The performance of the public health sector in Kenya has been a major concern to the Kenyan people. Good health is a prerequisite for enhanced economic growth and poverty reduction and a precursor to the realization of Kenya Vision 2030’s social pillar goal. The country is confronting numerous gaps in health outcomes like high infant mortality rate caused by neonatal problems. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the influence of inventory management practice and the performance of the unit of vaccines and immunizations in the Ministry of Health, Kenya. The study adopted mixed research design using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The target population of the study was 244 from the Unit of Vaccine and Immunizations (UVIS) headquarter KEMSA depot and warehouse staff, Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, and Busia counties. The study used random sampling to pick a sample size of 74 respondents. Data was collected using questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was used aided by Statistical Packages for Social Sciences version 24 to compute percentages of respondents’ answers. Inferential statistics multiple regression analysis was applied to examine the relationship between the research variables. The results showed that there is strong positive correlation between inventory management and the performance of the unit of vaccines and immunizations. Hence, buffer stock, optimal inventory level, collaborations with key stakeholders, continuously monitor inventory levels, stocks transfer/replenishment orders and procurement plan if adopted can improve the performance of the unit of vaccines and immunizations.
Ada, E., Kaplan, M. D., Yurt, O., Kaplan, Y. C., & Baltacioglu, T. (2007). A new framework for service supply chains. The Service Industries Journal, 27(2), 105-124.
Anderson, J. (2002). Evaluation in health informatics: social network analysis. Computers in Biology and Medicine, 32, 179?193.
Bales, W. (1997). Measures of Purchasing Effectiveness . . Arizona : Arizona State University.
Baltacioglu, T., Ada, E., Kaplan, M. D., Yurt, O., & Kaplan, Y. C. (2007). A new framework for service supply chains . The Service Industries Journal, 27(2), 105-124.
Birou, L. (1993). International purchasing benefits and requirements and challenges . International Journal of purchasing and supply 15(2), 22-25.
Boonitt, S., & Pongpanarat, C. (2011). Measuring service supply chain management processes: The application of the Q-sort technique. International Journal of Innovation, Management and Technology, 2(3),, 217-221.
Boute, R. N., Disney, S. M., Lambrecht, M. R., & Houdt, B. V. (2007). An integrated production and inventory model to dampen upstream demand variability in the supply chain. European Journal of Operation Research (178), 121-142.
Breen, L., & Crawford, H. (2004). Improving the pharmaceutical supply chain: Assessing the reality of e-quality through e-commerce application in hospital pharmacy. . International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, 22 (6)., 572-590.
Carmines, E. G., & Zeller, R. A. (1997). Reliability and validity assessment. Quantitative Applications in the Social Sciences series 07-017. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications.
Chan, F., Chan, H., Lau, H., & Ip, R. (2008). Critical success factors in managing global supply chains. International Journal Manufacturing Technology and Management, 15 (1), 28-44.
Chen, I., Paulraj, A., & Lado, A. (2004). Strategic purchasing, supply management and firm performance’. Journal of Operations Management, 22. , 505-523.
Cho, D. W., Lee, Y. H., Ahn, S. H., & Hwang, M. K. (2012). A framework for measuring the performance of service supply chain management . Computers & Industrial Engineering, 62(3), 801-818.
Chong, A. Y., Chan, F. T., Ooi, K. B., & Sim, J. J. (2010). Can Malaysian firms improve organizational/innovation performance via SCM? . Industrial Management & Data Systems, 111(3), 410-431.
Chow, W. S., Madu, C. N., Kuei, C., Lu, M. H., & Tseng, H. (2008). Supply chain management in the US and Taiwan: An empirical study. The international journal of Management Science, 36: , 665-679.
Chow, W., Madu, C., & Kuei, C. (2005). A structural equation model of supply chain quality management and organisational performance. International Journal of Production Economics, 96 (3), 355?365.
Christiansee, E., & Kumar, K. (2000). ICT-enabled coordination of dynamic supply webs ; . International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management,. 30:(3/4), 268-285.
Christopher, M. (1998). Logistics and supply chain management: Strategies for reducing cost and improving service. London: Financial Times|Pitman Publishing.
Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. (2011). Research Methods in Education. London: Routledge.
Cohen, M., & Morrison, K. (2004). Research Methods in Education, 6th Edition. London: Rout ledge.
Cooper, D. R., & Schindler, P. S. (2008). Business research methods. 8th edition. Boston: Irwin/McGraw-Hill.
Crompton, H., & Jessop, D. (2001). Dictionary of Purchasing and Supply. London: Liverpool Business Review .
Earl, R. (2000). The Basics of Social Research . Belmont, CA : Thomson.
Effecive Vaccine Management Assessment (2013). Findings and recommendations of the assessment team. Kenya, nairobi
Fawcett, S., Waller, M., & Fawcett, A. (2010). Elaborating the dynamic systems theory to understand collaborative inventory successes and failures . The International Journal of Logistics Management , 21(3), 510-553.
Gaither, N., & Frazier, G. (2002). Operations Management, 9rd . Cincinnati, Ohio: South-Western Publishers.
Gattorna, J. (1998). Strategic Supply Chain Alignment: Best Practice in Supply Chain Management . Aldershot: Gower Publishing.
Gichuru, M., Iravo, M., & Arani, W. (2015). Collaborative supply chain practices on performance of food and beverage companies in Kenya. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 5(11), 17-31
Grover, V., & Malhotra, M. K. (1997). Business Process reengineering: A Tutorial on the Concept, Evolution, method, Technology, and Application. Journal of Operations Management, 15(3), 193-213.
Hariharan, S., Dey, P. K., Moseley, H. S., Kumar, A. Y., & Gora, J. (2004). A new tool for measurement of process-based performance of multispecialty tertiary care hospitals. . International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, 17(6), 302-312.
Hassini, E. (2008). ‘Building competitive enterprises through supply chain management. Journal of Enterprise Information Management, 21(4), 341- 344.
Herzlinger, R. (2006). Innovating in Health Care-framework. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Publishing.
Kaipia, R., Korhonen, H., & Hartiala, H. (2006). Planning nervousness in the demand supply network: an empirical study. The International Journal of Logistics Management , 17 (1), 95-113.
Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (2014). Key indicators. Kenya, Nairobi
Khang, T. S., Arumugam, V., Chong, A. Y.-L., & Chan, F. T. (2010). Relationship between supply chain management practices and organisation performance: a case study in the Malaysia service industry . International Journal Modelling in Operations Management 1(1), 84-106.
Kiess, H. O., & Bloomquist, D. W. (2009). Psychological Research Methods: A Conceptual Approach. New York: Prentice Hall.
Kilonzo, E. (2016, January 6). Shortage of Vaccines to end as 1.3 million doses arrive on Friday. Daily Nation, p 2.
Kinoti, B., J. (2013). Determinants of supply chain management ethical practices implementation in government ministries in Kenya. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.
Koh, S. C., Demirbag, M., Bayraktar, E., Tatoglu, E., & Zaim, S. (2007). The impact of supply chain management practices on performance of SMEs. . Industrial Management & Data Systems, 107(1), 103-124.
Kothari, C. R. (2004). Research Methodology Methods and Techniques. New Delhi: New Age Publishers.
Kumar, A., Ozdamar, L., & Zhang, N. (2008). Supply chain redesign in the healthcare industry of Singapore. Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, 13(2), 95-103.
Lambert, D., Cooper, M., & Pagh, J. (1998). Supply chain management: implementation issues and research opportunities. International Journal of Logistics Management, 9 (2), 1?19.
Lapide, L. (2002). You Need Sales and Operations Planning. Journal of Business Forecasting casting, Summer, 11–14.
Li, S., Ragu-Nathan, B., Ragu-Nathan, T. S., & Rao, S. (2006). The impact of supply chain management practices on competitive advantage and organizational performance. The International Journal of Management Science, 34, 107-124.
Lin, C., Chow, W., Madu, C., Kuei, C., & Yu, P. (2005). A structural equation model of supply chain quality management and organisational performance. International Journal of Production Economics, 96 (3), , 355-365.
Lori, S. C., & Daniel, R. H. (2011). The moderating effect of supply chain role on the relatioshnip between supply chain practices and performance. International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, 41(2), 104-134.
Mentzer, J., Keebler, J., Min, S., Nix, N., Smith, C., & Zacharia, Z. (2001). Defining supply chain management. International Journal of Business Logistics, Vol. 22 No. 2, 1?25.
Michael, P. (1990). The Competitive Advantage of Nations. New York: The Free Press, A Division of McMillan.
Morris, T. (2006). Social Work Research Methods: Four Alternative Paradigms. London: Sage Publication.
Mugenda, O., & Mugenda, A. (2003). Qualitative and Quantitative approaches. . Nairobi: Acts Press African for Technology studies.
Mustaffa, N. H., & Potter, A. (2009). Healthcare supply chain management in Malaysia: a case study. Supply Chain Management. An International Journal, 14(3), 234-243.
Nachiamias, V. F., & Nachamias, N. D. (1996). Research methods in the social sciences. {5th ed.}. London: Arnold.
Odhiambo, E. (2016, January 8). Hospitals turn away mothers as shortage of vaccines bite. Daily Nation, p. 22.
Orodho, A. (2003). Essential of Education and Social Science Research Methods. . Nairobi: Mosoal publishers.
Otto, A., & Kotzab, H. (2003). Does supply chain management really pay? Six perspectives to measure the performance of managing a supply chain. . European Journal of Operational Research 144, 306-320.
Porter, M. (1990). The Competitive Advantage of Nations. London: Macmillan.
Porter, M. E. (1985). Competitive Advantage. New York: Free Press.
Prakash, A., & Chan, F. T. (2012). Inventory management in a lateral collaborative manufacturing supply chain: a simulation study. International Journal of Production Research 50(16), 4670–4685.
Ragu-Nathan, B., Ragu-Nathan, T. S., Rao, S. S., & Li, S. (2006). The impact of supply chain management practices on competitive advantage and organizational performance. The International Journal of Management Science, 34, 107-124.
Ragu-Nathanb, B., Ragu-Nathanb, T., Raob, S. S., & Li, S. (2004). The impact of supplychain management practices on competitive advantage and organizational performance. The International Journal of Management Science, 107 – 124.
Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2007). Research Methods for Business Students . London: Financial Times/ Prentice Hall.
Saxena, R. S. (2009). Inventory Management: Controlling in a Fluctuating Demand Environment. New Delhi: Global India Publications.
Sekaran, U. (2009). Research Methods for Business: A Skill Building Approach, 4th Ed. . United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons.
Shaughnessy, J. (1997). Research Methods in Psychology 4th Edition, , . . Singapore: Mc Graw-Hill.
Simichi-Levi, D., Kaminsky, P., Simchi-Levi, E., & Shankar, R. (2008). Designing and managing the supply chain. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw- Hill Publishing Company.
Smaros, J. (2012). Lightning reactions! Using POS data in your supply chain to react faster to changes in demand!”, White paper 11 September . London: Rex Solutions .
Småros, J., Lehtonen, J., Appelqvist, P., & Holmström, J. (2003). The impact of increasing demand visibility on production and inventory control efficiency. International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management , 33(4), 33-49.
Taylor, D., & Fearne, A. (2009). Demand management in fresh food value chains: a framework for analysis and improvement. Supply Chain Management , 14 (5), 379-392.
Tracey, M., Lim, J., & Vonderembse, M. (2004). ‘The impact of supply-chain management capabilities on business performance. International Journal Supply Chain Management 10(3-4), 179-191.
Tracey, M., Lim, J., & Vonderembse, M. (2004). The impact of supply-chain management capabilities on business performance. International Journal Supply Chain Management 10(3-4):, 179-191.
Wiersma, W. (2008). Research Methods in Education: An Introduction. New York: Pearson Education.
Williams, B., Waller, M., Ahirec, S., & Ferrierd, G. (2014). Predicting retailer orders with POS and order data: the inventory balance effect. European Journal of Operational Research , 32(3), 593-600.
Zacharia, Z. G., Nix, N. W., & Lusch, R. F. (2009). An analysis of supply chain collaborations and their effect on performance outcomes. Journal of Busines
Okanda, S., Namusonge, G. S., & Waiganjo, E. (2016). Inventory Management Practice and the Performance of the Unit of Vaccines and Immunizations in the Minstry Health, Kenya. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 6(7), 125-139.
Copyright: © 2016 The Author(s)
Published by Human Resource Management Academic Research Society (www.hrmars.com)
This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this license may be seen at: http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode