Effects of workplace environmental factors on transfer of training: a survey of secondary schools Deputy principals in Murang'a South District

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to document and analyze the effect of the work environmental factors on transfer of training to the work place. The study focuses on four workplace factors namely supervisor support, peer support and opportunity to practice and positive personal outcome. The specific objective of the study were to; establish the extent to which supervisor support, peer support, opportunity to practice and positive personal outcome affect transfer of training. The study was a descriptive survey targeting Deputy Principals of Public secondary schools in Murang'a South District who have gone through Kenya Education Staff Institute (KESI) induction program. The data was collected using closed ended questionnaire. To ensure validity of the instruments a pilot study was conducted in the neighbouring District to pretest the questionnaire and to ensure reliability a coefficient of stability method was used. Necessary adjustment was then made before collecting data. Data analysis was done through descriptive statistics. The completed questionnaires were given serial numbers from 1 to 24. Responses in each questionnaire were tallied and a percentage calculated for each tally. Response items were assigned values to facilitate quantitative analysis. Questions with five response items had score of 1-5 and those with four had score of 1-4. Scores were assigned according to the relative strength of the response. Then total scores for the variables were obtained and were used in multivariate analysis. Data was then be presented in form of tables. The study found that overall effect of workplace environmental factors on transfer of training is that supervisor support positively affected transfer of training, low peer support and lack opportunity to practice had negative effect on transfer of training while positive personal outcome positively affected transfer of training . Other factors apart from the above that are exogenous in the model positively affected transfer of training. Recommendations for practice and further research has also. been provided.