The influence of human resource development on employee performance and service delivery at a local municipality in the Eastern Cape

Abstract

The study examined the influence of human resource development on employee performance and service delivery. Employees who receive valuable training and development have the potential to improve performance and provide quality service delivery. Community demands for essential services from public sector employees seem to have increased over time. To address community demands, municipalities depend on skilled employees to deliver desired performance. Public sector employees require ongoing and relevant development by means of which to supply quality essential services to the public. In South Africa, the development of public sector employees appears neglected which may lead to the inadequate provision of essential services exemplified by clean water. Located in a positivist philosophical lens, the study adopted a quantitative crosssectional research paradigm, using a survey design. The research site for conducting the survey was Mbhashe Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Based on a target population of 265 (N=265), a stratified random sample of 155 (n=155) respondents was drawn. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data and 115 questionnaires were returned. Data was analysed using statistical procedures and measurements such as correlation tests and multiple regression analysis. The findings of the study revealed that human resource development had a positive influence on employee performance and service delivery. The study recommends the provision of training and development interventions to capacitate public sector employees. Future studies can probe the awareness of human resource development within the public sector.