Adoption of Technology and Performance on Humanitarian Development Projects Funded by Save the Children Kenya

Abstract

Technology adoption is a crucial factor in shaping the overall trajectory of a project. Based on the continual advances in technology, organizations within the humanitarian development sector are required to adapt faster. This study sought to investigate the effects of technological adoption and how they influence the performance of humanitarian development projects funded by Save the Children Kenya. The specific objectives of the study are: to establish the influence of technology infrastructure, to investigate the influence of technology availability and to assess the influence of technology capacity how they influence the performance of humanitarian development projects funded by Save the Children Kenya. The study adopted descriptive survey research design and was anchored on Diffusion of Innovation Theory (DIT), the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), and the Human-Centered Design (HCD) theory. A census survey was used in the sampling size given that the target population was small. Primary data was collected using structured questionnaires. Pilot test was conducted with 5 respondents. The study used content and construct validity. Reliability was tested using Cronbach’s Alpha indicated an overall high 0.839 questionnaire reliability score. The collected data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23. The findings were presented in tables. The unstandardized coefficient for technology infrastructure, (β =0.305, p=0.002) indicating that for each unit increase in technology infrastructure, humanitarian development projects increase by approximately 0.305 units, assuming all other factors are held constant. Technology availability (β =0.248, p=0.001) indicating that for each unit increase in technology availability, humanitarian development projects increase by approximately 0.248 units, and technology capacity and humanitarian development projects (β =0.697, p=0.004) indicating that for each unit increase in technology ability humanitarian development projects increases by approximately 0.697 units. The study recommends that; Save the Children Kenya should focus on enhancing the practices of technology infrastructure, technology availability and technology capacity since the practices lead to positive and significant effects on performance of humanitarian development projects. The study further recommends that the organization should consider adoption of cloud-based infrastructure that envisions cost effectiveness, scalability and flexibility. It also recommends that the need for target investment on necessary technology tools to enhances the effectiveness of project teams. Finally, the study recommends the need for continuous training that should focus on among others data breaches and privacy concerns, and curbing data security threats.