The Influence of Church Sponsorship on Organizational Culture in Private Universities: A Case of Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

This study examines how church sponsorship influences the organizational culture of private universities in Nairobi, Kenya. It explores the impact of governance involvement and material support on institutional values, leadership, and autonomy. Guided by Resource Dependence and Stakeholder Theories, a correlational research design was used. Data were collected from 215 respondents across six church-sponsored universities using structured questionnaires. Denison et al.'s (2014) Organizational Culture Survey measured organizational culture. Church sponsorship shapes university culture through governance participation and material contributions. Sponsors influence governance via board representation, policy formulation, and leadership appointments. Material support includes financial aid, infrastructure investments, and scholarships. The study evaluates how these factors contribute to institutional identity and operations. Findings reveal a moderate positive correlation between church sponsorship and organizational culture. Governance involvement (r = 0.247, p < 0.01) and material support (r = 0.265, p < 0.01) significantly enhance institutional culture. While governance input strengthens institutional identity, excessive administrative influence may threaten autonomy. Material support, particularly financial aid and infrastructure, plays a critical role in shaping university sustainability. These insights contribute to discussions on faith-based higher education governance. Strategic governance by church sponsors fosters a strong institutional culture, but direct administrative control should be minimized. Sponsors should prioritize long-term infrastructural investments aligned with institutional goals. Future research should explore mediating factors such as leadership styles to deepen understanding of faith-based university governance.