THE JOINT EFFECT OF ORGANIZATIONAL STRATEGY, ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE AND EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT ON ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE OF LARGE PRIVATE HEALTH FACILITIES IN KENYA

The goal of this study was to determine the joint effect of organizationalstrategy, organizational culture and external environment on organizationalperformance, using data from Sixty-one large private health facilities inKenya. A descriptive cross-sectional design grounded on positivism researchphilosophy was used. Multiple linear regression analyses were employed toanalyze the data. Generally, the results revealed that the joint effect oforganizational strategy, culture and external environment on performancedimensions, which include efficiency, effectiveness, relevance and financialviability was statistically significant. Consequently, it was concluded thatorganizational culture and strategy are not separated from the externalenvironment in which they are embedded. It was recommended that in orderto maximize on performance, the private health facilities must establish anoptimal balance among the three factors

INFLUENCE OF EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ORGANIZATIONAL STRATEGYCULTURE CO-ALIGNMENT AND PERFORMANCE OF LARGE PRIVATE HEALTH FACILITIES IN KENYA

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of the external environment onthe relationship between organizational strategy-culture co-alignment andperformance of large private health facilities in Kenya. The study was based onthe Configuration and Contingency theories, adopting a descriptive crosssectionaldesign grounded on the positivism research philosophy. The studytargeted a population of 61 large private health facilities in Kenya. Data from therespondents were collected through a questionnaire. Fifty eight (58) out of SixtyOne (61) study facilities returned completed questionnaire items. Descriptivestatistics, one sample t-test and Baron-Kenny moderated regression analysis wereused. The results showed no statistically significant influence of the externalenvironment on the relationship between organizational strategy-culture coalignmentand organizational performance. In effect, the study questioned thevalue of focusing on environmental commitments as a means of achievingperformance improvements. It was concluded that the external environment doesnot increase competitive benefits to organizations that are implementing strategyculturefit

Influence of Organisational Resources on Performance of ISO Certified Organisations in Kenya

This study aimed at examining the influence of organisational resources on organisational performance of International Organisation for Standardization (ISO) certified organisations in Kenya. The study was based on Total Quality Management (TQM) theory. A cross-sectional research survey design was adopted. Primary data was collected from a sample of 282 ISO certified organisations by use of a questionnaire, and secondary data was obtained from financial statements of 27 ISO certified organizations sampled. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze proportions of the variables and multiple regression model was used to estimate the effect of organisational resources on the performance of ISO certified organizations. The findings show that abundant organisational resources reduce performance. The study, therefore recommends that the management of ISO certified organisations should employ limited organisation resources available efficiently and train their staff in managerial skills in order to improve performance of their organizations

Influence of Market Orientation on the Relationship Between Customer Relationship Management Practices and Performance of Large-Scale Manufacturing Firms in Kenya

The main objective of the study was to measure the influence of market orientation on the relationship between customer relationship management practices and firm performance of large-scale manufacturing firms in Kenya. The population of the study comprised large-scale manufacturing firms that were members of the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM). A descriptive cross-sectional survey was used. The target respondents were three top managers in each firm, and aggregated single scores were computed to lessen single source response bias. Data was analyzed through descriptive statistics and regression analysis. The results revealed that market orientation was a strong statistical predictor of firm performance. In addition, the moderating effect of market orientation on the association between CRM practices and performance (F=9.138, P-value<0.05) was found to be statistically significant.  The study supported findings of previous studies on the influence of CRM practices on firm performance. In addition, the study found that both CRM practices and market orientation had a positive and significant influence on performance. Further, the findings of the study support the theoretical link between CRM practices, market orientation and performance. Acknowledgment I thank and appreciate almighty God for this opportunity, his grace and favor. I also extend my sincere gratitude to my University Supervisors; Prof. Justus Munyoki, Dr. Joseph Owino and Dr. James Njihia for their valuable guidance, support and encouragement during the writing and completion of my Ph.D thesis. I also thank all members of the University of Nairobi Business Administration who contributed in one way or the other to make the writing of my thesis a success. I would also like to thank sincerely all top and senior managers in large-scale manufacturing firms in Kenya who participated in this research.  Finally my sincere appreciation goes to my family members for supporting, encouraging and being there for me during the entire journey of pursuing my Ph.D. program. Keywords: customer relationship management, market orientation, performance, large-scale manufacturing firm

DOES INDUSTRY STRUCTURE AFFECT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FIRM CHARACTERISTICS AND PERFORMANCE OF LAW FIRMS IN KENYA?

Explaining and often predicting organizational performance is a primary researchobjective in the field of strategic management that need to be addressed becauseperformance improvement is at the heart of strategic management. The studyargues thatthe role of industry structure in the relationship between firmcharacteristics and performance has not received conclusive empirical backing.The study was contextualized in law firms in Kenya in which these variables havenot been empirically tested. The main objective of this study was to determine theinfluence of industry structure on the relationship between firm characteristicsand performance of law firms in Kenya. To achieve this objective, thecorresponding hypothesis was formulated and tested at 95 percent confidencelevel.The study was guided by resource based theory, the institutional theory andindustrial organizational theory. Through a cross-sectional descriptive survey,data was obtained using a semi-structured questionnaire. The questionnaire wasadministered to a sample of 379 law firms spread across the country out of which356 were filled and returned, representing a response rate of 93.93 percent. Thehypothesis was tested using the hierarchical analysis used to test moderatingeffects. The findings show that industry structure significantlymoderatetherelationship between firm characteristics and performance. Results of industrystructure independently on performancewere also statistically significant. Thestudy contributes to managerial practice and offerdirection for policy makers andthe owners of the law firms in Kenya since managers will use the findings of thisstudy to monitor the crucial performance drivers in their law firms with regard toindustry structure and strategy.The study therefore recommends that futurestudies should consider utilizing multiple methodologies such as applying mixedmethods of research to help identify the key factors of firm strategy andoperationalize their study in a different approach. The aim behind using differentstatistical techniques and /or plural methodologies is to validate and furtherstrengthen the existing research

Influence of Firm Characteristics on the Relationship between Customer Relationship Management Practices and Performance of Large-Scale Manufacturing Firms in Kenya

The objective of the research was to measure the influence of firm characteristics on the relationship between customer relationship management practices and performance of large-scale manufacturing firms in Kenya. To establish this objective, two objectives focusing on financial and non-financial performance were set and corresponding hypotheses formulated. The population of the study comprised large-scale manufacturing firms that were members of the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM). A descriptive cross-sectional survey was used. The data analyzed was obtained through a structured questionnaire. To test the influence of firm characteristics on the relationship between customer relationship management practices and firm performance regression analysis was used. The findings indicated that the moderating influence of firm characteristics on CRM practices and firm performance was only found to be statistically significant on non-financial performance and not statistically significant on the association between CRM practices and financial performance. Further, the interaction of CRM practices and firm characteristics on non-financial performance was statistically significant. One major contribution of this investigation is that CRM practices and firm characteristics account for significant variation in non-financial performance. Further, the findings of the study support the theoretical link between CRM practices, firm characteristics and performance. Acknowledgement I would like to thank God for his providence, his faithfulness and for seeing me through completion of my Ph.D. program. I sincerely thank my University Supervisors; Prof. Justus Munyoki, Dr. Joseph Owino and Dr. James Njihia, their insightful contributions, critique and patience moudlded my academic reading, thinking and writing. Special thanks to my family for their patience encouragement and prayers. Keywords: Customer relationship management, firm characteristics, performance, large-scale manufacturing firm

ENTERPRISE RESOURCE PLANNING SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION AND VALUE REALIZATION IN SAVINGS CREDIT CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY OF NAIROBI

In the dynamic business environment, organizations have implemented Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system solutions to gain competitive advantage and fasten service delivery for value realization. Despite their benefits, ERP solutions have not been fully embraced by SACCOs, and those that have implemented the ERPs are not able to justify the benefits of the investment. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to establish the value realizations for SACCO’s after the implementation of ERP solutions, Nairobi region. Specific objective was to establish the levels of ERP implementation and the value realized by SACCOs through ERP implementation. Questionnaires to the respondents were randomly given on a drop and pick basis. The data collected was to give both quantitative and qualitative results and it was analyzed using descriptive and regression model. It was found out that there was a strong relationship between the implementation level and the benefits of the ERP systems to SACCOs. The recommendation was that ERP systems should be implemented for customer relationship management; education, training and mentorship; monitoring and evaluation; and for research and development and for these reason, SACCOs should invest in the ERP systems

PERCEIVED VALUE OF INVESTMENT PROMOTION INCENTIVES, MACROMARKETING ENVIRONMENT AND PERFORMANCE OF FIRMS IN EXPORT PROCESSING ZONES IN KENYA

The broad objective of this study was to establish the influence of perceived value ofinvestment promotion incentives, and macro-marketing environment on performance of firms in theexport processing zones (EPZs) in Kenya. It was anchored on international trade, macro-marketingand Foreign Direct Investment theories. The study tested the direct influence of investmentpromotion incentives and the moderating effect of macro-marketing environment on firmperformance. The study was a census cross-sectional survey of all EPZ firms. Secondary data wereobtained from various reports and bulletins. Primary data were collected from the study populationusing a semi-structured self-administered questionnaire. Analysis of data was done throughdescriptive and inferential statistics. Hierarchical multiple linear regression, was used to test thehypotheses. Results indicated that both the direct and moderation effects were statisticallysignificant. Findings of the study imply that provision of investment promotion incentives should besupported by conducive macro-marketing environment for desired firm performance. The resultsalso imply that the theory and concept of country marketing may guide the formulation andapplication of investment promotion strategies to position the country as an investment destination.The study has contributed to theory development, policy formulation and marketing practic

ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING AS A MEDIATOR OF THE INFLUENCE OF TACIT KNOWLEDGE ON COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE: LEARNING FROM ICT SERVICE PROVIDERS IN NAIROBI

This study sought to determine how tacit knowledge interplays with organizational learning to enhance the competiveness of ICT content service providers in Nairobi. Many scholars, building on the resource- and knowledge-based theories of strategic management theory, have postulated that tacit knowledge is a valuable source of competitive advantage. However, there appear to be no empirical studies that have explicitly tested this theory in the Kenyan context. The current theory fills this gap. The study followed a post-positivist critical realism philosophical orientation and used a cross-sectional survey design approach. Accordingly, data was elicited from study participants using a self-administered survey instrument. The population for the study was the ICT content service providers licensed by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK), a fertile ground for ICT knowledge creation and dissemination. Out of the target population of 197 ICT content service providers licensed by the CAK, 135 firms provided valid responses to the survey. The study showed that organizational learning was a strong mediator of the influence of tacit knowledge on competitive advantage. The study is an additional building block in strategic management theories that show the importance of continuous enhancement of the productive knowledge of individuals as a driver of competitive advantage for an organization, particularly the Knowledge-Based View and Organizational Learning Theory. The insights from the study will motivate policy makers and strategic management practitioners to embrace and promote tacit knowledge and organizational learning practices in their respective organizations

STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS AND PERFORMANCE OF ACCREDITED UNIVERSITIES IN KENYA: THE MODERATING EFFECT OF ORGANIZATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS

The extensiveness, intensity and formality of a strategic planning process in an organization may have an effect on the organization performance. The degree and direction of this effect still remains an unresolved management concern due to lack of consensus in research findings. This indicates that, there are other possible factors that may influence the relationship necessitating further empirical investigations. Every organization has unique characteristics like age, ownership and size, which define and differentiate it from other organizations in the same industry and these may have a bearing on the relationship between strategic planning process and organization performance. The population of interest was all accredited universities in Kenya as at November 2016. The findings indicate that age, size and ownership structure are statistically significant moderators for the relationship between strategic planning process and growth performance of accredited universities in Kenya while size and age are statistically significant moderators for the relationship between strategic planning process and ranking performance of accredited universities in Kenya. The study recommends that, as universities endeavor to use the strategic planning process as a management tool to enhance performance, they must consider their unique characteristics which will enhance or hinder their planning effort