Efficacy of selected human resource management practices on performance of public sector organizations: A study of public water utilities in Tanzania

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the efficacy of selected human resource management practices on organizational performance in the public sector organizations: A study of water utilities in Tanzania. The descriptive correlation design was used, and both qualitative and quantitative approaches were adopted. Simple and purposive random technique was used in selecting 370 respondents including 15 other managers, 5 human resource managers and 5 managing directors from five selected public water utilities included Dare s Salaam water and sewerage corporation (DAWASCO), Morogoro urban water supply and sewerage authority (MORUWASA), Lindi urban water supply and sewerage authority (LUWASA), Tanga urban water supply and sewerage authority (TAUWASA), Mtwara urban water supply and sewerage authority (MTUWASA). Questionnaire, interview, observation and documentary tools were used in collecting data and SPSS 20.0 version through T – test analysis; multiple regression analysis, descriptive statistics and content analysis were used to analyze the data. Pearson moment correlation coefficient and ANOVAs Analysis were used in measured the relationship between human resource management practices (human resource planning, recruitment and selection, training and development, compensation and benefits, and performance appraisal) and organizational performance. The findings revealed that, there is a positive relationship between human resource management practices and organizational performance. In this multiple regression analysis revealed that organizational performance will rise up when human resource management practices such as human resource planning, recruitment and selection, training and development compensation and benefits and Performance Appraisal were implemented effectively. The study suggested that, in order to increase and ensure efficacy of human resource management practices on performance of public water utilities in Tanzania. Water utilities’ management should consider employees participation on formulating matters related to HRMP so as to simplify the operationalisation of human resource management practices, board of directors and management should adopt ethical practices on recruitment and selection process by avoiding political interference; also Tanzanian government should formulate a harmonized operational scheme of service that can be used in all public water utilities in Tanzania.