ASSESSMENT OF EMPLOYEES’ SATISFACTION ON THE HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT PRACTICES: A CASE STUDY OF ETHIOPIAN ELECTRIC UTILITY

Abstract

Human Resource Development (HRD) is a planned and systematic approach to development of employees for both organizations’ and employees’ benefit. Emphasis on HRD results into several positive individual and organizational outcomes. HRD needs investment in training, development and education programs. Developing an effective HRD system is a difficult task since it needs to align both company and employees need. Employees’ satisfaction with HRD practices are among the most important criteria to consider when assessing the human resource development practices. Thus, this research is designed to assess employees’ satisfaction with HRD practices in Ethiopian Electric Utility (EEU). The main objective of the study is to identify the level of employees’ satisfaction with: the Corporations commitment to HRD, appropriateness of HRD practices, opportunities for growth and development, management’s guidance and encouragements and other dimensions of HRD practices. The research is designed as a case study. Both secondary and primary data were used in the research. A survey questionnaire with five point Likert scale is a main tool for gathering primary data about employees’ satisfaction with human resource development practices of the corporation. 62 participants in the Head office and one Region of Addis Ababa district were participated in filling the questionnaires. An interview was also made with officials of training and development team of the Corporation. The findings of the study indicated that respondents perceived the HRD practices of the corporation as unfairly focused on some work units only. Respondents also indicated their dissatisfaction with the promotional opportunities and the knowledge to gain from the work they do for the Corporation. Moreover, majority of respondents indicated that they don’t think that the Corporation is the best place to develop themselves.