Institutional Factors and Performance of Event Projects: a Case of Kenyatta International Convention Centre, Nairobi: Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to investigate how institutional factors that affect the performance of the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in implementing large scale event projects. The institutional factors include leadership, human resource management, financial management and institutional linkages. The Kenyatta International Convention Centre is mandated to promote conference tourism both locally and internationally and in order to achieve this end, there is need to implement projects successfully and increase project performance to give the firm a competitive edge in the global event market. This study seeks to investigate the relationship between the institutional factors and the performance of the KICC in implementing event projects. The theories used in this study are the transformational leadership theory, the human capital theory as well as the stakeholders’ approach. The methodology used is the descriptive research design which illustrates the relationships between variables. Both qualitative and quantative data is collected from a sample of 132 stakeholders in the events including event planners, professional conference organizers, suppliers and repeat clients. The null hypotheses formulatedwere tested by use of ANOVA and p-values and regression analysis to investigate if there was a linear relationship between the independent and dependent variables. It was found that there was a relationship and that the model suggested in the research is indeed viable. The findings are an indication that there is a direct relationship between the institutional factors identified and the performance of the KICC in successfully implementing projects. It is therefore recommended that in order to improve the performance, there is need to adopt transformational leadership style, incorporating team work and the organizations’ corporate strategy when managing the finances of the organization and having positive relationships with other institutions and individuals that are affected directly or indirectly by the activities of the KICC. It is also of paramount importance for management to invest in human capital in order to globally compete with other convention centres globally in hosting large scale events. Further studies need to be conducted in order to investigate more institutional factors that affect performance of government owned institutions apart from those highlighted in this study