Influence of Structural Empowerment on Job Performance in National Polytechnics in Kenya

Abstract

Structural empowerment can be defined as an administration process where employees access resources and information as well as participate in organisational decision-making. It is described as access to opportunities and access to information in this study. There is an upsurge attention in utilizing the knowledge sources in an organization lately, to arouse invention among the employees. Structural employee empowerment also refers to cultivation of a working environment to enable employees participate in goal setting, problem solving and decision making. This study examined the influence of structural empowerment on job performance in National Polytechnics in Kenya. The dependent variable in this study was considered as structural empowerment while job performance was considered as the dependent variable. The target population consisted of 2993 staff from the ten National Polytechnics in Kenya. The study employed cross-sectional descriptive survey research design. Disproportionate stratified sampling was used in selecting the 337 respondents. Questionnaires were used to collect data. Validity was established by obtaining experts‟ verification and pretesting. Pilot study was also conducted. To determine the document‟s reliability, Cronbach‟s alpha score was computed, realizing a score of 0.722. Inferential and descriptive statistics were used. Regression analysis was used to establish the influence of structural empowerment on job performance. 302 valid questionnaires were returned out of the 337 questionnaires issued translating to 89.6 % response rate. The study established that structural empowerment significantly influences job performance. Data was presented in tables and figures. It was anticipated that by understanding the influence of structural empowerment, managers would design programmes applying effective empowerment plans. The study was considered beneficial in policy making to the government, the National Polytechnics managements, the staff and the public. It would offer literature for further research as well as contribute to knowledge.