Succession planning strategy on performance of Hospitality industry in Nakuru county, Kenya

Abstract

This study examined succession planning within Nakuru County’s hospitality sector, aiming to bridge a notable research gap by exploring how human resource planning, career development initiatives, and employee performance appraisal affect industry outcomes. It emphasized the need for enhanced succession strategies to bolster future performance in light of the sector’s intense competition, economic volatility, and rapid technological change. Guided by the Resource-Based View, Social Cognitive Career Theory, and Goal Setting Theory, the research established a strong theoretical foundation to analyze succession dynamics in this setting. Using a descriptive survey approach, the study targeted 480 employees across registered hospitality firms in Nakuru County. A proportionate stratified random sample of 218 participants ensured representation from all establishment types. Structured questionnaires served as the data collection instrument, with content validity confirmed via a validity index and reliability assessed through Cronbach’s alpha, adhering to rigorous methodological standards. The analysis incorporated both descriptive statistics (frequencies, means, standard deviations) and inferential methods (correlation and multiple regression) to assess how succession planning practices influence organizational performance. This comprehensive approach provided a detailed view of the impact of various succession planning elements on the hospitality industry’s success. The findings revealed a strong positive correlation between human resource planning and succession strategy (r = 0.671, p < 0.01), with career development practices demonstrating a similarly significant relationship (r = 0.664, p < 0.01). Employee performance appraisal showed a moderate yet meaningful correlation with succession planning (r = 0.521, p < 0.05). Ultimately, the study concluded that effective succession planning strategies play a pivotal role in enhancing the performance of hospitality firms in Nakuru County. In light of these insights, it recommended the adoption of more robust succession planning frameworks to support future industry growth.