Effects of Firm Level Characteristics on Program Performance Among Health Non-Governmental Organizations in Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

Organisations operate in an environment that is characterized by change, unpredictability, complexity and instability and they are now beginning to realize the importance of aligning their firm-level characteristics with their strategies in order to achieve superior performance and gain a competitive edge over other organizations. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of firm-level characteristics on program performance among health non-governmental organizations in Nairobi County, Kenya. This study used a descriptive research design. The population for this study comprised all NGO‟s that situated in Nairobi County and had been registered by the NGO Coordination Board. The target population was all health-based NGO‟s in Nairobi County. This study employed the use of a systematic random sampling method. Questionnaires were administered using a drop and pick method as well as through emails. The data that gathered was edited, tabulated, coded and summarized. Analysis was done using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The descriptive statistics obtained from Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) included frequency distributions, percentages, means and medians. Inferential analysis used multiple linear regression method to establish the relationship between the study variables. The study established that the health NGOs in Nairobi utilized various firm-level characteristics including leadership, culture, structure and resources in their operations to enhance program performance. The study recommends that the health NGOs should integrate technological advances into program management so as to allow system proficiency, efficiency and effectiveness triggering organizational performance of Kenya NGOs.