scholarly journals Influence of Human Resource Processes on the Performance of Selected Manufacturing SMEs in Nairobi City County, Kenya

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor K. Kering ◽  
James M. Kilika ◽  
Jane W. Njuguna
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
Human Resource ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Manufacturing Firms ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Significance Levels ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Geographical Scope

Manufacturing firms in Sub-Saharan Africa are not optimally managed which substantially lowers their productivity. The informal approach to human resource management is attributable to poor management practices with a consequent effect on performance. Due to these challenges, this study sought to examine the effect of human resource processes on the performance of manufacturing SMEs in Nairobi City County, Kenya. The study was explanatory and was based on 136 manufacturing SMEs which was drawn using proportionate stratified sampling. Data collection was achieved through the use of a self–administered questionnaire which was subjected to an inter-consistency test using the Cronbach's coefficient, α ≥ 0.70, which indicated that the research instrument was reliable. Descriptive and inferential statistics (at 0.05 significance levels) was used for the analysis of data. Diagnostic tests were conducted before regression analysis with the data was presented in tabular format. The results show that human resource processes cumulatively explain 23% of the variations in firm performance, therefore, the study concludes that the human resource processes have a positive influence on firm performance. The study recommends that manufacturing firms should seek to entrench an HR philosophy with commensurate improvements in the HR practises. The study limitations include a relatively small sample and geographical scope.

scholarly journals Influence of Operational Processes on the Performance of Manufacturing Firms: Empirical Evidence from SMEs in Kenya

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor K. Kering ◽  
James M. Kilika ◽  
Jane W. Njuguna
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
Manufacturing Firms ◽  
Rate Of Change ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
A Value ◽  
External Pressures ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Manufacturing Technologies ◽  
Operational Processes

Manufacturing firms in Sub-Saharan Africa are facing both internal and external pressures from intense global competition, turbulent markets, and the increasing sophistication of manufacturing technologies which influences its performance. This increasing rate of change in the sector is compelling firms to pay attention to the operational processes. Due to this reason, the study sought to determine the effect of operational processes on the performance of manufacturing SMEs in, Kenya. The study adopted an explanatory design had a sample size of 136 firms which was drawn using proportionate stratified sampling. Primary data collection involved the use self–administered questionnaires and instrument validation was achieved through the development of constructs from previous studies, scale development, instrument pre-testing and validation. The instrument was subjected to inter-consistency test using the Cronbach's coefficient with a value ≥ 0.70 affirming that the research instrument was reliable. The results show that operational processes cumulatively explain 37% of the variations in firm performance, therefore, the study concluded that the operational processes have a significant and positive effect on firm performance. The study recommends that the management of these firms should attempt to improve on the strategy processes and contents based on models that have been applied successfully in other contextual areas.

scholarly journals Human Resource Management Practices and Firm Performance: A Study of Manufacturing Firms in Kenya

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 392-406
Author(s):  
Peter K' Obonyo ◽  
Bulitia Godrick M ◽  
Ojera Patrick B
Keyword(s):  
Resource Management ◽  
Firm Performance ◽  
Human Resource Management ◽  
Human Resource ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Edible Oils ◽  
Manufacturing Firms ◽  
Marketing Manager ◽  
Regional Market ◽  
Human Resource Management Practices

Manufacturing in Kenya account for the greatest share of industrial production output characterized by relatively low value addition of 7.5 per cent recorded in 2010 to 2.3 per cent recorded in 2011, low employment and capacity utilization and a paltry 25 percent export volumes. However, the share of Kenyan products in the regional market is only 7 percent of the US $11 billion regional market and its contribution to the GDP has remained at about 10 percent since the 1960s. This has given rise to the concern that practicing managers have put little effort to improve the situation. This study therefore sought to establish the relationship between Human Resource Practices and firm performance in the manufacturing firms in Kenya. Used a census survey of the 68 medium and large manufacturing firms whose core activities involved in production and marketing of edible oils, soaps and detergents, beverages or sugar registered in the Kenya Association of Manufacturers directory 2012. Data was collected through self administered questionnaires sent to the Production Manager, Brand Manager, Human Resource Manager, Marketing Manager, or the relevant manager dealing with innovations. The main findings of this study reveals that manufacturing firms apply human resource management practices to different extents. For instance, some models of human resource management practices such as licensing are not commonly used, while others like hiring of skilled employees and teaching company schemes are very common with average composite mean score of 4.00 and 4.08 out of the best score of 5.0 respectively.

scholarly journals Precision Agriculture for Resource Use Efficiency in Smallholder Farming Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1158
Author(s):  
Cecilia M. Onyango ◽  
Justine M. Nyaga ◽  
Johanna Wetterlind ◽  
Mats Söderström ◽  
Kristin Piikki
Keyword(s):  
Resource Use ◽  
Precision Agriculture ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
English Language ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Smallholder Farming ◽  
Sub Saharan

Opportunities exist for adoption of precision agriculture technologies in all parts of the world. The form of precision agriculture may vary from region to region depending on technologies available, knowledge levels and mindsets. The current review examined research articles in the English language on precision agriculture practices for increased productivity among smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa. A total of 7715 articles were retrieved and after screening 128 were reviewed. The results indicate that a number of precision agriculture technologies have been tested under SSA conditions and show promising results. The most promising precision agriculture technologies identified were the use of soil and plant sensors for nutrient and water management, as well as use of satellite imagery, GIS and crop-soil simulation models for site-specific management. These technologies have been shown to be crucial in attainment of appropriate management strategies in terms of efficiency and effectiveness of resource use in SSA. These technologies are important in supporting sustainable agricultural development. Most of these technologies are, however, at the experimental stage, with only South Africa having applied them mainly in large-scale commercial farms. It is concluded that increased precision in input and management practices among SSA smallholder farmers can significantly improve productivity even without extra use of inputs.

scholarly journals Adoption and Dis-Adoption of Sustainable Agriculture: A Case of Farmers’ Innovations and Integrated Fruit Fly Management in Kenya

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 338
Author(s):  
Charity M. Wangithi ◽  
Beatrice W. Muriithi ◽  
Raphael Belmin
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Household Head ◽  
Fruit Fly ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Bactrocera Dorsalis ◽  
Major Threat ◽  
Gender And Education ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Indigenous Methods

The invasive fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis poses a major threat to the production and trade of mango in sub-Saharan Africa. Farmers devise different innovations to manage the pest in an attempt to minimize yield loss and production costs while maximizing revenues. Using survey data obtained from Embu County, Kenya, we analyzed farmers’ knowledge and perception as regards the invasive fruit fly, their innovations for the management of the pest, and the determinants of their adoption and dis-adoption decisions of recently developed and promoted integrated pest management (IPM) technologies for suppression of the pest. The results show that farmers consider fruit flies as a major threat to mango production (99%) and primarily depend on pesticides (90%) for the management of the pest. Some farmers (35%) however use indigenous methods to manage the pest. Though farmers possess good knowledge of different IPM strategies, uptake is relatively low. The regression estimates show that continued use of IPM is positively associated with the gender and education of the household head, size of a mango orchard, knowledge on mango pests, training, contact with an extension officer, and use of at least one non-pesticide practice for fruit fly management, while IPM dis-adoption was negatively correlated with the size of the mango orchard, practice score and use of indigenous innovations for fruit fly management. We recommend enhancing farmer′s knowledge through increased access to training programs and extension services for enhanced adoption of sustainable management practices for B. dorsalis.

scholarly journals THE IMPACT OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE CASE STUDY: MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES IN KOSOVO

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 222-229
Author(s):  
Arta Jashari ◽  
Enver Kutllovci
Keyword(s):  
Resource Management ◽  
Human Resource Management ◽  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Human Resource ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Manufacturing Firms ◽  
Hrm Practices ◽  
Human Resource Management Practices ◽  
The Impact

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of human resource management practices on organizational performance. In this study a total of 100 managers of manufacturing firms in Kosovo from public and private sectors have responded to the survey. The survey questionnaire had contained 39 items covering selected HRM practices and organizational performance. Our empirical results show that managers of manufacturing firms in Kosovo recognize the importance of employees in their organization and apply practices to manage them effectively. The outcome of correlation analysis provides evidence that HRM practices positively and significantly influence organizational performance. Recruitment and selection practices show the strongest positive association with organizational performance (rho = 0.905) compared to other practices. Regarding to our findings we suggest that with a good recruiting and selection, the organization will fill with a group of potentially qualified candidates. Also, companies should continuously train and develop and involve their employees as they are viewed as the most important resources source of competitive advantage.

scholarly journals Implications of Climate Change on Soil Functions: A Case for Achieving Local Coconut Sufficiency from Sustainable Agricultural Practices

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chinedu Egbunike ◽  
Nonso Okoye ◽  
Okoroji-Nma Okechukwu
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Soil Functions ◽  
Soil Biodiversity ◽  
Environmental Consequences ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Sustainable Agricultural Practices

Climate change is a major threat to agricultural food production globally and locally. It poses both direct and indirect effects on soil functions. Thus, agricultural management practices has evolved to adaptation strategies in order to mitigate the risks and threats from climate change. The study concludes with a recommendation the coconut farmers should explore the idea of soil biodiversity in a bid to mitigate the potential negative impact of climate related risk on the farming. The study proffers the need for adopting sustainable agricultural practices to boost local coconut production. This can contribute to the simultaneous realisation of two of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations: SDG 2 on food security and sustainable agriculture and SDG 13 on action to combat climate change and its impacts. The study findings has implications for tackling climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa and in particular Nigeria in order to boost local agricultural production and coconut in particular without negative environmental consequences and an ability to cope with climate change related risks.

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