HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT AND EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE: A STUDY OF THE HOTEL INDUSTRY IN LIRA CITY, NORTHERN UGANDA
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Date
2026-08
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Gulu University
Abstract
This study examined the relationship between human resource development and employee performance in the hotel industry focusing on Hotels in Lira City in Lango sub-region in Northern Uganda. A cross-sectional study design which incorporated both quantitative and qualitative data was adopted. The study sample was drawn from the staff members and clients of the hotels where purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used. Data were collected using a questionnaire and an interview guide. While quantitative data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23, qualitative were analyzed using content analysis. It was established that human resource development in terms of staff training, career growth and development and mentorship is highly practiced. Similarly, work efficiency, work effectiveness, target realization and organizational citizenship behavior of employee performance of hotels in Lira City were rated above average. It was also established that there is a strong statistically significant correlation between human resource development and the employee’s performance of hotel industry; and that the work environment in the hotels has a moderating effect of on the relationship between the study variables. Hence the study concluded that, while the level of application of human resource development and employee performance of hotel industry in Lira City are very high, this was partly due to the moderation effect of the working environment. The study recommended that hotel industry should adhere to the application of human resource development so that it can sustain its human resource which in turn will ensure employee performance. The study also recommended that hotel industry and the human resource managers should continually carry out human resource training, career development and mentorship in order to determine in advance employee’s capabilities