Strategic Innovation and Service Delivery in Public Universities in Kenya: A Case of Kenyatta University

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (III) ◽  
pp. 199-211
Author(s):  
Stella Gati Maroa ◽  
Mary Namusonge

Strategic innovation is a strategic tool that can be used to align the institution’s resources and capabilities with opportunities in the external environment in order to enhance survival and long term success of the organization.  Innovation promotes use of technology consequently impacting positively on service delivery. Public universities reforms have been a necessary and on-going policy objective for the Government of Kenya. Innovation as one of the approaches to the reforms is intended to induce an overhaul the public university system to better serve the needs of both government and the citizens with improved delivery of public services. In Kenya technology in public institutions has not been effectively used to enhance service delivery more so institutions where technology use has been embraced, its impact on service delivery has not been assessed effectively. This study applied the institutional theory, diffusion of innovation theory and stakeholders theory of management to determine how strategic innovation at Kenyatta University impacts on service delivery. The general objective of this study therefore was to determine the effect of strategic innovation on service delivery in Kenyatta University. Specific objectives included finding out the influence of eLearning, online student registration and use of e-messaging services on service delivery in Kenyatta University. A population of 72,000 students admitted to Kenyatta University was used from which random sampling was conducted to a sample of 200 students using Nassiuma’s formula. Data was collected by disbursing physically the questionnaires to the students. Descriptive and regression analysis was conducted using SPSS 22 to provide findings on the study. The study conducted a multiple regression analysis to estimate the model for the study. The study had a coefficient of correlation R of 0.912 an indication of strong of correlation between the variables and a coefficient of adjusted R2 was 0.814.This means that there was a significant correlations between the variables and service delivery at Kenyatta University however other factors that are not considered in the research paper contribute approximately 18.6% of the service delivery at Kenyatta University. Therefore, a very extensive further research is highly required to investigate and come up with other factors of the viability to service delivery at Kenyatta University. The study concluded that the strategic innovation of the public universities ranges from the products and services offered and is determined by the technology that is revolutionizing the current global world and has improved the service delivery at Kenyatta University. A strategic innovation brings a lot of advantages and has a great impact on human and business daily life. Therefore, strategic innovation development is the best choice in helping higher institution of learning stay on track.

Author(s):  
Segomotso Masegonyana Keakopa ◽  
Kelvin Joseph Bwalya

This chapter provides an evaluation of ICT policy developments in Botswana. In particular, it highlights major advancements in areas of national ICT policy development and its implementation in the country. The country’s National ICT policy, Maitlamo, has been a significant factor in driving ICTs in the country. The chapter asserts that opportunities in ICT development in the country are evidenced by not only implementation of the policy but further by greater investment of financial resources by the government and the role of the private sector. Further, the chapter argues that while implementation of the national ICT policy has brought achievements in liberalisation and expansion of public services in rural areas, there are still a number of challenges to address if universal access has to be achieved. Among these are unavailability of ICT services in rural areas, high costs of the technology and the lack of public awareness on the use of technology. Proposals made at the end of the chapter call for the government to speed implementation of ICT policy, form stronger partnerships with the public sector and further balance the role of BTC vis a vis other players so that the playing field is leveled.


2011 ◽  
Vol 13 (01) ◽  
pp. 67-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
CAROLINE SCOTT

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) has been associated with "good governance" by bodies at national and international levels including the World Bank, OECD, and UK and Scottish Governments. Typically involving components such as transparency, accountability, public participation and partnership working, this SEA/good governance nexus has been promoted in Scotland where the government sees SEA as central to its sustainable development aspirations. Using a governmentality lens to view SEA as a technique seeking to instil environmentally-focused governance, the paper examines the operation of the SEA/good governance nexus in the SEA process of one Scottish case study, a road corridor development framework undertaken between 2006 and 2008. The paper exposes instances of resistance to both the democratising elements of good governance and to SEA itself as the public and statutory Consultation Authorities find their efforts to constructively engage with the SEA process thwarted. This reveals that, in the case studied, the SEA/good governance nexus, as a high-level policy objective, is more aspiration than reality.


2006 ◽  
Vol 45 (4II) ◽  
pp. 1011-1025 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adeel Ghayur

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), today, are seen as the miracle medicines for curing a nation from the ails of corruption, mismanagement, poor governance, inflation, monopolies, business stagnation, illiteracy and so on. One important aspect concerns development and implementation of ICTs for the EGovernance. E-Governance holds enormous potential in terms of improving service delivery and efficiency, better response to business and citizen needs, and provision of affordable government services. Defined as “Government’s use of technology, particularly web-based Internet applications, to enhance the access to and delivery of government information and service to citizens, business partners, employees, other agencies, and government entities [McClure (2000)]” or “the continuous optimisation of service delivery, constituency participation, and governance by transforming internal and external relationships through technology, the Internet, and new media [Gartner Group (2000)]”. The e-government makes it possible for a government’s different departments and organisations to have direct access to grassroots and vice-versa. It cuts down the costs and delivery times for the government and simultaneously becomes a tool for check and balances against the government. The e-government in short is a tool for good governance—transparency, participation, regulations and accountability.


Author(s):  
Hafiz Jaafar ◽  
Nur Amalina Abd Laziz ◽  
Muslimah Ithnin ◽  
Amirah Azzeri

COVID-19 infection resulted in significant economic implications to patients as well as a considerable financial burden to the general population for preventive measures. A descriptive study was conducted among staff at one of the public universities in Malaysia to estimate the monthly out-of-pocket expenditures for preventive measures used for COVID-19 infection. The study tool includes questions on household out-of-pocket expenditure and the measurements of the impact of the expenditure on household income. It was found that the average cumulative monthly expenditures related to the preventive measures were US$ 45.90 (Ringgit Malaysia 187.77), which was 4.3% of the household income. The highest expenditures were for traditional and complementary medicine followed by nutraceutical/supplements and disposable facemask. 8% of the households in this study incurred more than ten per cents of their monthly household income for expenditures related to COVID-19 preventive measures. Several households are experiencing substantial financial implications for preventive measures related to COVID-19 infection. This study highlights the out-of-pocket expenditures incurred for preventive measures were substantial for certain households. Effective initiatives from the government on providing subsidized protective personal equipment and a cost-sharing approach could help to alleviate the household financial burden.


Author(s):  
Edephonce N. Nfuka ◽  
Lazar Rusu

This chapter focuses on IT governance in the public sector organizations in a developing country like Tanzania. Today in many organizations in the public sector, the use of IT has become crucial in sustaining and extending the organizations’ strategies and objectives. This pervasive use of technology has caused a critical dependency on IT that calls for a specific focus on IT governance. In this chapter, we provide its overview and, based on the analysis of five case studies indicate the current practices, problems, and consequences in the Tanzanian public sector environment. Moreover, we reveal twelve key issues to consider for effective IT governance together with the trends and future research in improving ICT-enabled transformational government in public service delivery in this environment. In this context, the chapter contributes to an understanding of the IT governance practices and related ICT-enabled transformational government issues and complexities involved in the transformational phase for better public service delivery in a developing country like Tanzania.


2015 ◽  
pp. 1811-1823 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Muinul Islam ◽  
Mohammad Ehsan

Another new paradigm shift is in the offing and slowly becoming distinct from the amorphous shape of public administration. It is the ICT-blessed governance, or e-Governance. The adoption of ICTs and the new approach to management in symbiosis are e-Governance. E-governance speaks of a new way and style in every beat and pulse of the system of public administration. It brings about changes in the structure and functions of public services, ushering transformation through effectively engaging the government, businesses, and citizens—all stakeholders. It not only ensures efficiency in public service delivery but also offers unlimited potential to combat corruption and many other bureau-pathologies in the public administration system. Based on secondary sources, this chapter offers brief theoretical discussions of e-governance, including its emergence, types of service delivery, transformation stages, and relevant other issues.


Author(s):  
Muhammad Muinul Islam ◽  
Mohammad Ehsan

Another new paradigm shift is in the offing and slowly becoming distinct from the amorphous shape of public administration. It is the ICT-blessed governance, or e-Governance. The adoption of ICTs and the new approach to management in symbiosis are e-Governance. E-governance speaks of a new way and style in every beat and pulse of the system of public administration. It brings about changes in the structure and functions of public services, ushering transformation through effectively engaging the government, businesses, and citizens—all stakeholders. It not only ensures efficiency in public service delivery but also offers unlimited potential to combat corruption and many other bureau-pathologies in the public administration system. Based on secondary sources, this chapter offers brief theoretical discussions of e-governance, including its emergence, types of service delivery, transformation stages, and relevant other issues.


2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 43
Author(s):  
Evelyn Owusu Frempong ◽  
Gabriel Dwomoh

The main purpose of the study is to contribute to knowledge by assessing the moderating role equity in financialcompensation plays on the relationship between employees’ behavior and performance of state owned universities inGhana. The targeted population for the study was the 10 public universities established by an Act of Parliament andare recognized by the National Accreditation Board. Out of this, 7 public universities were selected usingconvenience sampling. The choice of this sampling method was based on accessibility and easy access toinformation to facilitate the research. In each of the sample, 15 employees’ mainly senior members both fromadministration and academic totalling 105 were randomly selected for the study. The main instrument used forcollection of primary data was questionnaires and interviews whilst review of selected public universities websites,published textbooks, journals and newsletters constitute the secondary data. The instrument used for the study wastested for its reliability and fitness and the result was positive with cronbach’s alpha value of 0.856. Analysis for thestudy was done using correlation and regression to test for the hypotheses developed. The results show that employees’behaviour has high positive relationship with performance of public universities with equity in financial compensationplaying a moderating role. The study therefore recommends the need for the Government of Ghana to continue with thefull implementation of its single spine pay policy since it will ensure fairness in the public sector wage which will inturn influence employees’ behaviour positively and performance of the sector as a whole.


2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 126-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Mutemi Kajiita ◽  
Simon Kang’ethe

The dismantling of Apartheid era in South Africa in 1994, the advent of democratic era, was welcomed with a package of hope for the citizens as far as development was concerned. Since then, the government has been playing a key role in service delivery. Nonetheless, gaps exist in dispensing an array of services and this has prompted the interventions of NGOs in such developmental discourses. Through a mixed method research approach, this article explores the milestones of NGOs in South Africa while drawing pieces of evidence from Eastern Cape Province. The findings indicate that NGOs have responded positively to the prevention and treatment of various diseases, offered training and facilitated medical facilities in the province, promoted early childhood education and finally ensured regularity in services delivery. The article recommends that the public should appreciate and show goodwill to the efforts of the NGOs, pull their resources together to support and sustain the already existing NGO projects.


2012 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kehinde David Adejuwon

The public sector in Nigeria is irrefutably beset with gross  incompetence and ineffective management. Perplexing difficulties endure in the Nigerian public sector in spite of a number of reform programmes that have been designed to enhance efficient and effective service delivery for almost two decades. The fact that public service has failed dismally to achieve its laudable objectives is the reason for the vote of no confidence passed on its administrators by majority of the Nigerian populace. The article examines the dilemma of accountability and good governance in Nigeria and demonstrates that the critical point in achieving meaningful developments in the country intrinsically lay with improved service delivery in the public sector. The basic reason why the public service has become the scorn of the people is because for too long, both the government and public servants have paid lip service to the crucial issue of effective and efficient service delivery. The article argues that improved service delivery will improve both the performance and the image of public service and re-awaken the citizens’ interest and trust in them to do business with public servants. It suggests that  in order to bring sanity back to the Nigerian Public Service,  all unprofessional tendencies such as ethnicity bias and nepotism in appointments and promotions, lack of security of tenure of office, and appointment of non-career public servants into key positions in the public service must stop. Also,  effective service delivery must be tailored to the circumstances of Nigeria. The study made use of secondary data obtained from various sources. It therefore concludes that without a reawakening of the culture of accountability and transparency lost over the years, the trusting relationship needed to forge between the government and the governed for the actualization of good governance will not materialize.


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