Kenyatta University Repository

Kenyatta University Institutional Repository is a digital archive that collects, preserves and disseminates scholarly outputs of Kenyatta University.

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Recent Submissions

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Quality Management Practices and Performance: The Perspective of Public Healthcare Institutions in Kenya
(ESJ Social Sciences, 2025-02) Jumapili, Dorcas Nyangulika; Muathe, Stephen Makau A.
The global economy's transformations have prompted public healthcare institutions in Kenya to adopt strategies to expand their markets, improve customer satisfaction, and enhance operational efficiency globally. The county government of Tharaka Nithi and the Kenyan national government have implemented initiatives to enhance public healthcare facilities, but their performance remains below the required standards. According to The World Health Organization reports Kenya's public healthcare institutions provided 75% unsatisfactory services to customers, while their services remained at 6.6% from 2017 to 2020. Therefore, the current study investigates the effect of quality management practices on the performance of public healthcare institutions in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya. Specifically, the study examined the effect of customer focus and continuous improvement on the performance of public healthcare institutions in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya. The study used Scorecard, Six Sigma theories as well as the upper echelon theory. The study embraced descriptive research design. The target population was eight hundred and eighty-three employees of public healthcare institutions in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya. Stratified random sampling techniques were used as a sampling technique to select 275 respondents that were determined scientifically through a formula. Primary data was collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire. A pilot test of twenty-eight respondents was conducted. The study instrument's reliability and validity were evaluated using Cronbach's alpha coefficient, with a threshold of 0.7 or higher. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, which were presented in the form of tables, charts, and graphs. The findings were that strengthening customer focus (p<0.05), continuous improvement (p<0.05) and top management commitment (p<0.05) can contribute towards a significant improvement in the performance of public healthcare institutions in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya. The study concluded that total quality management practices are significant enablers of the organizational performance of an institution. The study recommended that employees working with public healthcare institutions in Tharaka Nithi County should be motivated to address customer inquiries promptly to improve the level of efficiency and effectiveness. The operational managers and all other heads of the functional areas in the public healthcare institutions in Tharaka Nithi County design their processes effectively for effective decision-making. Employees should be encouraged to use errors reported as the basis for further improvement in processes.
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Teachers’ Preparedness and Its Effect on the Implementation of Competency-Based Curriculum in Public Primary Schools in Taita Taveta County, Kenya
(International Academic Journal of Social Sciences and Education, 2025-02) Muthoka, Jacinta Mwende; Mbirithi, Daniel Mange
Teachers’ preparedness noticeably dictates how effectively a curriculum is implemented. The resolve of this study was to establish teachers’ level of preparedness and how this affects the implementation of the competency- based curriculum (CBC) in public primary schools in Taita sub-county Taita Taveta County, Kenya. The present study was steered by the stated objectives, namely to: determine teachers’ preparedness to effectively include core competencies when lesson planning; establish teachers’ preparedness to employ learner centered teaching methods and skills; evaluate teachers’ preparedness to effectively implement digital learning integration; and establish teachers’ preparedness to implement formative assessment in line with CBC. According to Gross’s 1971 Curriculum Implementation Theory, a teacher must be fully prepared for any curriculum reform to succeed at implementation stage. The descriptive survey research design was employed to guide this study. The target population for this study comprised 50 head teachers and 344 handling grades 1 to 6 in the 50 public primary schools in the sub-county. Simple random sampling technique was used to obtain a sample of 24 head teachers and 105 teachers who participated in this study using Taro Yamane’s formula. Qualitative data were obtained by interviewing the head teachers while quantitative data were obtained from teachers who filled the questionnaires. Qualitative data from interviews with head teachers and open-ended questionnaire items were analyzed thematically by grouping the data into major themes as per the objectives and variables, and then presented in form of narrations. Quantitative data were analyzed using measures of frequency with the help of SPSS Version 24 to obtain descriptive statistics, and then presented in the form of frequency tabulations, graphs and percentages. From the research findings, this study concludes that the level of teachers’ preparedness has a bearing on the effective implementation of the competencybased curriculum in public primary schools in Taita Sub-County, Taita Taveta County. The findings obtained from the research might be useful to education policymakers, scholars and various education stakeholders including KICD, MOE, and TSC in making decisions geared towards improved implementation of the competencybased curriculum in primary schools in Kenya.
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Perceived HRM Practices and Employees’ Retention: The Importance of Job Embeddedness and Job Satisfaction in NonGovernmental Organizations in, Kenya.
(European Journal of Business and Management, 2025-04) Olweny, Odhiambo Fredrick; Muathe, Stephen M.A.; Bula, Hannah
This study examined the relationship between perceived human resource management practices and employee retention in non-governmental organizations in Nairobi County, Kenya. The primary goal of the study was to investigate the impact of human resource management practices on employee retention within non-governmental organizations in Nairobi County in Kenya. Specifically, the study sought to determine the influence of leadership style, work environment, and career development on employee retention or intention to leave. The study also explored the mediating role of job satisfaction and the moderating effects of job embeddedness on employee retention. The research was enriched by the theoretical foundations based on Mixed Model of Employee Retention, Trait Theory, Hierarchy of Needs Theory, and Job Embeddedness Theory. The research adopted an explanatory research design. The study targeted 201 non-governmental organizations operating within Nairobi County. The study sample was selected using stratified and random sampling, which included 69 nongovernmental organizations based in Nairobi County of Kenya. The study employed questionnaires. A pilot test was conducted with 7 employees from the non-governmental organizations, who were subsequently excluded from the final study. The data was analysed using logit model to test the effect between the independent variables and the dependent variable. In addition, the model was also used to analyse the mediation and moderation relation effect. The findings established that leadership style, work environment, and career development opportunities had a positive and significant effect on employee retention in Non-Governmental Organizations in Kenya. Furthermore, job satisfaction was found to play a key role in moderating the relationship between human resource management practices and employee retention in non-governmental organizations. Additionally, the study found that job embeddedness mediated employees’ attachment to their organizations. Based on these findings, the study recommended that organizations adopt effective human resource management practices that harmonises with both the needs of the organization and the employee to improve retention and enhance organizational performance.
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The effects of organizational management on completion of government road projects: a case of kenya national highway authority
(Kenyatta University, 2023-11) Chibole, Patricia Aponga
Maintaining steady completion of road construction projects in the government of Kenya have been an issue of concern both to the government, stakeholders and contractors. Therefore, there have been numerous cases of delays and non-completion of projects which have contributed to irreparable loss to the government and to the economy as whole. Studies done on road construction tend to concentrate on the success of the projects, to add more knowledge, this study sought to address the problem of completion of government road construction projects. This study sought to fill this gap by analyzing the effects of organizational management in completion of government road construction projects in Kenya with special reference to the Kenya National Highway Authority. The study aimed to achieve the following specific objectives: to determine whether finance, contractor’s skills, directors’ skills and project team contributes to the rate in completion of government road construction projects in Kenya. The study was anchored on management by objective theory which is based on the thinking that various hierarchies within companies need to be integrated. This research adopted a descriptive approach on the effects of organizational management on completion of government road construction projects in Kenya. The target population composed of the management staff of the Kenya National Highway Authority. The target population was 240 management and technicians. The researcher used stratified random sampling procedure to select a sample size of 72 respondents. Simple random sampling technique was applied to come up with a sample size where primary data was gathered directly from respondents and for this study the researcher used a questionnaire. Quantitative data was collected using questionnaires and analyzed by the use of regression and correlation analysis and presented using tables, pie charts and bar graphs. From the results finance, contractor’s skills, directors’ skills and project team had positive significant on the completion of construction road projects. The study concluded that project’s budget is crucial and it has an influence in all areas in both projects planning as well as implementation. Further identifying situations where project labor resources are being used on multiple projects to ensure smooth flow of the project and its success. In every project there is need to develop a cost management plan that describes how cost variances will be managed on the project to make it successful. The study recommends that prior to the start of road construction, all aspects of the project process be written down or recorded to guarantee timely budgets and right procedures are followed, and that there is a need to secure timely funding. Construction companies understand the requirements of project team members in order to address them. The government should formulate policies to support team efforts in road construction projects. In this way overall project performance and effectiveness can be enhanced
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Occupational pension schemes uptake and employees’ Motivation at metropolitan hospital Nairobi city County, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2024-04) Njoroge, Catherine Wanjiru
This study investigated the impact of occupational pension schemes on employee motivation within the context of Metropolitan Hospital in Nairobi City County, Kenya. The objectives of the study were to investigate the impact of employer related determinants of occupational pension schemes, trustee related factors, and regulatory determinants of occupational pension schemes on motivation of employees in healthcare institutions. This study applied social learning, life cycle hypothesis, and incentive theories to examine the intricate relationship between pension schemes and workplace motivation. The research design encompassed a descriptive study that aimed to gather data and formulate knowledge principles concerning employee motivation within the context of occupational pension schemes. The target population comprised 400 full-time employees at Metropolitan Hospital Nairobi, with a sample of 140 employees, who were members of the Occupational Pension Scheme, selected through purposive and stratified random sampling. Data was collected using questionnaires, encompassing demographic information and sections on employer-related factors, regulatory-related determinants, and trustee influence on employee motivation. Data analysis involved both descriptive and inferential statistics, including regression analysis using SPSS. Ethical considerations, such as obtaining research permits and ensuring participant confidentiality, were diligently adhered to throughout the study. Key findings of the study revealed that employer-related, trustee-related, and regulatory-related determinants significantly impacted employee motivation. Employer-related factors, such as scheme management and communication, had a positive influence, while trustee-related factors played a crucial role. Regulatory measures also affected motivation. The study concluded by offering recommendations to enhance pension schemes in healthcare institutions and boost employee motivation, emphasizing transparency, communication, governance, and collaboration among stakeholders. The research highlighted the significance of tailoring pension schemes to enhance employee motivation, offering insights for healthcare management, policymakers, and organizations like Metropolitan Hospital. Despite challenges in data collection, the study contributed to the understanding of this crucial issue in the healthcare industry.