Technology Adoption, Monitoring and Evaluation and the Performance of Large Manufacturing Firms in Kenya: A Case of Kenpoly Manufacturers Limited

Abstract

Large manufacturers in Kenya face rising operating costs and slow growth in output, which makes the way they use technology and track their results increasingly important. This study examined the effect of technology adoption and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) on the performance of large manufacturing firms in Kenya, using Kenpoly Manufacturers Limited as a case. It was anchored on the Technology Acceptance Model and the Dynamic Capabilities Theory. A descriptive research design was adopted, and a census was conducted of all 106 employees in the Corporate Strategy, Production and Finance departments of the firm. Data were collected through a structured five-point Likert scale questionnaire that had been pre-tested on 11 employees of Silafrica Plastics Kenya Limited, and 102 usable questionnaires were returned, a response rate of 96%. The data were analysed using frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations in SPSS version 29. Respondents strongly agreed that technology had been adopted effectively (M = 4.78, SD = 0.382) and that M&E was well practised (M = 4.77, SD = 0.390), and they rated firm performance highly (M = 4.75, SD = 0.412). Faster production through automation (M = 4.95) and the early detection of performance gaps through regular tracking (M = 4.98) received the highest ratings, while the reduction of operational errors through automation (M = 4.48) and the contribution of tracking to task accountability (M = 4.58) received the lowest. The study concludes that technology adoption and M&E are well established at the firm and are associated with high productivity, profitability and efficiency, although automation has not removed all errors and tracking is not yet fully tied to individual responsibility. It recommends structured operator training, error-proofing of automated lines and the linking of performance tracking to individual targets and feedback.