The Effect of Quality Management Systems on the Performance of Food Processing Firms in Kenya

Abstract

The impact of quality management systems (QMS) on performance remains controversial with a number of empirical studies alluding to nullity of ISO certification on performance. Owing to this contradiction and lack of empirical studies in Kenya, this paperexplores quality management systems and their influence performance of food processing firms in Kenya, where, food processing companies still find it challenging to effectively implement quality managements systems that contribute towards realization of increased organization performance. Over 75% of food processing companies in Kenya are still struggling to embrace effective quality management systems as a strategy to gain a competitive edge in the target market through development of superior product quality, market growth and higher customer satisfaction. The paper makes an important contribution, offering deeper insights into the benefits of quality management systems, practices and principles that managers should take into account for any certification whether ISO, TQM or HACCP to be successfully implemented and consequently translate to increased organization performance. The study found that quality management practices under study have a strong positive correlation with an organizations' competitive performance. These quality practices are critical in achieving and maintaining this competitive performance, they include top management support, capacity enhancement, adoption and utilization of information technology and control measures. The study therefore recommends that food processing firms focus should thus be on modifying the culture of the whole organization with a view to transforming it into an overtly quality-oriented culture, for the firm to achieve the benefits of a quality management system, it is critical to regularly run training in this area with the aim of instilling habits and make workers more receptive to the change of working methods. The implementation of quality management techniques enables organizations to improve internal efficiencies, which is considered as a prerequisite to become competitive in global marketplace.