Influence of quality management systems on the relationship between administrative systems and performance of Kenyan public universities

In recent years there have been attempts to import business models from the private sector into higher education systems and institutions in an attempt to improve their performance. This has led to the emergence of a debate on the applicability of Quality Management Systems (QMS) principles, methodologies and tools to the higher education sector and their relationship with performance of those institutions. There exists a lot of research on the importance of Quality Management Systems and how it impacts on performance of organizations in general. However, there is little research that specifically focuses on the influence of QMS on the relationship between internal factors and performance of Public Universities in Kenya. This study sought to establish the influence of QMS on the relationships between administrative systems on the performance of Public Universities in Kenya. The study adopted a survey design which allowed for easy sampling and analysis of data. Seven certified public sponsored Universities published by the Commission for Higher Education in Kenya were sampled. Structured questionnaires were used in the collection of data. A pilot study was conducted to check for the reliability and validity of the questionnaire instruments. SPSS software was used in analyzing and interpreting data that was collected. The findings of this study demonstrated that QMS played a huge influential role between administrative systems and the performance of Kenyan public universities. This meant that administrative systems, with the influence of QMS as a moderating factor had a positive contribution to the change in the performance of Kenyan public universities. The results obtained from study will be beneficial to a range of beneficiaries, among them; scholars in the subject of management; researchers who will use the results as a contribution towards the advancement of knowledge in the subject area; Government officials and university management will in particular, benefit from the knowledge on the linkages between QMS and its influence on internal factors and the performance of public universities in Kenya. The study recommended that for Kenyan universities to realize the dreams of a majority of Kenyans s envisioned in Vision 2030 and the 2010 Kenyan constitution, they all should proactively adopt QMS in their operations across all internal factors in order to improve their performances