Strategic Foresight and Corporate Efficiency of Agricultural Research Institutions in Kenya: Mediating Influence of Leadership Commitment

Abstract

In today's volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous organizational landscape, effective leadership and management are pivotal for navigating challenges and seizing opportunities. This is especially crucial in agricultural research institutions in Kenya, tasked with enhancing productivity, sustainability, and food security. These institutions must innovate to address climate change, resource scarcity, and evolving consumer demands, yet face challenges in maintaining corporate efficiency. With global population growth and increasing food demand, there is urgency for these institutions to enhance strategic foresight and corporate efficiency. However, the impact of strategic foresight and leadership commitment on efficiency remains underexplored in Kenya's agricultural research sector. This study aimed to investigate the influence of strategic foresight on corporate efficiency and to explore how leadership commitment mediates this relationship. Utilizing a mixed methods approach—cross-sectional surveys for quantitative data and interpretive phenomenological analysis for qualitative insights—data were gathered from key segments of Kenyan agricultural research institutions. Statistical analyses, including regression and mediation analysis, were employed to test hypotheses and uncover relationships among strategic foresight, leadership commitment, and corporate efficiency. Results showed that the study achieved a robust response rate, ensuring reliable findings with strong internal consistency. Leadership in agricultural research institutes skewed male, revealing gender disparities. Age significantly influenced corporate efficiency, emphasizing strategic foresight's role. Concerns arose over short leader tenures and institutional memory loss. Supervisory roles correlated positively with corporate efficiency, consistent with prior research. Pearson's correlations showed significant relationships among corporate efficiency, strategic foresight, and leadership commitment. Structural equation modeling confirmed significant relationships, with leadership commitment partially mediating the relationship between strategic foresight and corporate efficiency. Management boards were pivotal in strategic activities and policy coordination. Despite policy alignment challenges in organizations, government support for policy enactment received positive feedback. The study recommended expansions into resource mobilization, patenting, and policy revisions aligning with digital agriculture trends. Effective governance, supportive policies, and strategic implementation were crucial for advancing agricultural research and development.