Influence of Self-Awareness on Organizational Performance of Universities in Kenya

A Literature Review Synthesis

Abstract

This article critically examines the influence of self-awareness on organizational performance in Kenyan universities by synthesizing relevant scholarly literature through a structured review methodology. The review employed a purposive selection of 65 peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2024, focusing on emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and performance within higher education contexts. The studies were identified using databases such as Scopus, JSTOR, and Google Scholar, and analyzed through thematic synthesis to ensure clarity, coherence, and critical insight. Three dominant themes emerged: (1) Self-Insight and Decision-Making, where heightened self-awareness was linked to more reflective, ethical, and evidence-based decisions among university leaders; (2) Self-Awareness and Conflict Resolution, illustrating how leaders with greater emotional self-knowledge exhibit better interpersonal regulation and fewer escalated conflicts; and (3) Leadership Effectiveness and Institutional Performance, indicating that self-aware leaders foster trust, motivation, and accountability, thereby enhancing the institution’s adaptability, staff morale, and stakeholder satisfaction.

Critically reviewing the selected studies, the paper highlights that self-awareness functions as both a personal competency and a strategic asset, mediating leadership behavior and performance outcomes. However, the analysis also reveals a recurring gap in contextualized frameworks tailored to the African university setting, which constrains the direct applicability of some models. Trends observed include a growing emphasis on emotionally intelligent leadership in response to the sector’s complex challenges, such as governance crises, resource constraints, and demands for institutional innovation. Key findings suggest that universities that prioritize self-awareness through leadership development programs experience improved strategic alignment, communication practices, and employee engagement. The paper concludes by advocating for intentional investment in emotional intelligence training—particularly in self-awareness—as a pathway to enhance institutional performance and resilience. This review contributes to both scholarly and practical discourse by offering a structured understanding of how self-awareness among university personnel can catalyze sustainable organizational transformation in the Kenyan higher education landscape.