Ethical Considerations in Human Resource Management in Kenya: Theory and Practice

Abstract

This paper presents the concepts of fairness, rights and justice in human resource management through an examination of ethical theories and their application to managerial challenges which typically confront human resource managers in Kenya and in other countries. The main research drivers were focused on the personnel compensation, fair treatment in promotion among genders, rewarding and appraisal performance and provision of environment for employee's growth and advancement. The literature review employed various theories such as: Virtue Theory, Utilitarian Theory, Rawlsian Theory of Justice, and Kantian Theory. Of course, these approaches are considered in relation to the HRM implications.

Purpose: The main purpose of the paper was to investigate the role of ethical consideration in Kenyan human resource management trends.

Methodology and Research design: The paper employed a case research design. A survey of the selected study population from Nairobi Province of Kenya was carried out by the use of questionnaires through focus group discussions. The sample size of this research was estimated at 149 participants

Findings: The findings suggest that the current human resource management is weak and should therefore employ ethical consideration to reengineer itself.

Conclusion: This study is focused on the ethical considerations in human resource management in Kenya. Taken as a whole, our findings suggest that, there are some impediments associated with the current management and thus ethical consideration could help revamp the whole system.

Keywords: Ethical consideration, Human resource management, Theories and principles, Kantian theory, Aristotelian ethics, Utilitarian Principle