An investigation of the influence of leadership style on employee performance in Kenya. A case study of Coffee research foundation in Ruiru
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Date
2013-08-27
Authors
Kitili, Patrick Kiswili
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Abstract
The purpose of the research project was to carry out research to find out the influence of
leadership style on employees performance in Kenya with a case study, of Coffee Research
Foundation (CRF) in Ruiru. The research paid a special attention to the influence of leadership
style to employee performance in CRF, Ruiru. It sought to find out whether there was a
relationship between the leadership style practiced in CRF and the performance of the
employees. The research sought to find out whether the leadership style adopted in CRF
influenced employees performance in terms of their productivity, turn over intention, motivation
and commitment to offer effective and quality services. The target population was the 200
employees of CRF. A Sample of 100 employees was selected for the study. The employees who
responded were 90. Data was collected by conducting face to face interviews and administering
questionnaires with a specified time limit to be filled. The questionnaires were administered by
the researcher and some by the help of the research assistants. The data was collected from the
top, middle and lower management as well as from the subordinates. Data was further collected
from the three departments in CRF to find out whether the leadership style adopted positively or
negatively influenced the performance of the employees. The collected data was analyzed using
SPss. The data was presented using tables and pie charts. The research expected to find a
relationship between the employees' performance and the leadership style adopted by the
organization. If the leadership style was effective the researcher expected 'to find an efficient and
effective staff committed to provide the best quality, reliable, adequate and appropriate services
and vice versa. The research found majority of the respondents being on the view that there was
a relationship between the leadership style adopted and the performance level of the employees.
The research found out that majority of the respondents were on the view that the leadership
style adopted by CRF influenced positively to employee motivation, commitment and
productiyity. It however influenced negatively to employee turnover intention. The research
findings are helpful to policy makers, the government, university lecturers and students, and the
CRF staff as it provides important resource of reference. The government and the policy makers
can use the findings of this research project to make the requisite adjustments in order to improve
service delivery. The research may also help the human resource managers to know the
leadership style gap existing in their institutions and provide the requisite training and
development to the management staff to. improve their leadership skills which can largely
contribute to improved performance in institutions of Kenya. The research project report is
helpful to the CRF management as it exposes the leadership deficit which the human resource
managers of CRF may find as potential area for further training and development of their
management staff in order to facilitate improved performance of employees and coffee industry
in Kenya.