Abstract: To succeed in marketplace, companies need to manage change more precisely in order to realize the full value of their transformation efforts. The study therefore examined the influence of strategic leaders’ innovation skills on change management in the county government of Nakuru, Kenya. Theories underpinning this study were Upper Echelon Leadership Theory. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. The target population of the study was 134 middle level management employees working in 10 ministries. Based on the small population, the study adopted a census survey. Data was collected through the use of questionnaires constructed on a 5 point likert scale. Questionnaires were tested for validity and reliability. To analyze the collected data, Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics which included frequency, percentages, mean and standard deviation and inferential statistics which included regression and correlation analysis and data was presented in tables with relevant discussions. The study will inform the management of the county on the strategic leadership practices that would provide positive results as far as change management is concerned. The study face a major limitation given that some of the respondents were afraid of responding to the questionnaire fearing for its confidentiality. However the researcher assured them that the information they provide would be treated confidentially. The study established that leader’s innovation skills had a 0.701 and had a positive significant relationship with change management in the county government of Nakuru. The study concluded that leaders’ innovation skills had a significant influence on change management in the county government of Nakuru. It was recommended that county leadership should enhance innovative skills to enable them lead in change management. Possession of innovative skills by the county government will prevent frequent restructuring in the county structures as the leaders will be innovative enough to ensure they operate optimally within the established structures.
Keywords: Change management, County government, Innovation Skills, Leaders’ Innovation, Strategic Leadership.
Title: INFLUENCE OF STRATEGIC LEADERS INNOVATION SKILLS ON CHANGE MANAGEMENT IN THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT OF NAKURU, KENYA
Author: Samuel Mwaura, Prof. Ronald Chepkilot, Dr. John Kipkorir Tanui
International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research
ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)
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