Managing high-performance work system (HPWS) for effective service delivery in tertiary educational institutions

Abstract

Managing employee and institutional performance encompasses numerous challenges, which requires management’s diligence to unravel encircled difficulties. Determining staffs exhibited characteristics in different facets of organisations operations is another ambiguous endeavour tertiary institutions have been wrestling with. However, achieving exceptional performance necessitate the efficient management of universities human, material and financial resources for institutional growth. This study therefore assessed elements that constitute high-performance work system and its efficient management for effective service delivery predominantly in institutions of higher learning. In this regard, pieces of literature was reviewed from numerous publications, ranging from journal articles to management books, where several fissures were identified. This study employed descriptive quantitative and correlational methods, which enhanced the gathering, classification and presentation of data that led to descriptive analysis, discussion and objective conclusion. Primary data was obtained with the aid of questionnaires distributed to a selected sample size of 250 respondents from a sample frame that constitute three universities. Results showed that, an efficient performance management system facilitate effective staff capacity development, which increases employees’ skills and competencies for effective service delivery. Further considerable facts disclosed; emphasised the significance of rewards and compensation as strategic motivating elements that reinforces employee performance. Analysed and discussed first-hand information obtained from respondents established that, developing staff capacity and rewarding them equitably, facilitate exceptional performance, which leads to effective service delivery, since such staff is empowered with the required competencies for competitive excellence. In relation to aforesaid, this study is significant to general management practitioners, university authorities, human capital specialists and business consultants.