The electronic human resources management effectiveness link: a survey of private security industry firms in Zimbabwe

Abstract

This study investigated the link between implementation of electronic human resources management practices and
effective human resources function in the private security sector in Zimbabwe. The research evaluated the effectiveness of
electronic human resources practices on organisational performance, quality of human resources service, operational
efficiency and the involvement of human resources in the business The post positivist paradigm was adopted for this cross
sectional quantitative study, employing a deductive approach and mono method quantitative method as methodological
choices. 18 research participants were selected from 3 security companies that had implemented electronic human
resources management practices. Close ended questionnaires were used in data collection and SPSS software used for
data analysis. Electronic human resources management practices were found to have an impact on effective human
resources management performance for quality of human resources management service delivery, and operational
performance with respect to cost and time saving. No significant impact on the strategic involvement of human resources
management and organisational performance were identified. Challenges of implementing electronic human resources
systems were found to include high cost concerns in licensing fees, maintenance and training expenses, and alignment to
the business needs. Implementation of electronic human resources management was pointed out to require a change of
management strategy which proved difficult to apply due to lack of support from senior management.