROF. I.K. DONTWI …………………………….. …………………

(Dean/HOD, IDL) Signature Date

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 ABSTRACT

Office ergonomics is a widely acceptable means of providing an enabling environment that best

facilitates employees’ performance and general productivity. This study sought to find out the

impact of office ergonomics on employee performance using the Ghana National Petroleum

Corporation (GNPC) as a case study. The objectives of the study were to analyze the office

design, finishes and furnishing of the head office building of GNPC, identify ergonomic features

in the design, finishes and furnishing in terms of their suitability and comfort of the employees,

assess the impact of office ergonomics on the performance of GNPC employees at the Petroleum

House in Tema and finally propose specific ergonomically based interventions that would

address employee health, comfort and wellbeing and thereby enhance optimum performance.

The study was based on a sample of 88 GNPC staff randomly drawn from various departments

and units at the Petroleum House, as well as 10 senior managers. Data for the study obtained

mainly from the administration of questionnaires was analyzed quantitatively using the SPSS and

Microsoft Excel and presented with the aid of frequency distributions, pie charts, tables, pictures

and graphs. The research identified considerable office ergonomic deficiencies which included

uninspiring and old-fashioned office design and décor (largely cellular offices), use of dark

wooden partitions resulting in poorly illuminated offices, and continuous use of un-ergonomic

furniture at the Petroleum House. The study also confirmed that the ergonomic deficiencies have

had varying adverse effects on the performance of GNPC employees by between 20-80 percent.

The study recommends the relocation of the GNPC head office to a new modern facility

designed and furnished to suit the peculiar needs of the Corporation. The development and

operation of a Real Estate Policy that leverages on the workplace environment to attract, retain

and boost employee performance has also been recommended.

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 DEDICATION

I dedicate this work to my cherished wife Rebecca Naa Adaawa Asante and my priceless sons:

Nigel Boamah Asante and Caelan Addo Asante.

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