The purpose of the study was to investigate employee perception towards signing performance contract in public universities, a case of Moi University. The objectives of the study were to; find out staff perception on the clarity of the Performance Contract(P.C) by the Government; assess staff personal views on signing of P.C and to investigate staff perception on their involvement in the setting of the performance contract. The study adopted a mixed method research design. The target population was 761 academic staff and 994 non academic staff. Purposive sampling was used to select 19 staff of high cadre. Proportionate stratified sampling was used to get a total of 170 academic staff and118 non academic staff who participated in this study. Data was collected using structured and unstructured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics whereby frequencies and percentages were calculated on the perception of respondents on performance contract policy. Qualitative data analysis was also done. The study found out, among other findings that staffs have positive perception towards performance contract initiative since they don’t mind signing performance contract as long as they are informed on what the policy is all about. It was also established staff needs to be involved in the setting of meaningful and clear targets at the beginning of the contract period. The study made the following recommendations, first there should be a discussion between the government and the university management on the goals set in a contract period before signing of performance contract, and that the government to provide funds in time for accomplishing these goals. Furthermore,the Kenyan Government through university management to design ways of training staff to acquire knowledge about performance contract initiative. Moreover, staff should be involved in setting targets at the beginning of the contract period. It is hoped that the findings of this study will form a basis for formulation of policies and strategies on effective implementation of performance contract initiative in all public universities and other institutions who have not signed performance contract.
Armstrong, M. (2000).Strategic human resource management, London, Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
Armstrong, M. (2006). Performance management: Key Strategies and Practical guidelines. 3rdEd. MPG Books ltd., Bodmin, Cornwall.
Barnes, 0. R. (2007). Career paths and performance management in higher education. Session 30 ITS user group, Unpublished.
Bleiklie,I.R. Hostaker,R.,&Vabo,A.( 2000),Policy and practice in higher education:ReformingNorweigian Universities.vol.49.London,Jessica Kingsley.
Chhabra,T.N.(2005). Human resource management concepts and issues. (5th Revised Edition), NaiSarak, Delhi (India). Dhanpat Rai & Co.
Cresswell, J.W. (2003). Research design, qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods, approaches (2th ed),Thousands Oaks,CA: Sage.
Creswell, J. W. (2008).Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approach (3rded.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2007). Designing and conducting mixed methods research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Fisher, V. (1999). Improvement of working conditions and environment in the formal sector through safety and health measures. International labour retrieved on October 21st 2011.http://www.ilo.org/pdf.
Government of Kenya, (2001).A Strategy for Performance Improvement in the Public Service. Nairobi, GovernmentPrinter.
Griffin, R.W.,& Moorhead, G.(2000). OrganisationalBehaviour; Managing people and organizations. 5th edition. Krishan Nagar, Delhi, Virender Kumar Arya.
Kiragu,K.(2002).Improving service delivery through public service reform; Lessons of experience from selected Sub-Saharan African countries. A paper presented in the second meeting of DAC network on good governance and capacity building held at OECD headquarters on February 14-15.Unpublished.
Koech, D.K. (1999). Totally Integrated Quality Education and Training (TIQET): Report of Inquiry into Education System of Kenya. Nairobi; Government Printer.
Kogan, M.M. Bauer, I.B.,& Henkel, M.(2000). Transforming higher education; A Comparative Study. Vol 57. London, Jessica Kingsley.
Kombo,D.K. & Tromp, D.L.A. (2006). Proposal and thesis writing. Nairobi, Pauline’s Publications.
Luthans, F. (2005). Organizational Behaviour (10th ed). New York, McGrawHill/Irwin Publishing Company.
Mertens, D.M. (1998). Research methods in education and psychology, Integrating diversity with quantitative and qualitative approaches.
Ministry of Education Science and Technology (2005). Sessional paper No. 1 of 2005: A policy framework for Education Training and Research in Kenya in the 21st Century January 2005.
Moi University, (2009/10-2014/15). Moi University Strategic Plan. Nurturing Talent and Innovation. Revised. Moi University press.
Moi University.(1994). Moi University Development Plan. 1993/94-2003/04. Moi University press.
Moi University. (2000).Responsibility Based Management; Workshop.Lake Bogoria Report. Moi University press.
Moi University. (2005-2015), Strategic plan. Moi University press.
Moi University. (2006). Results Based Management. Moi University press.
Musa, P. D(2001). Contract Plans and Public Enterprise Performance. Morocco, Tangier Unpublished
Mwiria, K. Ngethe, N. Ngome. C, Ouma-Odera. D. Wawire, V. Wesonga, D. (2007). Public and Private Universities in Kenya. New Challenges, issues and Achievements Nairobi, East African Educational Publishers.
Ndambuki,M.T.( 2008 ). Reform initiatives in the human resource function in the civil service.A presentation by the permanent secretary in the ministry of state for public service. Unpublished.
Republic of Kenya. (1999). Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Education System of Kenya; Totally Integrated Quality Education and Training for Unity, quality and Development. Nairobi, Government Printer.
Republic of Kenya. (2001). A strategy for performance improvement in public service; Office of the president; Directorate of personnel management.
Republic of Kenya. (2002-2008).National Development Plan. Nairobi.Government printer.
Republic of Kenya. (2004). The State Corporations Act (Cap. 446), Performance Contracting Regulations, Legal Notice No. 93.Gorvenment Printer.
Republic of Kenya. (2010a)..Public Sector Reforms & Performance Contracting Kenya.Office of the prime minister, Nairobi. Log Associates Ltd.
Sporn,B.(1999). Adaptive university structures:; An analysis of adaptation to socioeconomic environments of US and European universities.London,Jessicca Kingsley.
Wishitemi, B. E. L. (2008). Moi University Quality Assurance Policy, Research and Extension. Moi University press.
Copyright: © 2014 The Author(s)
Published by Human Resource Management Academic Research Society (www.hrmars.com)
This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this license may be seen at: http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode
