STRATEGIC ORGANIZATIONAL RESOURCE MOBILIZATION PRACTICES ON THE PERFORMANCE OF PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN KENYA
Abstract
Purpose of the Study: The study examined how strategic resource mobilization practices such as funding diversification, grant acquisition, endowment mobilization, and asset commercialization affect the performance of public universities in Kenya.
Problem Statement: Public universities in Kenya face persistent financial constraints due to declining government funding, rising enrolments, and inadequate resource mobilization structures. Weak implementation of diversification strategies, limited grant-writing capacity, and underdeveloped endowment systems hinder institutional performance.
Research Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive research design was used, targeting 36 public universities and collecting data from 154 senior management staff. Structured Likert-scale questionnaires captured information on resource mobilization practices and university performance. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and chi-square tests with SPSS version 27.
Results of the Study: The study found low implementation of resource mobilization practices and correspondingly low institutional performance. Strong positive correlations were observed between all strategic practices and performance, particularly funding diversification and grant capacity. Chi-square analysis showed endowment fund mobilization had a significant association with performance.
Conclusion: Strategic resource mobilization practices are crucial for improving university performance but remain insufficiently adopted.
Recommendations: Universities should enhance revenue diversification, build grant acquisition capabilities, and establish structured endowment models. Policymakers should create supportive national frameworks to strengthen financial sustainability across public universities.
Keywords: Resource mobilization, university performance, funding diversification, endowment funds, grant acquisition, asset commercialization
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