Influence of quality of work life on employee performance in devolved system of governance: a case of Isiolo County, Kenya

Abstract

Employees are a strategic asset of organization and their contributions enable the organization to sustain in a highly competitive environment. Providing a quality of work life to employees is one of the important aspects of organizations to manage the human resources effectively and efficiently to enhance employee performance. Despite devolution of governance in Kenya and the efforts by County governments to improve service delivery, employee performance has not been at the expected levels owing to reported cases of poor service delivery. This study sought to establish quality of work life factors influencing employee performance. Specifically, the study sought to determine the influence of job autonomy on employee performance, establish the influence of work life balance on employee performance, assess the influence of diversity management on employee performance and find out the influence of management of transition on employee performance. This study was premised on the human development approach, Herzberg’s motivation-hygiene theory, social identity theory and the self-determination theory. This study adopted a mixed methods approach to establish the influence of quality of work life factors on employee performance in the devolved system of governance through a case study of Isiolo County in Kenya. The target population was employees of Isiolo County government. Stratified sampling and simple random sampling techniques were employed in the study. The sample size consisted of 140 respondents. A structured self-administered questionnaire and interviews were used for the study, which were administered to the employees and heads of departments, respectively. Data analysis was done with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24.0 software. Quantitative analysis involved the use of descriptive approach while qualitative data involved content analysis a. Chi-square tests were conducted to influence of quality of work life on employee performance in the devolved system of governance. The study found that that there was high job autonomy among employees in county government of Isiolo (M=2.10, SD=1.281). There was a low work life balance among employees in county government of Isiolo (M=2.93, SD=1.24). there was diversity management to a moderate extent (M=2.42, SD=1.282). There was also poor management of transition in county government of Isiolo (M=3.09, SD=1.462). Chi-square tests showed that job autonomy (p=0.035), work life balance (p=0.033) and diversity management (p=0.044) were significant. The study concluded that quality of work life is important in enhancing employee performance especially in regards to job autonomy, work-life balance and diversity management. The study recommended that the county government of Isiolo should enhance the work life balance of employees in a bid to increase their performance. This can be done by flexible work schedules, job sharing arrangements and employee assistance programs to motivate employees. The findings of this study add to the body of knowledge on work life and employee performance which is limited in the public sector. The findings are therefore important to employees in county government of Isiolo who will realize how their performance affects service delivery. The study recommends that the human resource manager at county government of Isiolo can enhance job autonomy by increasing the control among employees on over what they are supposed to accomplish.