Assessment of Antecedents Affecting Implementation of Maintenance Policy in Aviation Schools in Kenya.

Abstract

It is important to have well implemented maintenance policy in the aviation industry so as to enhance equipment lifespan, reduce maintenance costs and increase plane safety. Despite its importance, implementation and compliance to maintenance policies in the aviation industry has been below average. This study thus focused on assessment of the antecedent’s affecting implementation of maintenance policy in aviation schools in Kenya looking at strategic leadership, organization culture, organizational structure and capacity building anchored on the Strategic Leadership Theory, Human Relations Theory, Resource Based Theory and Bureaucratic Theory. A descriptive research design was adopted and the target population was 117 engineers and 19 managers from the aviation schools. The findings indicated that the four variables, organizational culture, organizational structure, strategic leadership and capacity building all had a positive and significant effect in enhancing policy implementation. The study recommends the management of aviation schools to enhance practices such as having effective strategic communication in the organization regarding adherence to maintenance policies, show effective control and leadership by example when it comes to implementation of maintenance policies, show effective problem-solving skills when it comes to challenges relating to implementation of maintenance policies and commitment when it comes to implementation of maintenance policies. The study further recommends the management of aviation schools to ensure that there is employee consensus on matters touching on implementation of maintenance policies, respecting employees’ approach on matters regarding implementation of maintenance policies in a professional manner, demonstration of organizational commitment to implementation of maintenance policies by employees, demonstration of high ethical practices in matters concerning implementation of maintenance policies by employees and demonstration of a positive attitude towards following policies such as maintenance policies by employees.

Key Words: Organizational Culture, Organizational Structure, Strategic Leadership, Capacity Building, Policy Implementation