Effects of Human Resource Management Practices on Staff Retention in Public Universities, A case of Busitema University

Abstract

The study set out to establish the relationship between Human Resource management practices and staff retention in Ugandan Public Universities. This study was restricted to Busitema University in eastern Uganda and was carried out a long a number of objectives that included: i) establishing the extent to which recruitment practices influence staff retention at Busitema University, ii) identify the influence of staff development practices on staff retention at Busitema University and iii) to determine the extent to which reward management practices influence staff retention at Busitema University. The study used a cross sectional survey research design that employed both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Data was collected and analyzed using questionnaires and interview guides from the employees. From the study, it was concluded that there is a significant relationship between recruitment practices and employee retention, there is a significant relationship between staff development practices and employee retention. And that reward management practices have a significant relationship with employee retention within institutions of higher learning. This is reflected on how management administers the rewards to ensure that there is equitable distribution, timely, fair and meeting employee needs. The study recommended the need to use external consultants for recruiting top leadership positions, consider staff development as an important performance ingredient and to provide employees with alternative rewards other than salary.