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Title
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Redefining Employee Relation Strategies in Local Authorities in Zimbabwe
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Creator
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Mutongoreni, Noah Ariel, , ,
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Thakhathi Dovan Reckson
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Myambo Samuel
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Mupindu Wiseman
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Abstract
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Organisations globally have increasingly acknowledged the significance of effectively managing human capital to attain a competitive edge in a demanding and competitive business landscape. While organisations worldwide are experiencing positive performance and growth, the local government system in Zimbabwe faces significant challenges. The sector is experiencing stagnation in terms of growth and deteriorating prospects for service delivery. The dominant view is that corruption, inefficiency, bureaucracy, and political manipulation have pervaded the system, rendering it ineffective in providing services. Despite this, little attention has been given to the role of employee relations, a key component of human capital management, in explaining the underperformance of the local government systems. This study aimed to investigate the impact of employee relations strategies on the effectiveness of local government systems in Zimbabwe. The study adopted a mixed-method methodology, and an explanatory sequential design was employed. It focused on nine local authorities in Manicaland Province, Zimbabwe. The findings revealed the presence of employee relations strategies that had the potential to contribute to effective local government systems. However, the existence of political interference, corruption, and centralised control undermined the success of these strategies. To address these issues, it is recommended that the state decentralise power through effective devolution, allowing local authorities to operate with greater autonomy.
Keywords: Employee Relations, Human Capital Management, Local Government Systems, Service Delivery, Zimbabwe
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Date
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2024
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Source
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African Journal of Public Administration and Environmental Studies
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volume
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3
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issue
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2
