Process Design and Efficiency of Analytical Laboratories in Kenya

Abstract

The aim of this study was to establish if there exists a relationship between service process designs and Kenyan Analytical Laboratories operating efficiencies. The study was guided by four specific objectives; to identify the different types of process designs of analytical laboratories in Kenya, to determine the efficiency of Kenyan analytical laboratories to determine if there is a relationship between process design and analytical laboratories performances in terms of efficiency in Kenya and to determine the contribution of analytical laboratories to the Kenyan economy. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The population of the study comprised of 50 Kenyan Analytical Laboratories operating in Kenya and a census study was carried out. The sample size was 28 respondents representing a 56% response rate. The study relied on primary data collection which was done using a questionnaire. The questionnaire was administered physically through a research assistant. The findings showed Kenyan Analytical Laboratories mostly employ commodity and simplicity process designs this could possibly be attributed to Kenyan analytical laboratories having simple job tasks and responsibilities or there could be a lot of the automation of the analysis process. The average operating efficiency levels of these laboratories was 43.8% which was low compared to other international laboratories. Further findings revealed that there was no supported relationship between the type of service process designs adopted by Kenyan analytical laboratories and their operating efficiency levels, this was explained that other factors like methodology selection and application, innovation and technology, and training could be the reason. Additionally, out of the 5 key contributions of analytical laboratories to the Kenyan economy 4; Pharmacy and Drug Control, Agriculture Standards Maintenance, Environmental Pollution and Control and Research and Development were averaging between 61-80% contribution rate with the exception of food safety which the respondents rated the highest with its contribution rate being 81- 100%, this was due to the fact that most of the Kenyan Analytical Laboratories samples for analysis are food, processing and manufacturing type of samples. Based on the findings, the study concluded and recommended that Kenyan Analytical Laboratories should not put a lot of emphasis on using the type of service process design they employ to drive up their efficiency levels as the study revealed that there is no supported relationship existing between service process designs and operating efficiency levels of these types of Laboratories. The study was limited to only analytical types of laboratories and not others like medical laboratories. Further research was proposed to be carried out to analyze whether this lack of relationship also exists in other types of Laboratories like Medical Laboratories.