Browsing by Author "GLADYS WANJIRU KURIA"

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    ORGANIZATION CORE VALUES AND PERFORMANCE OF SECURITY FIRMS IN NAIROBI COUNTY - KENYA
    (THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN AFRICA, 2025-08) GLADYS WANJIRU KURIA
    The private security sector emerges as the primary force in protecting individuals together with assets and communities because of the evolving threat environment. The performance of private security firms remains essential in protecting public safety because security threats continuously change while people expect greater services from these organizations. This study examined the influence of organizational values—integrity, professionalism, accountability, and transparency—on the performance of private security firms in Nairobi County, Kenya. Guided by Schein’s Organizational Culture Theory, Resource-Based View (RBV), Organizational Theory, and Agency Theory, the research employed a descriptive design with data collected from 80 respondents across 30 registered firms through stratified purposive sampling. A semistructured questionnaire and pilot testing ensured validity and reliability. Performance was evaluated using the Balanced Scorecard (BSC), incorporating financial indicators such as profitability and non-financial measures including service quality, employee satisfaction, reputation, and customer trust. The statistical analysis, conducted using SPSS, revealed strong positive relationships between the core values and organizational performance. Correlation results showed professionalism (r = 0.781, p < 0.05) had the strongest association with performance, followed by integrity (r = 0.732, p < 0.05), accountability (r = 0.701, p < 0.05), and transparency (r = 0.668, p < 0.05). Regression analysis confirmed that the four values jointly explained 64.2% of the variance in organizational performance (R² = 0.642, F = 32.714, p <0.05). Professionalism emerged as the most significant predictor (β = 0.412, p < 0.05), with integrity (β = 0.285, p < 0.05), accountability (β = 0.211, p < 0.05), and transparency (β = 0.198, p < 0.05) also exerting significant effects. Qualitative responses highlighted challenges such as inconsistent application of values, weak leadership, and limited regulatory enforcement, but also proposed employee-driven interventions to strengthen ethical adherence and operational standards. The findings affirm that core organizational values are not only ethical foundations but also critical determinants of operational efficiency, customer trust, and long-term sustainability in the security sector. The study recommends institutionalizing value-based leadership, enhancing training and accountability structures, and establishing stronger regulatory frameworks. These insights contribute to organizational culture literature while offering actionable guidance for managers, policymakers, and future researchers.