IMPACT OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON MACHINE OPERATORS’ PERFORMANCE: WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE APPAREL FACTORIES IN KALUTARA DISTRICT, SRI LANKA

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to test the impact of Human Resource Management Practices (HRMP) on Machine Operator’s in the Apparel factories in Kalutara district, Sri Lanka. Most of the prior studies on HRMP and employee performance were conducted in Western context, and a few studies can be found in the context of South Asian countries. Therefore, this study fills the existing empirical gap in the literature. This is a cross-sectional explanatory study involving deductive approach. Structured questionnaire was designed and personally administrated to collect data from randomly selected 150 sewing machine operators of five garment factories in Kaluthara district, Sri Lanka. Correlation and multiple regression analyses were used to test the hypotheses developed. The relationship between HRMP and employee performance was examined using a three dimensional measures of HRMP i.e. compensation, training, and health & safety practices. Results show that there is a statistically significant positive impact of HRMP on employee performance. Compensation practices were found to have the most significant effect on employee performance. Managers should pay more attention to implement attractive compensation practices as well as should take consideration on the issue with existing training programs.