Abstract:
In the current Information Age, adoption of Information Technology (IT) in all sectors of the economy has been in top gear in all parts of the world. In Kenya organizations both public and private are shifting towards utilization of IT in running activities of the various departments including the Human Resource Department. However, the adoption of IT according to previous studies has been hampered by a number of challenges including lack of a proper IT policy framework, ineffective IT implementation procedures, low levels of IT literacy and lack of IT Infrastructure. Basing on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) this study aimed at investigating whether IT policy framework, IT implementation procedures, IT literacy and IT Infrastructure are determinants in successfully adopting IT in the Human Resource function in Kenyan public universities.
The study used descriptive survey research design where both qualitative and quantitative techniques were employed to analyze data. The sample sizes of 123 respondents were derived from the target population of 130 in the Human Resource Department employees within the seven public universities. Questionnaires developed by the researcher were used as the main data collection instrument. Frequencies and percentages were used to analyze the data descriptively while Tests for significance that is t-test and F-test were used to test the significance of the independent variables and the dependent variable. For the Hypotheses to be accepted or rejected comparison was done between the critical t and calculated. In addition, the researcher used the multiple linear Regression Analysis, to model the relationship between adoption of IT for Improving Human Resource Function and the predictor variables.
The main findings of the study were that though there is a linear relationship between IT Policy Framework and Improvement of HR function due to IT adoption it is negligible the same results were reflected when it came to IT Implementation Procedure. On the other hand a strong relationship existed between IT Literacy and IT Infrastructure and Improvement of HR Function due to IT adoption. Further, individually all the four independent variables had a positive effect on the dependent variable and the effect increases when the independent variables are combined.
The study recommended the need to match our well documented IT Policy framework and IT Implementation Procedures with investments in training and development to boost IT Literacy levels and provision of necessary IT Infrastructure. It is believed that this study will not only benefits the Human Resource Department in Kenyan Public Universities but also all individuals and Corporate bodies that are keen to adopt IT in undertaking their mandate.
