Factors influencing the use of total quality management in the management of tertiary instituions : A case of public technical training institutions in Nairobi County Kenya

Abstract

This study sought to establish factors influencing the use of TQM in the management of Public Technical Training Institutions (PTTIs) in Nairobi County, Kenya. The study looked at various factors which included; employee involvement, employee training, and technology, communications systems and resource availability. The study was guided by the following objectives; to examine how employee involvement systems influence the use of TQM, to determine how employee training influence the use of TQM, to establish how technology influence the use of TQM, to establish how communication systems influence the use of TQM and to establish how the availability of resources influence the use of TQM in management of PTTIs. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The target population of the study comprised seven hundred and sixty (760) Heads of Department (HODs) and lecturers in PPTIs in Nairobi County. The study sampled twenty four (24) HODs and one twenty eight (128) lecturers using stratified random sampling and simple random sampling to select the sample elements (HODs & Lecturers) to participate in the study. An interview guide and questionnaire were used to collect both qualitative and quantitative data. Data analysis entailed the use of SPSS to run frequency distribution. The study established that 57% of the PTTIs allowed direct lecturers involvement while 35.4% of the PTTIs allowed indirect involvement in management through various programs, this involvement positively influenced (73%) use of TQM in the management of the PTTIs. The study found out that employee level of training had an influence (70%) on TQM use in management with most of PTTIs providing opportunities to its lecturers for continuous training and development. The study established that majority (78.5%) of the PTTIs had adopted modern computer based technology that was used in various levels of management thus resonating positively (64%) with use of TQM in management. The study also established that resource availability (41.8%) in terms of funds and physical facilities to be important in the adoption and use of TQM programs in the management of the PTTIs. The study further established that majority (69.8%) of the PTTIs had closed communication systems that were ineffective (48.1%) for use thus negatively influencing the use of TQM in the management of the PTTIs. The study recommended the setting up of reward and recognition systems that encourage direct participation and involvement of lecturers in management affairs of the PTTIs, training the lecturers in other areas like continuous quality improvement techniques and use of IT tools, setting up additional IT infrastructure so as to improve TQM use in the management of the PTTIs, provision of quality and adequate resources to facilitate the effective use of TQM in the management of PTTIs and adoption of communication systems that are open and all round and thus effective for use in management of the PTTIs. The study proposes further research study to be conducted to establish; Factors influencing the use of TQM in the Management of Tertiary Institutions: A case of Private Technical Training Institutions. Influence of organizational culture on the use of TQM in the management of PTTIs and Top leadership influence on the use of TQM in the management of PTTIs.