Gender of Respondents and Performance of Functional Areas of Milk Processing Firms in Kenya
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Date
2020
Authors
Kimiti, Paul G.
Muathe, Stephen M.A.
Murigi, Elishiba M.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal of Economics, Commerce & Management
Abstract
Milk processing firms have significant economic and nutritional contribution to the economy. The
industry’s performance is however impended by high costs resulting in low profitability, declining
output as well collapse and retarded growth of some firms. Firms in the industry have resorted to
cost leadership strategy to address performance challenges through adoption of economies of
scale, economies of scope and operational efficiency. Studies done in other sectors suggest a
correlation between cost leadership strategy and firm performance. Resource Based View theory
posits that decisions on strategic orientation are made by the firm’s human resources of which
gender is an important aspect. This study therefore was an investigation of whether gender is
associated with the functional areas involved in making decisions on costs among milk processing
firms in Kenya. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data from the firms and
analysis done using contingency tables and Chi-square test. The study concluded that males
were a majority in most of the functional areas but the association was not statistically significant.
The study thus recommends that milk processing firms exercise liberty in employing males or
females subject to other factors like legislation on workforce gender distribution.
Description
A Paper Published in International Journal of Economics, Commerce and Management, United Kingdom
Keywords
Cost Leadership Strategy, Milk Processing Firms in Kenya, Gender, Functional Area
Citation
Kimiti, P. G., Muathe, S. M., & Murigi, E. M. GENDER OF RESPONDENTS AND PERFORMANCE OF FUNCTIONAL AREAS OF MILK PROCESSING FIRMS IN KENYA.