LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON THE PERFORMANCE OF SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAMS IN PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN ISIOLO COUNTY, KENYA
Keywords:
Logistics Management Practices, Trans-Logix, Sustainability, Performance of School Feeding Programs in Public Primary SchoolsAbstract
School feeding programs are essential in enhancing food security, improving school attendance, and supporting the overall well-being of children, particularly in marginalized regions. However, the effectiveness of these programs is often hindered by logistical challenges that affect food procurement, transportation, inventory management, and last-mile delivery. This study examined the Influence of logistics management practices on the performance of school feeding programs in Isiolo County, Kenya, an arid and semi-arid region where food distribution is complex due to poor infrastructure, unpredictable weather conditions, and resource constraints. The study explored key logistics management practices, including Trans-Logix, and sustainability practices. This study was guided by Resource-Based View (RBV) Theory and Goal-Setting Theory. This study utilized a descriptive research design to assess the existing procurement and logistics processes and their Influence on the efficiency of last-mile delivery. The study was conducted in Isiolo County, Kenya, focusing on schools that are part of the government-supported school feeding programs. A combination of purposive and random sampling techniques was used to select participants for the study. The sample size included 143 respondents. This research used a questionnaire to collect primary data. The pilot study was carried out on 10 respondents who are sufficient based on Glesne (2019) who stated that 10% of the population is adequate to constitute the pilot test size. Qualitative data from interviews and focus group discussions were analyzed using thematic analysis. Content analysis was applied to documents, reports, and procurement records to extract relevant information on procurement and logistics practices. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data in frequency distributions and percentages which were presented in tables and figures. The study also adopted multiple regression analysis to test the relationships between the variables. The study concludes that trans-logix has a positive and significant effect on performance of school feeding programs in Isiolo County. The study also concludes that sustainability has a positive and significant effect on the performance of school feeding programs in Isiolo County. This study recommends that the management of school feeding programs in Kenya should embed sustainability practices into all aspects of program implementation. By focusing on sustainability, the program not only becomes more resilient and cost-effective but also strengthens food security and supports local economic development, ultimately improving the well-being and educational outcomes of the learners.
Key Words: Logistics Management Practices, Trans-Logix, Sustainability, Performance of School Feeding Programs in Public Primary Schools
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