CAREER MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND DELIVERY OF HEALTHCARE SERVICES BY EMPLOYEES IN LEVEL FIVE PUBLIC HOSPITALS IN UPPER EASTERN REGION, KENYA

Jeremiah Koronya Mailutha, Thiaine S. Kubaison, Rita Lyria, Guyo S. Huka

Abstract


This study examined the influence of career management practices on healthcare service delivery among employees in Level Five public hospitals in Upper Eastern Region, Kenya, with union practices considered as a moderating variable. The study focused on training and development, mentorship, career advancement opportunities, and professional growth support. A cross-sectional survey design guided by the positivist research philosophy was adopted. The target population comprised 1,484 employees from Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital, Chuka County Referral Hospital, Isiolo Level Five Hospital, and Marsabit County Referral Hospital. A sample size of 315 respondents was selected using stratified proportionate random sampling. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS Version 26. Descriptive findings indicated that employees generally perceived career management practices positively, particularly in relation to training opportunities, mentorship programs, career progression pathways, and organizational support for professional development. Correlation analysis established a moderate positive and statistically significant relationship between career management practices and healthcare service delivery (r = 0.364, p < 0.001). Regression analysis further revealed that career management practices significantly influenced healthcare service delivery (B = 0.596, R² = 0.133, t = 6.446, p < 0.001). The study concludes that effective career management practices enhance employee motivation, competence, commitment, and healthcare service delivery within public hospitals. The study recommends strengthening career development frameworks through continuous training, mentorship programs, clear career progression structures, and professional development opportunities to improve employee performance and quality healthcare service delivery.

Keywords


career management practices, healthcare service delivery, employee performance, training and development, mentorship, career advancement, public hospitals, Upper Eastern Region Kenya

Full Text:

PDF

References


Adom, D., & Hussein, E. K. (2018). Theoretical and conceptual framework: Mandatory ingredients of a quality research. International Journal of Scientific Research, 7(1), 93–98. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322204158_THEORETICAL_AND_CONCEPTUAL_FRAMEWORK_MANDATORY_INGREDIENTS_OF_A_QUALITY_RESEARCH

Al-Hanawi, M. K., Khan, S. A., & Al-Borie, H. M. (2019). Healthcare human resource development and healthcare quality in Saudi Arabia. Healthcare, 7(3), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40985-019-0112-4

Allen, T. D., Eby, L. T., & Lentz, E. (2006). Mentorship behaviors and mentorship quality associated with formal mentoring programs: Closing the gap between research and practice. Journal of Applied Psychology, 91(3), 567–578. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.91.3.567

Armstrong, M., & Taylor, S. (2020). Armstrong’s handbook of human resource management practice (15th ed.). Kogan Page. Retrieved from https://books.google.ro/books/about/Armstrong_s_Handbook_of_Human_Resource_M.html?id=g7zEDwAAQBAJ&redir_esc=y

Barker, C., Karanja, S., & Muriithi, P. (2014). Challenges affecting healthcare service delivery in public hospitals in Kenya. International Journal of Health Sciences, 4(2), 45–58. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-13666-w

Cho, Y., Johnson, T. P., & VanGeest, J. B. (2020). Enhancing surveys in healthcare research. Health Services Research, 55(2), 215–223. https://doi.org/10.1177/0163278713496425

Choge, J. K. (2020). Training and career development practices and employee performance at Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya. International Journal of Human Resource Studies, 10(4), 112–126.

Constitution of Kenya. (2010). Constitution of Kenya 2010. Government Printer. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.go.ke/sites/default/files/2017-05/The_Constitution_of_Kenya_2010.pdf

Cronbach, L. J. (1951). Coefficient alpha and the internal structure of tests. Psychometrika, 16(3), 297–334. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02310555

Deloitte. (2012). Talent Edge 2020: Building the recovery together—What talent expects and how leaders are responding. Deloitte Development LLC. Retrieved from https://www.deloitte.com/middle-east/en/services/consulting/research/talent-2020.html

De Vos, A., De Hauw, S., & Van der Heijden, B. I. J. M. (2019). Competency development and career success: The mediating role of employability. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 79(2), 438–447. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0001879111000881

Dzwigol, H., & Dzwigol-Barosz, M. (2018). Scientific research methodology in management sciences. Financial and Credit Activity: Problems of Theory and Practice, 2(25), 424–437. https://doi.org/10.18371/fcaptp.v2i25.136508

Gomez, R., Bryson, A., & Willman, P. (2019). Voice in the wilderness? The shift from union to non-union voice in Britain. Industrial Relations Journal, 50(3), 239–255. https://doi.org/10.1111/irj.12242

Grant, C., & Osanloo, A. (2014). Understanding, selecting, and integrating a theoretical framework in dissertation research. Administrative Issues Journal: Connecting Education, Practice, and Research, 4(2), 12–26. https://doi.org/10.5929/2014.4.2.9

Ketchen, D. J., & Bergh, D. D. (2014). Research methodology in strategy and management. Emerald Group Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1177/1094428108319843

Kumar, R., Ahmed, J., & Shaikh, B. T. (2019). Career progression and employee commitment in healthcare organizations. International Journal of Healthcare Management, 12(4), 287–295.

Lee, Y., Jang, S., & Kim, E. (2020). Cross-sectional survey design in healthcare organizational research. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 20(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12874-020-01014-9

Long, C. S. (2016). The impact of strategic human resource management on healthcare performance. Asian Social Science, 12(6), 45–56. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1080/09585190600581279

Lussier, R. N., & Hendon, J. R. (2019). Human resource management: Functions, applications, and skill development (3rd ed.). Sage Publications. Retrieved from https://books.google.ro/books/about/Human_Resource_Management.html?id=_F03DwAAQBAJ&redir_esc=y

Mamokhere, J., Meyer, D. F., & Meyer, N. (2021). Understanding employee motivation through Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory. African Journal of Public Affairs, 12(1), 67–78.

Maslow, A. H. (1943). A theory of human motivation. Psychological Review, 50(4), 370–396. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0054346

McLeod, S. (2020). Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Simply Psychology. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15240897

Mishra, S. B., & Alok, S. (2022). Handbook of research methodology. Educreation Publishing. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319207471_HANDBOOK_OF_RESEARCH_METHODOLOGY

Mohajan, H. K. (2018). Qualitative research methodology in social sciences and related subjects. Journal of Economic Development, Environment and People, 7(1), 23–48. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.26458/jedep.v7i1.571

Muathe, S. (2018). Human capital flight and healthcare systems in Africa. African Journal of Economic Review, 6(2), 89–102.

Mutiso, J., & Musau, P. (2023). Mentorship programs and employee performance among healthcare workers in Machakos County hospitals. African Journal of Health Management, 5(1), 77–91.

Mwiti, J., Moguche, C., & Renter, D. (2021). Human resource management practices and organizational performance in public institutions in Kenya. International Journal of Human Resource Studies, 11(2), 50–68. https://doi.org/10.29322/IJSRP.11.06.2021.p11499

Nawakitphaitoon, K., & Zhang, Y. (2021). Trade unions and employee outcomes: A review of contemporary evidence. Employee Relations, 43(5), 1150–1168. https://doi.org/10.1108/ER-05-2020-0233

Newman, M., & Gough, D. (2020). Systematic reviews in educational and social research. Research Papers in Education, 35(6), 673–689. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-27602-7_1

Ng, T. W. H., Eby, L. T., Sorensen, K. L., & Feldman, D. C. (2018). Predictors of objective and subjective career success: A meta-analysis. Personnel Psychology, 58(2), 367–408. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-6570.2005.00515.x

Njeri, P. W., & Kepha, O. (2021). Effect of career development practices on employee performance in the healthcare sector in Kenya: A case of Aga Khan University Hospital. International Academic Journal of Human Resource and Business Administration, 3(10), 120–134. https://doi.org/10.70619/vol1iss1pp17-24

Noe, R. A., Hollenbeck, J. R., Gerhart, B., & Wright, P. M. (2020). Human resource management: Gaining a competitive advantage (11th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education. Retrieved from https://books.google.ro/books/about/Human_Resource_Management.html?id=OTJztgEACAAJ&redir_esc=y

Okech, T. C. (2016). Devolution of healthcare services in Kenya: Challenges and opportunities. International Journal of Social Sciences and Entrepreneurship, 3(2), 191–204. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2020.10.001

Okechukwu, W., Ugwu, K., & Chukwu, B. (2021). Employee motivation and organizational performance: Application of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory. International Journal of Management Studies, 8(1), 44–57. Retrieved from https://www.ijaar.org/articles/Volume4-Number11/Social-Management-Sciences/ijaar-sms-v4n11-nov18-p80.pdf

Okpalaibekwe, P. N. (2022). Career management practices and employee retention in organizations. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 10(3), 55–70. https://doi.org/10.62379/jebd.v2i1.1521

Oleribe, O. O., Momoh, J., Uzochukwu, B. S. C., Mbofana, F., Adebiyi, A., Barbera, T., Williams, R., & Taylor-Robinson, S. D. (2019). Identifying key challenges facing healthcare systems in Africa and potential solutions. International Journal of General Medicine, 12, 395–403. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJGM.S223882

Omondi, J., & Wanyama, K. (2020). Continuous professional development and employee performance in public health institutions in Western Kenya. International Journal of Human Resource Studies, 10(2), 84–99. Retrieved from https://ijsrm.humanjournals.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/9.Mosol-Priscah-Obwoge-Ronald-Omenge-Kei-Robert-T.-Ndwiga.pdf

Opio, A., Kato, J., & Ssenyonga, F. (2022). Reward practices and healthcare service delivery in Uganda’s public health facilities. East African Journal of Management and Business Studies, 4(1), 33–48. https://doi.org/10.4236/jhrss.2022.102014

Pallant, J. (2020). SPSS survival manual (7th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003117452

Pandey, P., & Pandey, M. M. (2021). Research methodology tools and techniques. Bridge Center. Retrieved from https://www.euacademic.org/BookUpload/9.pdf

Patel, M., & Patel, N. (2019). Exploring research methodology: Review article. International Journal of Research and Review, 6(3), 48–55. Retrieved from https://www.ijrrjournal.com/IJRR_Vol.6_Issue.3_March2019/IJRR0011.pdf

Rajapaksha, M. (2015). Human resource management and healthcare quality. International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, 5(4), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1108/14777260710778961

Rinjit, K. (2020). Research methodology: A step-by-step guide for beginners (5th ed.). Sage Publications. Retrieved from https://courseware.cutm.ac.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Ranjit_Kumar-Research_Methodology_A_Step-by-Step_G-1-1.pdf

Safsten, K., & Gustavsson, M. (2020). Research validity and reliability in organizational studies. Journal of Business Research Methods, 18(2), 76–88.

Smith, J. A. (2015). Conceptual frameworks in social science research. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 18(3), 245–257.

Snyder, H. (2019). Literature review as a research methodology: An overview and guidelines. Journal of Business Research, 104, 333–339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.07.039

Taheri, R. H., Miah, S. J., & Kamaruzzaman, N. (2020). Career management practices and employee performance in organizations. Journal of Human Resource and Sustainability Studies, 8(4), 412–426.

Tumlinson, K., Okigbo, C. C., Speizer, I. S., & Curtis, S. L. (2019). Career development and retention of healthcare workers in developing countries. Human Resources for Health, 17(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12960-019-0412-4

USAID. (2020). Kenya health workforce report. United States Agency for International Development.

Van der Meer, M. (2019). Trade unions in the twenty-first century. Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, 25(2), 151–165. https://doi.org/10.1177/1024258919837062

Wahba, M. A., & Bridwell, L. G. (1976). Maslow reconsidered: A review of research on the need hierarchy theory. Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 15(2), 212–240. https://doi.org/10.1016/0030-5073(76)90038-6

Waithaka, D., Tsofa, B., & Barasa, E. (2018). Evaluating healthcare service delivery in devolved health systems in Kenya. BMJ Global Health, 3(5), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1002/hpm.2527

Walton-Roberts, M. (2015). International migration of healthcare professionals and the marketization and privatization of healthcare education in India: From push-pull to global political economy. Social Science & Medicine, 124, 374–382. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2014.10.004

Wambui, J., Gachunga, H., & Karanja, P. (2022). Professional development practices and employee performance in public hospitals in Kiambu County, Kenya. International Journal of Human Resource and Procurement, 11(1), 90–108.

Wanzala, P., & Oloo, E. (2019). Devolution and healthcare service delivery in Kenya. Pan African Medical Journal, 32(4), 1–8.

Wei, L., Liu, J., & Herndon, N. C. (2018). Career management and employee outcomes in organizations. Journal of Organizational Psychology, 18(2), 77–89.

Wels, J. (2021). Trade unions and employee wellbeing in public institutions. Industrial Relations Journal, 52(1), 75–92.

World Bank Group. (2022). World development report 2022: Building resilient health systems. World Bank.

World Health Organization (WHO). (2018). Working for health and growth: Investing in the health workforce. World Health Organization. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241511308




DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.46827/ejhrms.v10i2.2234

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright (c) 2026 European Journal of Human Resource Management Studies

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

The research works published in this journal are free to be accessed. They can be shared (copied and redistributed in any medium or format) and\or adapted (remixed, transformed, and built upon the material for any purpose, commercially and\or not commercially) under the following terms: attribution (appropriate credit must be given indicating original authors, research work name and publication name mentioning if changes were made) and without adding additional restrictions (without restricting others from doing anything the actual license permits). Authors retain the full copyright of their published research works and cannot revoke these freedoms as long as the license terms are followed.

Copyright © 2017-2026. European Journal Of Human Resource Management Studies (ISSN 2601-1972) is a registered trademark. All rights reserved.

This journal is a serial publication uniquely identified by an International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) serial number certificate issued by Romanian National Library. All the research works are uniquely identified by a CrossRef DOI digital object identifier supplied by indexing and repository platforms. All the research works published on this journal are meeting the Open Access Publishing requirements and standards formulated by Budapest Open Access Initiative (2002), the Bethesda Statement on Open Access Publishing (2003) and  Berlin Declaration on Open Access to Knowledge in the Sciences and Humanities (2003) and can be freely accessed, shared, modified, distributed and used in educational, commercial and non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Copyrights of the published research works are retained by authors.