Human Resource Management And Local Government Productivity

Project and Seminar material for Public Administration

Abstract

This research work is a conceptual frame work of Human Resource Management and Local Government Productivity.

The aim of this research work is to investigate the Impact of Human Resource Management on Local Government Production level. with particular reference to Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area.

This study also covers the various principles of human resource management such as manpower planning or procurement; Training and Development Performance Appraisal, problems of Local Government etc. This research work will be beneficial to the local government managers, the populace of the local area, and other researcher in Local Government issues.

This study discussed the procedure for data through the means of secondary source aim at presenting analysis and interpreting the research findings. The null hypothesis tested was true. The result revealed that human resource management is a vital tool for local government productivity. On the basis of this result obtained, it is recommended that parochial considerations be removed from official business of local government, and competent people should man the local government offices. It is also hoped that this recommendation will be useful for the improvement of local government productivity.

Chapter One

Introduction

1.1 Background to the Study

Personnel Management In an organization means the harnessing of human potentials for the performance of some vital fundamental functions in order to achieve organizational goals and objectives.

Personnel management in the sense of Human Resource Management can be said to be the contribution or the role of every person who is responsible for the work of the organization.

However, the Human Resource Management approach implies a very broad meaning of “Personnel Management” and does not tell anything about the particular areas of work in which personnel specialists make a distinctive contribution to an organization (Bankole, 2000).

Human resources is recognized as the most vital of all the resources required for the production of goods and services, infact it is the key to rapid socio-economic development and efficient service delivery. Without adequate, skilled and well-motivated workforce operating within a sound human resource management programme, development is not possible. An organization that underrates the critical role and underplays the importance of people in goal-achievement can neither be effective nor efficient (Armstrong, 2006).

Human resource or Man Power Planning has been defined as “the process of determining manpower requirement and the means for meeting those requirements in order to carry out the integrated plans of the organization.” Human Resource Management range of activities including aspects of team leadership such as grievance handling and employee counseling, personnel management function recruitment and selection, employee development, performance appraisal, disciplinary matters, motivation and management development.

Perhaps, it may interest you to hear that as important as human resources is to organization, it is the most difficult to manage. Difficult in the sense that, unlike materials, money and time, human beings have their faculties for reasoning, and the ability to respond or resist the various types of stimuli that may considered intolerable.

Nevertheless, of all the resources needed by organization, human beings combine the other resources to make them efficient and effective. Example, money which is usually scarce could not come on its own to the organization except human beings in the organization source them, and huge sums of money could disappear into tin air if not managed properly by human beings and this could nail the coffin of the organization concerned.

Similarly, land may be expensive and the location may be fraught with problems, but once it is acquired with efficient people around, it can be profitably utilized. In the same vein, materials are obviously needed to make the combination of land and money meaningful, yet without the right type of people in the system; the material and land even the money may not be handled in a way that desired results will be obtained.

Apart from being the user of other resources in ways that will yield the best result, human resources are themselves the most dynamic, complex and unpredictable.

Therefore, it is not an overstatement to conclude that the survival of an organization is largely enhanced or guaranteed by the ability of effective and efficient human resource management to attract, retain, motivate and develop employees.

Scholar (1995:5}; acknowledged that the much attention which human resource management received in recent time was not unconnected with the global recognition that much could be gained from a better handling of human resource management.

According to Giwa (1990); ”without the organization and management of human resource, there perhaps will be no nation-state, and life would be nasty, brutish and short.” Perhaps it is in full endorsement of this inescapable truth with local government, in the Lagos plan of action (1981) stated categorically that “since African’s greatest asset is it’s human resources, full mobilization and efficient utilization of labour force for local government development and social progress should be a major instrument of development.

Having shown that effective management of human resource is fundamental to the survival of any organization, it becomes imperative for any organization who desires to survive, to put in place, policies, programmes, and practices that can ensure optimal acquisition and utilization of human resources. This study therefore centres on AmuwoOdofin Local Government Area. In order to determine the extent to which the AmuwoOdofin Local Government appreciates, the overriding benefits attained from proper management of human resources on the local government productivity.

Human resources has been identified as very important because of the dynamic nature of man, that is, man has the ability to think and reason which invariably make him to make choices in every given situation. On like other resources that are static which do not move unless they are moved, such as land, capital and machines, these resources are best managed by human beings to bring about organizational growth and development, (Gary, 2005).
Human resources management is critical to any organization; inadequate human resource can make or mar an organization. Most organizations de-emphasize the importance of human resources and this has led to the unproductive result been experienced in such organization. The management of human resources is crucial to the growth and survival of any organization particularly those of the 21st century who encounter on regular basis unhealthy rivalry in the global market.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

It IS obvious that some organizations encounter low productivity inspite of improper management of its human resource. However, local governments have not really been impressing towards rapid decrease in productivity.

Therefore, the likely problems facing local governments, most especially Amuwo Odofin Local Government are as follows:

Failure to identify and address various approaches to human resources management.
Improper analysis of staffing process
Putting round peg in a square hole in terms of training its employees which eventually leads to under-development of the organization.
Also, negligence of manpower planning which result to low productivity.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main objectives of this study are to investigate the impact of human resources management and how it affects local government productivity.

To identify the various approaches to human resources management
To analyze the staffing process in Ojo Local Government Area.
To analyze the effect of training and development of employees on local government productivity
To investigate the impact of manpower planning or local government productivity.

1.4 Research Hypotheses

Hypotheses One

Ho: There is a negative relationship between performance appraisal and promotion in Ojo Local Government Area
Hi: There is a positive relationship between performance appraisal and promotion in Ojo Local Government Area

Hypotheses Two

Ho: That frequent training and development programmes cannot improve the performance of employees in Ojo Local Government.
Hi: That frequent training and development programmes can improve the performance of employees in Ojo Local Government.

1.5 Significance of the Study

This research work will be making contribution to knowledge as well as assisting the local government to take informed decisions as it concern human resource management and productivity. Other researchers will equally benefit from this study as some of them may review such study in the course of their own research work. The populace of the local government areas will be able to know the problems and hindrances of local government productivity.

1.6 Scope and Limitation of the Study

The study will be focusing on the impact of human resource management and local government productivity with special reference to Ojo Local Government Area. The study intends to cover the various principles of human resource management. Man-power planning, training/development, staffing process, performance appraisal and problems of local government in question. The researcher encountered some constraints, which limited the scope of the study. These constraints include but are not limited to the following

a) Availability of Research Material:

The research material available to the researcher is insufficient, thereby limiting the study

b) Time:

The time frame allocated to the study does not enhance wider coverage as the researcher has to combine other academic activities and examinations with the study.

1.7 Definition of Terms

Human Resources Management:

This refers to the philosophy, policies, procedures and practices used in managing people and systematic control of network of fundamental organizational process effecting and involving all organization members.

Organization:

To this study, organization means well-coordinated system. It could be an institution such as school, hospital etc. It could public organized system or private organized such as public companies, private companies, banks, firms and industry.

Employees:

This means the totality of the entire workforce employed and serving in an organization. They constitute the human resources aspect of organization.

Employers:

This refers to the blue chiefs that admits workforce and assign functions and duties to them.

1.8 Organization of the Study

This research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows

Chapter one is concerned with the introduction, which consist of the (overview, of the study), historical background, statement of problem, objectives of the study, research hypotheses, significance of the study, scope and limitation of the study, definition of terms and historical background of the study.
Chapter two highlights the theoretical framework on which the study is based, thus the review of related literature.
Chapter three deals on the research design and methodology adopted in the study.
Chapter four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding.
Chapter five gives summary, conclusion, and recommendations made of the study

Chapter Five

Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation

5.1 Introduction

It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain a critical analysis of human resource management and local government productivity.

In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations are made, which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefit in addressing the challenges of human resources management in local government.

5.2 Summary

This study aimed at having a critical analysis of human resources management and local government productivity. Four Hypotheses were raised. These objectives include: To identify the various approaches to human resources management, to analyze the staffing process in Ojo Local Government Area, to analyze the effect of training and development of employees on local government productivity, to investigate the impact of manpower planning or local government productivity.

5.3 Conclusion

Based on the above findings pertaining to the objectives of the study the following conclusions are drawn.
Human Resource Management encourages the survival, growth and profitability of any public sector organization

The findings of this research work conform with the views and findings in Related Literatures already reviewed in Chapter two of this work and this primarily depicts that effective human resource management is a sine qua non to actualization of Local government productivity

5.4 Recommendation

Annual performance appraisal and evaluation of workers should be properly and equitably conducted.
Proper recruitment and selection processes should be adhere to.
The work attitude of the staffs should be improved to help their productivity by encouraging job satisfaction.
Promotion of the workers should be more regular and based on merit

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