Effect of information communication technology use on organizational performance at Kenya power and lighting company, Nairobi.

Abstract

Information and Communication is one of the most important aspects of human life. Communicating with one another and understanding each other are of vital importance if one is to survive in a society. ICT has brought in new techniques in organizations. Any organization or industry that would like to be competitive and profitable should ensure that employees are trained and involved in the management of ICT for organizational survival. Kenya Power and Lighting Company use ICT in performing various duties. However, as much as ICT has brought in new techniques in organizations, there has been low employee involvement in ICT, yet studies done in Kenya Power and Lighting Company on ICT use on organizational performance have not yielded much. Therefore, the study sought to explore the effects of ICT use on organizational performance. The objectives for the study were to: establish the scope of ICT use in Kenya Power and Lighting Company; to determine the effect of ICT use on organizational performance; investigate the problems of ICT use and its solutions. The study was guided by theory of performance by Jensen and Meckling. The study was conducted in Kenya Power and Lighting Company, Nairobi Headquarters hence case study design. The study was descriptive in nature. The target population of the study was 374 employees working in various sections. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select a sample size of 120 employees. Questionnaires were administered to general administrative staff while interviews were administered to senior staff. Validity and reliability of the instruments was done at Kenya Power and Lighting Company, Eldoret. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics: percentages, frequencies and presented in tables and charts. Findings showed that ICT use is broad in Kenya Power and Lighting Company and plays a major of role with the respondents agreeing with the same with 20.9% while 51.8% of respondents agreed on ICT scope. Findings also revealed that there were challenges and available solutions for enhancing the use of ICT. In conclusion: effect of ICT use on organization performance was seen in several aspects; ICT use has broad scope in KPLC; Challenges hinders the smooth use of ICT and that solutions for enhancing ICT use are important. The researcher recommended that, there is need for the company to increase funding on resource acquisition and training of its personnel. Also the Company should find ways of motivating its employees as this was hampering the quality of service delivery through use of ICT system. Finally, the government through the ministry of Energy should be involved in providing an enabling environment to support Kenya Power and Lighting Company to better use of ICT. This in turn would lead to improvement in profitability, growth through investment in information technology, e-business, new business models, acceptance of competitiveness and survival of the organization.