Abstract
The study aimed to assess how specific cultural practices contribute to improved performance and identify strategies for fostering a productive work environment focusing on two key cultural dimensions: leadership style and communication. The research was driven by the need to address gaps in the literature, which has traditionally focused on the private sector. Given the distinct regulatory frameworks of state corporations, it is crucial to understand how these structures influenced employee behavior. The study was grounded in several theoretical frameworks, including Transformational Leadership Theory and Communication Accommodation Theory. These theories provided insights into how leadership and communication affected organizational dynamics and performance outcomes. The study used a descriptive cross-sectional survey design. The study will target state agencies in Kenya. According to The State Corporations Advisory Committee (SCAC) (2019), there are 46 state agencies in Kenya. The unit of analysis was therefore the 46 state agencies while the unit of observation was the management employees working in the state agencies. The study therefore targeted a total of 276 respondents comprising of 46 top managers, 92 middle level managers and 138 lower-level managers. The sample for this study was arrived at using the Slovin’s sample size determination formula for categorical data. The sample size was 163 respondents. This study also used questionnaire to collect data relevant to this study. Quantitative data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistical techniques which are frequencies, mean, standard deviation. Inferential statistics which include Pearson correlation and the Regression Analysis Model was used to test the relationship between study variables. The significance of the model was tested at 5% level of significance. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. The study results were presented through use of tables and figures. The study concludes that leadership style has a positive and employee performance of state corporations in Kenya. Findings revealed that empowerment, evaluation and participation influences employee performance of state corporations in Kenya. The study also concludes that communication has a positive and significant effect on employee performance of state corporations in Kenya. Findings revealed that ethical and social responsibility, people orientation and outcome orientation influence employee performance of state corporations in Kenya. The study recommends that the management of State Corporation’s in Kenya actively foster a collaborative work culture by promoting team-based projects, encouraging open communication, and providing platforms for shared decision-making.
Key Words: Organizational Culture Dimensions, Employee Performance, State Corporations, Leadership Style, Communication