The mediating effect of human resource Managements practices on the relationship between human resource information system and competitive advantage of firms listed on the Nairobi Securities exchange

this article was written by Dr. Margaret Muthoni Kariuki

Abstract

Many organizations have deployed human resource information systems (HRIS) to achieve efficiency, effectiveness and competitive advantage. Both theoretical and empirical literature support that human resource information systemshave influence on competitive advantage. However, this study introduced human resource management (HRM) practices as the mediating variable between Human resource information systems and competitive advantage. Further, the study determined the relationship between human resource information systems, human resource management practices and competitive advantage of firms listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange. The study intended to establish the effect of different combinations of variables (Human Resource information system, Human resource management practices) on competitive advantage. The study was founded on universalistic and human resource flow theory. The review of the literature provided the conceptual model and hypotheses that guided the study. The study population consisted of 62 companies listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange. The study used a cross-sectional survey design where data was collected at one point in time across the organizations. The primary data was collected through a questionnaire. The respondents were 62 heads of HR departments in different firms. The response rate was 63%. Data was analysed using stepwise regression analysis.