Private Sector Engagement, Organizational Culture and Implementation of Humanitarian Aid Projects in Non-governmental Organizations Based in Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

Humanitarian crisis across the Globe continue to increase in frequency, size and complexity challenging the ability of Humanitarian Organizations to respond well. Some of the Countries experiencing humanitarian crisis include Syria, Southern Sudan, Yemen and Somalia among others. In Kenya, humanitarian crisis occur in form of recurrent drought, floods, malnutrition and food security, disease outbreak; resource based inter-communal conflicts as well as terror attacks. In 2017 Global Humanitarian Assistance (GHA) report indicated that there were 7.6 M in need of aid in Southern Sudan, 6.7 M in Somalia and 5.6 M in Kenya. Engaging Private Sector in Humanitarian logistics, financing and technology could improve the implementation of humanitarian aid projects in Kenya. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of Private Sector Engagement, organizational culture on implementation of Humanitarian aid projects. The study was guided by five objectives, the first objective was to determine the extent to which humanitarian logistics influences implementation of humanitarian aid projects; Second Objective was to examine the extent to which humanitarian financing influences implementation of humanitarian aid projects; third objective was to examine the extent to which humanitarian technology influences implementation of humanitarian aid projects; fourth objective was to assess the extent to which the combined Private Sector engagement influence implementation of humanitarian aid projects and fifth objective was to establish the moderating influence of organizational culture on the relationship between private sector engagement and implementation of humanitarian aid projects. The paradigm guiding the study was pragmatism and the study employed a cross sectional-survey and correlational design. A sample of 117 was drawn from organizations in disaster relief. Both primary and secondary data was utilized. Primary data was collected using self administered questionnaires, Key Informant Interview and Focus Group Discussions Guides. Questionnaires issued were 117 out of these 85 which is (72.6%) were returned for analysis. The data was analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. For descriptive analysis, mean, percentages and frequencies were used. For inferential analysis, correlations and regressions were used and each hypothesis was tested at 95% significance level for p<0.05, H0 was rejected and H1 accepted. Study findings indicate that humanitarian logistics, financing and technology influence implementation of humanitarian aid projects and that organizational culture moderates the relationship between private sector engagement and implementation of humanitarian aid projects. The study concluded that there is need for more collaboration between private sector and organizations in disaster relief for better response during disasters. The study recommended investment in humanitarian research and more humanitarian training in academic institutions. Further research was suggested on establishing reasons why despite the importance of humanitarian technology in implementations, organizations in disaster relief still remain laggards in adopting technology. On contribution to knowledge, while most studies focused on one of the areas of collaborations this study has examined three variables together to establish how they contribute in improving implementation of humanitarian aid projects. It also highlighted that that the principles; humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence integrated within the organizational culture have a natural reflex to practice and do not hinder private sector engagement.