Abstract:
The performance of state corporations is indicated by such factors as their
contributions to social welfare, job creation, general economic empowerment and
improvement of lives of the poor. However, despite the interest in the sector and the
subsidies that have flowed into some of the mission-oriented state corporations, it
seems that most state corporations struggle with the challenge of remaining viable
over the long-term. Some of this challenge is on how to manage customers and
provide quality services. In addition, there are a number of challenges, which include
the connectivity, and the ability of a large population to utilize these services and the
capacity of the government departments to meet the demand and provide quality,
timely services. Thus, the main aim of the study was to determine effect of technology
context, leader personality on firm performance among state corporations in Kenya.
The study specifically determined effect of technology relative advantage on firm
performance, effect of technology compatibility on firm performance, effect of
technology complexity on firm performance and effect of technology trialability on
firm performance. Further, to determine the moderating effect of leader personality on
the relationship between technology context (relative advantage compatibility,
complexity and trialability) and firm performance among state corporations. The
study was informed by stakeholder theory, upper-echelon theory, trait theory and
diffusion-innovation theory for firm performance. This study used a positivism
research philosophy. The research study employed explanatory research designs. The
target respondents included top management from 187 state corporations. Simple
random sampling was used to select 65 state corporations. Primary data was collected
through questionnaires using a nominal scale. Cronbach alpha and factor analysis was
used to test reliability and validity of research instrument, respectively. Descriptive
and inferential statistical methods of Pearson correlation and Hierarchical regression
models were used to analyze the data obtained and to test the hypotheses with the aid
of SPSS version 23. The study indicated that technology relative advantage (β =
0.339, p<0.05), technology compatibility (β = 0.167, p<0.05) and technology
complexity (β = 0.392, p<0.05), are key to enhancing firm performance. However,
technology trialability had no influence on firm performance (β = -0.065, p>0.05).
leadership personality; openness to experience (β = 0.47, p<0.05), neuroticism (β = -
0.09, p<0.05) and extraversion (β = 0.27, p<0.05) significantly influenced firm
performance. Further, leader openness to experience leader openness to experience
moderates the relationship between technology relative advantage and firm
performance (β =.68, ρ< .05, R 2 Δ =042), technology complexity and firm
performance (β = 0.58 , ρ< .05, R 2 Δ .023) technology trialability and firm performance
(β =.32, ρ< .05, R 2 Δ = .024). leader neuroticism significantly moderates the
relationship between technology relative advantage and firm performance (β = -0.22,
ρ< .05, R 2 Δ = .012), technology compatibility and firm performance (β = 1.45, ρ< .05 ,
R 2 Δ= .017) , technology complexity and firm performance (β = 0.60 , ρ< .05, R 2 Δ
=.034). leader extraversion significantly moderates the relationship between
technology trialability and firm performance (β = 0.68, p<0.05, R 2 Δ =.044). The
study recommended that state corporations adopt technology that holds prominence
over previous technologies and enhance overall employee productivity and firm
performance. Besides, state corporations should ensure any technology adopted is
compatible with the existing IT infrastructure. Finally, training should be enhanced
for better utilization of online services.