WORKING CONDITIONS AND EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE IN OPERATING SUGAR MANUFACTURING FIRMS IN IN WESTERN KENYA

Abstract

Purpose: The study aimed at determining the relationship between working conditions and employee performance in the operating sugar manufacturing firms in Western Kenya. Methodology: The study adopted a descriptive research design with a quantitative approach in which the explanatory correlation method was utilized. The study’s target population was 3818 permanent employees of operating sugar manufacturing firms in Western Kenya. Yamane’s formula for determining sample size obtained 362 respondents from the target population. Proportionate stratified sampling was used to get a representative sample from each of the sugar firms with simple random sampling used to select the study participants. Data were collected by use of a self-administered employee performance questionnaire (EPQ). Content and construct validity were ensured by expert judgement and the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin technique and Bartlett’s tests respectively. Reliability of the instrument was established by Cronbach Alpha Coefficient at 0.7 level. Descriptive statistics and inferential models (Pearson correlation and linear regression) were utilized in analysis of data. Findings were presented using frequency tables, percentages and narration. Findings: The Correlation results show a strong positive correlation between employee performance and working conditions as indicated by; r = 0.623, p-value= 0.000 < 0.05. The study findings under regression coefficients showed that the unstandardized beta coefficient for working conditions was significant, r = 0.546, p = 0.000 < 0.05; the study therefore rejected the null hypothesis and concluded that working conditions had a statistically significant positive relationship with employee performance among operating sugar manufacturing firms in Western Kenya. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: Findings contribute new knowledge to existing theories of motivation, HR practitioners can make decisions based on the study findings and adopt working conditions as a strategy of improving employee performance in order to enhance overall organization performance. Policy formulators can develop policy guidelines on working conditions based on the findings especially for the sugar manufacturing sector which would guarantee a conducive work environment for the employees to enhance performance.