Analysis of Relationship between Communication Practices Levels and Performance of Supply Chain Functions Among Secondary Schools in Kenya

Abstract

The term "Supply Chain Management" (SCM) denotes the creation, integration, planning and control of all elements of universal added-value chains, from the procurement of raw materials to the final delivery to the customer. IT offers huge potentials for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises to activate effective SCM mechanisms. However, despite the increased attention paid to SCM, the literature has not been able to offer much by way of guidance to help the communication practice levels of SCM. This has been attributed to the interdisciplinary origin of SCM, the conceptual confusion, and the evolutionary nature of SCM concept. The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between communication practices levels and the performance of SCM in schools in Homa Bay County. The specific objectives of the study were to: Identify the levels of communication practices in supply chain Management in organizations; Establish the effect of the levels of communication practices on supply chain management performance of organizations; Determine the relationship between levels of communication practices and competitive advantage in supply chain management and Establish the relationship between the levels of competitive advantage and supply chain Management performance of organizations. Descriptive research design was used. The target population of this study was 257 schools having a staff of 1061 where 82 were sampled having 302 staff. Stratified sampling was used; in this case the stratum was the Sub Counties which were 6. The research instruments included questionnaire which were filled by the respondents of different roles. Analysis of data was through the summary of the essential features and relationships of data in order to generalize from the analysis and determine patterns of behavior and particular outcomes. The researcher put every effort to ensure that the respondents' rights to privacy were respected. From the information gathered, it was found that there is high levels of communication practices in SCM in organizations in Homa Bay County, there was an insignificant positive relationship between level of communication practice and supply chain management performance of the SCM departments in secondary schools (r=.146, p>0.01), there is a significant positive but weak relationship between level of communication practice and competitive advantage of SCM departments in secondary schools (r=.620, p>0.01) and There was an insignificant positive relationship between competitive advantage and supply chain management performance of secondary schools (r=.570, p>0.01). From the findings, the concept oflevels of communication practices has become more and more common in business practices and customers today almost expect companies to be socially responsible. Communication is very important for organizations. This study recommends that communication deserves greater attention and more commitment from corporate organizations in that it guarantees other benefits other than just profits. For academic and industry discussions the study recommends that further study be conducted to establish the real value in monetary terms how much levels of communication contribute to the organizations profitability.