Recruitment Practices and Performance of Administrative Staff at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya

Abstract

Recruitment, as a human resource management function, is one of the activities that impact most critically on the performance of any organization irrespective of its size and location. While it is understood and accepted that poor recruitment decisions continue to affect organisational performance and limit goal achievement, the effective recruitment practices of employees is a fundamental Human Resource Management activity which if managed well it can have a significant impact on organizational performance as well as lead to a more positive organizational image. This study sought to determine the recruitment practices of administrative staff in public universities, a case study of Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST). The population of study comprised of 124 administrative staff at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kakamega County in Kenya. A cross sectional survey was used. Data was collected using questionnaires targeting administrative staff from the various sections in Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology. The respondents were asked questions regarding the recruitment practices at MMUST as well as the presence of the recruitment policies. The response rate was excellent because many of the questionnaires were filled and returned. Data analysis was done using measures of central tendencies such as mean and standard deviation. The study indicated that MMUST have a recruitment policy. The study findings indicated that both external recruitment practices and internal recruitment practices are used to recruit employees at MMUST. However, it was noted that most of the university employees are recruited through media advert internal advertisement, external advertisement and through transfers and promotions. There is a positive effect of recruitment practices on employee performance. The university should avoid biasness in the recruitment process. Past studies reveal that is the recruitment process is not followed well; there is evidence of negative effect on employee performance.