IMPACT OF BIOMETRIC SYSTEMS ON OPERATIONAL COSTS: A case of Harare Institute of Technology, Harare

Abstract

This study examined the impact of biometric systems on operational costs at Harare Institute of Technology (HIT). The study was promoted by the need to reduce costs in university operations in the midst of stiff competition. The Business Process Re-engineering (BRP) framework provided the theoretical basis for the study. The positivism philosophy adopted enabled the use of a quantitative approach as well as an explanatory survey research design. Structured questionnaires were used to gather data from HIT employees chosen using simple random sampling. Descriptive statistics and standard multiple regressions were employed to analyze data quantitatively using SPSS version 19. Regression results showed that biometric systems significantly impacted on operational costs at HIT through lowering head count, paperwork-related costs as well as losses from theft and shrinkage. The study recommended that HIT accelerate the implementation of biometric systems by incorporating technology implementation objectives in the corporate strategy. A further mixed study covering other universities was suggested

Keywords

• biometric systems
• operational costs
• labour savings
• paperwork