Human Resource Management Practices and Employee Commitment in Private Organizationsin Burundi: A Case Study Of Viettel Group Bujumbura

ABSTRACT This study examined the effect of human resource management practices on employee commitment in private organizations in Burundi, a case study of Viettel Group in Bujumbura-Burundi. The study was based on three specific objectives; to examine the effect of employee recruitment and selection processes on employee commitment, to evaluate the effect of employee career development on employee commitment, and to examine the effect of employee health and safety management on employee commitment in the Viettel Group in Bujumbura, Burundi. The study adopted a descriptive survey design, with the study sample comprised of 170 respondents selected from among the managers, human resource management personnel, welfare personnel, as well as operations personnel in Viettel Group. Data was collected using both primary and secondary sources through questionnaires and interview guide, and the data collected was analyzed using descriptive and regression analysis. The findings of the study revealed that employee recruitment and selection procedures are existent and effective in the organization with an average mean of 4.54, employee training and development processes had a total mean of 4.32, and compensation/rewards are crucial for enhancing employee commitment by influencing their working skill sets and obligations with a total mean of 4.55. The study concluded that if managed efficiently, HRM practices have a positive and significant effect on employee commitment. The study recommended that orientate the new employees on the organizational culture within the organization, as well as the future goals of the organization in order to align the energies of the new employees towards these goals; institute and maintain an open and transparent sourcing of skills and expertise within the organization so that everybody with the requisite skills will have equal consideration; and hire HR experts to help design a workplace environment that maximizes safety, health, comfort and innovativeness, which will increase morale and enjoyment at work, improve productivity and also ensure that employees are invested in eth organization, thereby increasing their commitment to the organization.

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION .................................................................................................................ii

APPROVAL........................................................................................................................iii

DEDICATION ....................................................................................................................iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ..................................................................................................v

TABLE OF CONTENTS ...................................................................................................vi

LIST OF TABLES..............................................................................................................vi

LIST OF FIGURES...........................................................................................................vii

LIST OF ACRONYMS ....................................................................................................viii

ABSTRACT.........................................................................................................................ix

CHAPTER ONE..................................................................................................................1

INTRODUCTION ...............................................................................................................1

1.0 Introduction......................................................................................................................1

1.1 Background to the Study .................................................................................................1

1.1.1 Historical Perspective ...................................................................................................1

1.1.2 Theoretical Perspective.................................................................................................5

1.1.3 Conceptual Perspective.................................................................................................5

1.1.4 Contextual Perspective .................................................................................................6

1.2 Problem Statement...........................................................................................................7

1.3 Purpose of the Study........................................................................................................8

1.4 Specific Objectives..........................................................................................................8

1.5 Research Questions..........................................................................................................9

1.6 Hypotheses.......................................................................................................................9

1.7 Scope of the Study...........................................................................................................9

1.7.1 Geographical Scope ......................................................................................................9

1.7.2 Content Scope...............................................................................................................9

1.7.3 Time Scope .................................................................................................................10

1.8 Significance of the Study...............................................................................................10

1.9 Operational Definition of Key Terms............................................................................10

CHAPTER TWO...............................................................................................................12

LITERATURE REVIEW .................................................................................................12

vii

2.0 Introduction....................................................................................................................12

2.1 Theoretical Framework..................................................................................................12

2.1.1 Equity Theory .............................................................................................................12

2.1.2 The Hierarchy of Needs Theory .................................................................................13

2.1.3 The Two-Factor Theory..............................................................................................15

2.2 Conceptual Framework..................................................................................................17

2.3 Review of Related Literature.........................................................................................18

2.3.1 Effect of Employee Recruitment and Selection on Employee Commitment .............18

2.3.2 Effect of Compensation and Benefits on Employee Commitment.............................20

2.3.3 Effect of Employee Training and Development on Employee Commitment.............24

2.4 The Relationship between HRM Practices and Employee Commitment......................26

2.5 Related Studies ..............................................................................................................28

2.6 Research Gaps ...............................................................................................................30

CHAPTER THREE...........................................................................................................31

METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................................31

3.0 Introduction....................................................................................................................31

3.1 Research Design ............................................................................................................31

3.2 Research Population ......................................................................................................31

3.3 Sample Size ...................................................................................................................31

3.4 Sampling Procedure.......................................................................................................32

3.5 Data Sources..................................................................................................................32

3.6 Research Instruments.....................................................................................................33

3.6.1 Questionnaires ............................................................................................................33

3.7 Validity and Reliability of Instruments .........................................................................33

3.7.1 Validity .......................................................................................................................33

3.7.2 Reliability ...................................................................................................................34

3.8 Data Collection Procedure.............................................................................................35

3.9 Data Analysis.................................................................................................................35

3.10 Ethical Consideration...................................................................................................36

CHAPTER FOUR .............................................................................................................37

DATA ANALYSIS, PRESENTATION AND INTERPRETATION ............................37

viii

4.0 Introduction....................................................................................................................37

4.1 Respondents Response Rate ..........................................................................................37

4.2 Demographic Characteristics of the Respondents.........................................................37

4.2.1 Respondents’ Gender..................................................................................................37

4.2.2 Respondents’ Age.......................................................................................................38

4.2.3 Respondents’ Education Levels..................................................................................38

4.2.4 Type of Employment Contracts..................................................................................39

4.2.5 Number of Years on the Job .......................................................................................40

4.3 Recruitment and Selection Procedures..........................................................................40

4.4 Training and Development Processes and Employee Commitment..............................42

4.5 Compensation/Rewards and Employee Commitment...................................................43

4.6 Employee Commitment.................................................................................................44

4.7 Regression Analysis.......................................................................................................47

4.7.1 Objective one; Effect of Employee Recruitment and Selection on Employee 

Commitment in the Viettel Group in Bujumbura, Burundi.................................................47

4.7.2 Objective two; Effect of Compensation and Benefits on Employee Commitment in 

the Viettel Group in Bujumbura, Burundi ...........................................................................49

4.7.3 Objective three; Effect of Training and Development on Employee Commitment in 

the Viettel Group Bujumbura, Burundi. ..............................................................................50

4.8 Multiple Regression of the variables.............................................................................53

CHAPTER FIVE ...............................................................................................................55

DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.....55

5.1 Introduction....................................................................................................................55

5.2 Discussion of Findings ..................................................................................................55

5.2.1 Discussion of Findings on the Effect of Recruitment and Selection Procedures on 

Employee Commitment.......................................................................................................55

5.2.2 Discussion of Findings on the Effect of Training and Development Processes on 

Employee Commitment.......................................................................................................56

5.2.3 Discussion of Findings on the Effect of Compensation and Rewards on Employee 

Commitment ........................................................................................................................57

5.2.4 Discussion of Findings the Level of Employee Commitment....................................57

5.3 Conclusion .....................................................................................................................59

5.4 Recommendations..........................................................................................................59

5.4.1 The Effect of Recruitment and Selection Procedures on Employee Commitment ....59

5.4.2 The Effect of Training and Development Processes on Employee Commitment......60

5.4.3 The Effect of Compensation and Rewards on Employee Commitment.....................60

5.5 Suggestions for Further Research..................................................................................60

5.6 Contribution to Knowledge ...........................................................................................60

References............................................................................................................................62

APPENDIX I: QUESTIONNAIRE..................................................................................71

APPENDIX II: Interview Guide ......................................................................................74

APPENDIX III: Target Population .................................................................................76

APPENDIX IV: TABLE DETERMINING SAMPLE SIZE.........................................77