INFLUENCE OF ESTABLISHING BALANCED CONTROLS ON THE PERFORMANCE OF PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN KENYA

Abstract

This study examined the influence of balanced controls on the performance of public universities in Kenya. A correlational research design was employed, with data collected from 246 respondents comprising university management board members and senate members across 18 public universities, yielding a response rate of 82.8%. The study found a strong positive relationship between balanced controls and university performance (r = 0.645, p < 0.001), with balanced controls explaining 41.6% of the variance in university performance. Analysis revealed strong implementation of control measures assessment (M = 3.88), customer demands consideration (M = 3.82), and innovation perspectives (M = 3.71), while balance between customer demands and financial controls (M = 2.85) showed weaker implementation. The findings suggest that while universities excel in individual control components, they struggle with establishing balanced, integrated systems that effectively harmonize different organizational demands. The study recommends strengthening financial oversight mechanisms, streamlining internal business processes, enhancing strategic control integration, and promoting a more balanced approach to customer demands and financial constraints to improve overall university performance. By implementing these recommendations, public universities in Kenya can leverage the strong link between balanced controls and performance to achieve sustained excellence.