Relationship Between Process Transformation and Employee Performance in County Governments in Kenya

Abstract

County Governments in Kenya were established to enhance service delivery, facilitate local development, and ensure equitable distribution of resources. However, persistent concerns over low employee performance in some counties have raised questions about the effectiveness of internal transformation efforts, particularly process transformation. This study examined the relationship between process transformation and employee performance in County Governments in Kenya. Grounded in the Theory of Innovation, the study employed a cross-sectional and correlational research design to collect and analyze quantitative data. The target population comprised 470 members of the County Executive Committees (CECs) across the 47 County Governments. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select a representative sample of 216 CEC members. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire with closed-ended questions, ensuring consistency and ease of analysis. The instrument's validity was confirmed through expert review, while reliability was established through a pilot study involving 22 CEC members, yielding a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.747, which surpassed the acceptable threshold of 0.7. Descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) were used to summarize the data, while inferential statistics—including simple linear regression and structured moderated multiple regression—were employed to test the hypotheses. The findings revealed a statistically significant positive relationship between process transformation and employee performance (β = 0.518, p < 0.05), indicating that a one-unit increase in process transformation is associated with a 51.8% improvement in employee performance. The study concludes that effective process transformation contributes significantly to enhancing employee productivity and the overall success of public service delivery in County Governments. It recommends that County Governments institutionalize regular assessments of their internal processes to ensure they remain adaptive, efficient, and aligned with performance goals.