Maintenance Strategies And Operation Performance Of Ground Flight Handling Firms In Kenya

Abstract

The business environment has become more competitive so are the operational performance modalities. In this regard, maintenance strategies have been considered as a key component in ground flight handling firms to achieve their global competitiveness. Efficiency in ground flight handling is brought about by sophisticated machines and systems that every firm must install. This study therefore was based on three objectives that includes to determine the maintenance strategies used by ground flight handling firms in Kenya. The relationship between maintenance strategies and operational performance as well as to establish the challenges experienced in the implementation of maintenance strategies by ground flight handling firms in Kenya. The study adopted a census method that involved all the ground flight handling firms in Kenya. Data was collected using a research questionnaire. The study findings indicates that condition based maintenance through monthly reorder are reworked, maintenance personnel spend free time on plant housekeeping at a great extent. Other respondents indicated that reliability centered maintenance through equipment being run to avoid failure and people through their actions affect maintenance activities at a great extent. Moreover, the findings indicates that tools and equipment used affects maintenance activities, lack of expertise training skills affect maintenance activities, lack of tools affects maintenance activities and lack of basic machine operations are challenges experienced at a great extent with a mean (M = 4.38; SD = 0.648), (M = 4.27; SD = 0.660), M = 4.00; SD = 0.648) and (M = 4.00; SD = 0.767) respectively.