Operations strategies in solid waste management: the case of city council of Nairobi

Abstract

The major purposes of this study were to document the operations strategy used in solid waste management at the city council of Nairobi, alongside the challenges facing implementation of the operations strategy at the city council of Nairobi with respect to solid waste management. This was a case study. Data was collected from fifty- (50) members and managers from the City Council of Nairobi and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The data was then summarized and presented in the form of proportions, tables and percentages. The following findings were arrived at: First, the CEO and the employees do the formulation of the operations strategy as part of a planning process that coordinates operational goals with those of the larger organization. The annual objectives on solid waste management are well documented and they included improving public health of the people; the environment; and maintain public cleanliness in order to keep public places aesthetically acceptable: by ensuring the proper storage, collection, transportation, safe treatment and disposal of solid waste. Secondly, the heads/managers feel that the current policies adequately support the institutions strategic plan: but they moderately agreed that the current departmental organizational structure support implementation of strategy as documented in the 2005-2010 strategic plans. Thirdly, on the evaluation of the CCN's operations strategies used in solid waste management, it was also found that CCN has not invested on enough time and effort in -. analyzing environment capabilities and services to develop their operations strategy. On the other hand the CCN has not invested on enough time and effort in implementing its operations strategy. Lastly, the internal strengths with the highest effect on CCN's competitive advantage, resulting from its operations strategy are: responsive employees in meeting customer needs, highly trained employees and quality control techniques. Lastly, the factors that have strongly limited sound waste management operations strategy implementation are the inability to formulate and implement sound solid waste management policies, inadequate treatment and disposal of solid waste and inadequate landfill disposal.