Challenges of Human Resource Management in Wajir Public Service Board

Abstract

Human Resource Management in the public sector is undertaken through the County Public Service Boards. The public service boards are therefore to be keen on gaining and maintaining talents since their private counterparts may outdo them in the strategically employing human resources. However, most of the public service boards in the country have experienced major challenges in executing their mandates. Besides, HRM is anchored on several theories connected to the character of individuals and institutions. This study was however anchored on two major theories: the social exchange theory and the resource based view theory. The research design employed in the study was a case study design since interview method was applied in collecting data. The researcher interviewed 4 respondents; 3 from the board committee and 1 from the board secretariat. The respondents from the board committee included the board chair, board secretary and one board member whereas those interviewed from the board secretariat included the human resource manager. The data obtained from the interviews was then analyzed using content analysis method. The researcher further established that the Wajir County Public Service Board encounters a number of challenges in executing it HRM mandate. The challenges include Inadequate funding, disparities in remuneration in the public service, delay in payment of salaries and poor working conditions for officers, Industrial Conflict, Lack of a Negotiating Framework, Shortage of good quality staff, inability to retain quality staff, wrong attitude towards performance management appraisal, poor reward management structures and insufficient staffing at the board. These challenges were identified to majorly influence the quality of service offered by the public service employees in the County. The results of the research recommends that the board should continually focus on a number of interventions that will include continued undertaking of its executive and advisory responsibility through issuing HRM policies, regulations and guidelines in order to avail direction and offer clarity on undertaking the various human resource functions in the County. The findings of the study are significant to the management and more specifically the human resources management within the county public service boards, policy makers within the public service department and to researchers and scholars.