INFLUENCE OF ADOPTION OF TECHNOLOGY ON PERFORMANCE OF KENYA POWER AND LIGHTING COMPANY: A CASE OF KENYA POWER EMBU OFFICE
James Onuko Orina - Masters in Project Planning Management, University of Nairobi, Kenya
Dr. Stephen Wanyonyi Luketero - University of Nairobi, Kenya
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of adoption of technology on performance of Kenya power in Kenya; a case of Kenya power Embu office. The study was guided by the following objectives; to determine the influence of adoption of smart meter technology on performance of Kenya power; to establish the influence of adoption of billing technology on performance of Kenya power; to determine the influence of adoption of electronic payment on performance of Kenya Power in Kenya; to examine the influence of adoption of Management information systems Technology on performance of Kenya Power. The study used Cross-sectional descriptive survey research design, this type of research design is a research tool used to capture information based on data gathered for a specific point in time. The study targeted a population of 86 employees working in Kenya Power Company Embu branch and 600 customers within the town who have high usage of power. Total sample size of 253 respondents. Data was collected using structured questionnaires and interviews. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The data was coded, tabulated and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences based on study objectives. The outcome showed that adoption of Smart Meter Technology and performance of Kenya power positively and significantly enhanced performance. The analyzed data further indicated that Adoption of Billing technology and performance of Kenya power are positively and significantly related. It was further established that, adoption of Electronic payment and performance of Kenya power were positively and significantly related as they made it easier for customers to have a variety of payment modes. Similarly, results showed that MIS application and performance of Kenya power were positively and significantly related. The study concluded that the pre-pay billing system has helped eliminate customer congestion during payment of bills hence improving customer service, pre-pay billings system has resulted in a decrease in metering, billing and disconnection inconveniences hence improving customer service, the billing system is more beneficial to the consumer since they only consume what they pay. The study recommended KPL should review its technical and operational standards to facilitate adoption and implementation of Smart technologies in the entire grid management to include generation, transmission and distribution system.