Human Resource Factors Influencing Employment Opportunities Amongst Women In West Pokotand Elgeyo Marakwet Counties, Kenya

Abstract

The study sought to examine the Human resource factors influencing employment opportunities amongst women in West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet Counties. The study was guided by Equity theory, Hertzberg Hygiene motivational theory and Stakeholder theory. The study adopted mixed research design. The target population of the study was West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet County government staffs. The data was collected using closed and open ended questionnaire. The researcher analysed data by descriptive statistics (Percentages, mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (analysis of variance and regression). The validity of the instrument was carried out through pretest, supervisors’ comments and corrections. Reliability test was carried out, the test showed that the items had alpha coefficient of above 0.7 which was desirable for the study. The findings of the study were discussed based on the four objectives. The first objective was the influence of human resource factors. The study established that the five items in the questionnaire were mainly agreed upon by the respondent. The deviation from mean showed that the standard deviation did not exceed their means. As a result the responses were validated. The coefficient of determination showed that human resource factors significantly influenced employment opportunities amongst women. The hypothesis test revealed that human resource factors did not significantly influence the employment opportunities. The second objective of the study was to establish the influence of human resource cultural factors on employment opportunities amongst women. The study established that the five items in the questionnaire were mainly agreed upon while two items were disagreed upon. The deviation from mean showed that the standard deviation did not exceed their means. As result the response were validated. Coefficient of determination indicated that Human resource cultural factors significantly influence employment opportunities amongst women. Hypotheses were tested. The test results revealed that human resource cultural factors did not significantly influence the employment opportunities. The third objective of the study was to establish the influence of human resource socio economic factors on employment opportunities amongst. The study established that the six items in the questionnaire were mainly agreed upon. The deviation from mean showed that the standard deviation did not exceed their means. As result the responses were validated. The study established that human resource socio economic factors were found not to significantly influence employment opportunities amongst women. The fourth objective of the study was to establish the moderating effect of stakeholders’ involvement on relationship between human resource factors and employment opportunities for women. The study also established that stakeholder involvement support the employment opportunities for women. The regression results showed that the moderator stakeholder’s involvement; explained 73.9 % (R2 = 0.739) of the variance in employment opportunities amongst women. The study recommended that a similar study be carried out in other counties for the comprehensive generalization of the findings. The study recommended increase of sample size so as to draw better conclusions of the study. The study also recommended that the influence of socio economic factors to be scientifically determined.