INFLUENCE OF TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP ON IMPLEMENTATION OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES BY KAKAMEGA COUNTY GOVERNMENT, KENYA

Abstract

Implementation of Human Resource Management policies by governments in developing countries has not translated into development and quality service delivery. Leadership is integral to achieving government goals. This study aimed to establish influence of transformational leadership on implementation of Human Resource Management policies by County Government of Kakamega. Five study objectives included; to establish the influence of idealized influence on implementation of Human Resource Management policies; to establish the influence of inspirational motivation on implementation of Human Resource Management policies; to establish the influence of intellectual stimulation on implementation of Human Resource Management policies; to establish the influence of individualized consideration on implementation of Human Resource Management policies; and to establish the moderating influence of political leadership on implementation of Human Resource Management policies by County Government of Kakamega. A descriptive research design and quantitative method involving use of questionnaire as the primary data collection instrument was adopted. The study population comprised all the 6,328 County Government of Kakamega permanent employees. Both stratified sampling and simple random sampling techniques were applied to get a sample size of 165 respondents. A pilot study was conducted in Bungoma County where the study checked for internal consistency and reliability of the instrument for data collection. Cronbach‘s coefficient alpha of 0.967 was obtained for internal reliability. Ethics governing research were accorded utmost consideration. A 93.3% return rate was attained, good for social statistics analysis. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze data in the study. Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient and regression were used in analysis within 95% confidence interval to test for associations, relationships and independence of indicators. Study findings revealed a significant and positive relationship between idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation and individualized consideration when correlated with implementation of Human Resource Management Policies. The study however revealed a significant negative relationship between political leadership by Kakamega County Government and Implementation of Human Resource Management Policies. Partial Correlation in first order and zero order controlling for political leadership by Kakamega County government revealed that political leadership had a significant negative influence on the relationship between transformational leadership and implementation of Human Resource Management Policies. Study findings were in agreement with empirical evidence from previous studies on how idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation and individualized consideration influenced implementation of Human Resource Management Policies, particularly in public organizations. Based on the study findings, it was concluded that transformational leadership had a significant positive influence on implementation of Human Resource Management policies by Kakamega County Government. The study therefore stretches the frontiers of knowledge on the nexus between transformational leadership and implementation of Human Resource Management policies and recommends enhancement of reward policy, strengthening of training and development policy and formulation of moderative discipline policy in Kenya.