The study sought to unfold the relationship between Supplier Relationship Management on supply chain in humanitarian organizations which is often difficult because of the multi-groups involved (military, government, Non-governmental Organizations). In humanitarian organizations the "customer" is the donor or supplier of goods. The study was conducted at the World Food Programme (WFP) which started operating in Somalia in 1967 and focusing on rural agricultural development and school feeding projects. At the onset of WFP operations, the conflict escalated and the humanitarian needs expanded as well. Today the WFP Somalia goal is to address basic food needs, strengthen coping mechanisms and support the efforts to achieve food security of vulnerable Somalis. The organization has its regional office in charge of operations and supply chain in Nairobi as well as the Somalia liaison office. There are rare studies focusing on supply chain relationship among humanitarian organizations particularly on the challenges of getting supplies on time due financial and other supply chain constraints. This is the gap this study sought to address. In order to achieve the objectives, the population of the study was the WFP employees (senior and the supply chain staff) in both the regional and the liaison office and the WFP food suppliers based in Nairobi. The sample comprised of 87 WFP employees and 7 personnel from the WFP food supplier family. Data was collected from 63 respondents who filled and returned the questionnaires representing a response rate rate of 72%. Multiple regression analysis was used to analyse the data collected in order to meet the objectives of the study. The results revealed that WFP continuously trains employees from the supply chain department and has European Scientific Journal June 2017 edition Vol.13, No.16 ISSN: 1857 -7881 (Print) e -ISSN 1857 251 mechanisms for ensuring suppliers conform to quality standards. It was also found that ICT is used in the execution and management of purchase orders. On WFP humanitarian supply chain performance, results indicated that WFP Somalia delivers defect free food supplies to beneficiaries by working closely with the internal staff and the logistics operators. The study recommends that WFP's management should begin rewarding suppliers who share information for effective supply chain management. The organization should not only have multiple supply tiers but should also be well vast with each tiers risk profile to enable the organization mitigate any unforeseen events that may affect delivery of supplies especially during emergencies.

This research paper explores the effect of regulated environment under which third-party port-centric logistics (3PL) firms in Kenya operate by looking at the relationship between quality management and operational performance. The study tested the conceptual model of the relationship between quality management and operational performance variables. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of the regulative intervention on the relationship between customer orientation and operational performance of third party port-centric logistics firms in Kenya. Port-centric logistics services providers are highly regulated firms and therefore critical to find out the effect of this regulated context on the operational performance of these firms. The relationship between quality and operational performance has been tested and documented in numerous environments in varied studies. A survey design based on disproportionate-stratified sampling approach consisting of 164 firms (18% of the population) guided the methodology of this study. The sampled firms (164) were served with questionnaires and a response rate of 75.6% (124 firms) was achieved. Data analysis was carried out using moderated multiple regression (MMR) analysis where relationship between the quality and other variables and the dependent variable was computed. Test of internal consistency, validity test, reliability, and normality test, were conducted, all indicating appropriateness of data. The strength of the regression model was 53.6% (adjusted R2) which was considered good enough, appreciating the fact that operational performance is also affected by myriad factors outside the model. The null hypothesis (H0) was tested, and the results indicated that there was statistically significant evidence that regulative context affects the relationship between quality and operational performance. The results indicate that R = 0.709, R² = 0.502 and [F (2, 120) = 60.582, p = 0.000] with the value of R² showing that 60.582% of the variance in the third-party port-centric logistics firms’ performance can be accounted for by quality management scores and regulation and statistically significant. The results detected an R² change of 0.022, [F (1, 119) = 0.022, p = 0.022], indicating presence of moderation effect, in such levels that are statistically significant (p < 0.05). By inclusion of the moderator, regulation gained 2.2% variance in the operational performance generating a conclusion that regulation significantly moderates the relationship between quality management and operational performance. The study was a success and the goal was achieved with the findings critically providing baseline information and knowledge that will play a critical role in the research agenda in the area of lean and operational performance, particularly in service management. The study also provides fundamental information, knowledge, foundational anecdote and a platform from which research agenda and policy discussions can be referenced. The study recommends policy formulation that will support measures to boost operations and quality amongst 3PL firms towards continuous improvement and growth. The findings will essence inform and booster 3PL firms that are efficient, and effective emanating from superior operational performance. This will also benefit customers (importers and exporters), and the national economies within and without the east and central Africa region. The study recommends that 3PL firms, although sometimes affected negatively by regulatory frameworks, take it upon themselves to device smart interventions that will lead to efficient operations in order to compete and emerge victorious in operational excellence and outwit in the competitive battle.

This paper focuses on investigating the effect of green manufacturing on operational performance of manufacturing firms. The study adopted crosssectional survey design and data was collected across all the 61 manufacturing firms listed by KAM in 2019 through questionnaires. The study used Regression Model technique to analyze the quantitative data and validate the developed research model. Green manufacturing was found to have a positive effect on operational performance. Green product design and development, GSCM, and efficient processes had significant effect in enhancing operational performance while end-of-life product management was found to have insignificant relationship with operational performance.