RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND EMPLOYEE RETENTION IN COUNTY GOVERNMENT OF MERU, KENYA

  • Mercy Mule Kenya Methodist University
  • Dr. Nancy Rintari (PhD) Kenya Methodist University
  • Abel Moguche Kenya Methodist University

Abstract

Purpose of the study: The study aimed to investigate the relationship between career development and employee retention.

Statement of the problem: Employee retention especially of the best and most desirable ones is a key challenge in organizations today. Organizations are struggling with cost reduction that is associated with employee recruitment as a result of employee turnover. The problem is also prevalent among county governments in Kenya.

Research methodology: This study adopted descriptive survey research design. The target population was 5,100 employees of County Government of Meru. Out of this, 510 employees were sampled. Data was collected by use of a questionnaire and analyzed using statistical package for social science software. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were generated.

Findings: The correlation results revealed a positive and significant relationship between career development and employee retention (r=0.521, p=0.000).

Conclusions: The study concluded that career development was found to have a significant relationship with employee retention. It was established that offering on job training, off-the-job and overseas training are key contributors in career development that can affect employee retention in the County Government of Meru.

Recommendations: In order to ensure employee retention in the County Government of Meru, the study recommended the need for the County Government to enhance training of employees. This could be done through facilitations to take senior management courses and funding further studies.

Keywords: Career development, employee retention, county government of Meru

Author Biographies

Mercy Mule, Kenya Methodist University

Post Graduate Student, Kenya Methodist University

 

Dr. Nancy Rintari (PhD), Kenya Methodist University

Lecturer, Kenya Methodist University

Abel Moguche , Kenya Methodist University

Lecturer, Kenya Methodist University

References

Al-sharafi, H., Hassan, M. E. M., & Alam, S. S. (2018). The Effect of Training and Career Development on Employees Retention: Study on the Telecommunication Organizations in Yemen. The Journal of Social Sciences Research, 420-430.

Armstrong, M.(2009). Increasing the effectiveness of reward management. In European Reward Management Conference (Vol. 2).

Chabbra, N.L. & Mishra, A., (2018). Talent Management and employer branding: Retention battle strategies. The Icfaian Journal of Management research, 7(11), 50-61.

Chemmanur, T. J., Cheng, Y., & Zhang, T. (2013). Human capital, capital structure, and employee pay: An empirical analysis. Journal of Financial Economics, 110(2), 478-502.

Chiboiwa, M. W., Samuel, M. O., & Chipunza, C. (2010). An examination of employee retention strategy in a private organisation in Zimbabwe. African journal of business management, 4(10), 2103-2109.

Connolly, P., & McGing, G. (2017). Graduate education and hospitality management in Ireland. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 18(1), 50-59.

Crick, P. A., & Spencer, A. (2011). Hospitality quality: new directions and new challenges. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 23(4), 463-478.

Deloitte Consulting LLP, (2015). 14th Annual Top Five Total Rewards Priorities Survey. Washington DC: Deloitte LLP

Döckel, A., Basson, J.S., & Coetzee, M., (2016). The effect of retention factors on organizational commitment: An investigation of high technology employees. South African Journal of Human Resource Management, 42, 20–28. 118

Döckel, J. A., & Ligthelm, A. A. (2015). Factors responsible for the growth of small business. South African Journal of Economic and Management Sciences, 8(1), 54-62.

Gaffney, S., (2012). Career Development as a Retention and Succession Planning Tool. Journal for Quality & Participation Date, 28(3), 7-10.

Hausknecht, J. P., Rodda, J. M., & Howard, M. J., (2009). Targeted employee retention, performance-based and job-related differences in reported reasons for staying. Journal of Human resource management, 48(2), 269-288.

Holtom, B. C., Mitchell, T. R., Lee, T. W., & Eberly, M. B. (2014). 5 turnover and retention research: a glance at the past, a closer review of the present, and a venture into the future. The Academy of Management Annals, 2(1), 231-274.

Mapelu, I. C., & Jumah, L. (2013). Effect of training and development on employee turnover in selected medium sized hotels in Kisumu City, Kenya. Journal of Tourism, Hospitality and Sports, 1.

Mulera, J. M. (2012). Effects of Management Practices on Employee the Case of Kenya Ports Authority Retention: in Kenya. Retrieved from http://irlibrary. ku.ac.ke/

Musa, B. M., Ahmed, I., & Bala, A. (2014). Effect of Motivational Incentives on Staff Turnover in Hotel Industry in Gombe State. Journal of Business and Management, 16(3), 36-42.

Nagarathanam, R., Venkitasamy, S., & Attiah, E. M. (2018). The Impact Of Career Development Practices On Employees’ retention In Qatar Aviation Industry. Ascent International Conference Proceeding.

Porter, L. W., & Steers, R. M. (1973). Organizational, work, and personal factors in employee turnover and absenteeism. Psychological bulletin, 80(2), 151.

Schuler, R. S. (2015). The 5-C framework for managing talent. Organizational Dynamics, 44(1), 47-56.

Sitati, N. O. R. A. H., Were, D. S., & Waititu, D. G. A. (2016). Effects of job promotion on employee retention in hotels in Kenya. Strategic Journal of Business & Change Management, 3(4), 957-972.

Sutherland, M. (2004). Factors affecting the retention of knowledge workers. SA Journal of Human Resource Management, 2(2), 55-64.

Taylor, S., (2010). The employee retention handbook. London: CIPD.

Wane, K. (2016). Effect of Career Development Programs on Employee Retention in International Non-Governmental Organizations in Kenya. School of Business, University of Nairobi, Kenya.
Published
2020-09-23
How to Cite
Mule, M., Rintari (PhD), D. N., & Moguche , A. (2020). RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND EMPLOYEE RETENTION IN COUNTY GOVERNMENT OF MERU, KENYA. African Journal of Emerging Issues, 2(9), 99-109. Retrieved from https://ajoeijournals.org/sys/index.php/ajoei/article/view/129
Section
Articles