Influence Of Gemba Kaizen’S Principles On The Performance Of Maternal Child Healthcare Projects

Abstract

The influence of Gemba Kaizen’s principles on the performance of organisations in both the developing and the less developed countries is a matter that has gained popularity significantly in the 21st century. In fact, the concept of continuous improvement is influencing the performance of organisations greater than the technology spread concept does. The application of the Kaizen strategy and its principles has gained importance in the medical field too. This has been extended to the MCH programmes run by various hospitals across the globe. The purpose of the study was to examine the influence of Gemba Kaizen’s principles on the performance of maternal child healthcare projects in Tana River County, Kenya. The objectives of the study were four, to assess the influence of team work on the performance of maternal child healthcare projects in Tana River County, Kenya; to examine the influence of upper management commitment on the performance of maternal child healthcare projects in Tana River County, Kenya; to establish the influence of total quality management on the performance of maternal child healthcare projects in Tana River County, Kenya; to examine the influence of rewards and recognitions on the performance of maternal child healthcare projects in Tana River County, Kenya. This study was guided by the theory of lean management and the theory of constraints. This study adopted a descriptive research design. The total target population was 407 respondents. The study applied simple random sampling to get a sample population of the study from the volunteers as determined by the Krejcie and Morgan table of 1970. Then a population census was done to all the county and BZC permanent employees. From the table, the population size was 370 which was equivalent to 380, meaning that sample (s) =181. Therefore the totals sample was 218.The questionnaire was the main instrument of data collection that was used. Questionnaires were sorted and counterchecked for any mistakes or noncompliance. The best fit questionnaires for the study were then be coded and entries made into the SPSS software for analysis. Descriptive statistics including frequency distributions and means were then computed and interpretations made. The chi square test was done to test the relationship between the dependent variable and the independent variables (hypothesis).Out of the 407 targeted respondents 214 of them responded representing 52.58% response rate considered adequate to constitute a basis for valid conclusion. From the study’s findings, it was concluded that team work concept, upper management commitment, rewards and recognition and TQM concept have significant influence on the performance of maternal child healthcare projects in the county. According to the findings, teamwork brings both the employees and other project implementers together in order to share ideas and knowledge that finally influences the performance of MCH projects. Upper management if it is committed it is able to get resources on time, give direction on activities to be performed, give the priorities in resources allocation and many more that finally influences the performance of projects. Rewards and recognitions perform a great duty of ensuring that every stakeholder of the projects is made to feel part of the projects and thus motivated to participate in each and every activity of implementation. The continuous improvement of the activities and deliverables of the projects can be said to be the chore measure of projects implementation and final performance. Key words: Gemba Kaizen strategy, team work, upper management, rewards and recognition, total quality management