| dc.description.abstract | This study investigated the factors influencing demand for staff training and development at Masinde Muliro university of science and technology (MMUST). MMUST is the youngest of the seven public universities in Kenya and therefore actively involved in recruitment and training of its staff in order to fulfill its mandate as an institution of higher learning (MMUST Staff Training and Development Policy, 2002). The impetus to undertake this research originated from the increased desire and actual enrolment of many employees in training programmes immediately after securing job appointments at MMUST. The main objective of this research was to establish the factors that influence the demand for staff training.
This study was based on the various motivational theories particularly Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs theory and Frederick Hertzberg's Hygiene theory. Vroom's Expectancy theory was also considered so as to understand the employees' expectations after completion of the training. The descriptive survey research design was used so as to gather both qualitative and quantitative statistical data for analysis. The primary data were collected through questionnaires and interviews while secondary data were obtained by analysis of records at Personnel Department. The target population comprised permanent and pensionable employees from the three divisions of MMUST that is, Academic Affairs, Planning Research and Extension and Administration and Finance. Stratified simple random sampling technique was adopted to select the sample that produced representative and accurate results for the whole population. The different categories; that is, management, academic, senior administrative, middle level and junior staff formed the strata in this research.
The analysis of collected data was done using Microsoft Excel for addition of frequencies and calculation of percentages. The measures of central tendency, particularly the mode and mean were used in interpretation of data which was presented in tables. This research revealed that the availability of time and finances were major factors influencing demand for staff training at MMUST. The desire to move up the career ladder and the conducive organizational climate also motivate employees to seek training. Based on the findings, the researcher recommends that the management of MMUST should come up with strategies to ensure that trained employees are retained in the organization as high turnover of staff increases the costs of training required by new recruits. There is need for further research on how excessive demand for staff training and development affects work in the institution. | en_US |
