An Assessment of Human Resource Management Practices on Organizational Performance in Private Security Firms in Kenya

The purpose of the study was to carry out an assessment of HRM practices on organizational performance in private security firms in Kenya. The target population were employees of five selected firms in Nairobi, Mombasa and Nakuru. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The population size was 400 from which a sample of 95 was selected. Data was collected using both primary and secondary sources. Data analysis was done by use measures of central tendency and dispersion. The study identified the provision of medical facilities, sanitary and accommodation of workers employed, amenities and industrial social security measures, training and education facilities, HIV and AIDS risk reduction and counselling services as among the main factors determining employee welfare in the security firms. Sound policies on collective representation were found to be the main factors influencing employee relations. Work-life balance practices were found to have a positive effect on their performance and lack of job security measures was the main reason for high rates of labour turnover in the security firms. The study recommended training of HR managers on the emerging HRM practices for improved organizational performance.