FACTORS THAT DETERMINE LEADERSHIP EFFECTIVENESS: A CASE STUDY OF NEW KENYA CO-OPERATIVE CREAMERIES IN NAIROBI

Successfully managing an organization is now becoming necessary for every organization. There are still several myths around leadership effectiveness in spite of the fact that it is one of the most topical issues in modern organizations. Many organizations appreciate the need for effective leadership, as many as 70% of leadership initiatives do not achieve their intended outcomes. The importance and contributions of leadership in high performing organizations can never be underestimated. This study sought to determine the skills and practices that The New Kenya Co-operative Creameries Limited (New KCC) leadership put in place to effectively achieve success in the market. The co-operative is in food industry, processing and marketing milk and milk products. The overall objective of this study was to examine the factors that determine leadership effectiveness at the New KCC. The researcher considered various leadership theories, leadership styles and two Leadership models. The study was carried out at the New KCC in Nairobi in 2014/2015 academic year. The study used descriptive research design to determine the individual experiences of employees and how they perceive leadership effectiveness on an individual basis. Quantitative primary data was collected through a structured self-completed questionnaire from a sample size of 75 respondents out of a sample target of 185 permanent employees, published secondary data from the company and from the Kenya Dairy Board was also used. Data collected was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science technique and also using descriptive and various inferential statistics. The study found that leadership effectiveness depends on the success and practice of various leadership skills. The study recommended that leaders mandated to spearhead leadership efforts in organizations should effectively practice skills linked and that yield leadership effectiveness to achieve success.