EFFECT OF FLEET MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE OF ROAD TRANSPORTERS IN MOMBASA COUNTY

Fleet management has become a strategic capability for enhancing efficiency, cost control, and service reliability within the road transport industry, yet empirical evidence on the relative contribution of individual fleet management practices remains limited, particularly in developing economies. This study examined the effects of vehicle tracking, driver management, vehicle maintenance, and fuel management on the operational performance of road transport firms in Mombasa County, Kenya. A quantitative research design was adopted involving 250 transport firms registered with the Kenya Transporters Association (KTA). Using stratified random sampling, data were collected from 154 fleet managers, logistics managers, and drivers through structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis. The findings indicate that vehicle tracking, vehicle maintenance, and fuel management have significant positive effects on operational performance, with vehicle tracking emerging as the strongest predictor. Specifically, vehicle tracking enhanced routing efficiency, accountability, and fuel utilization, while effective maintenance reduced vehicle downtime and improved operational reliability. Fuel management contributed significantly to cost efficiency and productivity. In contrast, driver management did not exhibit a statistically significant influence on operational performance. The regression model explained 59.3% of the variation in operational performance, indicating that fleet management practices are important determinants of organizational efficiency. The study provides empirical evidence from an emerging economy by demonstrating the differential effects of individual fleet management practices rather than treating fleet management as a single construct. The findings extend the resource-based view, technology diffusion theory, and human capital theory while offering practical insights for transport firms seeking to improve operational performance through strategic investment in fleet management capabilities.