Abstract:
The objective of this study was to identify factors that affect the performance of manufacturing
industry in Oromia Forest and Wild Life Enterprise Jimma branch. Descriptive studies deign
and mixed research approach (both qualitative and quantitative) was used to answer the
research questions. Primary data have been collected through questionnaire and interview. To
achieve the objective of the study 121 questionnaires were distributed and 114 of them were
successfully completed and analyzed. To analyze the data a combination of descriptive form of
data analysis and multiple regression analysis was used. Multiple regression analysis was
performed to investigate the effect of each explanatory variable on firm manufacturing
performance. The result shows that the 54% of the variances in the performance of firm
manufacturing can be explained by the independent variables. The remaining variances on the
dependent variable could be explained by other explanatory variables not included in this study.
Accordingly strategic flexibility makes the strongest unique contribution of 37.9% to explain the
performance of firm manufacturing. Among the expected factors; manufacturing technology,
strategic flexibility and environmental dynamism have a positive effect on the performance of
firm manufacturing, but resource constraint has a negative effect on the performance of firm
manufacturing inOromia Forest and Wild Life Enterprise; the case of Jimma Branch. It is hoped
that Oromia Forest and Wild Life Enterprise in Jimma branch should improve the performance
of firm manufacturing by increasing human resource, financial resources and technological
resources.
