Nexus between strategic innovation and performance of civil registration department in Kitui Kounty

Abstract

The public sector plays a very significant role in modern economies. The ability of the public sector to innovate is therefore increasingly seen as a critical element of economy-wide innovation performance. However, innovation policies and strategies relating to the public sector are far less developed than those targeting the business sector. It is not clear to what extent entrepreneurial action is possible or advisable in the public sector as a mechanism for driving innovation. The general purpose of this study was to determine the effect of strategic innovation on the performance of civil registration department in Kitui County. The specific objectives were to find out the influence of organizational innovation, technological innovation, service innovation and process innovation on the performance of civil registration. The theories that informed the study are diffusion innovation theory, resource based view theory, and Technology Acceptance Theory. The study target population was the five (5) civil registration offices in Kitui County. The unit of analysis was civil registration department. The unit of observation was the managers (Civil registration officers) and the line staff (clerical officers, office administrators, registration assistants) working in the Kitui County Civil Registration Department. The accessible population was 63 line staff and 8 managers. The study adopted a descriptive research design. Regression was used to test the significant relationship between the independent variables against the dependent variable. The study finds that all four types of strategic innovation, organizational, technological, service, and process have a significant and positive impact on the performance of civil registration department in Kitui County. The increase in organizational, technological, service, and process innovation corresponds with substantial improvements in civil registration performance. The results are statistically significant, reinforcing the critical role of innovation in enhancing civil registration systems. The study recommends that Kitui County focus on four key areas to enhance civil registration performance: organizational innovation, technological innovation, service innovation, and process innovation. Organizational changes should aim for efficiency and include better resource use and staff training. Technological upgrades, such as digital platforms and biometrics, can speed up processing and improve record accuracy. Service improvements, like streamlined queues and more accessible locations, can boost public engagement and registration rates. Finally, process innovation should target operational efficiency by simplifying procedures and removing bottlenecks.