Influence of Availability of Digital Tools on the Effectiveness of Communication as a Management Function among Managers and Stakeholders in Muhoroni Sub-County, Kisumu County, Kenya

The purpose of the study was to examine influence of availability of digital tools on the effectiveness of communication as a management function among managers and stakeholders in Muhoroni sub-county, Kisumu county, Kenya. The study’s research question was: To what extent does the availability of digital tools influence the effectiveness of communication as a management function among managers and stakeholders? It was anchored on the Diffusion of Innovations Theory by Everett Rogers (2023), the study adopted a mixed methods approach using a convergent parallel design. The target population included: 115 public junior schools, 115 heads of institutions, 300 teachers, three Quality Assurance and Standards Officers (QASO), and one Sub-County Director of Education (SCDE). Stratified sampling was used to select 10 junior schools, simple random sampling to select 74 junior school teachers, and purposive sampling to include 10 heads of institutions, QUASOs), and the SCDE. Data was collected using questionnaires for teachers and interview guides for heads of institutions and education officials. Reliability of research instruments was established using a Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient of 0.7. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative data was analyzed thematically. Ethical considerations, including informed consent, confidentiality, and voluntary participation, were strictly observed throughout the study. The study found that the availability of digital tools significantly influences communication effectiveness as a management function by enhancing information sharing, decision-making, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement. It concluded that accessible and reliable digital communication platforms improve managerial efficiency and strengthen relationships among organizational stakeholders. The study recommends investment in appropriate digital technologies, continuous training for managers and stakeholders, and development of supportive policies to promote effective utilization of digital communication tools.