Analysis of the Effect of Human Resource Management Practices, Innovation, and Organizational Size on Regular Faculty Performance in Private Universities in Kenya

Abstract

Human Resource Management practices represent human resource professionals’ roles and form a constant source of innovation through investment in human capital. In the 21 st century organizations, talent management, employee participation and human resources information systems are key practices for employee performance, including regular faculty members’ peformamce in a university. The study adopted a bundle of three HRM practices and two moderators (innovation and organizational size) for better results.The research examined the effects of HRM practices, innovation and organisational size on regular faculty performance in private universities in Kenya, with organisational size and innovation serving as moderators.  The four theories: human capital, Maslow’s motivation theory, goal setting, and innovation theory acted as a guide to this study.  The research preferred a positivist philosophy paradigm and a descriptive cross-sectional survey to collect and analyze data. The target population was full-time faculty, and the unit of analysis. It utilized simple, hierarchical, and multiple regression to test hypotheses. The study results revealed that the HRMP significantly influenced faculty performance. The organisational size and innovation variables lacked significant power to moderate the influence of HRM practices on regular faculty performance. The study found a statistically significant joint effect of HRM practices, innovation, and organisational size on regular faculty performance. The research results recommended that universities implement the HRM practices bundle. It also recommended adequate budget for human resource information systems, assessment of the innovative environment and review of research and innovation policies, and conduct of a longitudinal study to provide direction.

Keywords: Human resource management practices, Human resource management bundles, Innovation, Organizational size, Employee performance.

DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/18-9-01

Publication date: September 30^th 2026