INFLUENCE OF TECHNOLOGICAL INFRASTRUCTURE ON EMPLOYEE PRODUCTIVITY AMONG STAFF WORKING REMOTELY IN KINDE ENGINEERING WORKS IN KENYA

Abstract

This study examined how technological infrastructure influences employee productivity, particularly in a post-pandemic context where remote work has become increasingly prevalent. Guided by the Technology Acceptance Model and the Resource-Based View theory, the study explored the extent to which access to digital tools, internet connectivity, IT support, and user competence contribute to employee performance outcomes. A descriptive and correlational research design was adopted, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative data. The target population comprised 123 employees, from which a sample of 94 respondents was selected through stratified random sampling. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and interviews and analyzed using descriptive statistics, regression, and thematic analysis. The findings revealed that technological infrastructure had a significant positive relationship with employee productivity (R² = 0.502, p < 0.001), indicating that improvements in digital capacity explained about 50.2% of variations in productivity levels among remote workers. Respondents reported high satisfaction with the availability of software tools, system reliability, and IT support responsiveness, which collectively enhanced timeliness, task completion, and output quality. Qualitative findings further supported these results, emphasizing that digital infrastructure promotes communication efficiency, accountability, and innovation within remote teams. However, some challenges, such as inconsistent connectivity and over-monitoring through digital tools, were noted as potential productivity constraints. The study concluded that robust technological infrastructure is critical for sustaining productivity in remote working environments. Kinde Engineering Works’ investment in modern digital systems and employee training has contributed significantly to maintaining performance consistency despite geographical dispersion. The study recommends continued infrastructure upgrades, capacity-building initiatives, and balanced remote work policies that integrate flexibility with effective supervision. These insights extend beyond Kinde Engineering Works, offering practical implications for other firms in Kenya’s ISP and engineering sectors seeking to optimize performance under digital and hybrid work models.