Technology Context, Openness to Experience and Firm Performance Among State Corporations in Kenya

Abstract

Purpose: The  primary objective of this study was to examine the impact of technology context and openness to experience on firm performance among state corporations in Kenya. The research was guided by the upper-echelon theory.

Material/methods: The study focused on top management from 187 state corporations in Kenya. A simple random sampling method was employed to select 65 state corporations for inclusion. Primary data collection was conducted through questionnaires using a nominal scale. To analyze the data and test the hypotheses, hierarchical regression models were applied, utilizing SPSS version 23.

Findings: The findings reveal significant moderating effects of leader openness to experience on the relationships between various technology aspects and firm performance. Specifically, the study found that leader openness to experience moderated the relationship between technology relative advantage and firm performance (β = .68, ρ < .05, R2Δ = .042), between technology complexity and firm performance (β = 0.58, ρ < .05, R2Δ = .023), and between technology trialability and firm performance (β = .32, ρ < .05, R2Δ = .024).

Conclusion: The study concludes that leader openness to experience significantly influences the relationship between various technology factors and firm performance in state corporations in Kenya.

Value: The study offers practical recommendations for state corporations, emphasizing the adoption of superior technologies to enhance employee productivity and overall firm performance. It also highlights the importance of ensuring technology compatibility with existing IT infrastructure and the need for enhanced training for better utilization of online services. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the role of leadership traits in technology adoption and its impact on organizational performance.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10154430