Effect of Corporate Top Management Support on Project Performance in Selected State Corporations in Kenya

Abstract

Government policies and programmes in Kenya are implemented by the state corporations who aid in social development. The reasons of establishing the corporations are flexibility, operational autonomy, results oriented, greater accountability and value for money and transparency in the mainstream bureaucratic government. Since their establishment in 1980s, these corporations have undergone several scrutinies due to their poor performances in terms of projects initiated. Projects undertaken by these state corporations have been faced with numerous challenges like project cost overruns, substandard projects, incomplete, stalled or abandoned all together. The main aim of study was to determine the effect of corporate top management support in performance of projects in state corporations in Kenya.  Relevant literature to the research topic was reviewed and main areas covered were theoretical review, empirical review, literature summary, research gaps and conceptual framework. In theoretical review, one theory resource-based theory. In empirical review, literature in regard to research questions were reviewed which led to identification of research gaps. Conceptual framework was demonstrated followed by operationalization and measurement of variables. Two research questions were developed: To determine the degree to which the support of corporate top management affects project performance in state corporations in Kenya. In this case a descriptive research design was used. Target population for the study was 55 state corporations in Kenya. The sample size was 48 employees in those state corporation. Questionnaires were used for data collection. With the help of SPSS version 20, data was analysed. Pearson's' correlation coefficient, r was used to determine the relationship between independent variables and dependent variable. Multiple regression model was fitted to determine factors with high predictive power on performance of projects in state corporations in Kenya. The findings of this study, showed that the predictor variable: corporate top management support has a contribution to the performance of projects in state corporations in Kenya. The researcher suggests topics for further study; Influence of leadership styles on the performance of projects in state corporations in Kenya and effects of funding on project performance in state corporations in Kenya.