Abstract

Business continuity is the ability of a business enterprise to outlive the dream bearers who began it, so it can continue thriving long after the people who began it have left. Knowledge succession is the ability of a dream bearer to groom another or several others to continue the good work they began when they started the business. This study wishes to add a pool of knowledge by addressing the effect of knowledge succession on business continuity. The context the study was done in is Community-based organizations (CBOs) in Kitui County, Kenya. The study applied cross-sectional survey research. The unit of analysis was 228 CBOs in Kitui County while the unit of observation was 228 chairmen of CBOs. The study used Taro Yamane formula to derive a sample size of 145 participants. Primary data was collected using hand delivered questionnaires. Data was analyzed for descriptive and inferential statistics. The descriptive statistics reviewed a high agreement with the statement on knowledge succession with an overall mean of 4.12 which implied that the organization prepared the employees for future leadership positions. Regression analysis between knowledge succession and business continuity indicates a beta coefficient of 0.404 and a p-value of 0.001 suggesting that knowledge succession had a significantly positive effect on the continuity of CBOs in Kitui County. The findings imply that knowledge succession plays a critical role in the continuity of CBOs in Kitui County. The study recommends using digital knowledge management systems, and mentoring fresh employees to enhance their versatility.

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