Challenges Facing Human Resource Management Function at Kenyatta National Hospital
Abstract
Human resource management functions involve the management and development of
people in organizations, formulation and implementation of human resource practices and
policies. It is fundamentally about matching human resources to the strategic and
operational needs of the organization and ensuring full utilization of those human
resources. The human resource managers play a major part in the creation of an
environment that enables people to make the best use of their capacities, to realize their
potential to the benefit of both the organization and themselves and by improving the
quality of working life to achieve satisfaction through their work. The aim of this study
was to establish challenges facing the human resource management function at Kenyatta
National 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 respondents were well versed with the human
resource management function and had knowledge and understanding of Kenyatta
National Hospital’s operations.
Results from the study established that human resource managers at Kenyatta National
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. There
is increased demand for specialized health care at Kenyatta Hospital and also inadequate
financial resources to meet these demands, resulting in cutting costs and hence
understaffing. Human resource managers at Kenyatta National 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 Kenyatta 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 is a challenge to the human
resource managers. Other challenges at Kenyatta 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 Kenyatta National
Hospital, 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.
Citation
MBA Thesis 2012Sponsorhip
University of NairobiPublisher
University of Nairobi
Description
Master Thesis