Transformation Leadership and Organizational Performance in the Aviation Industry: A Case of Kenya Airports Authority
Authors: Abwao Bethsheba Aloo , Kimencu Linda 
Published: March 2023

Kenya Airports Authority has been experiencing poor performance in terms of decreased profits, reduced efficiency. The organization experienced a decrease in pre-profit tax and cargo throughput and an increase in operating expense in 2016. Therefore, despite changes in leadership and the adoption of transformational leadership, Kenya Airports Authority is still performing poorly. The researcher looked into effect of transformation leadership on Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) organizational performance. Specifically, researcher examined1how idealized1effect, inspirational1motivation, individualized1consideration and intellectual stimulation influences organizational1performance in Kenya Airports Authority. This study used path goal theory and transformational leadership theory. Descriptive1research1method1was deployed. The study’s population was1made of all 167 employees from 9 departments in the headquarters of Kenya Airports Authority. 50% of the study population was chosen by employing stratified1random1sampling which meant that the study’s sample was made of 84 staff. Primary data1was acquired by1employing semi-structured questionnaires. Moreover, content1validity1was facilitated by use of experts’ opinions known in the area of study but more importantly opinion of the research supervisors was sought. On the other hand, face1validity1of the study tool was facilitated1by1use1of pilot study and indefinite or unclear query was changed. Measuring of the research instrument internal consistency was employed to prove research tools’ reliability. The research tool led to the collection of quantitative and qualitative data. Inferential as well as descriptive statistics helped in quantitative data analysis. Further, assistance of SPSS version 21 was used. Descriptive1statistics included frequencies, standard1deviation, mean and percentages. The findings were given in figures and also tables. Qualitative data analysis was done with the assistance of thematic1content1analysis. The findings were given in1narrative form. The relationship that exists between depended variable and independent variable was determined using multiple regression as well as correlation analysis. According to the study, idealized1influence has1significant effect on the organizational1performance in Kenya1Airports Authority. In addition, individualized consideration has significant effect on organizational performance in KAA. Further, intellectual1stimulation has significant influence on organizational1performance in KAA. Additionally, inspirational1motivation has significant effect on organizational1performance in KAA. The study recommends that the management ought to encourage and support innovation and creativity among the employees since it facilitates problem solving, leads to better team work and bonding, increases staff morale, increases competitiveness and improves productivity. Moreover, the management ought to provide more incentive programs such as tuition reimbursement, and additional flexibility in work arrangements, retirement plans, sick leave, paid time off and disability leave among others which motivates the employees and demonstrates that the company values them. Additionally, the management should involve employees at all level of decision-making because it encourages high devotion among the workforce, increases employees’ morale and satisfaction who as a result perform at their best on an individual level.