Information Technology Usage on Humanitarian Logistics of Relief Organisations in Kenya

Abstract

The general objective was to evaluate information technology usage and logistics on humanitarian logistics of relief organisations in Kenya. The study specifically aimed; to evaluate the usage level of information technology relief in organisations in Kenya and to evaluate the impact of information technology usage on logistics of relief organisations in Kenya. This study took a cross-sectional survey research design. The population of interest was 53 relief organizations operating in Kenya. Census method was method was used. The study targeted head of logistics and head of IT in the relief organisations. The researcher used a semi structured questionnaire as the primary data collection tool. The strength of the resultant relationships, between the variables whether positive or negative, was tested using both parametric and non parametric statistical methods such as the Pearson’s Product moment correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis. The study found that ITusage increased efficiency on decisions support systems, management information systems and transaction processing systems in the organizations. The regression equation has established that holding the factor (IT usage) constant, factors affecting relief logistics effectiveness. The findings presented also shows that taking all other independent variables at zero, a unit increase in IT usage will lead to an increase in the scores of the relief logistics effectiveness. The study also established a significant relationship between relief logistics effectiveness and the independent variables IT usage. The findings show that there is a relationship between IT usage and relief logistics effectiveness. Thus, there is a mutual relationship between IT usage and relief logistics effectiveness. This relation is positive, meaning an increase in IT usage resulting in higher relief logistics effectiveness. The study concludes that, IT usage ensured effective coordination between the relief organisations, the affected people as well as the stakeholders involved. The coordination is as a result of increased automation, flexibility, information flow, and resource planning and response relationship. The study concludes that taking all other independent variables at zero, a unit increase in IT usage will lead to an increase in the scores of the relief logistics effectiveness. The study also established a significant relationship between relief logistics effectiveness and the independent variable IT usage. The study further concludes that there is a relationship between IT usage and relief logistics effectiveness. This supports a mutual relationship between IT usage and relief logistics effectiveness. The relation is positive, meaning an increase in IT usage resulting in higher relief logistics effectiveness. The study recommends that to successfully and effectively raise the effectiveness of iads logistics the management should invest more on IT usage and its application. Training is key so as to familiarize themselves with the new apps that have revolutionaries ICT usage worldwide, this will have a positive effect on their logistics operations.