Influence of Product Quality on Organizational Performance of Seed Maize Companies in Kenya

Abstract

A number of new seed entrepreneurs were established in Kenya, however, the majority of them fail to achieve the required business growth and competiveness. As a result, they remain small and producing less quantities of seed compared to the few large seed companies in the same market. This study evaluated the influence of product quality on organizational performance of seed maize companies in Kenya. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey research design to collect data from the target population which comprised of seed maize companies in Kenya. The sampling frame of the study was the registered seed maize companies at the Seed Trade Association of Kenya which was the unit of analysis while the respondents were the managerial employees within the seed companies and key seed experts in Kenya. Primary data was obtained by administering questionnaires to four employees within each seed company. The four employees were randomly selected from the production, marketing, finance and warehousing departments. The key seed experts were selected through snow balling and judgment technique. Interviews were conducted with the selected seed experts. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS software. Factor analysis was done to establish the appropriateness of the questionnaire constructs. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used. Inferential statistics included the use of bivariate analysis and the study used the Pearson correlation coefficient. The study also ran a multiple regression model in order to establish the effect of product quality on organizational performance of seed maize companies. Results indicated that the original source of seed can affect product credibility and sales, seed certification standards influenced product credibility and sales, characteristics of seed varieties affect product performance and use of hotlines to report seed failure influences the credibility of the seed and the distributor. The study concludes that managers can increase profitability by putting in place appropriate quality management systems (QMS) and product quality standardization of seeds produced to ensure high quality seed. The study recommends that the management of seed companies should ensure they embark on improving the product quality of seeds produced so as to meet customer requirements and enhance the firm's performance. This can be achieved by implementing appropriate QMS, securing contracts with large farmers who have irrigation facilities to guarantee adequate seed fields isolation, high productivity and quality seed production.

Development of small medium enterprises of maize processed food products as a locomotive of Gorontalo District’s economy

“…1 will be able to increase revenue by Rp.0.636. The significant effect of selling prices on revenues of SMEs of maize processed products supports several related studies such as a research by Jonga, et al (2018) on SMEs in Kenya, and a research by Malik, Antara, and Sulaeman (2017) on SMEs in Palu City.…”

Sustainable Intensification of Maize in the Industrial Revolution: Potential of Nitrifying Bacteria and Archaea

“…Companies and individual entrepreneurs are collaborating with large-scale farmers to produce high-quality maize seeds. This helps mitigate their high demand and insufficient supply (Jonga et al, 2018). Seed quality determines crop yield and productivity.…”

“…Seed quality determines crop yield and productivity. Jonga et al (2018) advised that a quality management system should be put in place by the companies and entrepreneurs to ensure better products continuously.…”

Pengaruh Kualitas Pelayanan Dan Kualitas Produk Terhadap Kinerja Perusahaan Di Larissa Aesthetic Center Denpasar

“…Selain mempengaruhi kepuasan pelanggan, tingginya kualitas produk memberikan keunggulan dalam persaingan perusahaan yang juga memberi dampak kinerja perusahaan. Hasil penelitian Henard dan Szymanski ( 2001); Kevin et al (2008); Cannatelli et al (2015); Yang dan Ju (2017); dan Jonga et al (2018), menyatakan kualitas produk memiliki pengaruh signifikan pada kinerja perusahaan. Namun pernyataan berbeda ditemukan pada penelitian Tracey dan Tan ( 2001), bahwa kualitas produk tidak memiliki pengaruh langsung terdahap kinerja perusahaan.…”

“…Hasil ini selaras dengan bunyi hipotesis dua (H2), yaitu "kualitas produk memberi pengaruh positif serta signifikan pada kinerja perusahaan" sekaligus mendukung hasil penelitian terdahulu oleh Henard dan Szymanski (2001); Kevin et al (2008); Cannatelli et al (2015); Yang dan Ju (2017); dan (Jonga et al (2018), bahwa kualtas produk berpengaruh terhadap kinerja perusahaan. Hal tersebut membuktikan bahwasanya kian baik kualitas produk yang didapatkan pelanggan saat pemakaian/pengaplikasian produk maka penilaian kinerja perusahaan akan semakin baik.…”