MODERATING EFFECT OF BIOMETRIC AUTHENTICATION SYSTEM ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TIME MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE OF PRIVATE HOSPITALS IN UASIN GISHU COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

Employee performance has been of great focus to organizations which strive to improve their performance in the competitive business world. Poor employee performance hinders Organisation’s goals attainment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of time management practices (work planning, work organisation, work goal setting, and work scheduling) on employee performance and the moderating effect of biometric authentication system on the relationship between time management practices and employee performance in private hospitals in Uasin-Gishu County, Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were; to evaluate the effect of work planning on employee performance in private hospitals in Uasin-Gishu County, examine the effect of work organisation on employee performance in private hospitals in Uasin-Gishu County, analyse the effect of work goal setting on employee performance in private hospitals in Uasin-Gishu County, examine the effect of work scheduling on employee performance in private hospitals in Uasin-Gishu County and evaluate the moderating effect of Biometric authentication system on the relationship between time management practices and employee performance in private hospitals in Uasin-Gishu county, Kenya. The study was informed by Scientific Theory, Organisational Theory and the Adoption Approach model of Information and Communication Technology. The philosophical foundation of this study was in line with pragmatic approach. Anchoring on explanatory and cross-sectional research design, the study target population was 2,298 employees of 31 private hospitals in Uasin-Gishu County. Sample size of 341 employees was selected using stratified and simple random sampling technique. Data was collected using structured questionnaires and items anchored on a five-point Likert scale and an interview schedule. Data was analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The hypotheses were tested using multiple regression model and Hierarchical regression for moderation. The regression results showed that work planning (β = 0.438, P=0.000, p < 0.05), work organisation (β = 0.556, P=0.000, p < 0.05), work goal setting (β = 0.548, P=0.000, p < 0.05), and work scheduling (β = 0.578, P=0.000, p <0.05) had a positive and significant effect on employee performance. In addition, Biometric authentication system moderated the relationship between work planning (β= -0.141, P=0.000, p < 0.05), work Organisation (β=-0.132, p=0.000, P < 0.05), and work goal setting (β=-0.155, p=0.000, P<0.05) with employee performance. It was also established that Biometric authentication system does not moderate the relationship between work scheduling and employee performance (β=0.0370, p=0.073, p>0.05). The study concluded that time management practices (work planning, work organisation, work goal setting and work scheduling) affects employee performance. These findings contribute novel insight into the influence of time management practices on employee performance. The study recommended that private hospitals needed to give higher priority to work planning, work organisation, work goal setting and work scheduling because they are crucial in enhancing employee performance. Additionally, more effort would be required to integrate biometric authentication system measures within time management practices to enhance employee performance.