SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCE ON SELECTION OF LEADERSHIP IN COMMERCIAL STATE CORPORATIONS IN KENYA

Abstract

This study sought to assess the influence of social media on leadership selection in commercial state corporations in Kenya. Specifically, the study focuses on classifying various information obtained from social media as fake news, propaganda, misinformation or disinformation, determining the influence of social media information sharing on selection of leaders in commercial state corporations in Kenya and assessing the influence of online reputation on leadership selection in commercial state corporations in Kenya. The study used descriptive design. The target population was the management employees in the fourthly six (46) state corporations Kenya. The study targeted a total of 184 management employee comprising of Board Chair, Director General/CEO, HR Managers and Deputy HR Manager in the commercial state corporation. The study used census sampling technique to select a sample of 184 respondents. This study relied on both primary and secondary data. Primary data was collected through use of semi structured questionnaires. The study also conducted pilot test to test the validity and the reliability of the data collection instrument. The data collection instrument generated both qualitative and quantitative data. The study used both descriptive and inferential statistics for data analysis with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 28). Descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation, frequency and percentages were used in this study. In relation to inferential statistics, the study used correlation analysis. This was used to establish the relationship between the independent and the dependent variables. Data was then presented in tables, bar charts and pie charts. The study concludes that information obtained from social media has a significant effect on leadership selection in commercial state corporations in Kenya. In addition, the study concludes that information sharing has a significant effect on leadership selection in commercial state corporations in Kenya. Further, the study concludes that online reputation has a significant effect on leadership selection in commercial state corporations in Kenya. Based on the findings, this study therefore recommends that the management of commercial state corporations in Kenya should implement transparent and accountable leadership selection processes. In addition, the management should clearly define selection criteria and qualifications, and ensure that appointments are made based on merit and integrity rather than influenced by propaganda or political biases.