Operations Decisions and Performance of Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization Projects in Nairobi County, Kenya
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Date
2025-07
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Kenyatta University
Abstract
The performance of KALRO (Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization) projects is crucial for several reasons. It directly impacts the growth and sustainability of Kenya's agricultural sector, food security, and the livelihoods of farmers. However, only 15% of the 45 food projects that were carried out by different CBOs and the GoK in semi-arid lands in Kenya between 2010 and 2015 are still operating, while the rest are inactive and were impossible to find after the grant's expiration. In order to attain agricultural projects on time, as per the allocated budget, and with the best quality, the research seeks to analyze the impact of operations decisions and the performance of KALRO projects in Nairobi County. The specific objectives evaluated the success of KALRO projects in the County of Nairobi and the impact of management decisions, supply chain management decisions, process selection decisions, and plant decisions. Prospect theory, decision theory, utility theory, and fuzzy set theory were the foundations of the study. In a survey, the study used a descriptive research design. In Nairobi, the study focused on 50 KALRO initiatives However, only 44 responded representing overall successful rate of 97.7%. A stratified selection technique was used to choose participants from the study's target population, and the Yamane formula used to determine the size of the sample. Structured interviews and a self-administered questionnaire with a drop-and-pick later technique was used to obtain primary data. While multiple regression analysis utilized to determine the correlation between variables, descriptive statistics like frequency and percentage were used to characterize the properties of the variables. By verifying that operationalized variables relate to the theoretical construct represented, construct validity was attained. Utilizing the Cronbach alpha coefficient of inconsistency, reliability was evaluated. Data analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics, and content analysis utilized to examine qualitative data. Pie charts, frequency tables, graph percentage techniques, and contextual forms of clarity were utilized to show the research’s findings and illustrate its conclusions. The study determined that management decisions, supply chain management, process selection and plant decisions had a positive significant effect on performance of Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) projects in Nairobi County. The study concludes that management decisions regarding strategic planning determine which projects are prioritized based on their alignment with national agricultural goals, funding availability, and community needs. Effective SCM ensures that resources such as seeds, fertilizers, and livestock are procured and allocated efficiently. The choice of processes directly affects the quality and relevance of research outputs. The choice of plant varieties for research and development projects can determine the success of agricultural initiatives. The study recommends that the organization should implement comprehensive data collection methods to gather quantitative and qualitative data on project performance. The organization should evaluate existing supply chain processes to identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and areas for improvement. The organization should identify and engage key stakeholders, including farmers, government agencies, NGOs, and local communities, to understand their needs and expectations. The organization should develop a clear M&E framework that outlines key performance indicators for each project.
Description
A Research Project Submitted to the School of Business, Economics and Tourism in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of Degree of Masters of Business Administration (Project Management Option) of Kenyatta University, July, 2025
Supervisor:
1.Morrison Mutuku