Influence of Alternative Work Discipline Interventions on Employee Productivity in the County Government of Meru

Abstract

Governments around the world devolve or decentralize power with the sole aim of bringing services closer to their citizens. However, the realization of quality services by citizens is hampered by employee productivity which is in turn affected by a multiplicity of work environment factors in these devolved units of governance. A major factor that affects employee productivity is work environment discipline created in these devolved or decentralized governance units. This mainly in terms of how indiscipline cases are handled and or whether there is an official reliable structure to address them. This research study specifically investigated the influence of alternative work discipline interventions on employee productivity in the county government of Meru. The investigation was based on reinforcement and behavior modification theory. The study was guided by descriptive survey research design. Target population comprised of 490 staff from the department of revenue, water and irrigation and health services. The sample size comprised of 216 staff from selected departments of county government of Meru chosen to participate in the research. Stratified and simple random sampling techniques were used to select the final sampled subjects. Questionnaire was used to collect primary data in the study locale. Collected data was analyzed quantitatively using measures of central tendency and variability; means and standard deviation. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) version 22.0 enabling the study to carry out inferential statistics that made it possible to make decisions on the studies hypotheses. Analyzed data was presented in frequency, percentage tables. The response rate of the study was 82.41%. The study established a positive and significant relationship between the alternative work disciplines interventions and employee productivity. Thus the null hypothesis in the study was rejected. The study concluded that alternative work discipline interventions on employee productivity in the county government of Meru was vital for employee productivity in the organization. The study recommends that alternative work disciplines interventions should be incorporated in the public sector for smooth change management strategies transition hence ensuring continued improvement of employees productivity.