dc.description.abstract | This study sought to investigate the lean supply chain practices and impact on performance of
commercial banks in Kenya. This study set to achieve three objectives; the first being to
determine the effects of lean supply chain practices on the performance of commercial banks
in Kenya, to document the extent to which lean supply chain practices have been adopted by
commercial banks in Kenya and to find out the challenges faced by commercial banks in
Kenya in their efforts to implement lean supply chain practices.
The goals for lean supply chain practices are to improve quality and reduce cost. To stay
competitive in today’s marketplace, a company must understand its customers’ wants and
needs and designs processes that meet their expectations and requirements. Among the areas
highlighted include the various lean supply chain practice models that are being adopted; the
benefits derived from the adoption of these practices and the challenges encountered in the
implementation of the practices
Primary data was collected by use of questionnaire with both closed and open ended
questions. The closed ended questions enabled the collection of qualitative data for analysis
using the Likert scale while the open ended questions enabled the researcher to collect
qualitative data on the respondents view on lean supply chain practices in commercial banks
in Kenya. The study found out that most commercial banks in Kenya believe that lean supply
chain practices enhance the long term business performance and success. The study
established less process waste, reduced inventory, reduced lead time, less rework, financial
savings and increased process understanding as the benefits emanating from the
implementation of lean supply chain practices. The study established the following hindrances
to lean supply chain practices implementation: external obstacles, logistic issues, smaller
supplier’s difficulties and global issues. These findings should help in encouraging the
widespread adoption of lean supply chain practices by commercial banks in Kenya.
Due to tight schedules of the top management officers of the commercial banks in Kenya, the
study encountered difficulties in gaining access to the respondents and the researcher had to
keep rescheduling their time to align with the availability of the respondents. | en_US |