Influence of intellectual stimulation dimension on organizational performance of The South Eastern Kenya Economic Bloc (SEKEB) Counties: The moderating role of innovation

Abstract

County governments in Kenya are devolved units which came into effect in 2013 after the promulgation of the new constitution. County government performance has faced a number of challenges emanating from the type of leadership embraced by each particular county. It is on this basis that this research focused on establishing the influence of transformational leadership dimensions on organizational performance of the South Eastern Kenya Economic Bloc (SEKEB) counties with the moderating role of innovation. The specific objective was to establish the influence of intellectual stimulation on organisational performance of the county governments in the South Eastern Kenya Economic Bloc. The main theory which informed this study was transformational leadership theory. It was supported by strategic leadership, resource based view and stakeholder theories. The study was guided by pragmatism philosophical approach. A descriptive research design was used. The target population was 408 with sample size of 289 respondents employed. Stratified random sampling technique was used for this study. Instrument of data collection was questionnaires. Reliability was ensured through the pilot study conducted at Kisii County and ascertained through the Cronbach’s alpha test. Validity was ascertained by conducting confirmatory factor analysis. Analysis of the results was conducted using descriptive statistics; mean standard deviation, percentages and frequencies. Pearson-moment correlation coefficient was used to establish the strength of the relationship. Simple linear and hierarchical multiple regression were used to estimate the relationship between variables. The analysed data was presented in tables, graphs, charts and figures. Research results indicated that intellectual stimulation did not have a statistically significant influence on the outcome of organisational performance of South Eastern Kenya Economic Bloc. The study recommends that county leaders need to accept employee innovative ideas that are geared towards improving performance, involve the employees in the process of addressing county problems and allowing employees to participate in decision making pertaining to their work.