Learning Orientation And Firm Performances In The Context Of Construction Firms In Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

The construction sector contributed of the Gross Domestic Product and play crucial roles in determining growth of the economy. However, the industry faces challenges such as slow rate of technology transfers and uptake, inadequate budgetary support from the exchequer, non-compliance with set construction standards, cessation of construction levy payments, foreign contractors are the major players in the industry, lack of a legal framework for collaborations with county governments, overlapping institution mandates, misconstrued understanding of Authority mandate. Hence, the research intended to establish the effects of learning orientation on performance of selected construction firms in Na.irobi Co.unty. The theories used included resource-based view and theory of dynamic capability. The research employed descriptive research designs. The study targeted 8 selected construction firms in Nairobi. The respondents were grouped in terms of their job responsibilities. Sim.ple rand.om sam.pling method was utilized for choosing the participants from every stratum. The respondents were staff working in 8 construction firms in Nairobi, comprising of 328 top level management employees of managerial positions of construction firms in Nairobi City. The sample was 180 participants. Data was obtained through use of a questionnaire. The study data obtained quantitative data which was analyzed through descriptives inclusing frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviations. The study also conducted correlation analysis and multiple regressions for determining the association amongst the variables. The tables and figures were utilised for representation of the research results. It was established that that a unit change in learning orientation changes performance of construction companies by 0.754. The research concluded that learning orientation had a substantial effect on performance of construction firms in Nairobi. The study recommends that management of construction companies should develop a structured training and development program that aligns with both the company’s strategic goals and the employees' career aspirations