Factors influencing employee performance (a study of selected five star hotels in South Coast, Mombasa)

Abstract

The performance of employees in the hotel sector in Kenya has declined over the past two decades. To date, there is still limited literature on employee performance in the hotel sector in Kenya and its underlying factors. This research was needed to try to find out which these characteristics are and how each affects the performance of the employees in the hotel sector, especially along the South coast, Mombasa. Descriptive research design was used in the study. This study targeted 500 employees working in the Five Star Beach Hotels in South Coast, Mombasa. This research used stratified random sampling. Questionnaires were used in the study and the drop and pick method was used. The types of questions included both open and closed ended. Closed ended questions were used to ensure that the given answers are relevant. The questionnaires were then corrected and edited before the final distribution. Data collected through questionnaires was both qualitative and quantitative in nature. Qualitative data was collected using open-ended questions and analyzed through content analysis. It was found out that productivity is moderately influenced by the age of employee; that employees with a long tenure perform better than those with shorter tenures to a moderate extent. It was also found out that respondents moderately rated the IQ of employees who excel in their jobs. Since productivity is moderately influenced by the age of employee, the organization should retain and motivate employees with a long tenure, as employees with a long tenure perform better than those with shorter tenures. The organization should also hire more men than women as men tend to be more productive than women.