Mary Agnes Wambui Kiarie, Loice C. Maru and Thomas Kimeli Cheruiyot
The purpose of this paper is to determine the effect of leader personality traits on employee job satisfaction. A leader personality trait on employee job satisfaction remains a…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to determine the effect of leader personality traits on employee job satisfaction. A leader personality trait on employee job satisfaction remains a cause of concern in the contemporary business environment.
Design/methodology/approach
The study employed an explanatory research design to establish the cause-effects between leader personality traits and employee job satisfaction. Path goal theory and Big Five-factor model of personality traits underpinned the study. Questionnaire was used to obtain data pertaining to the model’s constructs. A multiple regression equation model tested the hypotheses.
Findings
The study showed that leader extraversion; openness to new experiences; emotional stability; conscientiousness and agreeableness have significant effects on employee job satisfaction. The study thus concluded that leaders who portray extraversion; openness to new experiences; emotional stability; conscientiousness and agreeableness enhance employee job satisfaction.
Research limitations/implications
This study was only limited to leader personality traits and employee job satisfaction; as such further research area could be undertaken in leader personality traits and organizational adaptation to change.
Practical implications
Leaders need to communicate to employees effectively, listen to their input and feedback, mentoring and empowering them, be innovative and creative, embracing the determination of standards for task performance and be empathetic.
Social implications
As organizations are exposed to changes, not only to prosper but also to survive in the current dynamic changing environment, leaders must be cognizant of the fact that employee job satisfaction is the bedrock of sustainable organizational performance.
Originality/value
The paper enhances on how leader personality traits (Big Five-factor model of personality traits) affects employee job satisfaction and performance in organizations.
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Rosemary Muange and Loice C. Maru
The purpose of this paper is to determine the effect of strategic alliances on firm performance and the moderating effect of firm size in retail firms in Nairobi County in Kenya…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to determine the effect of strategic alliances on firm performance and the moderating effect of firm size in retail firms in Nairobi County in Kenya.
Design/methodology/approach
Resource Dependency Theory was used to guide the study. The study adopted explanatory research design. Questionnaires were used to collect data from sample of 216 respondents through stratified and simple random sampling technique. The study used inferential statistics to test hypotheses.
Findings
Study findings indicated that joint marketing alliances, procurement-supplier alliances, joint manufacturing alliances and technology development alliances have significant and positive effect on firm performance. Based on the findings, creating a joint marketing, procurement-supplier, joint manufacturing and technology development alliances mostly enhance firm performance.
Research limitations/implications
The study considered only one county out of 47, although this county hosts the capital city, where most of the firms considered are located. It therefore is representative of all counties and firms considered in this study. It also considered top management staff and thus may have an effect since the lower cadre staff were not considered. However, most of the required information was expected from top management since these are the ones who make decisions, and hence most affected by strategic alliances.
Practical implications
This study has practical implication on firm performance because it has established that strategic alliance improves on overall firm performance. This manifests itself in terms of improve productivity, production efficiency and profitability. It also helps in the availability of products to the end users.
Social implications
Through improved productivity, efficiency and profitability, this translates to improved terms of payment of staff and hence improved quality of lives of their families and communities within which they live. It also enables the firms to participate more in corporate social responsibility projects which in turn improves the standard of living of the communities around them.
Originality/value
The study has provided an empirical insight on the importance of strategic alliance on firm performance. This is the first study done in the Kenyan context concerning strategic alliances formed by firms to improve on their performance especially on retail firms.
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Thomas K. Cheruiyot and Loice C. Maru
– Service quality and relative performance of public universities in East Africa.
Abstract
Purpose
Service quality and relative performance of public universities in East Africa.
Design/methodology/approach
Exploratory survey of three public universities in East African countries namely Moi, Makerere and Dar es salaam universities from three East African countries of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, respectively. Student perceptions are elicited on service quality and relative performance. Comparative analysis is done. A sample size of 450 respondents from a target population of > 50,000 is derived using a multistage sampling technique. Structured questionnaire is used to extract both nominal and ordinal data, the latter utilizing items anchored on a five-point Likert scale. Modified SERVQUAL and performance were standardized. Descriptive, one-way ANOVA, factor analysis, Pearson product moment correlation and multiple regression was used to analyze the data.
Findings
Modified SERVQUAL dimensions were confirmed, centrality of tangibility and reliability established, while importance of responsiveness was disapproved. Relative variation in service quality and relative performance across three countries universities was found to be significant. Finally significant effect of service quality on performance of universities was also established.
Research limitations/implications
Service quality and relative performance in higher education could be subjected to international verification and evaluation at the risk of cultural and contextual bias.
Practical implications
The paper provides insights on the relative importance of service quality dimensions and their effects on relative performance. This guides practitioners on prioritization of the service quality dimension that are central to relative performance.
Social implications
Knowledge of the key dimensions of service quality that are central to relative performance and their variation across institutional contexts guides institutions of higher education in fulfilling their social responsibility to customers by meeting their expectations in service quality.
Originality/value
The value of this paper lies in the application of SERVQUAL model to higher education in an international context. Evaluation of link between service quality and relative performance, and also examining variation across universities under unique cultural and contextual situations.
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Thomas Kimeli Cheruiyot and Loice C. Maru
The purpose of this paper is to explore and espouse employee corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices in classified hotels in the coastal region of Kenya, then to evaluate…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore and espouse employee corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices in classified hotels in the coastal region of Kenya, then to evaluate perceived job satisfaction, employee turnover/retention and organizational commitment by employees and explore any inherent paradox in the employee perceptions on both employee CSR practices and the job‐related outcomes in the African context.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper is based on an exploratory survey that targeted a population of 5,595 hotel employees from 20 selected classified hotels. A sample size of 699 employees was systematically selected and data collected using a structured questionnaire anchored on a five‐point Likert scale. The instrument was evaluated for internal consistency and subjected to principal component analysis to explore extant dimensions.
Findings
Though initially employee CSR practices by the hotel enterprises were defined by four dimensions, while employee job satisfaction‐related outcomes were defined by three dimensions, principal component analysis revealed six dimensions of the employee CSR practices and four dimensions of the job‐related outcomes. This paper, therefore, identifies and discusses the inherent paradoxes of employee job satisfaction, employee commitment and employee retention as revealed by the study.
Originality/value
Internal social responsibility practices among enterprises in Africa, has relatively been downplayed by government, respective enterprise management and scholars.
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Thomas Kimeli Cheruiyot and Loice Chemngetich Maru
The purpose of this paper is to identify dimensionality and evaluate effect of corporate human rights social responsibility (CHRSR) on employee job outcomes among three leading…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify dimensionality and evaluate effect of corporate human rights social responsibility (CHRSR) on employee job outcomes among three leading Kenya's horticultural exporters based in Naivasha, Kenya.
Design/methodology/approach
Exploratory and explanatory survey was utilized on a sample of 450 employees selected using a multistage sampling technique. Structured questionnaire was used to extract both nominal and ordinal data, the latter's items were anchored on a five-point Likert scale. Descriptive, principal component analysis (PCA) and multiple regression was used to analyze the data.
Findings
PCA of 32 items representing CHRSR yielded ten components while that of employee job outcomes yielded seven components reflecting the multidimensional nature of the constructs. Results showed that the selected firms have largely satisfied both HR and moral expectations. Regression results showed generally significant effect of CHRSR on employee job outcomes such as employee retention, satisfaction, commitment and pride.
Research limitations/implications
A business case for CHRSR exists. This implies that compliance with the law, adoption of HR-related corporate social responsibility (CSR) is critical in enhancing employee job outcomes and overall organization performance.
Originality/value
The study integrates CSR and HR into CHRSR. It demonstrates its multidimensional nature and utilizes statistical analysis to explore its relationship with employee job outcomes in an African export sector context and argues that CSRHR is more critical in Africa than more regulated contexts.
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Abdulkader Zairbani and Senthil Kumar Jaya Prakash
The purpose of this paper is to provide an organizing lens for viewing the distinct contributions to knowledge production from those research communities addressing the impact of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide an organizing lens for viewing the distinct contributions to knowledge production from those research communities addressing the impact of competitive strategy on company performance in general, and the influence of cost leadership and differentiation strategy on organizational performance in detail.
Design/methodology/approach
The research methodology was based on the PRISMA review, and thematic analysis based on an iterative process of open coding was analyzed and then the sample was analyzed by illustrating the research title, objectives, method, data analysis, sample size, variables and country.
Findings
The main factor that influenced the competitive strategy is strategic growth; strategic growth has a significant influence on competitive strategy. Furthermore, competitive strategy will boost firm network, performance measurement and organization behavior. In the same way, the internal goal factor will enhance organizational effectiveness. Also, a differentiation strategy will support management practice factors, strategic positions, product price, product characteristics and company performance.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the literature by identifying a framework of competitive strategy factors, company performance factors, cost leadership strategy factors, differentiation strategy factors and competitive strategy with global market factors. This study provides a complete picture and description of the resulting body knowledge in competitive strategy and organizational performance.