Strategic human resource management and performance in public hospitals in Ethiopia

Bibliographic Data

ID22085977
AuthorsPhilipos Petros Gile (Erasmus University Rotterdam, corresponding author), Joris J Van De Klundert (0000-0003-4151-5089, Adolfo Ibáñez University), Joris van de Klundert, Martina Buljac‐Samardžić (0000-0001-9608-180X, Erasmus University Rotterdam), Martina Buljac-Samardžić
Year2022
Volume10
Pages915317-915317
Publication date2022-10-20
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2022.915317
PMID36339178
OpenAlexW4306879680
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited31

Background: Ethiopian public hospitals struggle to meet health care needs of the Ethiopian population, in part because of the persistent human resources crisis. The health reforms and tight human resource management (HRM) regulation of the government have resulted in limited progress toward addressing this crisis. This study aims to analyze how the strategic HRM practices adopted by Ethiopian public hospitals influence employee outcomes, organizational outcomes, and patient outcomes. Methods: Structured interviews were conducted with 19 CEOs and HR managers from 15 hospitals. Four focus groups were also conducted, with 38 participants (professionals and line managers). The transcripts were thematically analyzed using ATLAS.ti 8. Deductive coding was used based on the Contextual SHRM framework, while remaining open for codes that emerged. Results: Intended HR practices are influenced by mandatory strict government regulations. Nevertheless, some room for self-selected (bundles of) HR practices is perceived by hospitals. Employees perceive that governmental steered HR practices may not match its intentions due to implementation issues, related to lack of support and skilled management and HR professionals. These problems are leading to dissatisfaction, demotivation, moonlighting and turnover of skilled professionals and perceived to consequently negatively influence performance (i.e., patient satisfaction and waiting time). Conclusions: There are considerable contextual challenges for SHRM in Ethiopian public hospitals. Hospital management can benefit from having more leeway and from exploiting it more effectively to improve actual and perceived strategic human resource management practices. Adoption of commitment based practices, in addition to mandatory control oriented practices can help to motivate and retain health care professionals and consequently improve outcomes

Best practice · Business · Environmental health · Focus group · Health care · Human resource management · Human resources · Knowledge management · Political science · Population · Public relations · Strategic planning · Global and Cross-Cultural Management · Human Resource and Talent Management · Medicine · Nursing · Organizational Strategy and Culture · Marketing

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