RP-Department of Business Administration

Permanent URI for this collection

https://repository.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/7716

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 833

Process Control as aTotal Quality Management System and Performance of Selected Tea Processing Firms in Meru and Tharaka Nithi Counties of Kenya
(Journal of Strategic Management, 2025-04) Mbae, Mwiti; Muli, Jedidah
The tea sector is considered a key pillar of the national economy accounting for 25 percent of total export earnings. However, the general performance of the sector as reflected in the incomes attributable to farmers, cost of production, conversion factors, and total yields has been declining. Informed by the deteriorating performance indicators, tea processing firms have been pursuing quality initiatives to enhance performance as represented in theory. The investigation wanted to prove the effect of process control as a total quality management system on the performance of tea processing firms. The investigation choose a descriptive research design and the target population comprised eight tea processing firms managed by Kenya Tea Development Agency. Descriptive and inferential statistics were adopted in the analysis of data. The Pearson correlation analysis output showed that process control as a total quality management system has a positive and statistically notable relationship with performance of tea processing firms. Despite the findings that general performance of the tea processing firms was fairly good, it was established that the tea processing firms was operating with a significantly high average cost of production occasioning need to pursue containment measures. It is recommended that the tea processing firms should explore further cost containment initiatives to check escalation which dilutes the ultimate returns attributable to shareholders. To improve on process control as a total quality dimension, the study recommends heightened pursuit of this dimension of the total quality management system as results indicated great benefits towards enhancement of organizational performance. The study recommends enhanced appreciation and acknowledgment of the quality management system as a process that requires enhanced empowerment of stakeholders to positively contribute to improvement.
Effect of Workload on Motivation of Teachers in Public Secondary Schools in Kajiado County, Kenya
(International Journal of Management Studies and Social Science Research, 2025-04) Namunyak, Lydia; Obere, Eliud
Motivation plays a crucial role in the lives of teachers and has significant implications for both educators and their students. Lack of motivation among teachers has been an issue affecting many secondary schools’ teachers including those in Kajiado County, Kenya. The objective of this research was to determine the effect of workload on the motivation of teachers in Kajiado County, Kenya. The study was anchored on Maslow’s theory of Motivation. Data was collected using structured questionnaires. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0 and descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were used in analysis. Descriptive statistics showed that respondents agreed that workload affected the motivation of teachers in Kajiado County, Kenya. Regression analysis showed that workload affected motivation positively and significantly (β = 0.125, Sig. = 0.047). The study concludes that a manageable workload ensures teachers can dedicate ample time to lesson planning, grading, and providing individualized support to students and recommends allowing teachers to take emergency leave days as it is essential for addressing the human and personal aspects of their lives, promoting well-being, and maintaining a positive and supportive school environment.
Strategic Leadership and Organizational Performance: A Case of National Bank of Kenya
(International Academic Journal of Human Resource and Business Administration, 2025-01) Wachira, Mary Wanjiru; Wainaina, Lawrence
Improving organizational performance which entails using organizational resources correctly to achieve set goals and objectives is an important aspect for every organization that seeks to survive in the crowded and competitive market. This has led to banks and other organizations adopting a strategic leadership style to ensure they perform at the optimum. The focus of this investigation was to establish the association between human capital development and how the NBK performs in the market. NBK is a registered commercial bank in Kenya with a countrywide branch network. NBK has continued to perform poorly both in terms of profits and customer deposits even when other banks record improved performance. It was conducted within the national bank of Kenya by involving the head office and 9 branches in the coast region. The study was guided by the resources-based view (RBV) and Transformational leadership theories. The research employed a descriptive survey design. To actualize this, the researcher conducted a census using an interview guide to collect data from 18 senior managers at the national bank head office located at the National Bank Building Harambee Avenue, Nairobi. The study also used a self-administered questionnaire with predetermined responses requiring respondents to pick only one item per question. The tool was administered to 36 branch management staff in the coast region (Malindi, Kilifi, Mtwapa, Nyali, TUM, Bondeni, Changamwe, Nkrumah, and Ukunda). The study registered an 80% return rate which is acceptable for analysis. Analysis for the study data was done using frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation while the relationship between study variables was tested using bivariate correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis. The study analysis show that results of analysis showed that human capital development is statistically significant to organizational performance at ninety-five percent level of confidence. Based on the findings of this study it is recommended that the organization should continuously develop its human capital to make the bank increase its performance in the market
Knowledge Management Practices and Teacher Performance in Public Secondary Schools in Murang’a County, Kenya
(Journal of Human Resource & Leadership, 2025-04) Gakuru, Rosemary Nduta; Muli, Jedidah; Wanyoike, Rosemarie
This study investigates the knowledge management practice effects on the teacher’sperformance in public secondary schools in Murang’aCounty, Kenya. The specific objectives include determining the effect of acquisition of knowledgeand conversion of knowledgeon teacher performance. The study adopteda descriptive research design informed by the knowledge-based view theory. A proportionate stratified random sampling design was used to select a sample size of 368 respondents from 4692 teachers in 309 public secondary schools in Murang’a County. Primarydata was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptiveand inferential statistics. The findings show that knowledge acquisition and knowledge conversion have a positive and significant effect on teacher performance. The study concludes that implementing knowledge management practices is critical for enhancing teacher performance in public secondary schools.The study recommended that public secondary school stakeholders formulate strategies to improve the extent of knowledge management practices, such as knowledge acquisitionand knowledge conversion. The study also recommended that teachers in secondary schools should be sensitized tothe need to adopt knowledge management practices.
The Role of Competitive Strategies in Enhancing Performance of Selected DT-Saccos in Nairobi City County, Kenya
(Journal of Strategic Management, 2025-03) Muchiri, Timothy; Muthimi, Janet
The contemporary operational environment of organizations is characterized by rapid shifts and heightened unpredictability, driven by factors such as evolving consumer behaviour, globalization, increased competition, and market deregulation. This study investigates the impact of competitive strategies cost leadership, differentiation, customer focus, and growth on the performance of deposit-taking Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOs) within Nairobi City County, Kenya. Grounded in the resource-based view, configuration theory, and goal-setting theory, the study utilized a descriptive research design targeting 215 administrative employees across various SACCOs. A stratified proportionate sampling method was employed to select 109 participants. Data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires, and analyzed through the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), focusing on descriptive and inferential statistics, including regression and correlation analyses. The findings revealed that cost leadership strategies, particularly cost adjustments and competitive pricing, significantly improved operational efficiency and organizational performance. Differentiation strategies centred on offering unique value-based products, were also positively correlated with better performance outcomes. Additionally, customer-focused strategies were shown to enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty, while growth strategies, such as market penetration and product development, contributed to increased SACCO performance. The study concludes that the effective implementation of these competitive strategies is essential for boosting the performance of SACCOs. Recommendations include investing in technological innovation, fostering strategic alignment, and institutionalizing continuous strategy monitoring. Future research should explore the impact of organizational culture and external environmental factors on SACCO's performance.
Project Management and Performance of Residential Construction Projects in Nairobi City County, Kenya
(Journal of Entrepreneurship & Project Management, 2025-03) Oyier, Mercy; Tumuti, Joshua
Project management help ensure the efficient and effective performance of projects. Consequently, in the last five years, Nairobi City County has witnessed numerous residential buildings collapsing due to poor project performance. Besides, limited studies have studied the project management practices that residential construction project managers should adopt to boost project performance as far as Nairobi city county is concerned. Therefore, the proposed study aims to investigate how project management practices affect the performance of construction projects in study area, especially in residential spaces. In realizing this aim, the study focused on realizing the objective of project stakeholder management on the performance of construction projects. The stakeholder theory informed the study’s variable. The variables examined were project stakeholder management (independent variable) and project performance (dependent variable). The descriptive research design guided the data collection and analysis processes. Data was collected from the targeted 50 residential construction projects completed within the last five years across Nairobi City County. The respondents comprised the targeted projects’ contractors, project managers and NCA employees. Semi-structured questionnaires were the primary data collection instruments, where the researcher administered questionnaires to the selected respondents to ensure the gathering of qualitative and quantitative data. 282 respondents participated in the study, who completed and returned the instruments after administration. A pilot test and the Cronbach alpha values for all the study variables met the recommended 0.70 threshold, guaranteeing reliability. The proposed study aimed to ensure that the questionnaires maintained great extents of sampling, construct, and face validity. The obtained data was analyzed using thematic analysis for the qualitative data and descriptive and inferential statistical analyses. Findings indicated that stakeholder management positively affect project performance, with project resources scheduling having the greatest influence. The study emphasized the importance of effective resource allocation, timely regulatory compliance, and strong stakeholder engagement in achieving project success. Recommendations included adopting digital tools for resource management, appointing a regulatory liaison, implementing continuous quality improvement frameworks, and using digital platforms for stakeholder engagement. Future research could explore the influence of leadership styles and external economic factors on project performance.
Moderating the Effect of Organizational Leadership on the Relationship between Organizational Learning Strategies and Performance of Kenya Institute of Management in Nairobi County, Kenya
(International Journal of Social Sciences and Management Review, 2025-03) Kigo, Teresiah Njeri; Wanyoike, Rosemarie
Organizational performance is a key parameter for institutions of higher learning and is a crucial basis for ranking them against global and local players. The institutions are continually being exposed to increased demands in enhancing their performance to produce excellent and compelling scholarly information and research as well as suitable graduates for the evolving job market. Organizational learning has proven to yield results in enabling firms to adapt to change and improve on their productivity. This research sought to establish whether organizational leadership moderate the effect of organizational learning strategies on the performance of Kenya Institute of Management in Nairobi County, Kenya. The theory that guided this paper is organizational learning model. To undertake this research, a descriptive research design was utilized where performance was the dependent variable. The study population was 209 employees. A sample was derived through stratified sampling where respondents were grouped by the eight departments at the institution resulting to a sample of 80 employees. The data for the research was gathered using structured questionnaires and were emailed to the participants in the research. The study results were modeled using multiple regression model for analysis. The research findings demonstrated that the prevalent style of leadership at KIM was transactional leadership style. The research outcomes illustrated that transactional leadership style significantly and negatively impacted performance of KIM. Further, the research findings showed that the leadership style did not moderate the impact of organizational learning strategies on the performance of KIM.
Effects of Customer Focus on the Employee Performance of Chloride Exide in Kenya
(paperpublications, 2025-04) Ouma, Erick Oluoch; Kimencu, Linda
Abstract: This study investigates the influence of customer focus, a core principle of Total Quality Management (TQM), on employee performance at Chloride Exide Ltd in Kenya. The problem identified was the limited understanding of how customer-centric strategies impact internal performance metrics in Kenyan organizations. The study’s objective was to determine whether customer focus, as practiced within TQM frameworks, positively influences employee performance. A descriptive and causal research design was employed, with data collected from 172 employees using structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analysis. While descriptive findings showed strong agreement that customer focus enhances performance (mean = 4.07), inferential analysis revealed a negative but statistically insignificant relationship. The study concludes that while customer focus may improve perceived employee performance, it does not significantly affect measurable outcomes. Recommendations include exploring intervening variables such as job satisfaction and organizational culture. These findings contribute to the growing discourse on TQM’s internal impact in developing economies
The Role of Competitive Strategies in Enhancing Performance of Selected DT-Saccos in Nairobi City County, Kenya
(EdinBurg, 2025-03) Muchiri,Timothy; Muthimi,Janet
The contemporary operational environment of organizations is characterized by rapid shifts and heightened unpredictability, driven by factors such as evolving consumer behaviour, globalization, increased competition, and market deregulation. This study investigates the impact of competitive strategies cost leadership, differentiation, customer focus, and growth on the performance of deposit-taking Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOs) within Nairobi City County, Kenya. Grounded in the resource-based view, configuration theory, and goal-setting theory, the study utilized a descriptive research design targeting 215 administrative employees across various SACCOs. A stratified proportionate sampling method was employed to select 109 participants. Data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires, and analyzed through the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), focusing on descriptive and inferential statistics, including regression and correlation analyses. The findings revealed that cost leadership strategies, particularly cost adjustments and competitive pricing, significantly improved operational efficiency and organizational performance. Differentiation strategies centred on offering unique value-based products, were also positively correlated with better performance outcomes. Additionally, customer-focused strategies were shown to enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty, while growth strategies, such as market penetration and product development, contributed to increased SACCO performance. The study concludes that the effective implementation of these competitive strategies is essential for boosting the performance of SACCOs. Recommendations include investing in technological innovation, fostering strategic alignment, and institutionalizing continuous strategy monitoring. Future research should explore the impact of organizational culture and external environmental factors on SACCO's performance.
Influence of Strategic Tourism Promotion Practices on the Performance of Tour Operator Firms in Nairobi City County, Kenya
(AFRICAJOURNALS, 2023-10) Kisilu, Michael Muia; Maingi, Shem Wambugu; Maranga, Vincent Nyamari
The study sought to establish the influence of strategic promotion practices on the performance of tour operator firms. Mixed methods research design was adopted. The population was Kenya Association of Tour Operators (KATO) Full Members that are located in Nairobi County and from which a sample size was estimated. Questionnaires and structured interviews were used for data collection. Descriptive statistics and simple linear regression analyses were used in the analysis to answer the research objectives. The findings on the influence of strategic tourism promotion practices on the performance of tour operator firms revealed that to a large extent tour operator firms used recommendations e.g. from a friend or colleague as a strategic tourism promotion practice followed by advertising. There was a statistically significant weak and positive relationship between strategic tourism promotion practices and performance. Further findings revealed that strategic tourism promotion practices positively and statistically significantly influenced performance. Tour firms can rely on strategic tourism promotion practices for their revenue and customer base growth
The Link between Capital Adequacy and Financial Stability: Evidence from Deposit Taking Savings and Credit Co-Operative Societiesin Kenya
(Stratford Peer Reviewed Journals and Book Publishing, 2024-04) Birisi, Hesborn Birisi; Omagwa, Job; Musau, Salome
n Kenya, financial stability ofDeposit Taking(DT) Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOs)as evident in non-performing loansofDT SACCOShas been an issue of concern over the past few yearsdue to evidence indication fluctuating trends. Consequently, should this continue then this sector’s contribution to financial intermediation through provision of financial services will be negatively affected.Though DT SACCOshave sought to enhance their capital adequacy, its effect on enhancement of financial stability remains an issue for further empirical investigation.In view this, the study sought to investigate the effect of capital adequacy on financial stability of DT SACCOSin Kenya. The study was anchored on agency theory. Positivist research philosophy was adoptedin this study. The study adoptedexplanatory research design. The target population for the study comprised160 DT SACCOs which were fully operational in the period. A census approach was used for the study. This study utilized quantitative secondary data which was obtained from the society’s financial statementsand supervision reports from the savings and credit cooperatives regulatory authority. The study utilizedannual panel data for the period of 2017 to 2021. Multicollinearity test, normality tests, autocorrelation test, homoscedasticity, stationarity test and model specification test werecarried out prior to panel data analysis. Data wasanalyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation analysis and panel regression analysis. STATA software wasused for the analysis. Ethical standards and regulations wereadhered to accordingly.The regression results revealedthatcapital adequacy had a significant negative effect on NPLs (β=-0.3249614, p-value=0.000<0.05).In view of the findings, the study recommends thatregulatory authorities in Kenya should take a proactive response in establishing and enforcing robust capital adequacy standards for DT SACCOs. In addition, higher levels of capital adequacy and improved management efficiency are associated with reduced NPLs ratio among DT SACCOs in Kenya, henceimproved financial stability. Keywords:Capital Adequacy, Financial Stability, Deposit Taking, Savings and Credit, Co-Operative Societies
Total Quality Management Practices and Service Delivery of Selected Public Hospitals in Machakos County, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2024-09) Abuor, Victor Odhiambo
The fundamental right for all citizens is to be able to access health care needs in a timely manner that meets the quality standards recommended by World Health Organization. Machakos County has put in place infrastructural needs, resource allocation, and recruitment of competent staff, partnership and collaboration with relevant stakeholders to enhance service delivery within its public hospitals. However, there is inefficiencies and ineffectiveness evidenced in prolonged waiting time, absence of essential medical supplies, overcrowding and shortage of qualified personnel that have reduced service delivery. The study intended to establish total quality management practices and service delivery of selected public hospitals in Machakos County. Specific objectives were; to find out the effect of continuous improvement, to establish the effect of customer focus strategies, to determine the effect of top management support and to find out the effect of employee involvement on service delivery of selected public hospitals in Machakos County, Kenya. Deming theory of quality and SERVEQUAL model guided the study. Descriptive research design was used with a target population of 35 public hospitals and 800 healthcare workers in Machakos County. The sample was 267 healthcare professionals generated using Yamane sample size formula. Stratified random sampling was used to group respondents according to their similarities. Systematic random sampling aided the identification of respondents from their groups. Semi structured questionnaire enabled the generation of primary data. Pilot study was done in Athi River with all six public hospitals. Content validity, expert opinion and face validity enabled the determination of the instrument’s validity. Internal consistency was used to establish reliability of the instrument. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used in primary data analysis with the aid of SPSS version 23. Diagnostic tests such as normality, multicollinearity and autocorrelation were done. All approvals from relevant authorities, compliance to data protection laws, voluntary participation and respect to all research stakeholders guided the conduct of the research study. The findings showed that continuous improvement had a direct and positive relationship with service delivery. Continuous improvement had positive and significant effect on service delivery. The results demonstrated that customer focused strategy had positive relationship and had significant effect on service delivery. The study revealed that even though top management had a positive relationship, it did not have any significant effect on service delivery. The findings showed that employee involvement had positive relationship and had significant effect on service delivery in selected public hospitals of Machakos County. The study concluded that continuous improvement had effect on service delivery while customer focused strategy was effective in improving service delivery. It was concluded that top management support did not have any significant effect on delivery of services. The study concluded that the involvement of employees had significant effect on service delivery. It was recommended that public hospitals should regularly undertake service evaluation in line with total quality management practices, incorporation of customer satisfaction feedback in total quality management practices, commitment from top management on total quality management practices and inclusion of employee suggestions in decision making on total quality management practices to enhance service delivery. Future studies could be done in the county targeting private healthcare to benchmark the study findings and to incorporate moderating and mediating variables to establish any similarity in the findings.
Worklife Balance and Employee Performance in Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology Kiambu County, Kenya
(Journal of Social Sciences Management and Entrepreneurship, 2024-11) Ngugi, Joan Njeri; Muli, Jedidah
Audit Committee and Financial Performance of Deposit Taking Saving and Credit Cooperative Organisations in Nairobi City County, Kenya
(IAJEF, 2024-11) Muturi, Jane Wanjiru; Kariuki, Grace
Savings and Credit cooperatives (SACCOs) are important players in financial intermediation and a critical indicator of how well society will fare in the future. Deposittaking SACCOs in Kenya have been facing challenges related to financial mismanagement, fraudulent activities, and inadequate internal controls, which have jeopardized the safety and stability of these institutions. The financial performance of the SACCO sector is very weak and spread weakness to other areas, the independence, composition and technical skills of the audit committees which has often been compromised by both internal and external forces of the institutions. This study therefore1 sought to establish the effect of audit committee on financial Performance of deposit taking Saccos in Nairobi City County, Kenya. The specific objectives were the effect of audit committee independence; audit committee expertise and audit committee diversity on the financial performance of deposit taking SACCOs in Nairobi City County, Kenya. The underpinning theories of th1 study included agency theory, institutional theory and stakeholder theory. In this study, descriptive research design was adopted. The target population of this study was all deposit taking SACCOs. The unit of observation was 43 licensed deposit taking SACCOs are operating in1 Nairobi City County. The1 unit of analysis was 258 respondents1 comprising of Chief Executive1 Officers (CEOs), and audit committee1 members. The sample size of 157 respondents was attained using stratified random sampling and simple random sampling techniques. Primary data was obtained using questionnaires, which were emailed to the1 respondents. Inference from test score to a large domain of items similar to those of test is drawn using content validity which was used in this study. In order to check for reliability, the research used Cronbach alpha. The research used diagnostic tests such as stationarity test/ unit root test, normality test, multicollinearity test, autocorrelation1 test, Hausman test and heteroscedasticity test. This study utilized the descriptive and inferential statistics. Quantitative data was descriptively analyzed by use of measures of central tendencies and measures of dispersion. The measure of central tendency was the arithmetic mean while standard deviation was the measure of dispersion for data obtained from interval scales and ratio scales. Multiple regression analysis was used to analyze inferential data. The study information was displayed in tables. Throughout the research exercise, ethical principles were observed in the constitutional rights1 of every person and as such informed consent was sought from the respondents and was assured of confidentiality of the data and information to be collected. The study found that the board ensures a balanced representation of independent directors on the audit committee. The study found that it was uncertain whether there are mechanisms to ensure the independence of each committee member, and tenure limits ensure a continuous infusion of fresh ideas and skills. The study found that there is open and effective communication between the audit committee and external auditors. The study also found that audit committee meetings are not held with regular frequency. Moreover, the research found that the role of the audit committee in managing risks associated with the size of the SACCO’s loan portfolio is crucial. The research concluded that audit committee expertise had the greatest effect on the financial performance of deposit taking Saccos in Nairobi City County, Kenya, followed by audit committee independence, then audit committee meetings, then audit committee diversity while audit committee diligence had the least effect to the financial performance of deposit taking Saccos in Nairobi City County, Kenya. Moreover, it was concluded that the significant relationship between audit committee and financial performance of Deposit Taking Saccos in Nairobi City County depends on size of the Sacco. The study recommended that there is need to strengthen audit committee independence by implementing fixed terms for committee members. To boost audit committee expertise, the study suggested that targeted training programs should be provided, focusing on the specific challenges and risks inherent in the SACCO sector.
Role of Local Stakeholders’ Networks on Sustainable Tourism Development in Selected Group Ranches in Amboseli Ecosystem, Kajiado County, Kenya
(Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Management, 2024-08) Kyeu, Joshua Valua
Sustainable Tourism Development (STD) has emerged due to the exponential growth of tourism, which has significantly impacted natural and socio-cultural resources. The need for sustainability, as highlighted in literature like the Brundtland Report, is critical. This study focused on the role of stakeholders’ networks in promoting sustainable tourism in the Amboseli Ecosystem, Kajiado County. A notable gap exists in information sharing and stakeholder networking, with existing frameworks primarily centered on conservation rather than STD. Stakeholders, including accommodation providers, local destination organizations, local communities, conservation organizations, the government, and travel organizers, play a crucial role in ensuring the longevity of sustainability initiatives. Networking offers solutions to industry challenges by fostering unified decision-making and addressing local resource and expertise deficiencies. The study employed an exploratory research design, targeting 420 participants from different groups in the Amboseli ecosystem, including community members, lodge managers, Kenya Wildlife Service officials, and NGO representatives. Data were collected using questionnaires and structured interviews, analyzed through Pearson and Regression Analysis. Results showed that stakeholder networks significantly and positively influence sustainable tourism development(r=0.246, p=0.000).Recommendations include fostering stakeholder networks, capacity building for leaders, enacting legislation to involve local communities, forming societies for local tourism entrepreneurs to network, and collaborating with local universities and research institutions on sustainable tourism issues.
Marketing Strategies and Performance of Dairy Firms in Kiambu County, Kenya
(IAJHRBA, 2024-11) Mbichi, Maureen Ngima; Maina, Samuel
A constant decline in the consumption of processed milk products, a failure to create and carry out sustainable marketing strategies, and poor service delivery had accelerated the poor performance of milk processing firms in Kiambu. The dairy industry's performance in 2019 reportedly declined by 6.7%. Despite the fact that production costs were growing, market prices were relatively modest and stable, which reduced profit margins. Farmers' milk supplies and market trends had also resulted in unequal profitability trends, posing financial issues for dairy companies. This had resulted in financial distress for a number of dairy operations for many dairy farmers in terms of milk prices, credit payment periods, and also returns at the end of the year. The general objective of this study was to investigate the effect of marketing strategies on the performance of dairy firms in Kiambu County, Kenya. The study objectives assessed the effect of product strategy, promotion strategy, position strategy, and price strategy on the performance of dairy firms in Kiambu County, Kenya. The study was guided by Resource Based View Theory, Innovation Diffusion Theory, and Balanced Scorecard Theory. The investigation adopted a descriptive survey research design. The study population was 26 dairy firms in Kiambu County. The study targeted managers, assistant managers, and marketing managers of the dairy firms, forming 78 respondents. The study employed a census method for sampling. Questionnaires were used to gather the data. The validity was accessed using the construct validity method. The Cronbach's alpha with a coefficient of 0.7 was used for reliability. A total of 10% of the population targeted was purposefully chosen for the pilot study. Version 26 of the Statistical Package for Social Science was used to conduct both descriptive and inferential analyses of the data that had been collected. While inferential statistics utilized regression models, correlations, and analysis of variance, descriptive statistics used the mean, standard deviation, and frequency. In order to present the studied data, bar graphs, pie charts, and frequency tables were used. The correlation coefficient (R) of 0.765 indicates a strong positive relationship between these marketing strategies and firm performance. This suggests that as dairy firms enhance their marketing strategies, their overall performance tends to improve significantly. The R Square value of 0.585 means that approximately 58.5% of the variance in the performance of dairy firms can be explained by the combined effect of the marketing strategies under study. The regression analysis show that there exists relationship between various marketing strategies specifically product strategy, promotion strategy, position strategy, and price strategy and their impact on the performance of dairy firms since the Pvalue was 0.001. The study concludes that marketing strategies significantly impact the performance of dairy firms. The dairy firms that prioritize product innovation, quality enhancement, and diversification are better positioned to succeed in a competitive market. Through offering products that meet consumer needs and preferences, these firms build stronger brand loyalty and achieve sustainable growth. The study recommends that managers of dairy firms, especially the marketing manager should conduct regular market research to understand consumer preferences, investing in digital marketing channels to reach a wider audience, and adopting innovative techniques to differentiate the brand from competitors. The county and national government through the ministry of agriculture should support the dairy firms by creating policies that promote effective marketing strategies that have long-lasting benefits. Providing resources for training programs on marketing skills, facilitating partnerships between dairy firms and research institutions for market analysis, and offering incentives for sustainable marketing practices which strengthen the sector.
Beyond Survival: How Does Organisational Support Mediate between Intrapreneurial Strategies and Performance of Public Universities in Kenya?
(International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation, 2024-05) Otolo, Margaret K.; Muathe, Stephen M. A.; Kimencu, Linda
Intrapreneurship is critical for public universities as it helps the universities obtain a competitive advantage. For intrapreneurship to thrive, it should be inculcated in the public university culture, mission, obligations and goals. Studies posit that management support, reward systems, social relationships, knowledge-sharing and work discretion spur intrapreneurial activities in an organisation. It is against this backdrop that this study sought to establish the mediating effect of organisational support on the relationship between intrapreneurial strategies and the performance of public universities in Kenya. The research was guided by the resource dependency theory and utilised a positivist philosophy. A combination of descriptive and explanatory research designs was used. The unit of analysis was 20 public universities, and the unit of observation was 400 participants. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data. With the help of SPSS Version 23, quantitative data was analysed, using descriptive and inferential statistics. Qualitative data was analysed using content analysis and the findings were expressed guided by the objectives of the study. Multiple regression models were used to test the association between variables, and the results obtained were presented using figures and tables. A statistically significant (β0.760, p=0.000
Hybrid Work Strategy and Employee Performance at the National Transport and Safety Authority in Nairobi County, Kenya
(AJOEI, 2024-06) Abduba, Habiba; Nderi, Caroline
Background of the study: This research study aimed to evaluate how the adoption of hybrid work strategies impacts employee performance within the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA). The study's objectives included investigating the influence of workforce management and organizational culture on employee performance at the National Transport and Safety Authority. The job demands-resource theory and person-environment theory guided the study. Research Methodology: The research employed a descriptive survey design to gather data by describing the current phenomenon. The research encompassed a population of 222 workers situated at the NTSA main office in Nairobi, Kenya. The anticipated sample size was 130 employees. The study employed stratified random sampling, where relevant strata were formed by departments. To assess content validity, the evaluation involved a supervisor and two experts. Reliability testing will utilize the Cronbach's Alpha test, with a cutoff set at values greater than 0.7. A semi-structured questionnaire is set to be prepared and distributed among the selected respondents on purpose. The gathered data underwent scrutiny to ensure completeness, and a descriptive statistical analysis was carried out. Quantitative data results were showcased through tables and statements of fact. The study aimed to show that public sector could adopt the hybrid work strategy by showing how employees perform when given the room to have a flexible work strategy and what needs to be done to ensure they can work remotely when needed. Results and findings: The findings indicated that 70.3% change in employee performance at NTSA was significantly explained by its hybrid work strategy workforce management (p<0.05) and organizational culture (p<0.05). Conclusions and recommendation: It was concluded that hybrid strategy is a significant predictor of employee performance. It was recommended that human resource managers working with National Transport and Safety Authority should invest more resources in training of employees to ensure they acquire latest and relevant skills and competences to survive in an increasingly turbulent environment.
Per Capita Income, Public Health Expenditure, Maternal Care Utilization and their Effects on Infant Mortality Rate in Kenya
(AJOEI, 2024-05) Nduta, Beatrice; Kimunio, Isaac
Purpose of the Study: The study aimed to determine the effects of per capita income, public health expenditure, and maternal care utilization on the infant mortality rate in Kenya. Problem Statement: Despite significant strides in reducing the infant mortality rate, many families in Kenya still face challenges in accessing high-quality medical care due to factors such as distance to healthcare facilities, lack of transportation, and poverty. Methodology: The research utilized time series data from the World Bank database spanning from 1991 to 2020. The Autoregressive Distributed Lag Model (ARDL) is estimated using the STATA software tool. The Grossman Health Capital Model is applied in the study. Key components include the dependent variable (infant mortality rate) and factors such as public health spending, per capita income, and maternal care utilization. The mother’s educational level serves as the control variable. Results: Contrary to other studies, this research finds no correlation between maternal care utilization (i.e., births attended by trained medical professionals and pregnant women who utilize prenatal care) and infant mortality. However, public health expenditure and per capita income show statistically significant positive effects on infant mortality rates, diverging from existing literature. Conclusion and Policy Recommendation: Policies aimed at improving the efficiency of public health spending and the distribution of per capita income, while addressing barriers to maternal care access, are essential for achieving faster reductions in infant mortality in Kenya.
The Influence of Blue Ocean Strategies on Organizational Performance of the Three and Four-Star Rated Hotels in Naivasha Sub-County, Kenya
(AJOEI, 2024-06) Ndolo, Danson Maangi; Ragui, Mary
Background of the study: Blue Ocean Strategies represent innovative and value-centric approaches designed to carve out unexplored market spaces, shifting the emphasis from competition to innovation. Nevertheless, the impact of these strategies on the performance of three and four-star hotels in Naivasha Sub-County remains uncertain, prompting the initiation of this study. Objective of the study: The primary goal is to assess how the adoption of blue ocean strategy influences the organizational performance of star-rated hotels in Naivasha, Kenya. Specifically, the study aims to examine the effects of low-cost strategy and value innovation strategy on the organizational performance of these hotels. Methodology: The Resource-Based View theory and the Beach theory will serve as the theoretical framework for this study, conducted through a descriptive survey design. Thirty-eight three and four-star rated hotels in Naivasha, Kenya, constitute the target population. The study used a census due to the relatively low target population size. A pilot study was executed among 3 to 4-star rated hotels in Kisumu sub-county, chosen for their similar operational environment. The questionnaire's validity was determined by a supervisor and two strategic management experts, while reliability was established through Cronbach Alpha Coefficients, interpreted at a 0.7 level, based on the pilot study outcomes. The study involved 76 respondents, with each hotel selecting two managers who were knowledgeable about blue ocean strategies and their influence on organization's performance. Primary data was gathered through the use of a questionnaire. The study used descriptive and regression analysis to analyze the data. Results and Findings: The results, showcased in tables and figures, indicated that low-cost strategy (p<0.05) and value innovation strategy (p<0.05), have a positive and significant effect on the firms’ performance of the 3 and 4-star rated hotels in Naivasha Sub-County, Kenya. Conclusion and Recommendation: As a result, the study concludes that blue ocean strategies are substantial predictors of organizational performance. The study recommends that senior managers working with the three and four star rated hotels in Naivasha sub sub-county should ensure there is prudent and optimal utilization of resources to harness superior performance. The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) managers working with these hotels should invest in emerging technologies to increase operating efficiency and reduce costs hence better organizational performance. The study further recommended that operational managers working with the three and four star rated hotels in Naivasha sub sub-county should actively redesign the systems and processes that are conducted on a daily basis for increased flexibility and agility hence better organizational performance of their hotels.

Browse

Recent Submissions