Effect of political skill on employee performance: does commitment matter: a reflection from Kenyan universities

Abstract

Purpose: The main objective of this study was to determine the mediating effect of employee commitment on the relationship between political skill and employee performance in Kenyan Universities. The study was informed by Social influence theory and complimented by Organizational Support theory. Material/methods: The study used explanatory research design and targeted 6147 academic and non-academic staff from the University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, Strathmore University and the United States International University. The study used a stratified sampling technique and systematic sampling to select a sample size of 567 academic and non-academic staff. This study used questionnaires to collect data relevant to the study. Hayes PROCESS macro model four (4) was used. To ascertain the significance of the mediating effect, the study used bootstrapping. Findings: The study findings showed that employee political skill had a significant and positive effect on employee commitment and employee performance. Results on bootstrapping for Hayes model four, (4) showed that employee commitment partially moderates the relationship between employee political skill and employee performance in Kenyan Universities. Conclusion: It can therefore be strongly concluded that politically skilled employees are an asset to the organization. The study recommends boldly that, to improve on their productivity, Kenyan universities should consider encouraging and promoting all employee political skills by majorly enhancing commitment in them. Value: The study has a novelty by providing empirical evidence for the partial mediating effect of employee commitment on the relationship between political skills and employee performance in institutions of higher learning.