Effects of systems on labor optimization in diesel generator service business in Kenya
Date
2021
Authors
Ouma, Erick Zablon Sangoro
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Strathmore University
Abstract
Labor being a valuable resource in the organization plays a major role in ensuring any organization is profitable. The diesel generator service business in particular employs highly trained engineers who attract relatively high salaries. In order to keep them the organization has to pay them well. The valuable nature of the engineer time brings to fore the need for engineer labor optimization. This study therefore sought to examine labor optimization for diesel generator service business in Kenya. Guided by this broad objective, the study sought to examine the role of training, scheduling and technology systems on labor optimization in diesel generator service business in Kenya. This was grounded by the Dynamic Capability and the Human Capital theories. It adopted a descriptive cross-sectional research design. The study was quantitative in nature and a sample of 224 respondents comprising of staff working with diesel generators was selected based on purposive sampling to respond to questionnaires. Closed-ended questions were used to allow for effortless coding and also precision in data capture. Descriptive statistics was used to evaluate perceptions of labor optimization in the light of scheduling training and technology. The statistical package for social science (SPSS) was vital in the overall analysis to generate more insight. The researcher used regression with inferential statistics to establish relationships between the dependent and independent variables. The results revealed that the respondents were inclined to agree that training had a high influence on labor optimization in their companies and that trained engineers in their organizations take a shorter time on service and repair jobs compared to untrained engineers. A majority of the respondents also agreed that their organizations plan and schedules generator service jobs in advance however some respondents had a contrary opinion. Majority of the respondents agreed that their organizations used technology in the service job planning. The study recommends that for successful training within the organizations, the identification of training needs should be done professionally. This should be done in conjunction with the engineer and the Human Resource personnel ensuring that the training is relevant and is geared towards labor optimization.
Description
A Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the Degree of Masters of Business Administration at Strathmore University Business School
Keywords
Labor optimization, Scheduling, Training, Technology, Diesel generator, Power, Engineers