PHD-Department of Business Administration

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Human Resource Development Mechanisms and Service Delivery in Postal Corporation of Kenya Nairobi City County.
(Kenyatta University, 2025-07) Mutuku, Irene Ngii
Service delivery deals with how service product is delivered to client and whether it is fairly or unfairly done service delivery is an essential aspect for postal corporation of Kenya to gain competitive advantage hence determining prosperity or down fall of the corporation. One sure way of realizing full potential of organization is use of relevant human resource development mechanisms appropriately. Human resource development mechanisms describe organization strategies of investing in activities and programs that develop competence, skills and knowledge of employees. Internationally business environment is characterized by increase in competition since time memorial. Hence raising question whether level of service delivery could be attributed to human resource development mechanisms adapted in organization. General objective aimed at determining effect of human resource development mechanisms on service delivery in Postal Corporation of Kenya in Nairobi city county. Specifically, study aimed at establishing effect of training, employee welfare, feedback and reward system on service delivery in Postal Corporation of Kenya in Nairobi. Study sought to find out moderating role of organizational resource on relationship between human resource development mechanisms and service delivery in Postal Corporation of Kenya in Nairobi city County. Lastly study evaluated mediating role of technological environment on relationship between human resource development mechanisms and service delivery in Postal Corporation of Kenya in Nairobi city County. Study was anchored on SERVIQAL model, Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs theory, Goal setting theory and Resource Based theory. Study used positivist research philosophy paradigm and descriptive cross-sectional research design. Target population of 400 respondents comprising of 300 employees and 100 clients, 60% sample size is obtained from target population using simple random sampling technique translating to 240 respondents. Structured questionnaires were used to collect primary data. Confirmatory factor analysis was done to test for validity the research instruments Cronbach alpha was used to test for reliability. Data was then subjected to statistical analyses using statistical tools such spread sheets and SPSS. Normality test was done using Kolmogorov Smirnov test to ascertain if data was normally distributed, Pearson’s Correlation coefficient was used to test assumption for linear relationship between variables, variance Inflation Factor was used to test likelihood of multicollinearity and homoscedasticity test was done using Breusch Pagan test to determine if explanatory and predictor variable variance was similar. Multiple regression models that allowed study to predict effect of independent variables on dependent variable and moderation as well as mediation effect tests were done using multiple regression models respectively. Hypothesis testing was done at p<0.000 level of significance with computed effect being statistically significant at 95%. Key finding from results of collected and analyzed data found human resource development mechanisms have significant effect on service delivery at Postal Corporation of Kenya in Nairobi City County. Inconclusion human resource development mechanisms established to be significantly linked to quality of corporation’s services include training, welfare, reward system, feedback. Both mediating and moderating effects of corporation’s technological environment and organizational resources were positively ascertained. Therefore, study recommends deliberate planning and enhancement of identified human resource development mechanisms to ensure continued competitiveness of Postal Corporation.
Omnichannel Retailing and Performance of Large Scale Retail Stores in Nairobi City County, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2025-10) Kanoga, Simon Gicheru
The retail sector faces performance challenges due to technological disruption, intense competition and unpredictable consumer behaviors. The retail sector has experienced a negative annualized average rate of revenue growth of 2.4% over the last seven years, and retailers have struggled with sales growth and operational efficiency. The objective of the study was to examine the effects of omnichannel retailing on performance of large scale retail stores in Nairobi City County, Kenya. The specific objectives were to determine the effects of omnichannel integration, omnichannel order fulfilment, and the omnichannel service configuration on the performance of large scale retail stores. The study established the moderating effects of dynamic capabilities and mediating effects of brand equity on the performance of large scale retail stores. This study was grounded by the following theories; Resource Based View (RBV), social exchange, dynamic capabilities, Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), and double jeopardy theory. The study was guided by positivism research philosophy, utilized the cross sectional approach, descriptive and explanatory research designs. The unit of analysis was the large scale retail stores within Nairobi City County while the departmental heads from marketing and sales, information technology, finance, and operations/logistics were the unit of observation. The pilot testing was conducted on the study questionnaires prior to their utilization in data collection. The reliability of the questionnaire was assessed using Cronbach alpha where 0.7 level was considered reliable, and where all the variables in the study were found to be higher than the cut-off. The multiple linear regression was used in testing hypothesis and making inferences. The research utilized 5% significance level to determine significance in hypothesis testing. Content analysis was used to extract meaning, and make inferences from qualitative data. A correlation analysis revealed statistically significant correlation between omnichannel integration, omnichannel order fulfilment, and omnichannel services configuration, as well as brand equity and dynamic capability on the performance of large retail stores; indicating possible relationship between these variables. The regression analysis revealed that omnichannel retailing significantly affected the performance of large scale retail stores. It was observed that omnichannel integration, and omnichannel service configuration directly influenced the performance of large scale retail stores with the factors exuding statistically significant influence with the ability to explains 29.8% of the variability in retail stores performance. However, omnichannel order fulfilment has no statistically significant effect on the performance of large scale retail stores. The study found that dynamic capabilities and brand equity significantly affect the relationship between omnichannel retailing and the performance of large scale retail stores. The study therefore concludes that omnichannel retailing influences performance of large scale retail stores, and this effect is influenced by the stores’ dynamic capabilities and brand equity. Thus, the study proposes that the retailing sector should embrace omnichannel retailing while optimizing dynamic capabilities and aligning with brand equity, which will enhance the overall performance retail stores. The findings indicate that omnichannel order fulfilment has no statistically significant effect on the performance of large scale retail stores, thus providing an avenue for future studies in different sectors with additional variables
Business Model Innovation Strategies and Performance of Manufacturing Firms Listed on Nairobi Securities Exchange in Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2025-11) Maina, James Rugami
Globally, manufacturing firms form a vital part of national economic infrastructure, contributing to employment, revenue generation and overall economic development. Despite their significance to the economy, most manufacturing firms in Kenya have recently experienced decline in performance, marked by low profit margins and stagnating market share due to increased competition from imports. This study investigated the effect of business model innovation strategies on performance of manufacturing firms listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange in Kenya. Specifically, it examined the effects of customer value proposition innovation, distribution channel innovation, blue ocean strategy and strategic partnership innovation on firm performance. Additionally, the study explored the mediating role of competitive advantage and the moderating effect of the regulatory framework on the relationship between business model innovation strategies and performance of listed manufacturing firms. The study is anchored on Porter’s value chain model, resource-based view theory, dynamic capabilities theory, diffusion of innovation theory and the balanced scorecard model. A positivist research paradigm and an explanatory research design that was cross sectional in nature adopted. The target population consisted of 95 functional heads of departments drawn from 19 listed manufacturing firms. The data collection instrument was a semi-structured questionnaire with closed and open-ended questions. A pilot study was conducted to test the validity and reliability of the instrument, achieving above Cronbach alpha index of 0.7. The instrument was also subjected to face, construct, and content validity. The response rate was 88%. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive analysis involved the use of mean and standard deviation. Results of data analysis are presented in tables and figures. Qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis. The study found that customer value proposition innovation, distribution channel innovation, blue ocean and strategic partnership innovation strategies significantly and positively affected firm performance. Competitive advantage was found to partially mediate the relationship between business model innovation strategies and firm performance. Furthermore, the regulatory framework significantly moderates the relationship between business model innovation strategies and firm performance highlighting the importance of a supportive regulatory environment in enhancing the effectiveness of innovation strategies. The study findings conclude that managers of the manufacturing firms should prioritize business model innovation strategies to improve performance. The study recommends that through strategic collaborations, managers can work with universities and other educational institutions to include business model innovation studies in their syllabus. The policymakers should foster a conducive regulatory framework to support innovative efforts and facilitate ease of doing business to encourage more investments in manufacturing. The study recommends that top management of manufacturing firms invest in enhancing customer value propositions, optimizing distribution channels, adopting blue ocean strategies, and forming strategic partnerships. More emphases and resources should be devoted to distribution channel innovation strategy to ensure availability of quality products when, where and how customers need them. Future research should explore the effect of other business model innovation strategies and consider the role of additional mediating and moderating factors in different contexts, for example the informal manufacturing sector.
Brand Equity and Customer Satisfaction of E-Banking Account Holders of Commercial Banks in Nairobi City County, Kenya.
(Kenyatta University, 2025-11) Gaitung’u, Kellen Wangari
Customer satisfaction in e-banking in Kenya has been on the decline despite scholarly research contributions. In 2015 customer satisfaction in e-banking was approximately at 64%, in 2016 trust was at 78% with only 13% reporting an experience with some form of online fraud attempts while using e-banking platforms. Unfortunately, in 2017 satisfaction in e- banking dropped to 50% and trust to 66.7% while in 2020 satisfaction in e-banking was a meagre 33%. The study aimed at establishing the effect of brand equity on customer satisfaction of e-banking account holders of commercial banks in Nairobi City, Kenya. The specific objectives of the study was to establish the effect of brand awareness, perceived quality and brand associations on customer satisfaction of e-banking account holders in commercial banks in Nairobi City, Kenya. The study also assessed the mediating effect of customer trust and the moderating effect of customer demographics on brand equity and customer satisfaction. The study was anchored on Aaker’s brand equity model which was complemented by; the signalling theory, expectancy value and disconfirmation paradigm theory guided the study. The research philosophy was positivism with descriptive and explanatory research design. This was because positivism allowed for quantifying of qualitative data, explanatory allowed for examination of causal relationships, while descriptive allowed comparisons of study variable’s response by the study population. The study context was Nairobi County which has 564 bank brand branches, allowing access to variety of customer demographics and all bank tiers. The target population was 66,315,699(Central Bank of Kenya, 2021), with Nairobi accounting for 40% hence 26,040,000 account holders from commercial banks in Nairobi, of which 99.5% were subscribers of e-banking. Sampling took the form of stratified, disproportionate stratified and random sampling techniques. A sample of 400 respondents was selected. Primary data was used and collected using questionnaires disseminated using a survey monkey application and/or electronic mail with questions on a 5- and 10-point Likert scale. Content and construct validity was examined, by a pilot test and use of confirmatory factor analysis with a loading of 0.6. Reliability of the research instrument was determined by Cronbach’s’ Alpha coefficient, which yielded 0.960, 0.7 been excellent reliability. Qualitative data was analysed through content analysis. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. To ascertain assumptions of multiple linear regressions diagnostic tests for normality, outliers, linearity, multicollinearity and homogeneity of variance were conducted. Simple linear and multiple linear regression were conducted to assess the relationships between independent, mediating, moderating and dependent variables. The hypotheses were tested using a P-value <0.05 to assess statistical significance while value of adjusted R2 measured amount of variation in customer satisfaction that was explained by brand equity variables. The relationship between brand equity on customer satisfaction of e-banking account holders in commercial banks in Nairobi City County, was found to be statistically significant at 5% significance level. In addition, customer demographic variable; income had a moderating effect on the relationship between brand equity and customer satisfaction while customer trust had a statistically significant mediating effect on the relationship between brand equity and customer satisfaction at 95% confidence level. The study concluded that brand equity has a positive and statistically significant effect on customer satisfaction of e- banking account holders in commercial banks in Nairobi City County. The Banks and CBK as the regulator can use the findings of this study to formulate brand equity related policies that enhance customer satisfaction of e-banking account holders in commercial banks in Nairobi City County. The study contributes to the pool of knowledge and suggests research gaps realized from findings and makes recommendations on possible research areas.
Integrated Marketing Communications Mix and Adoption of a Sports Culture by Academic Staff of Chartered Public Universities in Nairobi City County, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2025-11) Mulili, Benjamin Mwanzia
The practice of using ideas from the experience of others in the making and implementation of policy locally is not new. It can be an effective way for governments to learn what to pursue and what to avoid. Governments discovered that instead them to engage in the slow process of learning by doing, they can simply learn by observing the policy experience of others. Therefore, it should be possible for one government to pick policy ideas, in whole or parts, with the view to using it to help solve an existing policy challenge in their own system. Scholars have ascribed different names to explain this process. These include diffusion, transfer, lesson drawing, policy mobilities and translation among various cognates. While slightly different, what these related fields of studies have in common is that they attempt to trace the movement of policies from one setting to another, helping to address questions such as: why and how policies move, who is involved in this movement, what actually is moved, and who is involved in this process. However, despite the extensive nature of the literature, gaps still exist in relation to the capacity of the policy receptors to incorporate borrowed lessons. Similarly, agency, motive, cognition, capacity and time are all in need of further development. This thesis is designed to help fill these gaps. It draws on Punctuated Equilibrium Theory to complement the Policy Transfer heuristic to provide a theoretical prism to investigate the phenomenon. Inductive-interpretive method was used to extend Critical Realism research to study the interaction of agency and structure. Thus, two main data collection approaches were used: primary document review and semi-structured interviews. Based on interviews with 24 Task Force members, sourced through purposive and snow-ball techniques (complemented primarily by official publications of Kenya‘s Ministry of Health, and the World Health Organization), this study inductively conducted Braun and Clarke‘s Six-Step thematic analysis. The findings showed that lessons have been offered to Kenya Task Force by the WHO, the former utilized the lessons in coming up with Kenya‘s COVID-19 measures; and that the WHO advice was combined with ideas borrowed from other sources. The study also found that the Task Force members actively (and willingly) participated in the transfer process; thus they had a positive relation with the WHO. Furthermore, despite some delays in declaring the pandemic and in generating Kenya‘s initial responses, the WHO was generally prompt in guiding Kenya to enact national guidelines. This study discovered that, after the initial transfer, the transfer actors have improved their response time for the integration of lessons in the second wave. However, it slowed in the third. Other findings were: there were xxi varied choices among Task Force members on specific choices, the Task Force members had the needed agency to determine the transfer and no conflict was found between the sending actors and the receiving actors of the IPC. Finally, the study also found that the capacity of Kenya at the outset of the pandemic was mixed: it had a pre-existing IPC but suffered the dearth of key infrastructure and supplies. Despite this, Kenya provided support to its contiguous neighbors (Seychelles, Somalia and South Sudan) who were in much dire needs. The study thus concluded that the transfer of the IPC measures from the WHO was instrumental to Kenya‘s COVID-19 policies. Therefore, this thesis recommends reducing the number of Task Forces in future pandemics, sustaining the voluntary nature of international health regulation, making timely decisions, encouraging accountability and transparency within Task Force membership and robust investment in Kenya‘s health sector
Influence of Transformational Leadership on Organizational Performance of Commercial Banks in Kenya
(JKUAT, 2017) Muchiri, Chege Thenya
The concept of leadership has received considerable public and institution’s attention both in developed and developing world. This study examines the crucial role of transformational leadership on organizational performance of commercial banks in Kenya. The study focused on the following variables i.e., visioning managers, inspiring managers, stimulating managers, coaching managers and moderating effect of corporate governance on the relationship between transformational leadership and organizational performance in commercial banks. The study involved all the commercial banks currently in Kenya. The research design adopted in the study was a cross sectional survey design. The study thus reached a total of 384 employees, sampled on a stratified random sampling method, from the two strata: top and middle cadre employees. While the close-ended questions guided the respondents’ answers within the choices given, the open-ended ones were useful in obtaining a more detailed response essentially in cases where the researcher has no pre-determined options. Respondents were presented with descriptive statements in a 5-point and 4-point Likert scale on which they were required to rate by scoring the extent to which they perceived a particular statement as descriptive of the force in the corporations. The questionnaires were administered through drop and pick method to the respondents targeted. The questionnaires were coded and edited for completeness and consistency and entered into Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 20). Analysis involved descriptive statistics and inferential analysis. Descriptive analysis technique gave simple summaries about the sample data in quantitative descriptions and included, mean, standard deviation, frequencies and percentages. The study concluded that the organization managers usually have a vision to improve the financial performance of the commercial banks and that the organization chooses transformational leaders from internal and external labour markets. The Recommendations of the study were Leadership style behaviors that have a strong positive relationship with organizational performance should be put into practice. It is therefore recommended that managers should: help others develop themselves; guide to be rewarded for their work; be satisfied when others meet agreed-upon standards; provide recognition or rewards; tell others the standards they have to know to carry out their work and ask no more of others than what is absolutely essential Managers should consider acquiring the transformational leadership skills because they are very important in the revolutionizing of the commercial banks in Kenya. There is however still need for future researches to be done to establish the specific areas of employee engagement influenced by transformational leadership behaviours, as well as their contribution to organizational performance. Studies may also be done to establish why idealized influence of supervisor was found to be negatively related to both employee engagement and organizational performance as per this study finding
Organizational agility and performance of selected public universities in Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2025-12) Adoli, Hebron Litsulitsa
Public universities in Kenya have been operating in an environment that has been changing over the past few years, and the numerous uncertainties have made survival challenging. The unprecedented challenges such as ineffectiveness and inefficiencies due to reduced enrolment of self-sponsored students who form a greater portion of population in the public universities in terms of fees payment to support effective processes, low global ranking of public universities, low research output and the weak university-industry partnerships due to the closed system nature of public universities and other internal and external factors have continued to affect university performance. The application of the organizational agility concept may be viewed as a panacea to addressing the above pertinent issues and bring the public universities to a higher level of performance in uncertain changing environment. Therefore, the goal of this study was to examine the relationship between organizational agility, Leadership style, Regulatory environment and performance of selected Kenyan public universities. The study intended to specifically determine the effect of readiness to change, agility enabler, responsiveness and agility practice on performance of selected Kenyan public universities. The study also intended to evaluate the moderating effect of regulatory environment and mediating effect of leadership style on relationship between organizational agility and performance of selected Kenyan public universities. The study was based on five theories: Dynamic Capability theory as lead theory, Resource based view theory, learning organization theory, Institutional theory and Balanced Scorecard model as relevant in underpinning the various variables in the study. Pragmatism philosophical approach guided the study and semi-structured questionnaires were used to measure both quantitative and qualitative data, using mixed research methodologies for empirical analysis. Content analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data, and the results presented in accordance with patterns and themes. The target population was the 31 fully fledged public universities in Kenya out of which 10 were sampled systematically from best to worst ranked institution based on January and July 2023 web metrics global university ranking scale. The study targeted 220 respondents comprising of Deputy Vice Chancellors, Deans of schools and faculty, academic department heads and key senior staff in administration. Out of this, only 207 returned the questionnaire accounting for 94.1% success rate. Due to the characteristics of the respondents and the goal of the investigation, a proportionate stratified random sampling technique was employed to choose the respondents for the study. A drop-and-pick methodology was used to collect data by trained research assistants. The questionnaire was subjected to both validity and reliability tests by carrying out a pilot test on different group from the study group but with similar characteristics and use of SPSS version 27 to process the data. Using a multiple regression analysis approach, descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to analyze the data in accordance with the specific research objectives and hypotheses. Results from quantitative data analysis were presented using figures and tables while qualitative data was analyzed based on common themes and presented in narrative form. The findings of the study established that organizational agility positively influenced university performance. Moreover, organizational readiness to change, agility enabler and responsiveness were found to be statistically significant except agility practice. Leadership style and institutional environment were found to fully mediate and moderate the relationship between organizational agility and university performance respectively. The management of public universities can use these findings to enhance utilization of the concept of organizational agility in their institutions in the face of uncertainty. Furthermore, these findings are expected to provide a framework for enhancing performance of public universities in the midst of adverse environmental circumstances.by forming appropriate policies and strategies.
Strategic Flexibility And Performance Of Commercial Banks In Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2025-05) Kale-Kahingo, Caroline Muhonja
Commercial banks are essential to all sectors of an economy by providing resources that support creation of employment opportunities, improved productivity and poverty reduction in a country. Nevertheless, the performance of these institutions raises some concerns in regard to profitability, customer satisfaction, brand loyalty and corporate reputation. To remain competitive in an ever-changing environment, the banks must adjust their strategies to mitigate risks and benefit in favorable circumstances. Consequently, this study investigated the effect of strategic flexibility on performance of commercial banks in Kenya. The specific objectives were to establish the effects of human resources flexibility, coordination flexibility and competitive flexibility on performance. Additionally, the mediating and moderating effects of organisational competences and environmental dynamism, respectively, in the strategic flexibility and performance nexus were examined. The study was underpinned by dynamic capabilities theory, resource-based view theory, strategic choice theory and balanced scorecard model. Positivism philosophy, descriptive and explanatory research designs were adopted. Primary data was collected through a semi-structured questionnaire in a cross-sectional survey. The survey involved senior managers in charge of areas that are important for formulating strategies that enable the banks to adjust accordingly in dynamic environments. Face, content and construct validity were determined. A pilot study was conducted to determine the reliability of the instrument. The Cronbach's alpha index was 0.859, which exceeded the minimum recommended value of 0.7. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze quantitative data. Descriptive analysis employed standard deviations, percentages, mean scores and frequencies. For inferential statistics, linear regression was utilised to determine relationships between variables. Hypotheses testing was done using p-values to determine significance at 95% level of confidence. Qualitative data was analysed, interpreted, and conclusions drawn using thematic analysis. Quantitative data was presented using tables and statistical measures, while qualitative data was presented using narratives. Normality, linearity, multicollinearity and homoscedasticity tests were conducted as diagnostic tests. The study findings indicated strategic flexibility had a positive and significant effect on performance of commercial banks. Therefore, the study concluded that strategic flexibility has a direct effect on performance of commercial banks. Specifically, human resources flexibility, coordination flexibility and competitive flexibility have a positive and significant effect on performance of commercial banks. Furthermore, the study concludes that this direct effect is partially mediated and positively moderated respectively by organisational competences and environmental dynamism. Consequently, the study recommends that heads of human resource management should formulate flexible human resource practices, work schedules and competitive compensation that motivate employees to adjust their skills and behaviour to fit environmental changes, hence enhance strategic flexibility. Secondly, operations managers should streamline operations to strengthen their ability to reconfigure and redeploy their resources to respond to competition and customer needs by establishing dynamic organisational structures that allow rapid response to opportunities and threats. Moreover, functional heads in charge of corporate strategy should formulate policies that enhance competitive flexibility in their institutions by focusing on continuous monitoring of competitive dynamics to enable the banks to adjust their competitive strategies on pricing, products and focus flexibility to stay ahead of competition.
Organizational Agility And Performance Of Selected Public Universities In Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2024-12) Litsulitsa, Herbon Adoli
Public universities in Kenya have been operating in an environment that has been changing over the past few years, and the numerous uncertainties have made survival challenging. The unprecedented challenges such as ineffectiveness and inefficiencies due to reduced enrolment of self-sponsored students who form a greater portion of population in the public universities in terms of fees payment to support effective processes, low global ranking of public universities, low research output and the weak university-industry partnerships due to the closed system nature of public universities and other internal and external factors have continued to affect university performance. The application of the organizational agility concept may be viewed as a panacea to addressing the above pertinent issues and bring the public universities to a higher level of performance in uncertain changing environment. Therefore, the goal of this study was to examine the relationship between organizational agility, Leadership style, Regulatory environment and performance of selected Kenyan public universities. The study intended to specifically determine the effect of readiness to change, agility enabler, responsiveness and agility practice on performance of selected Kenyan public universities. The study also intended to evaluate the moderating effect of regulatory environment and mediating effect of leadership style on relationship between organizational agility and performance of selected Kenyan public universities. The study was based on five theories: Dynamic Capability theory as lead theory, Resource based view theory, learning organization theory, Institutional theory and Balanced Scorecard model as relevant in underpinning the various variables in the study. Pragmatism philosophical approach guided the study and semi-structured questionnaires were used to measure both quantitative and qualitative data, using mixed research methodologies for empirical analysis. Content analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data, and the results presented in accordance with patterns and themes. The target population was the 31 fully fledged public universities in Kenya out of which 10 were sampled systematically from best to worst ranked institution based on January and July 2023 web metrics global university ranking scale. The study targeted 220 respondents comprising of Deputy Vice Chancellors, Deans of schools and faculty, academic department heads and key senior staff in administration. Out of this, only 207 returned the questionnaire accounting for 94.1% success rate. Due to the characteristics of the respondents and the goal of the investigation, a proportionate stratified random sampling technique was employed to choose the respondents for the study. A drop-and-pick methodology was used to collect data by trained research assistants. The questionnaire was subjected to both validity and reliability tests by carrying out a pilot test on different group from the study group but with similar characteristics and use of SPSS version 27 to process the data. Using a multiple regression analysis approach, descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to analyze the data in accordance with the specific research objectives and hypotheses. Results from quantitative data analysis were presented using figures and tables while qualitative data was analyzed based on common themes and presented in narrative form. The findings of the study established that organizational agility positively influenced university performance. Moreover, organizational readiness to change, agility enabler and responsiveness were found to be statistically significant except agility practice. Leadership style and institutional environment were found to fully mediate and moderate the relationship between organizational agility and university performance respectively. The management of public universities can use these findings to enhance utilization of the concept of organizational agility in their institutions in the face of uncertainty. Furthermore, these findings are expected to provide a framework for enhancing performance of public universities in the midst of adverse environmental circumstances.by forming appropriate policies and strategies.
Knowledge management practices and teacher performance in public secondary schools in Murang’a County, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2025-08) Gakuru, Rosemary Nduta
Knowledge management practices enable teachers to acquire, convert and apply skills that enhance their performance. However, empirical research shows that public secondary schools experience high rate of knowledge loss due to poor knowledge management practices. This knowledge loss is through teacher turnover which leads to low performance where the pre-set targets are not achieved. The following specific goals serve as the foundation for this study: to ascertain the impact of knowledge acquisition on teacher performance in public secondary schools located in Murang'a County, Kenya; to ascertain the impact of knowledge conversion on teacher performance in public secondary schools located in Murang'a County, Kenya; to ascertain the impact of knowledge application on teacher performance in public secondary schools located in Murang'a County, Kenya; to ascertain the mediating role of human capital development on the relationship between knowledge management practices and teacher performance in public secondary schools located in Murang'a County, Kenya; and to ascertain the moderating role of school culture on the relationship between knowledge management practices and teacher performance in public secondary schools located in Murang'a County, Kenya. The study was informed by knowledge-based view theory supported by institution theory and human capital theory. The study was inclined to positivism research philosophy. A descriptive research design was used in the study. The target population consisted of 4692 teachers from 309 public secondary schools in Murang'a County, Kenya. A sample size of 368 respondents was obtained using a proportionate stratified random sampling design. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data. Data was collected in both quantitative and qualitative forms, and data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The study found that knowledge management practices had a positive and significant effect on teacher performance in public secondary schools in Murang'a County, Kenya. The findings also revealed that human capital development mediated the relationship between KMP and teacher performance in part. In addition, school culture significantly moderated the relationship between KMP and teacher performance. The study concluded that KMP are critical in enhancing teacher performance in public secondary schools. The study recommended that stakeholders in public schools which include school management, TSC and ministry of education should adopt strategies to improve the extent of knowledge management practices like acquisition of knowledge, knowledge conversion and application of knowledge among public secondary schools in Kenya.
Core competences and firm performance of star rated hotels in Nairobi City County, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2025-11) Kariuki, Jane Wambui
The hotel industry in developing world has been promoting economic growth and providing jobs. In the Kenyan context, there has been great variation in firm performance of hotels with some closing down. Although core competences have received attention equally in scholarly work and in practice, its effect on star rated hotels remains uncertain. Consequently, this study aimed to investigate the effects of core competences on fim performance of star rated hotels. Specifically, this study investigated the effects of managerial competence, customer focus competence and emotional intelligence competence on the firm performance of star rated hotels in Nairobi City County. The study assessed the moderating effect of environmental turbulence and examined the mediating effect of innovation capability on the relationship between core competences and firm performance. Underpinning theory of study independent and dependent variables was resource-based view theory and balanced scorecard model. While mediating and moderating variables were underpinned on dynamic capability theory, and contingency theory. Moreover, the study utilized proportionate stratified sampling and simple random to select the respondent of the study. The target population was 112 star rated hotels in Nairobi City County and sample sizes of 217 managers were interviewed for the study. The response rate was 78.6% which was found to be suitable for the research. This study employed a semi-structured questionnaire to collect primary data. The study utilized positivism philosophy, and the research design implemented was descriptive and explanatory research design. Descriptive statistics used mean, standard deviation to explain data characteristics and inferential statistics used regression analysisis in testing the effects of variables on firm’s performance. Qualitative data was analyzed using themes being presented in narrative form. Descriptive and inferential statics were done with significance level of confidence at p≤ 0.05, (95%). Findings established that managerial competence; customer focus competence and emotional intelligence competence significantly affected the performance of star rated hotels in Nairobi City County. The study revealed that environmental turbulence had significant moderating effect on firm performance, moreover there was a significant partial mediating effect of innovation capability on firm performance. The study recommended that the hotels should continuously build on their core competences through trainings of their employees using seminars, workshops, on job training and refresher courses for improved performance. The study concludes that emotional intelligence competence had the highest significant effect. In relation to customer focus competence, the study recommended that hotels should adopt activities related to customer focus, providing excellent services, addressing customers complaints and responding to customers feedback and developing customer services strategy. Star rated hotels should improve on develompement of exciting new products and services and invests in entering new markets. Study recomends that star rated hotels to develop a proactive strategy in dealing with environmental turbulence. Study acclaims that in persuit of knowledge enquiries be done in service sector for instance, banking in order to authenticate the influence of core competences on firm performance.
Managerial cognition and performance of chartered universities in Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2024-08) Njuki, Milton K.
Massive expansion of university education in Kenya without comensurate funding and proper management has led to a myriad of performance challenges in universities, particularly public universities. Although research has shown a nexus between managerial cognition and organizational performance, the understanding of managerial cognition and how it influences performance of universities in Kenyan context is not fully explored. This study therefore sought to examine the influence of managerial cognition on performance of chartered Universities in Kenya. The specific objectives were to: investigate effect of top management demographic characteristics on performance of chartered Universities in Kenya; establish effect of top management cognitive characteristics on performance of chartered Universities in Kenya; determine the effect of top management leadership orientation characteristics on performance of chartered Universities in Kenya; determine the moderating effect of executive job demands on the relationship between managerial cognition and performance of chartered Universities in Kenya and to assess the mediating effect of strategic choices on the relationship between managerial cognition and performance of chartered universities in Kenya. The study was founded on the following theories; Resource Based Theory, Top Echelons Theory and the Stakeholders’ Theory. The study adopted positivist epistemology paradigm and descriptive research design. The target population was the 50 chartered universities while the unit of observation was the 150 top management officers in the chartered universities. These were; Vice chancellors, Deputy vice chancellors (incharge of academics) and Registrars (incharge of academics). Since the target population was small, sampling was not done and therefore all the targeted respondents participated in the study. Questionnaires were used to collect data from the respondents. A pilot study was conducted in five randomly selected universities. Reliability test of the research instruments was done using Cronbach alpha and returned a reliability score of 0.797. Descriptive statistics, that is, mean and standard deviation were used to summarize the data. Inferential statistics including, correlational and regression analysis were also used to test the hypothesis and to draw inferences and conclusions of the study. Diagonistic tests for the regression model were also carried out and included; auto correlation, heterogeneity and collineality. The study established that managerial cognition had a positive influence on performance of chartered universities in Kenya. The study also established that executive job demands had statistically significant negative moderating effect on the relationship between managerial cognition and performance of universities. Strategic choices were however found to had positive but statistically insignificant mediating effect between managerial cognition and performance of universities. The study concluded that managerial cognition enhances performance of universities. This is however negatively moderated by executive job demands. The study recommended for training of top management in universities on corporate governance to keep phase with management challenges and review of regulatory framework in the university sub sector. The study also recommended future studies to explore adoption of a longitudinal research design to comparison and generalization of the findings.
Intrapreneurial strategies and performance of public universities in Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2025-10) Otolo, Kanini Margaret
The higher education sector produces intellectuals who drive a country’s economic development. Kenya has witnessed an exponential expansion in the number of public universities, enrolled students, and academic programmes over time. The government has implemented various education reforms to support public universities in terms of funding, quality and relevance, governance, research, innovation and technology uptake. Despite this, resources to maintain high operating standards, relevance, and achieve set objectives have not kept pace with the expansion. In addition, the government capitation to public universities has progressively declined. This compounded, has adversely affected their performance. Graduate employability has decreased by 4% overall margin annually since 2018, with 70% of all newly recruited graduates requiring retraining. Research output and innovation has declined. Kenyan publications rank in the lower quartile of global peer reviewed journals. Only 230 PhDs graduate against an annual benchmark of 2,400. Moreover, only one Kenyan public university was ranked in Webometrics among the top 1000 universities globally in 2023. Adoption of intrapreneurial strategies has been key for improved performance of public universities in developed countries. This study investigated the effect of intrapreneurial strategies on performance of public universities in Kenya. Specifically, the study investigated the effect of innovativeness, risk-taking, pro-activeness, and self-renewal on performance of public universities, and utilised organisational support and operating environment as mediating and moderating variables, respectively. The research was guided by Schumpeter innovation, opportunity-based entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial event, and resource-dependency theories. The study adhered to a positivist philosophy and employed descriptive and explanatory research designs. A self-administered semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data from 20 public universities in Kenya, chosen using multi-stage sampling. An aggregate of 400 respondents of senior members of management picked from a population of 3600 was utilised as a unit of observation. The validity and reliability of the study instrument was tested using Cronbach's alpha coefficient, with a threshold set at 0.7 or above. With the help of SPSS Version 23, quantitative data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Qualitative data was analysed using content analysis and the findings were expressed consistent with the themes and objectives. The response rate was 82% percent, which was sufficient for making inferences and drawing conclusions. To test the association amidst the dependent and independent variables, multiple regression models were utilised. Descriptive statistics were summarised using frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations. The study established a positive and significant relationship between innovativeness (β=0.146, p=0.013<0.05)), risk-taking (β=0.065, p=0.032<0.05), pro-activeness (β=0.163, p=0.023<0.05), self-renewal (β=0.446, p=0.000<0.05) and public universities’ performance; organisational support (β=0.760, p=0.000<0.05) partially mediates the relationship between intrapreneurial strategies and public universities’ performance; and operating environment (β=0.620, p=0.000<0.05) moderates the relationship between intrapreneurial strategies and public universities’ performance in Kenya. The study concluded that the adoption of intrapreneurial strategies improves the performance of public universities. The study recommends public universities to adopt innovativeness, pro-activeness, risk-taking, and self-renewal intrapreneurial strategies; and public university management to create an enabling environment for the adoption and integration of intrapreneurial strategies into the university’s core activities for improved performance. The study also recommends continuous training of staff in the adoption and use of modern technologies to improve productivity; and the government of Kenya and other relevant policymakers to institute reforms and organise forums to promote the adoption of intrapreneurship in public universities for improved performance
Strategic Orientation and Performance of State Corporations in the Energy Sector in Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2024-06) M’mboga, Eunice
Even though the energy sector is considered to facilitate the operations and performance of the primary sectors of the economy, evidence from contextual literature has depicted a rather unpleasant state of affairs regarding performance. The performance of these entities is characterized by low level of budget absorption, an absence of growth in quantity power generated to the national grid, concerns over stakeholder satisfaction, absence of improvement of customer solutions and delivery mechanisms. Likewise, the escalating cost of energy poses a significant barrier, as it contributes to a loss of foreign direct investment, which has serious implications on socioeconomic development. This empirical inquiry sought to explain the performance of entities in the Kenyan energy sectors on the basis of strategic orientation. More precisely, the inquiry examined the effect of market orientation, technology orientation and entrepreneurial orientation on the performance of state entities in the Kenyan energy sector. The study further sought to analyze the moderating and mediating effect of corporate culture and dynamic managerial capability on the effect of strategic orientation on performance of state entities in the Kenyan energy sector. The theoretical postulates of the resource-based view, dynamic capabilities theory, Denison organizational culture model and balanced scorecard model were used to anchor the chosen research constructs. The overarching methodology of research for this study drew from the principles of positivism philosophy. Explanatory and descriptive research design was used to allow for triangulation of observations. A sample of 285 was drawn from a population of 887 management staff using stratified proportionate as a probabilistic sampling technique. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to gather observations from the research participants. A preliminary study of 10 per cent of the sample was observed to facilitate verification of the reliability of the research tool. The face, construct and content validity of the research tool was also confirmed. Descriptive characteristics of the observed variables were analyzed prior to performing inferential analysis. The study attained a response rate of eighty-eight per cent. The primary assumptions of the linear regression model were assessed using appropriate statistical tests. Inferential analysis revealed favourable cause-effect behaviour between market orientation, technology orientation and entrepreneurial orientation as input variables and organizational performance as the response variable. Further, dynamic managerial capability was determined as a partial mediator of the link between strategic orientation and performance. Equally, corporate culture was revealed to moderate the effect of strategic orientation on performance. Quantitative findings were presented in the form of tables and appropriate diagrams. Qualitative data was analyzed using the commonality of themes or ideas and presented in prose form. Enactment of policy guidelines that would not only enhance clarity on competitive posture, customer value, market learning and inter functional coordination activities but reinforce practice around these activities should be a fundamental concern of the head of the marketing division. The head of the information technology division ought to review the policy guidelines regarding corporate communication, technological change, research and development and, automation of operations, process and service delivery. Development of commensurate policy guidelines for enterprise activities and practices regarding willingness to take risk, proactivity, competitive aggressiveness and innovativeness should be prioritized by the heads of strategy division and research and development division. Top management of state enterprises should foster practices that encourage customization of responses to stakeholders needs however withing deliberately defined ethical parameters. Management should promote a culture of learning, experimenting and challenging conventional thinking amongst employees.
Firm Specific Characteristics and Level of Voluntary Disclosure by Commercial Banks in Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2024-06) Thairu, Kimaru
The importance of bank transparency and disclosure is to promote the stability in the sector through the adaptation of the needed regulatory tools. Banks can cause large economic ramifications if they fail due to information asymmetry. The Kenyan banking sector has come under close scrutiny by the stakeholders due to the past decade instability. There has been a steady improvement in disclosure levels on both the extent and quality for banks over the years despite there being no uniformity in the disclosure by banks in Kenya over the same period. Due to this a lot of concerns has been generated among the people on the worth of financial information reported in the country. In the yearly reports of entities, voluntary information should be provided adequately as this will influence the decision by the potential shareholders and others who use accounting information and will also guarantee consistency, reliability, transparency and comparability of these reports. The research sought to establish firm specific characteristics effects and level of voluntary disclosure by Kenya’s commercial banks. The objectives were; to establish how profitability, leverage, firm size and liquidity affect the level of voluntary disclosure by Kenyan commercial banks. The research moderated the effect of board independence on firm specific characteristics and the level of voluntary disclosure by commercial banks in Kenya. Five theories; agency, signaling, credit need, stakeholder and legitimacy theories guided the study. Explanatory and positivistic philosophy study design were deployed. The study target populated was 41 banks licensed by the CBK out of which 38 banks were selected using purposive sampling method over a period of 2013-2020. Data required for analysis was extracted and compiled from financial statements by use of a document review guide. The gathered data was evaluated through both descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive analysis was performed and displayed through the mean, mode, median, standard deviation as well as ratios. Pearson correlation analysis was done to show correlation between variables. In investigating how the variable relates, panel regression model was used. Diagnostics test conducted includes heteroscedasticity, multicollinearity, normality test, panel unit root, autocorrelation, and random or fixed effects test. The results indicated existence of a positive and significant connection between profitability and level of voluntary disclosure by commercial banks. Similarly, firm size positively and notably associated with the voluntary disclosure level. Liquidity positively and notably related with the voluntary disclosure level. However, Leverage had a significant negating effect on the voluntary disclosure level. Further, board independence was found to be significant moderator on how firm specific characteristics and voluntary disclosure level related. The findings reveal that firm characteristics; profitability, size, leverage and liquidity are a significant predictor of voluntary disclosures. This research recommends that above the set statutory requirements, commercial banks should disclosure more information voluntarily. Also a harmonized guide for voluntary disclosure should be created for all banks by the regulator. The study gives gainful insights to regulatory bodies particularly the ones with interest to enhance the legal framework for financial reporting and corporate governance in the emerging economies. The study also offer policy makers with information on possible weaknesses to the financial reporting laws while analysts, stock brokers, potential and existing investors will benefit on how to make informed investment decisions as well as researchers interested in furthering the study.
Green Innovation Strategy and Performance Sustainability of ISO 14001 Certified Manufacturing Firms in Nairobi City County, Kenya
(kenyatta university, 2023) Nzomo, James Kimuli; Godfrey M. Kinyua; Evans T. Mwasiaji
Performance sustainability has been a major concern for most firms operating in manufacturing sector in Kenya. There has been an increase in environmental crisis related to pollution and unmanaged waste disposal in the industrial sector. Most firms in the manufacturing sector have witnessed a declined profit and 55% of firms having high impact on the environment. Despite clear regulatory framework and increased ISO 14001 certification of firms which is critical as firms go green, challenges relating to performance sustainability of manufacturing firms are still high. This study investigated effect of GIS on the performance sustainability of ISO 14001 certified manufacturing firms in Nairobi City County, Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were to determine effect of green product innovation strategy, green process innovation strategy, green marketing innovation strategy and green organizational innovation strategy on the performance sustainability of ISO 14001 certified firms in manufacturing sector in Nairobi, Kenya. The study further established the mediating effect of competitive advantage and the moderating effect of regulatory framework on the relationship between green innovation strategy and performance sustainability of ISO 14001 certified firms in Nairobi, Kenya. The study was guided by triple bottom line theory, green business model innovation, resource-based view theory, institutional theory and stakeholder’s theory. Positivism philosophy was adopted in this study involving descriptive and explanatory research design. The target population was 60 ISO 14001 certified manufacturing firms in Nairobi, Kenya. Census of the 60 ISO 14001 certified firms was done where the unit of observation was 300 respondents obtained from the heads of finance, human resource, marketing, ICT and operations departments. To collect data, semi-structured questionnaires were used which were administered through mail survey and drop and pick methods. Face, content and construct validity were used to analyse validity of the tools while reliability was analysed using Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient whose threshold was coefficient above 0.7. The response rate was seventy six percent which was sufficient for making inferences and drawing conclusion. Descriptive statistics was summarized using frequencies, percentage, mean and standard deviations. Multiple regression analysis was used for inferential statistics to test hypotheses. Inferential statistics was reported using adjusted coefficient of determination (R2), F statistics (ANOVA), unstandardized coefficients (beta values) and p values at 0.05 level of significance. The quantitative data was presented inform of figures and tables while qualitative data was presented in narrative form. The findings indicated that GIS had significant positive effect on the performance sustainability of ISO 14001 certified firms. Moreover, green product, green process, green marketing and green organizational innovation strategy were found to be statistically significant and had effect on the performance sustainability. Competitive advantage partially mediated the relationship between GIS and performance sustainability. Lastly, regulatory framework had negative moderating effect on the relationship between GIS and performance sustainability of ISO 14001 certified manufacturing firms in Nairobi City County in Kenya. The study recommends that the management of manufacturing firms need to come up with green practices which enhances all aspects GIS in order to improve performance sustainability of manufacturing firms. Management of manufacturing firms going green need to leverage on aspects that aids firm to gain competitive advantage like green automation to promote performance sustainability of firms. The government and other stakeholders in manufacturing are advised to come up with flexible regulatory framework which encourages firms to adopt green innovation and at same time attain performance sustainability for manufacturing firms.
Online Marketing Strategies and Market Performance of Registered Tours and Travel Agencies in Nairobi City County, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2023) Gakii, Kithinji Annstellah; Samuel Maina; Elishiba Murigi
Kenya's Vision 2030 strives to craft the country into middle-income industrialized country by improving access and strengthening economic development of the tourism industry. However, the market shares of tours and travel agencies in Nairobi city county exhibits a downward trend, necessitating adoption of online marketing strategies to enhance their market performance. The study aimed to investigate the effects of online marketing strategies on market performance of the registered tours and travel agencies in Nairobi city county Kenya. The study specifically investigated the effect of content marketing, search engine optimization, e-mail marketing and online video marketing on market performance. It also established the moderating effect of firm characteristics as well as the mediating effect of competitive advantage on the relationship between online marketing strategies and market performance of registered tours and travel agencies in Nairobi city county Kenya. The study was anchored by unified theory of acceptance and use of technology, innovation diffusion theory and resource-based view theory. The study adopted a positivist philosophy. Both descriptive and explanatory research designs were used. The study used stratified random sampling to choose the sample size from the population. A self-administered semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data from a sample of 179 registered tours and travels agencies picked from a population of 324 tours and travel agencies in Nairobi city county, Kenya. The study instrument's validity and reliability were assessed, and the results showed that they were reliable. The data obtained was coded and entered into the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics, such as frequencies, mean, percentages, and standard deviation, and presented using tables, and numerical values. Based on the objectives five hypotheses are formulated and were tested at a 95% confidence level using multiple linear regression. The results of regression analysis established that search engine optimization, email marketing and online video marketing had a positive and significant effect on market performance of the registered tours and travel agencies in Nairobi city county, Kenya. However, content marketing strategies had an insignificant effect on market performance of tours and travel agencies in Nairobi, city county Kenya. As a result, the study concludes that content marketing extends beyond content sharing and distribution to include content creation, and therefore tours and travel agencies should focus more on the key characteristics of content, which ultimately made reference to the purchase process and is open to the potential business outcome. The study recommends that tour operators and travel agencies should integrate all available online marketing strategies to make information more accessible to customers. This includes creating relevant content to enhance market entry, using search engine optimization to improve online visibility, leveraging email marketing to personalize messages and increase market penetration, and using online video marketing to boost performance
Efficacy of Destination Promotion Strategies on Domestic Tourism Performance in Mombasa County, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2023) Mwawaza, Stella Mshai; Albert Chege Kariuki; Edgar Otsembo Ndubi
Domestic tourism is critical as it helps cushion the tourism sector against uneven demand resulting from international tourism. The variation of international tourism is as a result of an increase in major security incidents, especially terrorism, global economic instability, seasonality, and global epidemics such as COVID-19. Such fluctuations affect the Gross Domestic Product and nature of employment. Domestic tourism often plays a role in sustaining services and jobs when there is reduced international tourism. The Government of Kenya and private stakeholders have put in place measures to ensure local residence engage in tourism. The goal of this research was to determine the efficacy of destination promotion strategies on domestic tourism performance in Mombasa County. Specific objectives were: to establish the influence of travel motivation on domestic tourism performance; analyse the contribution of the tourism products on domestic tourism performance; evaluate the marketing best practices adopted and their influence on domestic tourism performance; explore the contribution of stakeholder engagement on domestic tourism performance and finally establish the moderating influence of destination image on the relationship between destination promotion strategies and domestic tourism performance in Mombasa County. The sampled population consisted of 444 respondents drawn from domestic tourists in Mombasa County, Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA) registered Kenya Association of Tour Operators (KATO) members, selected government bodies and relevant tourists Associations in Mombasa County. The research used cross sectional descriptive research design where data was collected using questionnaires, interview schedule and focus group discussions. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse quantitative data with levels significance and confidence levels established at p≤ 0.05, (95%) and qualitative data was themed and categorized. The overall response rate was 84.13%, which was deemed suitable for the research. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences was used to analyse the data. The findings indicated significant influences on the variables as follows; travel motivation to domestic performance p=0.000≤0.05; Tourism product on domestic tourism performance p=0.000≤0.05; marketing best practice and domestic tourism performance p=0.000≤0.05; and stakeholder engagement which was significant at p= 0.000≤0.05. Further, the results indicated that travel motivation, tourism product and marketing best practices explained 60.5% of the variations in domestic tourism performance while stakeholder engagement on the other hand accounted for 31.9% of the variation in domestic tourism performance. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to test moderation hypothesis. The results indicated that cognitive image is a moderator variable between tourism motivation; tourism product; marketing best practice and domestic tourism performance, while affective image was only a moderator between tourist motivation and domestic tourism performance. This study concluded that destination promotion strategies affect domestic tourism performance. The study recommends another study on other factors that affect domestic tourism performance as destination promotion strategies explained only 60.5% of the variations in domestic tourism performance.
Human Resource Management Information Systems and Performance of Chartered Universities in Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2023) Akoyo, Indara Selline; Hannah Orwa Bula; Philip Peter Wambua
Universities are striving to excel in the current competitive environment and therefore, performance is a fundamental goal. Despite the techniques employed by universities, their performance in relation to others regionally and internationally falls short of expectations. Furthermore, the use of Human Resource Management Information systems in universities is not widely accepted. In light to this, the study's primary goal was to evaluate the human resource management information system on performance of chartered universities’ in Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were; to determine the effect of e-human resource planning system on performance; to assess the effect of e-reassign system on performance; to establish the effect of e-recruitment system on performance; to examine the effect of e-training system on performance; to determine the mediating effect of organizational culture on the relationship between Human Resource Management Information System on performance and to examine the moderating effect of regulatory framework on the relationship between Human Resource Management Information System on performance of chartered universities in Kenya. The study variables were anchored on Dynamic Capability and were supported by Diffusion of Innovation, Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology and Institutional Theories. The study was guided by positivism research philosophy. The study adopted explanatory and descriptive research designs. For descriptive design the researcher used cross-section approach. The target population were respondents drawn from 52 chartered universities as of 2021. The total number of respondents were 397 employees who comprised of human resource officers, academic registrars, information communication technology officers and quality assurance officers. Multi-stage sampling was used to obtain a sample size of 230. The collection of primary data was done using semi-structured questionnaires which were sent to the respondents through e-mail and this was necessary due to the outbreak of COVID-19 leading to the closure of all learning institutions and other sectors of the economy. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze quantitative data. Inferential statistics used regression analysis while descriptive statistics used percentages, frequencies, means and standard deviations. Figures and Tables were used to present the findings from the quantitative data analysis which was done using STATA version 15.0. The results indicated that e-reassign system, e-recruitment system and e-training system significantly affected the performance of chartered universities in Kenya. However, e-human resource planning system had an insignificant effect on performance of chartered universities in Kenya. Organizational culture was found to partially mediate the relationship between Human Resource Management Information Systems and performance of chartered universities in Kenya. Further the study established that regulatory framework significantly moderated the relationship between Human Resource Management Information System and performance of chartered universities in Kenya. The study concluded that e-reassign system, e-training system and e-recruitment system were significant forecasters of performance on chartered universities in Kenya. The study recommends that the management and stakeholders in Kenyan universities should invest more in systems and upgrade them on a continuous basis to enhance performance. Finally, the study recommended that further research be done by replicating the same study in unchartered universities as well as other sectors to validate the degree of influence of HRMIS on performance.
Psychological Contract and Performance of Academic Staff in Selected Public Universities in Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2023) Odengo, Ruth Anyango; Hannah Bula; David Kiiru
Globally, performance of academic staff in higher education institutions is seen as a very important driver of economic development through dissemination of knowledge. Concerns have been raised about the complexity of academic staff performance in Kenyan universities. Employee attitudes and performance have been seen to be influenced by psychological contracts. However, there have been few attempts to determine the extent to which psychological contract fulfillment affects academic staff performance in Kenyan public universities. The main objective of this study envisaged examining the influence psychological contract have on the expected performance of academic staff in selected public universities in Kenya. Specifically, the study established the extent to which relational contract, transactional contract and balanced contract affect performance of academic staff at selected public universities in Kenya; secondly, determine the moderating effect of human resource policies and the mediating effect of organizational capabilities on the relationship between psychological contract and performance of academic staff at selected public universities in Kenya. This research was anchored on four theories namely the equity theory, social exchange theory, organizational support theory and the Harvard framework for human resource management. This study was conducted using descriptive and explanatory research design. This study targeted six public universities whose student population are above 15,000 and a minimum of 4 similar schools across the universities. The target population was 6 selected public universities with a population size of 6,271 academic staff. The sample size was 362 academic staff of the selected schools, in the selected public universities. Primary data was collected using a questionnaire, bearing both structured and semi-structured questions. The questionnaire was evaluated for content and construct validity, while a pilot study was carried out to determine the reliability of the questionnaire. To analyze quantitative data, descriptive statistics was used in describing the variables whereas inferential statistics established the association in the independent and dependent variable, outcomes are displayed through tables, charts, diagrams and numerical values. The study hypotheses were tested at 95% confidence level. The study findings showed that relational contract, transactional contract and balanced contract have positive and significant effect on performance of academic staff at selected public universities in Kenya. The findings further established that organisational capabilities partially mediated the relationship between psychological contract and performance of academic staff in selected public universities in Kenya. The study finally showed that human resource policies provided the necessary environment for staff to form effective psychological contract that improve performance. The study concluded that psychological contract plays a significant role in determining the performance of academic staff in the public universities, hence, fulfillment or breach of the psychological contract further determine whether the universities realize positive academic staff performance or not. The study recommends that management of the universities regularly review and discuss challenges faced by the academic staff in performance of their duties and formulate HR policies that would ensure trust and fairness in the employment relationship hence promoting formation of the right psychological contract that would yield intrinsic motivation, job satisfaction, engagement and ultimately overall performance of the academic staff.

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