The Influence of Team Characteristics on Employee Performance in Eldoret Water and Sanitation Company, Kenya

Abstract

The study sought to find out how characteristics of a team affect employee performance in Eldoret Water and Sanitation Company (ELDOWAS). The study was based on Theory Z advanced by William Ouchiin 1981 which places great importance on the participation of the working force in operational decision-making, involving them in the operations of the affairs of the organization and ensuring that their commitment to the organization is encouraged and rewarded. A descriptive study design was used with both probabilistic and non-probabilistic sampling techniques being used to obtain the required number of respondents. In particular, stratified, purposive and simple random techniques sampling were used. A sample of 80 respondents was drawn from three departments in ELDOWAS, namely technical, commercial/financial and personnel departments. The study was conducted from June 2007 to September 2007. The nature of data involved was both qualitative and quantitative data. Data was collected through the use of structured questionnaires and interviews. The data was then analyzed and presented by use of both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. To analyze the degree of relationship between variables, a Chi-square was used in testing the hypotheses. The research established that team characteristics had certain effects on performance of employees and finally on the overall organizational performance. It was thus concluded that team characteristics are significantly related to employee performance. There is need to provide effective and efficient information to reduce cases of difficulties among team members, which have potential impact on them. As such, managers should take time to ensure that employees and their representatives are provided with appropriate and timely information so that the change is managed constructively and effectively without cases of rejection due to misinformation.