SUPREMACY OF TRIPARTITE CONSULTATION OVER RELATIONSHIP OF SOCIAL PARTNERS AS INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS FACTORS INFLUENCING THE PERFORMANCE OF STATE CORPORATIONS IN KENYA

Abstract

Tripartite consultation and relationship between social partners are expected to enhance cordial relations between the social partners and consequently influence positive performance. Tripartite consultation is viewed as a means of reconciling the interests of the various social actors and of achieving fair and reasonable conditions of work. Against the background of generation of low trust, ‘arm’s length’ relationship the social actors are expected to collectively work together for their common good. The study sought to establish how tripartite consultation and relationship between the social partners influenced the performance of state corporations. The study was done in Nairobi County in Kenya –Africa. Data was collected from 341 employees of selected state corporations. A descriptive survey design was adopted. Questionnaires and interview guide were used as research instruments with the former having closed-ended Likert Scale and open- ended questions. Data was analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively using Statistical Package of Social Sciences. The study found that the relationship between social partners had a significant positive effect on the performance of state corporations with tripartite consultation being controlled. Besides, the presence of tripartite consultation renders the relationship between social partners insignificant. Thus, tripartite consultation is stronger than relationship between the social partners and indeed replaces it.