Participative Goal Setting effects on Employee Performance at the Kenya Seed Company, Kitale

Abstract

Whereas studies have shown that goal setting improves employees’ performance, there are some studies on the subject which have produced mixed results with some supporting and others contradicting the ability of goal setting to improve performance. Most of the studies on the subject have been conducted in foreign countries and cultures hence making the applicability in Kenya doubtful. The purpose of this study therefore was to investigate the effects of participative goal setting on employees’ performance. The specific objectives of the study were: to determine the effects of team goals on employees’ performance; to assess the influence of joint goal setting on employees’ performance; to establish the effects of employee involvement in goal setting on employees’ performance at Kenya Seed Company and to find out strategies for enhancing goal setting and their likely effect on employees’ performance. The study was guided by the theory of goal setting which observes that goals that are specific, challenging, reachable and accepted by a person lead to higher performance. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The target population was 650 comprising all the employees of Kenya Seed Company. Stratified and simple random sampling techniques were used to select middle and lower cadre employees while the top management were picked purposively. Data collection instruments were questionnaires for employees and interview schedules for the top management. The research instruments were tested for validity and reliability through a pilot study. Ethical issues were also considered by assuring the respondents of confidentiality and protection from harm as a result of participating in the study. SPSS computer software version 20 was used to process quantitative data while qualitative data was analyzed based on meaning of words and grouping the responses around common themes. The findings of the study were that team goals, joint goals and employee involvement in goal setting did improve performance. Strategies for improving performance included understanding the organizations strategy, timely communication of performance targets and timely feedback on progress towards goals. The study found that participation in goal setting does improve employees’ performance. The study therefore recommends that Kenya Seed Company should make use of participation in goal setting to improve employees’ performance. This study is significant in that it will inform policy making and be a point of reference to other researchers.