RESOURCE ALLOCATION AND OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE OF CATHOLIC FAITH-BASED HOSPITALS IN KENYA

Abstract

Faith-based hospitals that are Catholic in Kenya play a major role in providing essential healthcare to the underserved. Nonetheless, despite their efforts to improve access to quality and affordable healthcare services these institutions continue to face operational challenges that hinder optimal performance. This paper assessed how resource allocation contributes to operational performance of the Catholic faith-based hospitals in Kenya. Resource-Based View Theory, anchored the study. Quantitative descriptive research design which targeted management staff across 21 purposively selected Catholic faith-based hospitals was adopted and a sample of 294 was obtained through purposive technique. Structured questionnaires were used to collect primary data and SPSS was used in analyzing the data. Descriptive and inferential statistics such as Spearman correlation and multiple linear regression analysis were used and pilot test was conducted to assess the questionnaire. Reliability was confirmed through Cronbach’s Alpha (≥ 0.8) and validity through expert reviews. The findings revealed a statistically significant positive relationship between resource allocation and operational performance (β = 0.896, P < 0.05, T = 21.438). The study concluded that effective resource allocation enhances hospital operational performance. The study proposes that an effective and fair allocation of resources in terms of human resource, financial and physical should be adopted to enhance operational performance across Catholic faith-based hospitals.