The effects of individual resistant forces to the introduction of tea plucking machines in selected tea estates of James Finlay's Kenya in Kericho County

Abstract

Technological change is a constant phenomenon in contemporary organizations. How to prepare employees for technological change has increasingly become an issue for the human resource management. Such a scenario in Kenya was recently witnessed following introduction of tea plucking machines in the tea industry that faced a lot of resistance from the workforce and trade unionists. This study sought to analyse the effects of individual resistant forces to the introduction of tea plucking machines .The research was based on a study of one of the major tea industry players; James Finlay's Kenya Ltd. in Kericho coutity. The target population was all the tea estates in James Finlay's (K) Ltd in Kericho County. James Finlay's has a total of 13 Tea estates. There are a total of 10,262 tea pluckers in·the company ..' A sample of five estates was considered and a sample of 20% of tea pluckers' in these estates was taken for the study. A representative group according to Mugenda and Mugenda is one that is at least 10% of the population of interest. The above sample was therefore representative. Total number of 100 tea pluckers was selected using random sampling. Data was collected using structured questionnaires. The data collected was supplemented with available literature review on the subject of study. The response from cross-functional sample group was analysed using descriptive statistical techniques. in form of frequency distribution tables, percentages, pie charts, paretto and computer packages. Data was checked for accuracy and consistency of entry, spot checks were formed to ensure integrity of the data. The data was subjected to standardized statistics analysis techniques presentation of results was devoted to descriptive statistics in form of tables and graphs which include pie charts and bar graphs. The above was done using statistical package for social sciences (spss) this helped the researcher to draw conclusions and make recommendations.