Kariuki, JaneKinyua, Godfrey MuigaiWaithaka, Paul2024-10-252024-10-252023Kariuki, J., Kinyua, G.M., & Waithaka, P. (2023). The Moderating Effect of Environmental Turbulence on the Relationship between Core Competences and Firm Performance of Star Rated Hotels Nairobi City County, Kenya. International Journal of Managerial Studies and Research.2349-0349https://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/29265Journal ArticleThe hotel industry in developing world has been promoting economic growth and providing jobs. In the Kenyan context, there has been great variation in firm performance of hotels with some exhibiting exceptional performance, other performing miserably and others closing down. Although core competences have received attention equally scholarly and in practice, its effect on star rated hotels remains uncertain. Specifically the study investigated the moderating effect of environmental turbulence on the relationship between core competences and firm performance of star rated hotels Nairobi City County. Underpinning theory of study independent and dependent variables were core competence theory, balance score card model and moderating variable was anchored on contingency theory. The study utilized positivism philosophy. Descriptive and explanatory research design was used. Moreover, the study utilized multistage sampling to select the respondent of the study. The target population was 112 star rated hotels in Nairobi City County with a sample sizes of 217 managers who were interviewed for the study. The study employed a semi structured questionnaire to collect primary data. Content, construct, and criterion-related validity was tested, while the study reliability was assessed through a cronbach alpha coefficient achieving a threshold at 0.749 that assured the reliability of the questionnaires. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to analyze data. Descriptive statistics used mean standard deviation to explain data characteristics and inferential statistics used regression in testing the effects of variables on firm’s performance. Qualitative data was analyzed using themes presented in narrative form. Findings were presented in form of tables and charts. The study revealed that environmental turbulence had significant moderating effect on firm performance. Competition was found to be very intense among these hotels. This implies that hotels are required to develop a strategy to deal with stiff competition. The implication is that the hotels should advance a strategy in dealing with environmental turbulences.enArticle