Service Quality and Customer Satisfaction at Kenya Airways Ltd

This study explored the key determinants of customer satisfaction for passengers at Kenya Airways. The study used a descriptive survey design to obtain information on key determinants of customer satisfaction for passengers at Kenya Airways. The study mainly adopted a case study approach and the respondents constituted Passengers who had used Kenya airways for a period of six months between Jan- June 2012. The sample of this study consisted of one hundred (100) passengers. Both primary and secondary data sources were used to answer the research questions. Primary data was mainly obtained through administering of questionnaires while secondary sources like past studies and archives were accessed in order to obtain some reliable literature and empirical findings that could be applied in order to have a better understanding of the service quality construct. The data collected was analyzed by use of the means, frequency, percentage and Factor Analysis. The study findings indicate that among the key determinants of customer satisfaction with passengers were luggage security and safety, proper communication with customers to update them on status of their flights, provision of food variety and ability of the airline to communicate to passengers about the weather on arrival destinations. Weather conditions prevailing at the destination, compassion by airline crew toward any disabled persons on-board were particularly noted to increase significantly the level of customer satisfaction. This study contributes to existing theories of service quality and customer satisfaction by confirming or adding value to the relationships that are involved in customer satisfaction and service quality in the Air Transport and other related sectors. It provides results that are useful to managers in business organizations for strategic planning. The arguments of this study are based on the resource based view theory and review of relevant literature. Key words: Service, Quality, Customer service, customer satisfaction, Air transpor

The Impact of Outsourcing on Lead-Time and Customer Service in Supermarkets in Nairobi-Kenya

This study explored the impact of Outsourcing on Lead-Time and Customer Service in Supermarkets in the City of Nairobi-Kenya. The study used a descriptive survey design to obtain information on the extent to which supermarkets outsourced services and the impact of outsourcing on lead-time. The population of the study mainly constituted of procurement officers, marketing managers, operation managers or their equivalents in supermarket headquarters within Nairobi city. The population of this study consisted of one hundred and two (102) Supermarkets while the sample consisted of fifty (50) supermarkets within Nairobi. The data collected was analyzed by use of frequency, percentage and correlation analysis. The study findings indicate that supermarkets outsourced advertising and marketing to a very large extent. Consultancy and training, administration of information and systems maintenance, security, facilities maintenance, general maintenance and repair were also outsourced to a large extent. Besides, payroll processing, recruitment/staffing and general accounting were outsourced to no extent. The analysis also revealed that outsourcing and lead time were positively correlated (r =0.66). The study contribute to the outsourcing research area by identifying how the existing processes and methods in the Organization must be adapted to fit the specific conditions of outsourcing. Contributions to the outsourcing research area are made by showing that to ensure effective Customer service, the whole outsourcing process has to be in focus i.e., from before physical transfer decisions to outsource are made until a steady state is reached with a continuous supply from the new source. Key words: Outsourcing, Outsourcing process, Lead-Time, Customer service, Supermarke