Abstract:
This study examined the influence of training and development, recognition and
reward, working environment and leadership on employee satisfaction in Public
Universities in the South Eastern Kenya Region. The study adopted descriptive
research design taking on a case study where data was collected from three Public
Universities namely; South Eastern Kenya university, Kenyatta University (Kitui
Campus) and Machakos university College. Respondents were sampled through
stratified sampling technique. Data was collected using a self-administered
questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study targeted 158
management employees from public Universities in South Eastern Kenya Region
(SEKR) out of which 123 management employees responded. The study concluded
that through the training and development the employees’ satisfaction and
performance had improved. The training and development was in personal
development, creativity and innovativeness strategies and motivational training. The
reward systems employed as a strategy to motivate the employees included; pay rise,
recognition, benefits and incentives respectively. The recognition and reward was a
strategic motivational strategy that public Universities in South Eastern Kenya Region
had adopted to spur its employee job satisfaction, improve employee productivity and to
enhance employee retention. The good working conditions improved communication
and reduced conflict. Thus the initiatives to improve working condition adopted by
public Universities in South Eastern Kenya Region enhanced the employee job
satisfaction to a very great extent. The leadership of the institution affected job
satisfaction to a great extent. Therefore, leadership was critical in enhancing employee
job satisfaction. The study recommends that the management of public Universities in
South Eastern Kenya Region should adopt a hybrid approach of motivational
strategies to enhance employee job satisfaction. The management of public
Universities should continuously evaluate the motivational strategies and undertake
the necessary correctional measures. The management should conduct a research on
the motivational strategies being implemented.
