| dc.description.abstract | Quality management practices has been an area that has been extensively researched
(Kayanak, 2003). However no research has been conducted within the context of
performance of Supermarkets in Nairobi. This research is aimed at exploring the
relationship between quality management practices and performance in the Retail
Industry (i.e. Supermarkets).
The study sample size was 44 respondents from selected departments within
supermarkets. The research employed a cross-sectional survey design i.e. it cut across
high, medium and low performing supermarkets. Factor analysis and Regression analysis
was used to establish the significant factors and further establish the relationship between
quality management practices and performance respectively. The critical management
practices were identified then a model linking these practices and performance was
proposed then tested. This study established that organizational performance is largely
(i.e. 75.5%) influenced by the implementation of quality management practices. The
study was also able to identify specific quality management practices that were deemed
to have an effect on operational performance. The study also identified a number of
challenges that the managers faced in implementing the QMP. Five major challenges
were identified ranging from technology advancement, lack of adequate training, poor
leadership qualities, and lack of adequate skills.
This study focused on supermarkets located in Nairobi and therefore, generalizations
cannot adequately extend to other supermarkets outside Nairobi. Future research should
therefore focus on all organizations in Kenya both in the private and public sectors. A
broad based study on QMP and performance in both private and public organizations and
their performance should also be carried out. | en_US |
