HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT AND AMBIDEXTERITY: A MODERATING ROLE OF ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE OF UNIVERSITIES IN RIVERS STATE

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between human resources development and ambidexterity: A moderating role of organizational culture of universities in Rivers State. Participants for the study comprised 179 senior staff of three tertiary institutions – University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State University and Ignatius Ajuru University of Education. The research design for the study was the cross-sectional survey and the methodology was the triangulation methodology. Data was generated using semi-structured questionnaire. The Spearman’s rank order correlation coefficient was used in the test for the bivariate hypotheses of the study while the partial correlation was used in the test for the multivariate hypotheses. Results revealed that human resources development  significantly impact on  ambidexterity. Hence, all bivariate hypothetical statements were rejected. The results also revealed that both factors of organisational culture significantly moderate the relationship between human resources development and ambidexterity. The study therefore concluded that human resource development practices can help organizations to effectively build up their human resource competencies and thus strengthen the capacity for institutions to pursue various goals simultaneously, exploit existing competency levels within the institution, and also drive the exploration of innovation and other opportunities by the institutions. It was therefore recommended that the human resources development of universities should begin with identifying the actual challenges and experience of each context and the required skills, functions and behaviour required for effectively addressing these challenges.