The Relationship between Career Progression and Perceived Organizational support among Prison Officers in Kamiti Command, Nairobi County

Abstract

Career progression is the process of climbing up the ladder during one’s career life. Career progression or promotions among other expected rewards such as favorable working conditions, pay rise, recognitions, respect, approvals, emotional support is an aspect of enhancing Perceived organizational support. This is especially if the employees or workers in a particular organization understand that their company is giving it to them in a more voluntary manner. Perceived Organizational support is how employee’s beliefs and perceive that their organization is mindful of their well-being and acknowledges their efforts and contributions. If Perceived Organizational support is high in an organization, it breeds organization commitment, organization attachment, reduces rate of voluntary turnover among other benefits. Wellbeing of employees as stated in theory of exchange can among others be seen in aspects like good remuneration and promotions (career progression). The purpose of the study was to establish the relationship between career progression and perceived organizational support among prison officers in a case of Kamiti Command. The study specifically sought to find out the relationship between career progression and perceived organizational support in various categories of prisons, in regards to gender, among officers who had served in different years of service and officers in different entry ranks. The study used correlational study design where it sought to find out the relationship between career progression and perceived organizational support among prison officers. The researcher adopted the mixed method approach. The target population in study was 1531 prison officers stationed in the four different categories of prisons within Kamiti Command. The researcher selected 307 participants according to modified Cochran formula for the quantitative data using stratified proportionate random sampling technique and 10 key informants who were selected through judgmental sapling to give in-depth response on the study for the qualitative data. The researcher collected primary data for quantitative analysis using drop and pick self-administered questionnaires. Quantitative data was coded using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 25.0). Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, variance and standard deviation. Chi square and Pearson Moment Correlation was used to test the hypotheses. Tables and figures were used in presentation of analyzed data. using statistics Themes from qualitative data were analyzed through written narrative analysis. The study found that employees disagreed that Kenya Prison was keen on supporting career progression for the employees. The study found that employees disagreed that Kenya prisons service has put emphasis on support of employee’s psychological, emotional and general wellbeing neither does the organization value their commitment and contribution to the organization which has adversely affected their perceptions about the organization. The study concluded that career progression has a statistical significant effect on perceived organizational support with correlation of 0.641 at 95% significance level. Finally, there was a significant relationship between entry rank, category of station, gender, length of service, career progression and perceived organizational support significant at 95 CI.