EFFECT OF TRAINING PRACTICES ON THE PERFORMANCE OF SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZE HOTEL ENTERPRISES IN MOMBASA COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to examine the effect of training practices on the performance of small and medium size enterprises hotels in the hospitality industry in Mombasa County. The study was specifically seeking to determine the effect of the three components of training practices namely; training plans, training methods, and programmes on the performance of the SMEs in the hospitality industry. The focus group was respondents working in hotels in Mombasa County. The study was carried out in 24 hotels in the County, which represented the units of analysis for this study. Specifically a descriptive survey aimed at a targeted population from a representative sample was used. The survey involved collecting information by administering a questionnaire to the sample. Statistical package for social sciences was used to analyze data. The data was then summarized using tables and bar graphs. The study found out that there is a positive cascading effect between training practice variables and performance of SME hotels within Mombasa County. The study also found out that most sampled SME hotels prefer using on-the-job training method to train their employees and observation of employees’ performance is the most preferred method of evaluation after training. The study recommends that future research should focus on effect of training practices on individual employee performance and the extent to which training is seen as a message that SME hotels care about their employees.