The Influence of Recruitment and Selection on the Performance of Employees in Research Institutes in Kenya

This study sought to establish the influence of recruitment and selection on the performance of employees in research institutes in Kenya. There is growing evidence that human resource management practices can play an important role in attaining high quality workforce. Recruitment and selection has been specifically singled out as a major human resource management practice that can have an influence on the level of employee performance in organizations. Research institutes in Kenya have been facing performance challenges and there is need, therefore, for them (Research Institutes) to attract and retain high caliber personnel. The quality of employees recruited by research institutes in Kenya is viewed as a possible intervention. The overall objective of the study was to determine how recruitment and selection influence employee Performance in research institutes in Kenya. The study adopted the null hypothesis that recruitment and selection do not influence employee performance in research institutes in Kenya. The study adopted descriptive and correlational research designs while the study population was drawn from all Government owned research institutes formed under the Science & Technology Act. Cap 250. The target population was drawn from the research institutes that were within Nairobi county and its environs. The study adopted stratified sampling technique while the sample size was 256 employees. The study used questionnaires to collect data while Cronbach’s alpha was used to test the validity and reliability of the instruments. A statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze quantitative data while data was presented using statistical techniques such as tables, bar-graphs and pie charts. The results of the study revealed that the correlation between employee performance and recruitment and selection were highly significant at 0.374 (P=0.000). The study recommended that research institutes strictly adhere to job specifications when filling vacant positions.