A survey of the extent of the practice of linking human resource development to strategy formulation by the mobile phone service providers in Kenya

Abstract

Human Resource Development is the frameworks for helping employees develop their personal and organizational skills, knowledge, and abilities. The human resource strategies must be linked to business strategies at all levels to be able to transform the organisation and be a platform from which new strategies can be built. How to recruit and retain knowledge workers is one of the biggest challenges organisations face in the knowledge era. As a result different network service providers have emerged to compete in an ever expanding market. To succeed in the industry, continuous employee development strategies must be aligned to the business strategies and be continuously improved in order to create human capital that is pragmatic enough to tackle any changes in business strategies occasioned by changes in environment. This study sought to \ establish the extent of practice of linking human resource development to strategy development by mobile phone service industry in Kenya\ The objective of the study was to establish the extent of the practice of linking human resource development to strategy development by the mobile phone service providers in Kenya. Census survey was used for this study and the target population of the study therefore was the four mobile phone service providers. Line managers and human resource officers were targeted to give responses to the semi structured questionnaires. Primary data was collected. Data was coded on key issues and analyzed using SSPS program. Population parameters were presented in percentage and graphs to give a general overall picture about the organizations.the conclusion is that there is a great extent of the practice of linking Human Resource Development to strategy formulation in the mobile phone service providers and this has led to successful strategy implementation. Most of employees who formulate organisational strategies also participate in human resource development strategy development and implementation and this has helps in meeting organizational objectives. However the organizations are faced by various challenges that hinder effective strategy formulation. The recommendations are that Human Resource Development is very essential for every organization as it helps in organisational strategy formulation, implementation and evaluation and at the same time helps in creating and sustaining competitive advantage. From the findings of the study, it makes good business sense to link organisational strategies to human resource development plans so that implementation of the organisational strategies is not hampered by deficient strategy supportive skill, knowledge or attitudes.