Effects Of Operations Management Practices On The Quality Of Master Of Business Administration Programs In Kenyan Universities, Campuses Based In Nakuru Town

Master of business administration (MBA) programs are under intense pressure to improve efficiencies, lower tuition, and offer refreshed curriculum that is of high quality and regarded as relevant by the marketplace. In light of this environment, this study proposes a framework for effectively employing operations management (OM) practices in the design and execution of MBA programs. The study investigated the important role that operation management practices play in curriculum design and faculty utilization, how operation efficiency can create quality of student experience, assurance of learning and how operation management practices can lead to high quality MBA program design. OM practices are shown to be applicable in key areas including curriculum design, faculty utilization, quality of student experience, assurance of learning, and program redesign. The study examined the usage of OM practices in running MBA programs in universities based in Nakuru town. The study concentrated on 10 universities offering MBA within Nakuru town. Descriptive survey design was used in this study. Previous surveys from European and American Business Schools indicate that most MBA programs are not fully utilizing OM practices in their operations. Therefore this study sought to find out if this is the case in Kenya, more specifically in Business schools in Nakuru town. For empirical assessment, a questionnaire with items corresponding to each objective-method in the framework were developed and sent to administrators of MBA Business Schools of Universities based in Nakuru town.  These administrators are considered a critical section in administration decisions at many business schools as their main roles demonstrate a commitment to providing quality graduate management education through accreditation by the CUE and other certifying bodies. Analysis of the collected data was carried out using Statistical Package for Sciences (SPSS), computer software. Descriptive as well as inferential statistics were used to analyze data. Frequency distributions, chi-square tests were used to present the data. Inferential statistics; Pearson's correlations and multiple regressions were used to assess the role of OM Practices in MBA program administration of Universities in Nakuru Town.