AN ASSESSMENT ON THE IMPACT OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND HUMAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT ON NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN  CAMEROON

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

Globally, the development of a nation depends primarily on the will of its government. In a quest for national development each government has the responsibility of creating a positive environment which will help promote economic growth, social stability, cultural enhancement, judicial probity and political maturity. Building a suitable environment for the nation‘s political economy, in turn, will depend on the government ability to effectively implement law and public policy in a manner that is transparent, accountable to people, and respectful of the rule of law. It follows, then, that the government‘s ability to implement law and public policy falls on its public institutions, particularly the quality of human resources (civil servants) in charge of these institutions. This is because the importance of any institution depends on the value of those in charge of running its activities—that is, the right people at the right Institution, in the right position doing the right job.

Cameroon has seen a succession of economic difficulties during the last thirty years. The economic hardships started with the economic downturn in the late 1980s, resulting in a 15 percent decrease in the salary of government employees in January 1993, followed by an additional cut of 32 percent in November of the same year. The situation deteriorated further with the 50 percent depreciation of the Franc CFA on January 12, 1994, which occurred just two months following pay cuts. The economic crisis that has afflicted the nation since 1985/86 has entirely reversed the previously observed favorable tendencies. From 1980 to 1986, the economy of Cameroon saw a significant growth rate of around 8 percent. This was mostly attributed to the advancement of the oil industry. The achievement was driven by significant yearly growth rates in investment (7%), exports (16%), and consumption (3.3%). After a period of significant development efforts, the country gained a strong reputation and was considered creditworthy by other countries. Simultaneously, the economic indices were mostly positive, providing evidence of continuous growth. Since 1987, the economy has seen a significant decrease, with the Gross National Product (GNP) decreasing to 2.8 percent in 1987 and 8.6 percent in 1988. As a result, efforts to enhance the welfare of the populace and meet their fundamental needs were hindered. The economy experienced a rapid decline due to a significant decrease in the value of the dollar for oil and agricultural products in the global market, as well as a depreciation of nearly 40 percent in relation to the CFA Franc, which is tied to the French Franc and is the main currency for Cameroon's exports. 

From the above picture, the public administration of Cameroon is marked by bureaucratic inefficiencies, corruption, and governance deficiencies, which frequently prevent the efficient provision of public services and impair the execution of development plans (Transparency International, 2021). In addition, the government's capacity to tackle urgent socio-economic concerns like as poverty, unemployment, and infrastructure development is hindered by the combination of insufficient financial resources and institutional capabilities. These difficulties are further intensified by these factors. However, human capital, which refers to the knowledge, skills, and talents possessed by people, plays a crucial role in driving economic development and social advancement. Nevertheless, Cameroon encounters noteworthy human capital obstacles, such as insufficient education and healthcare infrastructures, elevated rates of young unemployment, and the loss of skilled individuals owing to emigration (World Bank, 2019). These problems not only weaken the country's ability to produce and compete, but also continue to cause social and economic inequities and impede inclusive growth. 

In light of this context, the objective of this research is to examine the influence of public administration and human capital management on the progress of Cameroon as a country. The research aims to analyze the current conditions of these two areas, identify obstacles and possibilities, and investigate how they are connected. By doing so, it aims to offer evidence-based knowledge that can guide the development of policies and institutional changes to support inclusive and sustainable development in Cameroon.

1.2 Statement of the problem

In recent times, there is an increasing acknowledgment of the significance of public administration and human resource management in promoting national development objectives (UNDP, 2019). The African Development Bank (2020) considers that strengthening governance institutions, improving transparency and accountability, and investing in education and skills development are essential measures to unleash Cameroon's development potential and achieve sustainable growth. Although the significance of efficient public administration and human capital management in promoting national development is well acknowledged, some developing nations, like Cameroon, nevertheless encounter obstacles in achieving their developmental objectives. Cameroon, as with many other countries, faces challenges in its public administration practices and human capital management, which might impede its efforts towards achieving sustainable development (World Bank, 2020). Moreover, the connection between these two crucial determinants and their collective influence on the results of national development has not been well investigated in the context of Cameroon. 

Although there are theoretical frameworks available, the absence of extensive empirical investigations hinders the creation of specific policies and interventions that may effectively address systemic shortcomings and optimize developmental results (UNDP, 2019), apparently, there is a lack of empirical data in the available literature about the particular processes by which public administration and human capital management impact national growth in Cameroon. If Cameroon does not have a comprehensive grasp of the difficulties and possibilities associated with these areas, it runs the danger of continuing to have inefficiencies, disparities, and poor performance on its development path.

1.3 Objective of the study

The broad objective of the study is to assess the impact of public administration and human capital management on national development in Cameroon. The specific objectives is as follows

Evaluate the factors that affects public administration systems in Cameroon.

Investigate the role of human capital management practices on the socio-economic development of Cameroon.

Identify challenges of public administration and human capital management that hinder national development initiatives in Cameroon.

1.4 Research questions

The following questions have been prepared for the following

What are the factors that affects public administration systems in Cameroon?

What is the role of human capital management practices on the socio-economic development of Cameroon?

What are the challenges of public administration and human capital management that hinder national development initiatives in Cameroon?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

Ho: There is no significant impact of public administration and human capital management on national development.

Hi: There is no significant impact of public administration and human capital management on national development.

1.6 Significance of the study

Understanding how public administration and human capital management influence national development can provide valuable insights for policymakers in Cameroon. It can help in designing and implementing effective policies and strategies to enhance governance structures, improve service delivery, and optimize human resource management practices, thereby fostering sustainable development.

Academically, the study contributes to the existing body of knowledge on public administration, human capital management, and development studies. It provides an opportunity for scholars and researchers to advance theoretical frameworks, develop methodological approaches, and generate empirical evidence to inform future research and policymaking in this area.

1.7 Scope of the study

The study focuses on the impact of public administration and human capital management on national development in  Cameroon. Empirically, the study will evaluate the factors that affects public administration systems in Cameroon, investigate the role of human capital management practices on the socio-economic development of Cameroon and identify challenges of public administration and human capital management that hinder national development initiatives in Cameroon. 

1.8 Limitation of the study

Like in every human endeavour, the researchers encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. Insufficient funds tend to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire, and interview), which is why the researcher resorted to a moderate choice of sample size. More so, the researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. As a result, the amount of time spent on research will be reduced.

1.9 Definition of terms

Public Administration: Public administration refers to the implementation, management, and coordination of government policies, programs, and services.

Human Capital Management: Human capital management (HCM) involves the strategic management of an organization's workforce to optimize employee performance, productivity, and engagement. 

National Development: National development refers to the sustained improvement in the economic, social, and political well-being of a country and its citizens.