dc.description.abstract | Human resource management functions involve the management and development of
people in organizations, formulation and implementation of human resource practices and
policies. The aim of this study was to establish challenges facing the human resource
management practises at Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital. The methodology
employed in this research was a case study design. The tool used was an interview guide.
Respondents were drawn from the human resource department and two line managers
were interviewed. The interviews were well versed with the human resource management
function and had knowledge and understanding of Kisii Referral Hospital's operations.
Results from the study established that human resource managers at Kisii Referral
Hospital experience challenges of policies and procedures that curtail recruitment such as
delayed information from line managers on staffing requirements for departments.
Influential people canvass for positions leading to a compromised selection process.
Demand for specialized health care has increased at Kisii referral Hospital and also
inadequate financial resources to meet these demands, resulting in cutting costs and
hence understaffing. Human resource managers at Kisii Referral Hospital experience
challenges related to training and development due to differing training needs,
preferences and learning potential of various cadres of staff. Lack of employee
satisfaction, poor working conditions are also challenges which cause staff grievances.
Managing diversity at Kisii Referral Hospital is a challenge especially due to the large
number of employees from different backgrounds, ethnicities and diverse social and
economic situations of employees. Powerful subcultures based on occupation and
specialization cause differences, managing these differences and orientations are a
challenge to the human resource managers. Other challenges at Kisii Teaching Referral
Hospital facing human resource managers include low staff morale and poor working
environment, restricted financial allocations from the government and staff persistently
engaging in industrial action. There is limited capacity and authority of the human
resource department to mitigate challenges. Lack of a proper system for performance
evaluation reportedly limited the human resource managers' ability to evaluate
competencies and performance of staff. In conclusion the study is of importance to the
management of Kisii Teaching and Referral, and the government. It will help the
hospital's management in managing its human resources and also aid in addressing the
myriad challenges facing the human resource managers. The study will also be of
importance to other public health institutions, as it will provide insight on some of the
challenges being faced by the human resource managers and aid the management in
improving their human resource management policies | en_US |