Non-Monetary Rewards and Employee Performance in National Referral Hospitals in Kenya

Ingati Jecinta Apono, Dr. Elizabeth Nambuswa Makokha, Dr. Susan Naikuru

Abstract


The health sector is a cornerstone of national development, playing a pivotal role in safeguarding the well-being and productivity of the population. In Kenya, national referral hospitals serve as the highest level of healthcare delivery, providing specialized services, research, and training across the country. Despite their importance, employee performance in Kenya’s national referral hospitals has faced persistent challenges. The overall objective of this study was to establish the effect of non-monetary rewards on employee performance at the National Referral Hospitals in Kenya. Specifically, the study sought to determine the influence of career advancement and flexible schedules on employee performance at the National Referral Hospitals in Kenya. This study was guided by Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and Positive Reinforcement theory. This study adopted a descriptive research design. The target population was 366 management employees working in the five public national referral hospitals in Kenya. This study used stratified random sampling technique to select 191 respondents from the target population. This study relied on primary data collected through use of questionnaires. A pilot test was conducted to determine validity and reliability of the data collection instrument. Inferential and descriptive statistics were employed for analysis. Descriptive statistics such as frequency distribution, mean, standard deviation, and percentages were used. Inferential data analysis was conducted by use of the Pearson correlation coefficient, and simple linear regression analysis. The study concludes that both career advancement and flexible schedules have a positive and significant effect employee performance at the National Referral Hospitals in Kenya. The study recommends that the management of National Referral Hospitals in Kenya should establish clear and transparent career advancement pathways, including regular training opportunities, mentorship programs, and promotion criteria, to enhance employee motivation and performance.

Keywords: Non-Monetary Rewards, Career Advancement, Flexible Schedules, Employee Performance, National Referral Hospitals


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References


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