Influence of just-in-time on supply chain performance in sugar manufacturing companies in western Kenya

Abstract

Supply chain practices have experienced significant transformation in many years of its existence resulting to numerous instances of success and achievements across most entities embracing lean concept implementation such as Just in Time (JIT), Total Quality Management (TQM), and Total Prevention Maintenance (TPM). Such organizations join a growing number of businesses cutting across various Industries that have undergone operational restructuring to enhance efficiency and to streamline operations. The study specifically sought to determine the influence of just-in-time on supply chain performance, The study was guided by lean theory. A descriptive cross-sectional research design was adopted in the study. The target population was 95 employees comprising procurement officers, finance officers, production officers, quality assurance officers, operations officers, director of audit services, logistics, and firm engineers from 11 sugar manufacturing firms in western Kenya. The survey utilized a census approach, specifically targeting all 95 employees. The research employed primary data sources, with primary data gathered by administering closed-ended questionnaires. Descriptive statistics was employed to analyze the data, displayed as tables, pie charts, and bar graphs. In this study, inferential statistics was employed to examine hypotheses and to evaluate data. Concisely, the researcher utilized Pearson correlation and linear regression models to demonstrate the association between lean production techniques and the supply chain performance of sugar manufacturing enterprises in western Kenya. A pilot study was undertaken using a sugar manufacturing firm in the Ramisi Sugar factory in Kwale County and involved respondents drawn from the firm. The findings from the pilot study were crucial in determining the reliability and validity of the instruments. An increased Cronbach's Alpha coefficient indicated a higher level of internal consistency, improving the research instruments' reliability. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 27. On hypothesis testing, H01: Just In Time has no significant impact on supply chain performance in Sugar manufacturing factories in Western Kenya was rejected with a significance value of 0.001 is less than the predetermined significance limit of 0.05. The research revealed that an increase in just-in-time results in a measurable enhancement of 0.078 in supply chain performance, according to the study ((85) = 7.312,