Influence of Management Skills on Staff Performance in the Health Sector: a Case of Consolata Hospital Kyeni, Embu County, Kenya

Abstract

Employee’s performance is one of the influential factors in health sector in most of developing countries. Good performance continues to draw more attention and is a topic that has been discussed widely. The study sought to evaluate if management skills influences the performance of employees in the health sector in faith-based organizations in a Consolata Hospital Kyeni in Embu County Kenya. The study’s objectives guided the way the study was conducted. These objectives included assessing the extent to which conceptual skills influence staff performance, determining the way Human resource management skills influence staff performance, examine the extent to which technical skills influence staff performance and establishing the way combined management skills influence staff performance. The study employed a descriptive correlational survey design. Both primary and secondary data were used. The primary one was collected using closed ended and self-administered questionnaires. Four In-depth face to face interviews were also conducted on the Hospital management team. The study targeted 185 staff of Consolata Hospital Kyeni from which a sample of 94 respondents was drawn using stratified and purposive sampling methods, based on the departments and cadre of staff. The data was analyzed using SPSS program where categorical data was analyzed using inferential statistics such as Pearson correlation coefficients. This established the link between independent and dependent variables. Multiple linear regression analyses and descriptive analysis such as percentages, arithmetic mean and standard deviation were also used. The findings were that the three independent variables had considerable influence on the way staff members performed. The internal consistency and reliability of data was measured using Pearson’s coefficient which was found to be 0.89 showing stability of the instrument and Cronbach’s alpha where the average score was 0.846, meaning the data had excellent internal reliability. Individual independent variables had Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of conceptual skills (0.81), human resource management skills (0.866) and technical skills at 0.732, all being internally reliable for analysis and for the generalization of the study findings. From the multi linear regression analysis and the ANOVA model summary, it was found that the model was significant at 0.00. The three independent variables of HRM skills, technical and conceptual skills contributed to 49.7% in staff performance variation, meaning if the three were perfected and improved at Kyeni Mission Hospital, there would be about 50% staff performance improvement. There was also strong correlations between various variables with correlation coefficients being 0.277 (for HRM skills), 0.572 (for technical skills) and 0.635 (for conceptual skills). Recommendations included improving the technical and conceptual skills of staff to have direct influence on their staff performance. This could be done through well organized and monitored training programs. This study narrowed its focus to the effects of managerial skills on staff performance in Consolata Hospital and suggests that comparable studies should be carried out in other health institutions to be able to generate general and conclusive results.