ROLE OF EMPLOYEE CAPACITY IN THE STRATEGIC POSITIONING OF NEWLY CHARTERED PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN KENYA: THE CASE OF LAIKIPIA UNIVERSITY
Kosgey I. S.
Administration, Finance and Development Office, Laikipia University, Kenya
Anyieni A. G.
School of Business, Kenyatta University (Nakuru Campus), Kenya
Lagat A. C.
Department of Commerce, School of Business, Laikipia University (Naivasha Campus), Kenya
Gakobo T. W.
Department of Commerce, School of Business, Laikipia University (Nairobi Campus), Kenya
ABSTRACT
Globally, University education is known to be essential for social, economic and political transformation of society. This recognition has caused heavy investment in this sector in Africa and Kenya in particular. However, this rapid expansion has brought many challenges in service delivery and customer satisfaction by universities. Among these is employee capacity that can add value to the strategic intent of the universities in the face of intense competition in the university training services value chain. Through a cross-sectional survey, this study evaluated the role of employee capacity and the strategic positioning of newly chartered public universities, with specific reference to Laikipia University in Kenya. Results indicate that employee capacity was crucial for sustainable competitive advantage of the University. It was apparent that the University had a workforce that had fairly good capacity to contribute to its strategic intent through their cooperation, commitment and involvement in the activities of the University. However, the University needs to invest more in building the capacity of its entire human resource to elevate the current position and to achieve sustainable competitive advantage. Employees need to be empowered through increased opportunities for scholarships, training and mentoring activities. This would require training and development needs assessment and methods to be effective in boosting employee capacity. Moreover, employee motivation through better remuneration, and appreciation and recognition of efforts of employees would be desireable to enhance chances of strategic positioning of the Universty. This study contributes to information on employee capacity and its role in strategic positioning of newly chartered public universities that university managers and policy makers would need to employ to achieve sustainable competitive advantage among universities in the country.
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