User characteristics and effectiveness of human resource information system (HRIS) in the Tanzanian local government authorities

Abstract

The Tanzanian Government introduced Human Resource Information System in Local Government Authorities (LGAs) in order to address the challenges of using manual system in handling employees’ information. The challenges relate to incomplete, in accurate and outdated civil servants data’. This article examines the influence of user characteristics on HRIS effectiveness in the LGAs in Tanzania in terms of information timeliness, completeness and accuracy. About 37 LGAs in six regions were involved namely; Mwanza, Arusha, Dodoma, Morogoro, Iringa and Kagera. Primary data were collected through questionnaires administered to 201 Human Resource Officers and interviews conducted to eight key informants. Secondary data were mainly collected through documentary review. The study employed the ordered logistic regression model to analyse data. The findings show user characteristics namely; user level of IT skills, commitment and experience have a significant influence on HRIS effectiveness in terms of timeliness, completeness and accuracy of information. The findings imply that frequent training of employees on the relevant IT skills, nurturing commitment of HRIS staff and encouraging experience sharing among them should be considered adequately and sustainably for effective HRIS in the LGAs.