Influence Of Transformational Leadership Dimensions On Performance Of The South Eastern Kenya Economic Bloc (Sekeb) Counties: The Moderating Role Of Innovation

Abstract

The Kenyan constitution, which established county administrations, was ratified in 2013 There have been several barriers related to the efficiency of county administration resulting from the leadership styles that have been used by county governments. The purpose of this study was to investigate the moderating effect of innovation on the relationship between transformational leadership characteristics and county government performance in the counties comprising the South Eastern Kenya Economic Bloc (SEKEB). Specific objectives were; establishing effect of individualised consideration on county performance, establishing the influence of intellectual stimulation on county performance, establishing the influence of inspirational motivation on county performance, establishing the effect of idealised influence on county performance and establishing the moderating influence of innovation on the relationship between transformational leadership dimensions and county performance. Theories; transformational leadership, stakeholder, strategic leadership as well as resource-based approach provided the theoretical framework for this study. The philosophy of pragmatism served as the guiding principle for this research. The thesis was anchored on descriptive methodology whose sample size of was 289 respondents sampled from a total population of 408. Random stratified sampling strategy was employed. Questionnaires were used for gathering information from the area of study. Piloting was carried in the county government of Kisii and its findings were confirmed by a reliability test whose the Cronbach's alpha coefficient met the threshold. Confirmatory factor analysis and advice from research supervisors were means of ensuring reliability and validity of research instrument respectively. Descriptive statistical analysis was measured by mean, standard deviation, skewness, kurtosis, percentage, and frequency distribution. The strength of connection between the variables was calculated using the Pearson-moment correlation coefficient. Regression analysis (simple, multiple and hierarchical) was conducted to establish the influence of the independent variables on the dependent variable. Analysed results were presented in tables, figures, charts and graphs. Individualised dimension, inspirational motivation, and idealised influence were found to have positive moderate effect on county performance, but intellectual stimulation had a negative and significant effect. The results showed that the leader's ability to show individualized care, inspire employees, and exert idealised influence had a significant influence on the organisation's output. The results of the study showed that the study factors had statistically significant influence on county performance. Policymakers in county governments are urged to give priority to give priority to individualised consideration, inspirational motivation and idealised influence dimensions because of their demonstrated significance to county performance in the South Eastern Kenya Economic Bloc.