Effect of Automated Identification Barcode on Procurement performance in the service sector: A case of Kenya Airways

Abstract

The paper presents the effects of automated identification barcode on procurement performance in the service sector with Kenya Airways as the case study. It also acknowledges the role played by procurement performance to improve efficiency and services in organizations. Particularly, the research aims at assessing the extent to which the adoption of automated identification barcode impacts  overall procurement performance at Kenya Airways. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The target population comprised  80 staff working in the Supply Chain department at Kenya Airways. The business research employed survey data collected from  questionnaires filled out by the respondents themselves. The researcher utilized descriptive statistics using SPSS version 28.0 to analyze  the data. The results were presented through the use of standard deviation, mean frequencies and percentages. Based on the findings of  this study, linear regression assessment was used in evaluating the level of research relation variables. The regression analysis  deduced that automated identification barcode has a considerable effect on procurement performance with (β1=0.971, p=0.000). Further,  the R Square value of 0.714 indicated that 71.4% of the variation in procurement performance at Kenya Airways can be explained by  variations in automated identification barcode. This implies that a change of one standard deviation in the use of automated  identification barcodes results in a (0.971) standard deviation increase in the procurement performance of Kenya Airways. The study  illustrated a supportive opinion from the respondents that the use of automated identification barcoding makes the task of inventory  retrieval easier and simplifies sourcing. It also underscores that the company needs to engage in automated identification barcode activities to address and enhance its supply chain and procurement outcomes. In conclusion, the study has offered a valuable contribution in the direction of enhancing the procurement performance of Kenya’s service sector. The study recommended a systematic  approach in the reform of pursuit of procurement processes which is not only restricted to the automation of several procurement facets but also the capacity building of Kenya Airways’ staff and their suppliers when they deal with e-procurement tools.