Relationship between succession planning and performance of star-rated hotels in Kenya

Eunice Ayuma Yeswa; Thomas Anyanje Senaji; Clive Mukanzi; Mbithi Mutua

doi:10.51867/ajernet.7.2.8

Authors

Eunice Ayuma Yeswa
yeswatoday@gmail.com
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya
Thomas Anyanje Senaji Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya
Clive Mukanzi Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9987-1310
Mbithi Mutua Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya

Keywords:

Hotel Industry, Performance, Succession Planning, Talent Management, Kenya

Abstract

The hospitality industry in Kenya is highly sophisticated, with new entrants and daily losses experienced due to the kind of services offered, particularly in the hotel industry. In this case, hotel leadership and work, by extension, face a myriad of challenges that call for effective talent management. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between succession planning and the performance of star-rated hotels in Kenya. The study was anchored on human capital theory, pioneered by Becker and Schultz in the early 1960s, which emphasizes the importance of employees in realizing optimum organizational performance. The research design adopted for this study was based on positivist philosophy, whereby explanatory and descriptive research designs were used. The study used a purposive sampling technique to select 305 respondents. Data was collected using questionnaires. The study's findings, based on the correlation and linear regression coefficients, indicated that succession planning had a positive and significant influence on organizational performance. This implies that an increase in succession planning programs would cause a corresponding increase in the performance of star-rated hotels in Kenya. Therefore, the corresponding null hypothesis was also rejected. The study, therefore, concluded that the hotel industry should consider enhancing succession planning to enhance performance amidst increased competition. The study thus recommended that star-rated hotels should establish succession planning programmes and put in place development plans for their potential successors. These programmes will enhance the retention of potential successors who have high potential talent.

Dimensions

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