PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE IN SELECTED PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN KIAMBU COUNTY, KENYA
Elizabeth Wanjiku Ngugi - Master of Business Administration (Human Resource Management), Kenyatta University, Kenya
Dr. Hannah Bula - Department of Business Administration, Kenyatta University, Kenya
ABSTRACT
Inappropriate performance practices in organizations have impacted negatively on employees’ performance which in turn has a negative effect on the output. The challenges that are experienced include inappropriate channel of feedback, improper competency evaluation and career planning. The purpose of this study is to assess the link between performance practices and employees performance. The study specifically focused on establishing the effect of goal setting on employee performance in selected public schools in Kiambu County, Kenya; determining the effect of continuous feedback on employee performance in selected public schools in Kiambu County, Kenya; establishing the effect of competency-based evaluation on employee performance in selected public schools in Kiambu County, Kenya; and establishing the effect of career planning on employee performance in selected public schools in Kiambu County, Kenya. The study was based on Goal Setting Theory; Performance Feedback Theory; Competency-Based Theory; and Career Planning theory. The study adopted a descriptive research design on a target population of 90 public schools within Kiambu County registered by the county education statistics. From the target population the accessible population consisted of 50 principals, 67 school accountants, 70 senior teachers and 47 subordinate staff of the schools. The sample size therefore was 234 public school staff. Validity and reliability tests were conducted to ensure that the questionnaires are reliable and valid. Collected data was analysed using means, frequencies, standard deviation and percentages. Analysed data was presented using tables and figures. The study was important to the top management team of public schools in Kiambu County, regulatory bodies like KNEC, Ministry of education and future scholars. For the public management team, the study will offer important findings on how best to improve on employee’s performance for improved output. The study established that goal setting, continuous feedback, competency-based evaluation and career planning significantly and positively influenced the performance of employees among public schools in Kiambu County. The study concluded that the schools were keen on setting goals for employees but were not consultative and sufficiently compliant. The study further concludes that feedback was significantly embraced among the schools however it was not timely, precise, procedural and open. The study concluded that competency-based evaluation was employed to a little extent as a performance management practice among public schools in Kiambu County but it had a positive effect on the performance of employees. It was also concluded that career planning was not sufficiently employed among public schools in Kiambu County but it had a positive relationship with performance. The study recommends that there is need to for the schools to set realistic goals for employees, be consultative and compliant with the laid down government policies on employee performance. The study recommends continuous, timely, precise, procedural and open feedback to promote employee performance and improvement.