Orientation Training and Performance of Employees in Select County Governments in Nyanza Region in Kenya as Moderated by Knowledge Sharing

Abstract

County governments in Kenya were constitutionalized in 2010 to ensure resources and services were devolved. However, employee performance in the Nyanza region has been declining despite high investment in orientation and training programs. The purpose of this study was to establish the moderating effect of knowledge sharing on the relationship between orientation training and the performance of employees in Kisii, Migori, Siaya, Homa Bay, and Nyamira County Governments. The study was grounded in human capital theory. A correlation research design was utilized, targeting 389 employees from selected county governments in the Nyanza region. A sample of 199 respondents was selected using a stratified sampling method. Structured questionnaires were used to collect primary data. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used in the data analysis, while hierarchical multiple linear regression was used to test the moderating effect of knowledge sharing on the relationship between orientation and mentorship training and employee performance in county governments. The results showed that orientation training through induction, benchmarking practices, job rotation, and role and duties awareness played crucial roles in improving employees’ performance in the county governments. Hence, orientation had a positive, significant relationship with employee performance. Additionally, there was a moderating effect of knowledge sharing on the relationship between orientation and employee performance (P=0.000<0.05). Knowledge management contributed to a 3.2% improvement in the relationship between orientation and employee performance (R Square Change =0.032). The study concludes that knowledge-sharing orientation training had a moderating effect on the relationship between orientation and employee performance. The study recommends that county governments enhance orientation training programs for employee development, optimize professional development, develop comprehensive employee orientation programs, and strengthen personal development by investing in knowledge-sharing resources.