Alignment of HR Practices and Business Strategy at Coca-Cola

ALIGNMENT OF HR PRACTICES AND BUSINESS STRATEGY AT THE
COCA-COLA BOTTLING COMPANY IN NAIROBI
CHRISTINE KAGWIRIA
A RESEARCH PROJECT SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF
THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF A MASTER OF BUSINESS
ADMINISTRATION DEGREE, SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, UNIVERSITY OF
NAIROBI
August, 2015

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DECLARATION
I declare that this research Project is my original work and has not been submitted to
any other university for award of a degree.
Signed........................................ Date.............................
Name REG NO.
This project has been submitted with my authority as the university supervisor.
Signature........................................... Date....................................................
PROF K’OBONYO
Department of Business Administration,
School of Business,
University of Nairobi.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I take this opportunity to give thanks to the Almighty God for seeing me through the
completion of this project. The work of carrying out this investigation needed
adequate preparation and therefore called for collective responsibility of many
personalities. The production of this research document has been made possible by
invaluable support of many people. While it is not possible to name all of them,
recognition has been given to a few. I am greatly indebted to my supervisor Prof.
K‟obonyo for his professional guidance, advice and unlimited patience in reading
through my drafts and suggesting workable alternatives, my profound appreciation to
you. The entire staff of Coca-Cola Bottlers ltd cannot pass without my special
acknowledgement for taking time off their busy schedule to provide me with all the
information I needed in the course of the research. Without their immense cooperation
I would not have reached this far. I would also wish to extend my sincere gratitude to
all the MBA students, staff, lecturers and the entire University of Nairobi fraternity
for changing me from what I was to what I am. Thank you all. May the Almighty God
bless you abundantly?

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DEDICATION
I dedicate this work to my family and all those who supported me in the completion of
this project.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
DECLARATION......................................................................................................... ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ........................................................................................... iii
DEDICATION ............................................................................................................. iv
LIST OF TABLES ..................................................................................................... viii
ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS .................................................................... ix
ABSTRACT ...................................................................................................................x
CHAPTER ONE ..........................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................1
1.1 Background of the Study .........................................................................................1
1.2 Research Problem ....................................................................................................6
1.3 Research Objectives .................................................................................................8
1.4 Value of the Study ...................................................................................................8
CHAPTER TWO .......................................................................................................10
LITERATURE REVIEW .........................................................................................10
2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................10
2.2 Theoretical Review ................................................................................................10
CHAPTER THREE ...................................................................................................19
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY .............................................................................19
3.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................19

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3.2 Research Design.....................................................................................................19
3.3 Data Collection ......................................................................................................19
3.4 Data Analysis .........................................................................................................20
CHAPTER FOUR ......................................................................................................21
DATA ANALYSIS, RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ..............................................21
4.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................21
4.2 Background Information of the Interviewees ........................................................21
4.3 Alignments of HR Practices and Business Strategy ..............................................24
4.4 Discussion of the Findings .....................................................................................27
CHAPTER FIVE .......................................................................................................29
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS .............................29
5.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................29
5.2 Summary of the Findings .......................................................................................29
5.3 Conclusion .............................................................................................................30
5.4 Recommendations for Policy and Practice ............................................................32
5.5 Limitations of the Study.........................................................................................34
5.6 Recommendations for Further Research ................................................................36
REFERENCES ............................................................................................................38
APPENDICES .............................................................................................................44

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APPENDIX I: INTERVIEW GUIDE ..........................................................................44

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LIST OF TABLES
Table 4.1: Response Rate .............................................................................................22
Table 4.2: Length of Time in the Beverage industry ...................................................22
Table 4.3: Level of Education ......................................................................................23
Table 4.4: Summary of the questions and their responses by the interviewees ...........24
Table 4.5: Analysis of responses .................................................................................26