Authors: Judith Arinaitwe, Enock Barigye, PhD and Basil Tibanyendera, PhD (Bishop Stuart University, Uganda)
Abstract: This study investigated the relationship between human resource development practices and job performance of academic staff at Mbarara University of Science and Technology. The human resource development practices in relation to job performance of academic staff were performance appraisal, training and promotion. The study used the correlational research design on a sample of 150 respondents with data collected using a questionnaire survey. Data were analysed using quantitative methods. Descriptive results revealed that performance of academic staff was high. The implementation of performance appraisal was fair (moderate). Regression results showed that training and promotion had positive and significant influence on job performance of academic staff. Nevertheless, the influence of performance appraisal on job performance of academic staff was not significant. Therefore, it was concluded that the implementation of performance appraisal was weak to have a significant influence on performance of academic staff. Training was essential for performance of academic staff in the university and promotion was a prerequisite for performance of academic staff. Hence, it was recommended that human resource director and administrators in the university should strengthen the implementation of performance appraisal, training should be prioritized to enhance performance of academic staff in the university and promotion should be given significant priority to promote performance of academic staff.