Abstract
Tea processing companies play a vital role in Kenya’s economy, particularly in agricultural and rural development. As one of the country’s leading export commodities, tea contributes significantly to foreign exchange earnings and provides employment to thousands of people both directly and indirectly. However, tea processing companies in Kiambu County, Kenya, face significant challenges that impact their performance. The general objective of this study is to determine the influence of strategic control techniques on performance of tea processing companies in Kiambu County, Kenya. Specifically, the study sought to assess the influence of premise control on performance of tea processing companies in Kiambu County, Kenya and to determine the influence of strategic surveillance on performance of tea processing companies in Kiambu County, Kenya. This study was guided by Cognitive Load Theory, Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), Contingency Theory and Diffusion of Innovations Theory. The study employed descriptive research design. This study targeted tea processing companies in Kiambu County. Currently there are 66 operational tea factories under the KTDA (MS) Ltd management, each managed by a board of directors elected by and from among the growers of the specific factory catchment (KTDA, 2024). This study therefore targeted the management employees in these companies. The total target population was therefore 594 respondents. The study used Krejcie and Morgan (1970) formula to arrive at the sample size of 170 respondents. The researcher used questionnaires. Seventeen respondents were used for pilot testing representing 10% of the sample size. In this study the collected data was analysed by both qualitative and quantitative analysis. Data was edited, sorted, coded and analysed by use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22. Inferential statistical methods such as correlation and multiple regression analysis were used to test the relationship between the variables. The study adopted multiple linear regression analysis. The study concludes that premise control has a positive and significant influence on performance of tea processing companies in Kiambu County, Kenya. Further, the study concludes that strategic surveillance has a positive and significant influence on performance of tea processing companies in Kiambu County, Kenya. Based on the findings, the study recommends that the management of tea processing companies in Kenya should strengthen their internal quality control systems by implementing standardized procedures at every stage of production. By emphasizing strict adherence to operational guidelines companies can enhance product consistency and reduce losses caused by inefficiencies or defects.
Key Words: Strategic Control Techniques, Premise Control, Strategic Surveillance, Performance of Tea Processing Companies