Automation and Operational Performance in Hydro-electric Power Generation Sector
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to determine the extent or level of automation, the nature of
automation and the effect of automation on operational performance in the Kenyan
hydro-electric power sub-sector. The target population was all the five major hydroelectric
power generating stations of a major hydro electric power generating company in
Eastern Africa. The study used primary data which was gathered by means of a selfadministered
questionnaire issued to respondents. Data analysis involved the use of
descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis to determine the nature of
automation and the relationship between the variables respectively. The study found that
two of the power plants could be classified as technology centered while the remaining
three were of the fixed human centered type. None of the plants was of the adaptive
human centered classification. The findings also revealed that all the plants were of the
‘supervisory control, level of automation according to Endsley’s level of automation
classification taxonomy. The study concludes that there is a significant relationship
between automation approach and operational performance and in particular automation
was confirmed to have a significant effect on speed and mistake proofing which in turn
have a positive impact on operational performance. The study recommends that
organizations intending to implement automation strategies should consider the
automation approach as it has been shown to have an effect on operational performance.
A quantitative survey is also recommended to corroborate these findings.
Citation
Degree of Master of Business Administration,Publisher
University of Nairobi, School of Business,