Influence of Corporate Culture on the Performance of Kenya Airways

Abstract

The study was conducted with two main objectives, that is determining the influence of corporate culture in the performance of Kenya Airways and critically examine the efforts and strategies Kenya Airways has put in place to develop a corporate culture that enhances performance. To achieve these objectives, interview guides were used targeting the 7 directors and 14 heads of sections as respondents. Interview guides were open ended questions whose responses were summarized using content analysis technique. It emerged that corporate culture played a crucial role in the success of Kenya Airways although there seems to be a clear consensus that there is an identity problem in the organisation.

The respondents understand what corporate culture entails but can hardly describe it within Kenya Airways context. It emerged that strong aviation guidelines tend to stream line the business more than the corporate culture within the organization. The organization has put in place deliberate measures to improve the situation through training and information technology.

The study recommended that high turnover for senior managers should be addressed to provide an ample environment to inculcate an effective culture. Resistance to change was identified as an impediment and need to be given the attention it deserves through proper change management strategies and programmes.