Effect of Resource Allocation Strategy on the Performance of Water Services Boards in Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to establish the effect of resource allocation strategy on the performance of water services boards in Kenya. This was achieved by looking at the following specific objectives: To evaluate the influence of strategic staff development on the performance of Water Services Board in Kenya, to establish the influence of strategic financial resources on the performance of Water Services Boards in Kenya, to investigate the influence of strategic infrastructural development on the performance of Water Services Boards in Kenya, to establish the influence of strategic technological resources on the performance of Water Services Boards in Kenya and to investigate the moderating effect of government regulation on the performance of Water Services Boards in Kenya. The study adopted both descriptive and correlational designs. The target population of this study was employees of water services board in Kenya. The researcher used stratified random sampling technique to select a sample size of 150 employees from the population of the employees of water services boards. The strata were that of senior management, middle management, supervisory and administration/ support staffs. Within each of the four strata simple random sampling was done to identify individual respondents who were issued with a questionnaire to respond to research statements. Primary data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires. The questionnaires were administered by the help of research assistants in each and every department. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS software. Factor analysis was done to establish the appropriateness of the questionnaire constructs. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used. Descriptive statistics involved the use of averages, frequency and percentage, tables, charts and graphs. On the other hand, inferential statistics included the use of bivariate analysis and the study used the Pearson correlation coefficient. The study also ran a multiple regression model in order to establish the effect of strategic staff development, strategic financial resources, strategic infrastructure development, and strategic technological development on performance of water service boards. The study findings indicated that the pressure to provide water to the rapidly growing population in Kenya has made it mandatory for the water services boards to come up with clear cut strategies to meet these demands. This has been the major motivation for the adoption of strategic planning, with clear cut throat to resource allocation strategy to enhance performance of the institutions. The study findings indicated that strategic staff development, strategic financial resources, strategic infrastructural development and strategic technological deployment positively influenced performance of water Services Boards. The study recommends that the water services board should ensure that they have the right resources in the organization and allocated well for the right purpose and at the right time. The water services board management needs to provide strict accountability measures for its staff so that all resource allocation decisions are thoroughly vetted, and that there is monitoring system for all allocations. This would also ensure that all resource allocation decisions serve the best interest of the organization. The study recommends that water service board management should initiate a policy of providing opportunities for leadership development for its staff. This will help them to engage closely and creatively with activities that will improve the strategic performance of the organization. The study also recommends that water services board executive should demonstrate commitment toward empowering company employees, and to develop staff to fill future vacancies.