THE COMBINED EFFECT OF LEADERSHIP PRACTICES, EMPLOYEE MOTIVATION AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK ON THE PERFORMANCE OF CHARTERED UNIVERSITIES IN KENYA
Abstract
Purpose of the study: This study aimed at establishing whether the combined effects of leadership practices, employee motivation and regulatory framework on performance of chartered universities in Kenya are significantly different from their separate effect.
Statement of the problem: Studies show that many universities in Kenya have faced challenges which include lowering the enrollment rate of college students, low salary, lack of promotion opportunities, unsatisfactory leader behavior, student discipline problems, uncooperative colleagues and unconducive working environment, lack of effective and efficient quality service delivery to clients, inadequate quality manpower, inadequate research, staff turnover, followed by student anxiety and increased faculty strikes. This formed the basis of the current study.
Research methodology: The study adopted a positivist research philosophy and a cross-sectional design. The target population was 49 chartered universities operating in Kenya. Data was collected from academic registrars, persons in charge of human resources, finance, quality assurance and student chairpersons. Primary data was collected using a survey questionnaire combining closed-ended and open-ended questions distributed to 4 employees from the university management and 1 student chair as respondents. Data were analyzed using descriptive and regression analysis.
Results of the study: the P-value of the collective interaction term (leadership practices* employee motivation* regulatory framework) is 0.013< 0.05. and the R squared increased from 66.4% to 84.3% at the joint model. Thus, the null hypothesis was rejected while the alternative hypothesis was accepted. Hence, a strong and statistically significant combined effect of leadership practices, employee motivation, regulatory framework on performance of chartered universities in Kenya exists.
Conclusion: The findings are useful to the leadership of Kenyan universities in the formulation of strategies and policies for improving performance. The results of this study may serve as a basis for university leaders to assess their leadership strengths and weaknesses and would use the findings to become more effective university leaders.
Recommendations: The study recommends that chartered universities in Kenya should take into account all the various dimensions of leadership practices, employee motivation, regulatory framework and performance for a better and continual performance.
Keywords: Combined effect, Leadership practices, employee motivation, Regulatory framework, performance, Chartered Universities, Kenya
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