International Journal of Physical and Social Sciences

The global debates confirm that networking is important in community development. In the face of economic, social, political and environmental problems, networking organizations remain relevant in initiating projects that sustain growth and development. The study was set to assess the contribution of networking to the performance of Community Based Organizations in Kisumu City, Kenya. The study adopted correlation design and targeted 1202 respondents from 16 active Community Based Organizations in Kisumu City. The sample size obtained through Fisher's model was 291. Stratified sampling technique was used to select the respondents. To collect data, structured questionnaire tested for validity and reliability was used. The results revealed networking had a statistically significant positive moderate relationship (R =.526; P<.05) with performance. Networking explained approximately 27.6% of variation in performance. The linear regression model between networking and performance was statistically significant (F (1, 289) = 110.403; P<.05). Standardized beta coefficient, revealed that for one standard deviation increase in networking practices, performance of Community Based Organizations increased by approximately.526 units. In conclusion, networking had a statistically significant contribution to the performance of Community Based Organizations. The study recommends: intensified practice of networking in organizations with a view to enhancing performance; and identifying other network operational strategies that may be used in organizations with a view to improving performance.