The Employee Productivity in Devolved Governments

The Case of Embu County, Kenya

Abstract

Twenty first Century is characterized by dynamism, coupled by technological changes, and globalization. In this regard, employee productivity is a key factor for leadership of organizational success. Leadership in an organization has to optimize human potential to accomplish organizational goals and efficiently and effectively utilize given scarce resources. The research aimed at examining factors affecting employee productivity in devolved governments in Kenya in terms of three thematic areas namely motivation, employee capacity and infrastructure in Embu County government. Adopting descriptive research design, the study targeted employees in the county, from whom a sample size of three hundred and forty-five respondents was selected using stratified sampling ten departments from the county. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire that contained both open and closed ended. Data collected was analysed to obtain both descriptive and inferential statistics. The study revealed that the management has initiated several motivating strategies to its employees which include merit promotion, inclusive leadership as well as training opportunities, merit recruitment, and that good leadership positively influenced employee productivity. Further, that employees’ level of training influenced their productivity and that the County had provided necessary working infrastructure which was however considered inadequate thereby impacting negatively on employee productivity.