Psychosocial environment on Employee Service Delivery: A case of the Government of Kenya Prison, Uasin Gishu County,

Abstract

Organization and employee well-being reduces risks arising from poor work design, organization management, as well as poor social context. This may result in negative psychological, physical and social outcomes such as work related stress thus affecting service delivery. The purpose of this study was to investigate the psychosocial environment on employee service delivery at G.K. Prison, Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. The specific objectives were as follows: to examine the effects of leadership on employee service delivery, to evaluate interpersonal relationships on employee service delivery and to asses’ job control on employee service delivery. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design and was based on Motivation theory by Elton Mayo, which states that aptitudes of individuals are imperfect predictors of job performance but the output produced is strongly influenced by social factors and that workers are better motivated by effective communication, greater management involvement and working as teams. The population of the study was 500 respondents with a sample of 150 employees determined by studies by Borg and Gall and Mugenda who assumed that for a sample size more than 250 respondents a researcher may use 30%, of the total population, a criteria only used for qualitative researchers where the respondents are said to have the same socio economic characteristics. The study applied the use of convenience sampling. Primary data was collected by use of questionnaires while secondary data was collected from employee attendance sheets and complaints reports. Collected data was analyzed descriptively and presented in form of graphs, tables and charts. The study findings indicated that majority of the employees at 72% are comfortable with the management style which they say favour their work environment. 58% have faced stressful situations at work but insist communication patterns and participation in decision making is effective while interpersonal relationships are strong. Work load is evenly distributed thus strongly affecting efficiency and effectiveness. From the findings it can be concluded that psychosocial aspects were an important factor in boosting service delivery by employees. The researcher recommends further research should be attempted to collect data from similar institutions but clearly look at effects of psychosocial environment with regard to prisoner rehabilitation. It is also recommended that the institution should continue using enhanced work environment as a tool for increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of employees through improved and sustained performance. The study will be of significance to government officials, Human Resource managers, future scholars and researchers who are interested in exploring the field of psychosocial environment by forming a body of literature for future references, its findings are anticipated to add knowledge in the field of service delivery.