Strategic Leadership and Organizational Performance of Selected Government-Funded Youth Projects in
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Date
2024-05
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Kenyatta University
Abstract
Youths form the largest part of Kenyan population and this is more evident in Isiolo County. Due to the many challenges that are posed by youth unemployment, and the need to empower the youthful population, the government has initiated various projects to solve this problem. But it has been realized that these well thought government funded youth projects intended to solve this perilous matter barely give the intended results to positively impact and empower the youths of this country. This has been caused by a very low number of youths who have been empowered to make reliable and dependable decisions, beneficiaries being unsatisfied with organizational performance, inadequate soft skills to make the youth more competitive in the job market, and also the existence of projects that are not self-sustaining. In reference to this issue, this research was centering its attention on the examination of strategic leadership and the resultant impact on the performance of selected government-funded youth initiatives within Isiolo County, located in the country of Kenya. The specific objectives were to establish the effect of strategic direction, strategic execution, ethical considerations and strategic control on the organizational performance of selected youth projects funded by government in Isiolo County, Kenya. The environment dependence theory, the balanced scorecard model, the the five-factor theory of strategic control, and strategic leadership theory served as the theoretical foundation for the research. The research design used in the study was descriptive. One hundred and twenty youth groups that benefited from government-funded youth projects over the previous five years, from 2018 to 2023, were the focus of the study. Stratified random sampling was used to determine the sample size. This approach resulted into a sample size of 92 youth groups taking part in this research study. The research utilized primary data that was gathered through the implementation of questionnaires that integrate the Likert scale. A preliminary examination was conducted to establish the reliability and uniformity of the research instruments. Several diagnostic tests, such as the test for normality, the test for multicollinearity, the F-test, and the coefficient of determination test, were carried out before running the multiple linear regression model guiding this study. Descriptive tests as well as the Pearson’s correlation tests was conducted on the data. Ultimately, the multiple linear regression model was conducted and the p-value from the model used to answer the research questions guiding this study. The SPSS version 26.0.0 was utilized in analysing the data in this study. The outcomes were subsequently displayed via tables, graphs, and plots. Eventually, a summary, conclusion, and suggestions for future research endeavours were provided. Regression of coefficients showed that strategic direction, strategic execution, ethical consideration and strategic control had a positive and significant effect with organizational performance of selected government-funded youth projects. The study concluded that organizational performance of government-funded youth projects was positively and significantly impacted by strategic direction, strategic execution, ethical concerns, and strategic control. The study suggests that in order to improve organizational performance of particular government-funded youth projects, strategic leaders should think about contributing more to the process of setting strategic direction. Through training, the youth initiatives should improve the management team members' competencies. Providing members with strategic planning knowledge and abilities could be accomplished through training. The youth projects should also consider having a clear mission statement and strategic objectives that the employees will understand easily.
Description
A Research Project Submitted to the School of Business, Economics, and Tourism in Partialfulfilment for the Requirements of Degree of Master of Business Administration (Strategic Management Option), Kenyattauniversity, May, 2024.
Supervisor:
1.Janet Muthimi