Nexus between Employees Involvement in Decision Making and Industrial Harmony in the Devolved Public Health Sector in Kenya

Abstract

The Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3) prioritizes health and well-being of the people. However, at least 3.9 billion of the worlds’ population cannot obtain essential health services, according to the World Health Organization. WHO (2019), cited that disharmony at the work place particularly in the developing countries undermines the provision of quality healthcare. Industrial disharmony across 23 low-income countries for the period 2009 to 2018 averaged six industrial actions per year with the years 2014 and 2018 recording the highest number of episodes at 10 and 17 events respectively. A conducive working environment exhibiting harmony guarantees satisfaction of workers and employers’ aspirations and is vital for effective services provision in the public health sector. Employees’ industrial actions in health sector conflict with mandatory provision of health care services to guarantee right to live on patients. This study investigated the influence of employees’ involvement on industrial harmony in the devolved public health sector in Kenya. The study used pragmatic research paradigm. The study research design was mixed methods research methodology. The study population was 3,355 health workers in level 5 county referral hospitals, in the Central Economic Regional Bloc (CEREB), 10 medical superintendents, 10 union officers from Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union and 10 from Kenya National Union of Nurses. The study selected 351 respondents using stratified random sampling. In addition, 10 medical superintendents, 10 union officials from Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union and 10 from Kenya National Union of Nurses were selected for participation in the study through purposive sampling. Data analysis involved both qualitative and quantitative analysis. Qualitative data collected through use of interview schedule was analyzed using content analysis technique. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as means and standard deviation and presented in form of tables. Inferential analysis was also carried out using measures such as correlation and multiple regression analysis. Majority of the employees disagreed that the management was involving them in decision making as indicated by the average mean score of 2.37. The correlation coefficients between industrial harmony and employees’ involvement in decision making was r=322, pvalue=0.000 indicating moderate and significant correlation between employees’ involvement in decision making and industrial harmony. The model summary implies that employee involvement explains 10.3% of industrial harmony in the devolved public health sector in Kenya. The model coefficients results showed that employees’ involvement had a positive and significant influence on industrial harmony in the devolved public health sector in Kenya (β=.939, p-value=.000<0.05). The study concluded that employees’ involvement enhances industrial harmony. The study recommended the strengthening of suggestion schemes within the organization so that workers suggestions can inform policies. Further, the sector should implement collective bargaining agreement in its entirety within the stipulated time frame. Likewise, the study recommends that more involvement of employees in key decision-making processes as it enhances industrial harmony.