UNDERSTANDING KNOWLEDGE ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF ENERGY CONSERVATION AT WORKPLACE AMONG EMPLOYEES OF THE UNIVERSITY FOR DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

Abstract

The study examined the level of awareness of energy conservation among employees of University for Development Studies (UDS); their attitudes towards energy conservation and the practices involved in energy conservation at the workplace. The study adopted both qualitative and quantitative research approaches to collect both the primary and secondary data. The purposive sampling method was used. This is a sampling technique that is based on the researcher’s use of his or her special knowledge or expertise in the selection of participants for inclusion in a research. The participants for the research were selected among staff of the Central Administration of the University for Development Studies. Among those selected were 6 junior staff, 37 senior staff and 7 senior members. Data analysis was based on the qualitative and quantitative approaches. The qualitative data was analyzed non-numerically while the quantitative data was analyzed in numerical terms to give specified degree of confidence. The study revealed that energy is wasted each day due to actions and inaction of the employees. It emphasized that the principal cause of energy wasted is lack of involvement and awareness among employees. Hence, the failure to adopt participatory management strategies at the university makes it extremely difficult to change people’s behaviour and attitudes towards energy conservation. In view of this setback individual interest supersedes the collective interest of the university in terms adopting energy efficient strategies and principles. The study therefore recommends that energy audit should be promoted in all the Campuses of the university and should be made mandatory and feedback provided to employees in the various offices.