| dc.description.abstract | The basis of this study is a conceptualization of the relationships between top management demographics, macro environment SDM and performance. Some researchers have argued that top management demographics influence performance positively while others contend that the influence is negative. There is also no agreement on the intervening influence of SDM on the relationship between top management demographics and performance. The moderating influence of macro environment on the relationship between top management demographics and SDM is also not conclusive. There was need therefore to explore further the existence of these relationships. The context of the study was Kenyan SCs. The broad objective of the study was to determine the influence of macro environment and strategic decision making on the relationship between top management demographics and performance of Kenyan state corporations. Arising from this broad objective, six specific objectives were formulated and each of these objectives had a corresponding hypothesis. The specific objectives were to; establish the influence of top management demographics on performance, determine the influence of top management demographics on SDM, determine the influence of strategic decision making on performance , examine the influence of SDM on the relationship between top management demographics and performance, examine the influence of the macro-environment on the relationship between top management demographics and strategic decision making and to establish the joint influence of top management demographics, macro-environment and SDM on the performance of Kenyan SCs. A cross sectional descriptive survey was used and data collected from 96 SCs using a semistructured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Hypotheses were tested using both simple and multivariate regression analysis while Baron and Kenny model and hierarchical regression analysis were used to test for intervening and moderating effects respectively. The findings indicated that top management demographics had a statistically significant influence on the performance of Kenyan SCs. This supported the upper echelons theory. Top management demographics were also found to have a statistically significant influence on SDM but SDM did not have a statistically significant influence on performance. Similarly, the moderating role of macro environment on the relationship between top management demographics and performance and the intervening role of SDM on the relationship between top management demographics and performance were found not to be statistically significant. These results partially supported the industrial organization economics theory and the environment dependency theory respectively. The study contributes to knowledge in the field of strategic management by establishing the influence of top management demographics on performance and the influence of top management demographics on SDM. Managers will use these findings to ensure that their organizations have TMTs with the right demographics to enable them properly interpret the environment and develop appropriate strategies for competitive advantage and to ensure that SDM dimensions are integrated in their decision making process. The study also offers suggestions for policy makers that will help improve performance and also proposes areas for further research | en_US |
