LEADERSHIP STYLES AND EMPLOYEE RETENTION IN TELECOMMUNICATION INDUSTRY IN KENYA: A CASE STUDY OF SAFARICOM LIMITED, NAIROBI
LEADERSHIP STYLES AND EMPLOYEE RETENTION IN TELECOMMUNICATION INDUSTRY IN KENYA: A CASE STUDY OF SAFARICOM LIMITED, NAIROBI
Kang’iri Njeri Jacqueline - Master of Management and Leadership, The Management University of Africa, Kenya
Gladys Nafula - The Management University of Africa, Kenya
ABSTRACT
This study sought to determine the effect of leadership styles on employee retention in telecommunication industry using Safaricom limited, Nairobi as the case study. The specific study objectives were: To evaluate the effect of directive leadership and participative leadership styles on employee retention in telecommunication industry in Kenya using a case study of Safaricom, Nairobi. The study was guided by two theories namely Path- goal leadership as the anchor theory and Resource based view theory. The study utilized descriptive research design. Qualitative and quantitative research methods were adopted. The target population was 4858 employees working at Safaricom headquarters in Nairobi. Stratified random sampling was used to select a sample of 370 employees with individual participants being randomly selected. Both primary and secondary data was collected through questionnaires, interview guides and literature review checklist as the research instruments. The data collected was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) using descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation analysis which was used to determine the relationship between leadership styles and employee retention. The findings of the study showed that there is a weak, positive and significant correlation between directive leadership style and employee retention (r = 0.327, p- value = 0.000). Besides, there exists a strong, positive association that is significant between participative style of leadership and retention (r = 0.720, p-value = (0.001). The researcher recommends that the leadership of organizations formulate policies, strategies and guidelines that promote the appropriate leadership styles which enhances employee retention. An institution should adopt different leadership styles but have guidelines on which circumstances call for the utilization of a specific leadership style. The leadership policies and strategies should ensure the development of implementation plans of the different leadership styles taking into consideration aspects such as compensation, salaries, conducive working environment, guiding manuals among other things.
