Human Resource Analytics: A Congregant of the Poor in Zimbabwean Public Sector Organisations - A Case of Chitungwiza Municipality and Manyame Rural District Council

Human Resource Analytics (HRA) is a critical tool for evidence-based HR decision-making and workforce optimisation. However, its adoption remains limited in Zimbabwe, particularly within local authorities and private sector organisations. This study investigates why HRA remains a “congregant of the poor”—underfunded, underutilised, and poorly institutionalised in Chitungwiza Municipality and Manyame Rural District Council. Using a mixed-methods design, data were collected from 120 employees via questionnaires and 12 key informant interviews with HR officers, ICT staff, and senior management. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively (frequencies, means, percentages), while qualitative data were examined through thematic analysis. Findings reveal that HRA adoption is hindered by limited ICT infrastructure, low analytic skills, fragmented HR data, weak leadership support, and budgetary constraints. The study concludes that, without strategic investment in HRA systems and capacity building, councils will continue to face inefficiencies, poor workforce planning, and suboptimal service delivery. Recommendations include HRIS adoption, digital skills training, leadership capacity development, and the implementation of HR analytics frameworks. The study contributes to understanding HR analytics adoption in developing economies and provides practical guidance for Zimbabwean councils seeking to modernise HR practices.