INFLUENCE OF EMPLOYEE COMMITMENT ON RETENTION IN PRIVATE SECURITY FIRMS IN NAIROBI CITY COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

The challenge of employee retention is a global problem that affects organizations in both
developing and developed countries. Even though a lot has been done towards addressing
the problem, the situation has continued to be experienced among private security firms in
Nairobi City County, Kenya. The main objective of this study was to determine the influence of employee commitment on retention in private security firms in Nairobi City
County, Kenya. The work environment was used as a moderating variable. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The target population of this research was 50 private security firms in Nairobi City County registered with Kenya Security Industry Association. Primary data was collected using a close-ended questionnaire. The study was anchored by
Kahn’s theory of engagement. Data was analyzed with the aid of SPSS version 25.0 and
presented using descriptive and inferential statistics. Simple and multiple regression analysis
was used to establish the relationship between variables and the t-statistic at a 95% significance level was adopted in testing the hypothesis of the study. The overall significance was
tested using F-test. The study established a positive significant effect of employee commitment on retention with a regression coefficient of 0.799 and a p-value of 0.000 implying that
employee commitment affected retention. The interaction between work environment and
employee commitment had a regression coefficient of 2.330 and a p-value of 0.025 implying that work environment positively altered the relationship between employee commitment and retention. The study recommends that private security firms ought to put strategies
that encourage employees to be committed to their work, to ensure increased retention. The
findings of the research will contribute to theory, policy making, and understanding of human resource management practices to ensure an increase in employee retention.