THE MEDIATING EFFECT OF FARMER CHARACTERISTICS ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CHANGE MANAGEMENT AND SUGARCANE PRODUCTIVITY IN SUGAR FACTORY CANE CATCHMENT AREAS IN KENYA
Abstract
Purpose of the Study: This study sought to determine the mediating effect of farmer characteristics on sugarcane productivity in sugar factory cane catchment areas in Kenya.
Statement of the Problem: Compared to other parts of Africa and the world, the Kenyan sugar sector has not performed as well as is expected. Locally Kenya sugar subsector cannot satisfy the citizenry consumption sugar needs at 1,031,055 metric tonnes per year in the period 2014-2018 due to low sugarcane productivity.
Methodology: A cross-sectional design study based on positivist philosophy was used to collect data on the study variables: change management, farmer characteristics and sugarcane productivity. The mediating effect of farmer characteristics was assessed and results explained using coefficient of determination (R-Square), Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and the regression coefficients.
Result: Step 1, 2 and 3 were met as the P-value were below 0.05. However, in step 4, the P-value for corporate governance was below 0.05. Therefore, this indicate that there is a partial mediation effect on the mediating role of farmer characteristics on the relationship between change management and sugarcane productivity.
Conclusion: The study concluded that there is a partial mediation effect on the mediating role of farmer characteristics on the relationship between change management and sugarcane productivity.
Recommendation: The study recommends that the management should ensure that their organizations have strong control environment, which will inform their strategies. The strategies should incorporate the farmers need as the generation changes.
Keywords: Farmer Characteristics, Productivity, Sugarcane Factories
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