Effect of Electronic Point of Sale System on Operational Efficiency of Hotels in Nakuru County

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to determine the effect of Electronic Point of Sale System on operational efficiency of Hotels within Nakuru County. Specifically, the study determined the effect of electronic Point of Sale System (EPOS) data processing, transactional tracking, transactional security and reporting systems on operational efficiency of hotels in Nakuru County. Descriptive research design was adopted.The target population of the study was 36 Hotels in Nakuru County with one respondent from each hotel who was the Operation Manager. A census survey was used to conduct the study targeting the entire first to fifth Star hotels in Nakuru County. Correlation results showed that a strong positive significant relationship existed between EPoS data processing speed and operational efficiency of Hotels in Nakuru County (r = 0.528; p < 0.05). This led to the rejection of the null hypothesis and subsequently the adoption of the view that EPoS data processing speed was instrumental in ensuring effective operational efficiency of Hotels in Nakuru County. Correlation analysis was also done to determine effect of EPoS transaction tracking speed on operational efficiency of the hotels in Nakuru County. The results showed a significant relationship existed (r = 0.218, p < 0.05) between the two variables. The degree of the association of the two variables was weak but positive suggesting that EPoS transaction tracking speed was not a strong factor in operational efficiency of the Hotels in Nakuru County. Correlation analysis showed that there was no significant relationship existing between EPoS transaction security and control on operational efficiency of the Hotels in Nakuru County (r = 0.096, p = 0.386). This result suggested that EPoS transaction security and control was not a priority to the hotels in Nakuru County. Finally, correlation analysis to determine whether EPoS reporting system affects operational efficiency of the hotels in Nakuru County indicated that the relationship is, in fact, significant (r = 0.443, p < 0.05). The first hypothesis was tested the test results showed that there exists a statistically significant correlation between EPoS data processing speed and operational efficiency (β = 0.445, ρ = 0.000< 0.05). The result leads to the rejection of the null hypothesis, hence a conclusion that there exists a significant effect of EPoS data processing speed on operational efficiencyof hotels in Nakuru County. The test results showed that there exists a statistically significant correlation between EPoS transaction tracking speed and operational efficiency (β = 0.177, ρ = 0.001< 0.05). The result leads to the rejection of the null hypothesis, hence a conclusion that there exists a significant effect of EPoS transaction tracking speed on operational efficiency of Hotels in Nakuru County. Another test was done at a significant level 0.05. The test results show that there exists no correlation between EPoS transaction security and control and operational efficiency (β = 0.060, ρ = 0.579>0.05). This results in the failure to reject the null hypothesis, hence a conclusion that there is no significant effect of EPoS transaction security and control on operational efficiency of the Hotels in Nakuru County. Finally, hypothesis was tested at a significant level 0.05. The test results showed that there exists a statistically significant correlation between EPoS reporting system on operational efficiency (β = 0.358, ρ = 0.000< 0.05). The result leads to the rejection of the null hypothesis, hence a conclusion that there exists a significant effect of EPoS reporting system on operational efficiency of Hotels in Nakuru County. From the descriptive results it can be concluded that the hotels have improved storage and processing of their customer data. In addition, through electronic point of sale storage of their room data have been enhanced. From the conclusions a recommendation can be made that the hotels should maintain improved storage and processing of their customer data. Further research on electronic Point of Sale System on operational efficiency should be carried out to identify other elements that appear to be critical to the success of operational efficiency.