Influence of Trade Unions on Productivity of Technical and Vocational Education Training Institutions in Kenya

Abstract

This thesis aimed at establishing the influence of trade unions functions on employee productivity in Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) Institutions in Kenya. The study looked at the influence of trade unions functions as a practice of employee relations in Human Resource Management. Specifically, it examined the influence of trade union participation on productivity in TVET Institutions; determined the influence of trade union‟s protection of employee‟s rights on productivity; established the influence of trade unions management of collective bargaining on employee‟s productivity; determined the influence of trade unions conflict management strategies on productivity; and examined the moderating effect of high performance work practices on the relationship between the influence of trade unions functions and productivity in TVET Institutions in Kenya. The study anchored on theories like Ability, Motivation, Opportunity Theory, Universalistic theory, Equity and conflict theories. This research adopted cross sectional survey research design. The target population was TVET Institutions with 5718 individuals that included Principals, Deputy Principals, heads of departments, teaching staff, non-teaching staff, a ministry of science and technology education official, Secretary Generals of KNUT, KUPPET, COTU, TUC and representative from the TVET Institutions. The sample size was 361 of which 315 responded. Purposive sampling was used to select 10% of sample size of institutions for pilot testing. Normal approximation to the binomial distribution and stratified sampling were used to arrive at the sample size. A structured questionnaire and an interview schedule were used to collect primary data. The questionnaire was pretested before data collection for validation and reliability. Secondary data was collected through evaluation of journals, reports, and publications. Both descriptive and inferential analysis methods were used to analyze statistical data. The study used a statistical measurement model with a moderating variable. Inferential statistics was used to test preset alternate hypotheses. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 was used for the statistical analyses, while qualitative data was analyzed thematically along the objectives of the study. The study revealed that there is a positive linear relationship between employees‟ participation and productivity. It also revealed a positive linear relationship between protection of employee‟s rights and productivity; positive linear relationship between management of collective bargaining and productivity, and a positive linear relationship between trade union‟s conflict management strategies and productivity. It also revealed a positive linear relationship between moderating influence of high performance work practices and productivity. This shows that the variables under study have a statistically significant influence on productivity. The study recommends that each TVET institution should have a trade union official representative, and that TVET Institutional Heads should always avoid any intimidation activities towards union officials. In addition TVET institutional heads and Ministry of Science and Technology officers should always seek to work harmoniously with trade unions instead of competing in order to enhance productivity. TVET institutional heads and the ministry officials should tap into the influence of trade unions to achieve organizational goals thereby enhancing productivity. In addition, trade union goals should be harmonized with those of TVET institutions in a way that regards productivity. The study is beneficial to Education stakeholders, trade union officials and the Government at large.