Vol 13 Issue 3 July 2026-September 2026
Peter Ngwae Nzioka, Prof. Margaret Oloko, Dr. Patrick Kimaku
Abstract: This study examined whether environmental turbulence changes the strength of the relationship between market orientation and performance among star-rated hotels in Nairobi, Kenya. The study was guided by Market Orientation Theory and Contingency Theory and adopted a positivist philosophy, an explanatory quantitative approach and a cross-sectional survey design. Data were collected from managerial personnel in classified three-, four- and five-star hotels using structured five-point Likert-scale questionnaires. Reliability, construct suitability and regression assumptions were assessed before hypothesis testing. The underlying regression analysis showed that market orientation had a positive and statistically significant effect on hotel performance (B = 0.271, β = 0.296, t = 4.169, p < .001). The interaction between market orientation and environmental turbulence was also positive and statistically significant (B = 0.086, β = 0.173, t = 2.324, p = .021). The full moderation model increased explained variance from R² = .481 to R² = .534. The findings indicate that environmental turbulence strengthens the performance contribution of market orientation. The study recommends systematic market intelligence, faster cross-functional information sharing, shorter strategic review cycles and selective investment in digital capabilities to support responsive decision-making in changing hotel markets.
Keywords: Environmental turbulence; Hotel performance; Hospitality management; Market orientation; Strategic orientation, Star-rated hotels.
Title: THE MODERATING ROLE OF ENVIRONMENTAL TURBULENCE IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MARKET ORIENTATION AND PERFORMANCE OF STAR-RATED HOTELS IN NAIROBI, KENYA
Author: Peter Ngwae Nzioka, Prof. Margaret Oloko, Dr. Patrick Kimaku
International Journal of Recent Research in Social Sciences and Humanities (IJRRSSH)
ISSN 2349-7831
Vol. 13, Issue 3, July 2026 - September 2026
Page No: 9-14
Paper Publications
Website: www.paperpublications.org
Published Date: 21-August-2026