HUMAN RESOURCE AUDIT AND STAFF PERFORMANCE IN ORGANIZATIONS: THE CASE OF MALAWI’S MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Abstract

This study establishes respondents‟ perception about the link between HR audit and staff performance in the Ministry of Education. Specifically, the study determines the extent HR audits are applied in the Ministry, examines benefits of HR audits, HR audit approaches applied, and challenges associated with HR audits. To achieve this, the study utilizes probability, stratified random sampling technique with a quantitative approach where a questionnaire has been used to collect data that has been analyzed through SPSS and Excel. The study finds that human resource audits contribute to improved staff performance in the Ministry of Education since quality of work is noticed. HR audits are mostly applied after every one year (mostly with staff establishment/headcount) in the Ministry and statistical approach has been the mostly applied HR audit approach though it does not help much on improving staff performance. The study also finds perception that audit is for finance as one of the main challenges of HR audit in the Ministry. Overall, according to the respondents‟ perception, the study argues that the contribution of HR audit to staff performance would have greatly improved if HR audit was frequently applied focusing on performance enhancement areas and MBO applied as an HR audit approach. The study has therefore recommended for the frequent application of HR audits like every quarter, and diversifies into other areas of human resource management. MBO as an HR audit approach should be applied frequently and the Ministry should also embark on training programs on HR audit.