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Occupational Safety and Health Practices and Performance of Small and Medium-Size Enterprises in Kenya

Author

Listed:
  • Florence K. Guantai

    (Department of Business and Management Studies, Technical University of Kenya)

  • Hezron M. Osano

    (Department of Business and Management Studies, Technical University of Kenya)

  • Tabitha G. Murerwa

    (Department of Business and Management Studies, Technical University of Kenya)

  • Phares O. Ochola

    (Department of Business and Management Studies, Technical University of Kenya)

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of occupational safety and health (OSH) practices on the performance of SMEs in Kenya. The objectives were to:Â examine the effect of employee wellness on SME performance, and analyze the relationship between the working environment and SME performance .To test the hypothesis, a descriptive and inferential research design was adopted, with a sample of 294 organizations selected from a population of 1,118 SMEs through stratified random sampling. In each SME, the manager or human resource officer was identified as respondent. Data were analyzed using an ordinal logistic regression model. Findings revealed that both employee wellness and working environment, had a positive and statistically significant effect on SME performance, with the working environment exerting the greatest influence. The study concludes that SMEs should adopt comprehensive OSH practices by promoting employee wellness and providing conducive working environment to reduce accidents thereby enhancing performance. Further research is recommended to compare OSH adoption between SMEs and large enterprises.

Suggested Citation

  • Florence K. Guantai & Hezron M. Osano & Tabitha G. Murerwa & Phares O. Ochola, 2025. "Occupational Safety and Health Practices and Performance of Small and Medium-Size Enterprises in Kenya," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 9(9), pages 2237-2263, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bcp:journl:v:9:y:2025:issue-9:p:2237-2263
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Francesco Chirico & Tarja Heponiemi & Milena Pavlova & Salvatore Zaffina & Nicola Magnavita, 2019. "Psychosocial Risk Prevention in a Global Occupational Health Perspective. A Descriptive Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-14, July.
    2. Tetu Mwenda Mutegi & Paul Mugambi Joshua & Jesse Maina Kinyua, 2023. "Workplace Safety and Employee Productivity of Manufacturing Firms in Kenya," Cogent Business & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 10(2), pages 2215569-221, December.
    3. Biaoan Shan & Xiaoju Liu & Anwei Gu & Runxuan Zhao, 2022. "The Effect of Occupational Health Risk Perception on Job Satisfaction," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-14, February.
    4. Kersten, Renate & Harms, Job & Liket, Kellie & Maas, Karen, 2017. "Small Firms, large Impact? A systematic review of the SME Finance Literature," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 330-348.
    5. Sahu, Aditya Kumar & Padhy, R.K. & Dhir, Amandeep, 2020. "Envisioning the future of behavioral decision-making: A systematic literature review of behavioral reasoning theory," Australasian marketing journal, Elsevier, vol. 28(4), pages 145-159.
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