The Effect of Material Handling Procedures on the Supply Chain Performance of Mount Kenya Dairies
Abstract
Achieving the best performance in distribution companies remain a key objective for management globally. To achieve the expected performance objectives, the management of firms has strong concerns to adjust the logistics in a company to achieve a higher service level internally and profitability. Materials handling management has been sought as a critical determinant of performance among many green logistics practices that contribute to improving a company’s performance. Milk products distribution companies such as Mount Kenya Dairies deploy material handling operations in the distribution of various products that include Pasteurized milk, yoghurt, Long life milk, butter, Mala and Ghee. The objective of this study was to find out the effects of material handling on the performance of Mount Kenya Dairies. The study used a descriptive survey research design. The target population was 572 employees. A sample of 58 employees who were selected randomly from various departments using a purposive sampling method. The collected data were analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation and regression statistical techniques. The results revealed that material handling had a significant influence on the performance of Mount Kenya Dairies as evidenced by r=0.641 (r>0.5) and p=0.000 (p< 0.05). The regression analysis results indicated that the predictor sustainable material handling had a significant and positive relationship with the organizational performance of Mount Kenya dairies as ?1= 0.699, P=0.000 and t=5.793. The study concluded that material handling has a significant positive impact on the performance of dairies distribution firms in Kenya. It was recommended that the management of Mount Kenya Dairies give more attention to material handling procedures and strategies to establish and maintain a desirable level of company performance.
Keywords: Mount Kenya Dairies, Material Handling, and Organisational Performance.
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