EFFECT OF OPTIMIZATION PRACTICES ON OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE OF CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IN UASIN GISHU COUNTY, KENYA
Elson K. Kirui - Masters Student, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya
Kimani E. Maina - Lecturer, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya
ABSTRACT
Optimization practices encompass finding an alternative with the most cost effective or highest achievable performance under the given constraints, by maximizing desired factors and minimizing undesired ones. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of optimization practices on operational performance of construction industry in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. The study was guided by lean theory. The research adopted the descriptive research design. The target population was the construction contractors in Kenya and the accessible population was the construction contractors in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya and licensed by the National Construction Authority of which as at 1st February, 2018 stood at 340 for building works and 298 for road works. The sample size was 34 building contractors and 30 road contractors. The study adopted a two stage sampling technique. Stratified sampling technique was applied in grouping companies into building works contractors and road works contractors. Simple random sampling applied where 1 director, 1 technical staff and 1 secretary were targeted in each of the 64 sampled companies. Therefore a sample size of 192 respondents was selected for the study. A pilot study was done where 20 respondents were selected randomly from the building and road works contractors in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya and the piloted respondents were not part of the study. The study collected primary data using questionnaire and secondary data from journal articles. Data collected was analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics included mean, frequency, standard deviation, variance and percentages whereas inferential statistics included pearson product moment correlation coefficient and regression analysis. Data was presented using tables, charts and graphs. The study established that optimization practices increases operational performance of construction industry in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya (ꞵ=0.497; p<0.05). The study concluded that optimization practices have a significant influence relationship with operational performance of construction industry in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. The study recommends that construction industry should be managed by qualified expertize and that the government should come up with sensitization programs pertaining benefits of excellent optimization. The study will add value to the knowledge base of scholars through new optimization practices that enhance operational performance. Management of construction industries will be aided by this study in their improved effectiveness and efficiency of running their operations. The Government through economic planners will gain insights of optimization practices in the pursuit of Kenya vision 2030 goals.
