Effect of Age Diversity of Board Members on Performance of Non-Governmental Organizations in Kenya

Journal ArticleThe purpose of the study was to establish effect of age diversity of board members on performance of non-governmental organizations in Kenya. The scope of the study covered both local and international NGOs in Nairobi County. The Directory of Development Organizations identified that 702 NGOs are registered in Nairobi, Kenya. The study employed a descriptive research design and adopted questionnaires as its data collection tool. A sample of 84 respondents was targeted. The findings established that age diversity of the board members in their organizations was of low consideration shown by a mean of 2.8438 for and a standard deviation of 0.51490. Age diversity in boards positively impacts social performance as indicated by the mean of 3.3125 with a standard deviation of 0.73780 showing no much variance of the responses given from the mean response calculated. Age diversity in board members improves the overall level of knowledge of the organization at the age level (mean = 3.4688; std. dev. = 0.76134). Age diversity in board members broadened the debate within boards and helped to avoid the danger of narrow group thinking as indicated by a mean of 3.7812 with a standard deviation of 1.12836 In conclusion, regression and correlation analysis showed that indeed there was a relationship between age diversity and organizational performance (increase in; donations, project management and supervision, varied activities and employee workforce). The study recommends that the board composition should incorporate varied age groups