An Assessment of the Effect of Leadership Style on the Performance of Public Health Service Providers: A Case of Western Kenya

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the impact of leadership style on the performance of Public Health Service providers Western Region of Kenya. The study investigated the impact of Leadership style saw how it is tied to the end performance as measured in terms of the numbers reached, the quality of service provided and several other pertinent parameters listed in the Kenya Quality Model. This study was intended to generate knowledge that will enable Public Health Service Providers asses the connection between leadership style and performance of Public Health Service Providers. The study was conducted through a correlational descriptive survey design covering respondents from the Government owned healthcare facilities targeting specifically, District Hospitals in Western Kenya. Qualitative and quantitative data was collected through the use of structured questionnaires. Reliability of the selected measures was done through the use of Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient due to its ability to determine internal consistency of items in a survey. The researcher tested the questionnaires on pilot group that did not form part of the main study. The pilot study enabled removal of any ambiguities hence focus the questionnaire to collect data relevant to the study. The study collected both secondary and primary using the prescribed data gathering tools to collect both qualitative and quantitative data. Data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics such as tabulations, measures of central tendency and regression analyses so as to arrive at appropriate conclusions. To determine the relationships between the study variables Karl Pearson’s Coefficient of correlation was used to describe the strength and degree of the relationship. From the regression results, leadership style had significant effect on performance of Public Health Service Providers. The regression results also shows that 56.8 percent of the performance of Public Health Service Providers can be explained by leadership style (R squared = 0.568).