Influence of Integration of ICT on Human Resource Management in Kenyan Public Universities

Abstract

ICT is currently permeating every aspect of human life. In higher education, ICT is being seen as a crucial tool that facilitates acquisition, use and management of information that is critical in decision-making. Despite the many efforts and initiatives that have been put into place by the Kenya government, the private sector and the institutions themselves to leverage the use of ICT in public universities, little is known on how this integration has enhanced the provision of effective and efficient institutional management services. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of integration of ICT on human resource management in public universities in Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The target population comprised of all the lecturers and senior administrators in public universities in Kenya. The three oldest public universities in the country namely: University of Nairobi, Moi and Kenyatta Universities were purposively sampled to participate in the study. All the registrars’ administration took part in the study. The determination of sample size for the lecturers was done using the Cochran’s (1977) formula. Proportionate random sampling was used to obtain samples as follows: 167 lecturers from the University of Nairobi; 77 from Moi and 100 from Kenyatta. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 computer programme. The study established that though ICT integration was perceived by lecturers to have a positive influence on HRM, the influence was markedly on HR administrative functions such as employee’s record management and payroll administration. It was however minimal on the more strategic applications such as staff recruitment and selection, training and development as well as performance management