Factors Explaining the Effectiveness of Human Resource Information System in Tanzania Local Government Authorities

Abstract

Evolution of technology has encouraged organizations to use Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS).This study was conducted in six regions of Tanzania Mainland namely; Mwanza, Arusha, Dodoma, Morogoro, Iringa, and Kagera and factors explaining HRIS effectiveness in Tanzanian LGAs were examined. Data that informed this study was obtained through questionnaire and interview methods. The questionnaire was administered to 201 human resources officers while interviews were conducted with 8 key informants. Ordered regression model was used to examine user influence and assess the association between technological and organizational characteristics on HRIS effectiveness; whereas content analysis was used to analyse qualitative data. In reference to user attributes, IT skills and employee commitment had the strongest influence on HRIS effectiveness (as measured in terms of timeliness, completeness and accuracy). Technological characteristics that had significant influence on HRIS effectiveness were usefulness, compatibility, complexity and reliability. Organizational characteristics with strong influence on HRIS effectiveness were IT infrastructure and organizational support rendered to employees.As implied by study findings therefore, regular employees skills training in IT, nurturing commitment of HRIS staff; encouraging experience-sharing, improvement of technological features, provision of sufficient employee support, and recruiting sufficient and qualified ICT personnel are central to the effectiveness of HRIS in Tanzania LGAs