Extent to Which Firms Align Their Training and Development Programs to Their Business Strategies: a Survey of Large Manufacturing Companies in Nairobi

Abstract

This research project sought to determine the extent to which firms align their training and development programs to their business strategies. To achieve this objective, data were collected through a survey of large manufacturing companies in Nairobi. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire with both open-ended and closed questions. Responses were received from thirty large manufacturing companies giving a response rate of 60%. The findings of the study showed that among the major factors considered by the companies when choosing training and development programs, the most important factor considered is that training and development programs are aligned to business strategy (73.33%). The study also reveals that 70% of the companies consider evaluating the effectiveness of training and development programs among the major duties of the person charged with training and development programs. Evaluating the programs ensures that they are aligned to business strategies. From the study, it was also evident that 76.67% of the firms considered improving customer service as one of the major benefits accruing from training and development programs and 73.33% of the companies consider enabling the company to achieve its business strategies as another major benefit. The study also indicated that most companies face challenges as they try to align training and development programs to business strategies including replacement of staff when attending training, lack of funds to conduct training programs and resignation of staff to rival firms after being trained. The study concluded that companies align their training and development programs to their business strategies to a large extent. It also concluded that most organizations have a systematic training and development process which lays emphasize on evaluating effectiveness of training and development programs.