Effects of Innovation Culture on the Performance of Genge Music Production Companies in Starehe Sub-County, Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

The Kenya Vision 2030 identifies music and performing arts as one of the sectors that can contribute towards transforming Kenya into a globally competitive and prosperous country with a high quality of life by 2030. In particular, the Genge music industry has the potential to create employment for many young people in the country due to the appeal that this music genre has to youth. However, Genge music production companies have not been effective in creating stable employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for many young people. In this regard, the study sought to examine the effect of innovation culture on the performance of Genge music production companies in Starehe Sub-County, Nairobi County, Kenya. The study made use of the convergent parallel research design that combined quantitative and qualitative research approaches. The quantitative component of the study targeted a population of 252 workers in six Genge music production companies located in Starehe Sub-County, while the qualitative component targeted 10 directors of the Music Copyright Association of Kenya (MCSK) and Kenya Association Music Producers (KAMP). A sample of 70 workers was selected using the proportionate random sampling method for the purposes of collecting quantitative data using survey questionnaires. On the other hand, qualitative data was collected using interview guides from six directors of the MCSK and KAMP that were selected purposively. Findings revealed that Genge music companies have performed relative well in terms of generating revenues to meet their costs, signing new artists, and increasing revenues from music streams. However, the firms have not excelled when it comes to providing adequate remuneration to artists. The study found a statistically significant positive association between the performance of Genge music production companies and innovation culture (β =.607, t = 5.785, p =.002). The finding led to the conclusion that inculcating an innovation culture would enhance the performance of the Genge music production companies. The study recommends that policymakers at the State Department of Culture and Heritage should enhance enforcement of copyright law to promote innovation culture. If implemented, the recommendation will be of benefits to Kenyan youth interested in making a career in the music production value chain, either as artists, sound engineers, videographers, song writers, or marketers, among other music production professions.