scholarly journals Total Quality Management Practices and Performance of Deposit Taking Savings and Credit Cooperatives in Mombasa County, Kenya

Author(s):  
Gladys Kadzo Menza ◽  
James Maina Rugami

Savings and credit cooperatives are a crucial part of Kenya’s financial system. Compared to commercial banks, this is smaller but its significance is far much greater. Despite their important contribution towards the growth of the economy, many challenges are faced by the Saccos. Key among the drawbacks facing Savings and credit cooperatives is increased level of competition in the financial sector. The Savings and credit cooperatives to remain driven and focused in achieving their objectives, they have re-strategize their direction. The study sought to how Mombasa County deposit taking Saccos are impacted by TQM practices. Particularly, the study sought to examine how Mombasa deposit taking saccos’ performance was affected by Customer focus, employee involvement, supplier partnerships and commitment of top management. Performance was addressed from increased market share and revenue growth point of view. Quality improvement theory, Knowledge-based theory and RBV theories guided the research. A descriptive research design was employed. Board members and top managers of all the thirteen deposit taking Savings and credit cooperatives in Mombasa County were targeted. A census approach was used in identifying and subjecting all the County’s operational and registered Saccos. The preferred study respondents were then purposively selected CEOs, Branch managers, Operations Managers, Credit Managers and 4 Executive Board Members. As a result, the total respondents of the study were104, eight from each deposit taking Sacco. Primary data collection was by questionnaires and secondary data gotten from the Saccos’ financial statements and other reports. Analysis was by inferential and descriptive statistics and the primary analytical models were regression and correlation analysis. A wide performance disparity in the Saccos was discovered. It was demonstrated that Mombasa deposit taking saccos’ performance was affected by Customer focus, employee involvement, supplier partnerships and commitment of top management. The Determination Coefficient is at 0.785 implying that a variation of 78.5% in the SACCOs’ performance is explained by independent variables’ variability; customer focus, employee involvement, supplier partnership and commitment of top management. Pearson Correlation Analysis indicated that all TQM practices variables studied i.e customer focus, employee involvement, supplier partnership and commitment of top management and performance of deposit taking SACCOs positively related. Given that the study focused only on deposit taking saccos in Mombasa county, the results may not apply to all Saccos across Kenya. Therefore, it is recommended that a study is done cutting across all the Saccos in Kenya that would allow for broader generalization of findings. The findings will be beneficial to Managers, academicians, Investors, researchers, and the government as it will inform their decisions regarding the important subject of performance.

Author(s):  
Walter Nyakundi Matoke ◽  
Eugenia Nkechi Irechukwu

Rwanda’s Vision 2030 puts healthcare as one of its integral pillars. HIV/AIDS is one of the biggest challenges in the health sector and Rwanda’s economy at large since the disease led to reduction of labour supply and productivity as well as increased government expenditure on importation of expensive healthcare goods. Total quality management is one of the key factors that affect the success of projects and has gained popularity among project managers overtime. This study sought to investigate total quality management practices and performance of HIV/AIDS projects in Rwanda. Specifically, the study analyzed the effects of top management commitment, employee involvement and staff training on the performance of HIV/AIDS control projects. The study is helpful to project managers in policy formulation and rational decision making. It is also helpful to the Rwandan government in making informed decisions towards achieving health care provision objectives. The donors’ confidence in funding health projects may also be boosted by the findings of this research. The study adopted descriptive and correlational research designs. A sample of 98 respondents was drawn from a population of 130 consisting of the staff and project managers of Aids Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Rwanda. Simple random sampling technique was used to select the sample size in this study. Data used was of primary nature collected using questionnaires. Quantitative and qualitative data collected were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 22 and the findings presented in tables and figures. Regression and correlation analysis were used to establish an interaction between the dependent and independent variables. Descriptive findings indicated that over 75%, 85% and 90% of respondents did agree that at top management commitment, employee involvement and training practices respectively are practiced at AHF Rwanda. Correlation findings did indicate a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.780, 0.630 and 0.690 for top management commitment, employee involvement and training practices respectively with significance values of 0.01 for all. Lastly the betta coefficients for top management training, employee involvement and training practices were 0.163, 0.235 and 0.126 respectively with corresponding probability values of 0.011, 0.002 and 0.036 and R squared value was found to be 71.5%. The study concluded that TQM including top management commitment, employee involvement and training are practiced largely at Aids Healthcare Foundation. Hence, a strong positive significant relationship between TQM practices and performance of HIV/AIDS projects in Rwanda. The study recommends AHF project managers to focus more on TQM practices, particularly management commitment on project activities, involvement of other employees in decision making and creating an enabling working environment and lastly, they should consider enhancing human resource training as a way to enhance project performance. Additionally, the government and the donors should ensure that TQM practices are implemented in the healthcare projects in order to realize positive results from such projects. JEL: I10; I18; J21 <p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0770/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>


2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ndiritu Caroline ◽  
Kidombo Harriet ◽  
Ndiritu Anne

The role of small and medium enterprises in any country’s economic development cannot be under estimated. It is important for all countries especially the developing ones to note that the key to having a sustained development is to improve the performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This ensures economic growth is inclusive of all people. The success of these enterprises should be the concern of all governments that are interested in not only alleviating poverty as a major threat to sustainable development. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of top management commitment as a Total Quality Management (TQM) practice on performance of small and medium enterprises. The study concentrated on youth group projects in Kajiado north sub county, Kajiado County, Kenya. Youth projects were randomly selected from Kajiado north sub-county, in five wards. The study used mixed method approach in the data collection and analysis, to capture both the qualitative and quantitative data. The design is descriptive. The target population was 210 youth that were involved in youth group projects. Spearman’s correlation was used to test the relationship between the variables. The analyses indicated that there is significant relationship between top management and performance.


Total Quality Management (TQM) can be used for business process improvement to achieve the quality service in the hotel business. The objective of this paper is to identify the suitable Critical Success Factors (CSFs) for implementing TQM in the Hotel industry. Analytic Hierarchical Process (AHP) analysis is done to identify the importance of CSFs. Web based analysis is used to analysis the AHP. The study has identified the suitable TQM’s CSFs of such as customer satisfaction or focus, top management commitment and leadership and employee involvement or focus or satisfaction are important CSFs to implement the TQM in the hotel industry. Based on the AHP analysis, the study has identified the suitable CSFs of TQM related to customer focus or satisfaction (CF = 0.4288), top management and leadership (TM = 0.2548) and employee involvement (EI = 0.2346) are important CSFs to implement the TQM in the hotel industry. The least importance is given to Continuous improvement (CP = 0.0818).


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (3S) ◽  
pp. 127
Author(s):  
Fatma Çepikkurt ◽  
Esen Kızıldağ Kale

The aim of this study was to measure the levels of perceptions of winning and determine the achievement goals of female basketball players, and to investigate the relationship between the two. Ninety-two female basketball players between the ages of 16 and 31 (Xage=19.45± 3.46; Xsportage= 6.97± 4.64) participated in this study. In order to measure the participants’ perceptions related to winning, the “Perception of Winning Scale”, developed by Okur and Güven (2012), was used. The "2x2 Achievement Goals Questionnaire”, developed by Conroy et al. (2003) and adapted for Turkish by Kazak Çetinkalp et al. (2009), was used to determine the achievement goals of the participants. Descriptive statistics, Pearson Product-Moment Multiplication Correlation Analysis, and the independent t-test were used to analyse the data. The participants scored high on the Perception of Winning Scale, while their highest mean scores on the 2x2 Achievement Goals Questionnaire were on the “mastery approach” subscale. Pearson correlation analysis revealed the existence of a statistically significant and positive correlation between winning perception and performance-approach and between winning perception and performance-avoidance. The results of this study indicated that the participating female basketball players perceived winning as being ahead of others, being superior to or not being surpassed by others, and not being behind others. We thus concluded that they attributed winning to external factors.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Pauline Nyokabi Njuguna ◽  
Dr. Patrick K. Ngugi

Purpose: The overall objective of this study was to examine the influence of procurement ISO 9001: 2015 procurement quality management on performance of manufacturing firms in Kenya, with an aim of making recommendations on proper use of ISO 9001: 2015 procurement quality management in the manufacturing sector.Methodology: This research study adopted a descriptive research design.The researcher preferred this method because it allowed an in-depth study of the subject. To gather data, structured questionnaire was used to collect data. The study population was the manufacturing firms in Nairobi; the respondents were the designated heads of procurement of these firms. 200 heads of procurement were selected using stratified random sampling. Once collected, data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.Quantitative data was analyzed using multiple regression analysis. The qualitative data generated was analyzed by use of Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20Results and conclusion: The correlation analysis to determine the relationship between continuous improvement and performance of manufacturing firms in Kenya, Pearson correlation coefficient computed and tested at 5% significance level. The results indicate that there is a positive relationship (r=0.387) between and continuous improvement performance of manufacturing firms in Kenya. In addition, the researcher found the relationship to be statistically significant at 5% level (p=0.000, <0.05). The correlation analysis to determine the relationship between supplier management and performance of manufacturing firms in Kenya, Pearson correlation coefficient computed and tested at 5% significance level. The results indicate that there is a positive relationship (r=0.598) supplier management and performance of manufacturing firms in Kenya. In addition, the researcher found the relationship to be statistically significant at 5% level (p=0.000, <0.05). The correlation analysis to determine the relationship between customer focus and performance of manufacturing firms in Kenya, Pearson correlation coefficient computed and tested at 5% significance level. The results indicate that there is a positive relationship (r= 0.690) between customer focus and performance of manufacturing firms in Kenya. In addition, the researcher found the relationship to be statistically significant at 5% level (p=0.000, <0.05).Policy recommendation: Finally, the study recommended that manufacturing firms should embrace procurement total quality practices so as to improve their performance and further researches should to be carried out in other institutions to find out if the same results can be obtained.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (VI) ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Dorotia Wandoe Waduu ◽  
Maina Rugami

Any business entity aims at attaining high level of customer satisfaction. The entity always does this by providing quality goods and services. It is crucial that within a firm, all of its internal clients are fulfilled in ensuring that effective satisfaction of external clients is attained. TQM has been presently presented as the means of management that focus in improving an organization’s financial performance by attaining customer needs and quality of product provision. The research primary focused on examining the key impacts of TQM on management and financial performance of Kenya’s banks in Kilifi Town. The study’s objectives were based on establishing the impact of staff involvement, the management commitment, regular improvements and customer focus of the bank’s performance. The entire research was based on Deming’s theory of TQM and Porter’s theory of competitive advantage. In attaining the research objectives, the research utilized descriptive research technique and a population of 195 participants from 13 commercial banks in operation within the Town of Kilifi. A 30 percent sample was considered reflections of 59 participants. In getting information from the respondents the study utilized both structures and unstructured questionnaires that consisted of both open and closed ended questions. However, respondents had varying questions and had the opportunity to answer appropriately. SPSS (Version 22) stands out as one of the key analysis tool to be used in examine the quantitative data collected, and then the information was presented by the use of means, frequencies, percentages, standard deviations an means. The research utilized multiple regressions analysis in estimating the study model. The study’s gathered and analyzed data was presented by the use of tables, charts, graphs and frequencies meant to enhance the process of interoperations, provision of conclusions and recommendations. Theoretically, the research is expected to be of importance both to firms expected to use the information in enhancing quality products provisions and academicians expected to do researches on a similar or related topic.It was established that the selected TQM practices which included customer focus, top management commitment, continuous improvement and employee involvement significantly and positively influence the performance of commercial banks in Kilifi Town. The study concluded that the banks to a great extent embrace the four TQM practices in a bid to improve service provision, client attraction and retention and also improve organizational performance. It was further concluded that the banks embrace continuous process, procedures and system improvement to enhance operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. The study also concluded that the banks valued customers in a bid to enhance market share and customer base and also stay competitive in the market. The study further concluded that the top management was committed to enhancing service quality, employee participation and involvement in quality integration, stakeholder involvement, communication and collective decision making. The study recommends that the banks need to involve employees and stakeholder more in decision making and policy formulation to promote collective responsibility and performance. The study recommends that there is need for improved customer care to cater for all categories of clients and also embrace value addition to the clients. The study was conducted on only four TQM practices, there is need for further studies on other TQM practices.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuan-Yuan Gong ◽  
Hai-Ying Peng

Abstract Background To investigate the correlation between the thickness of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL) -6, visfatin, juxtaposed with another zinc finger protein 1 (JAZF1) and type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM) macroangiopathy. Methods The study enrolled 82 patients with T2DM with macroangiopathy (the Complication Group), and 85 patients with T2DM (the Diabetes Group) who were admitted to Shandong Provincial Third Hospital from February 2018 to February 2020. In addition, 90 healthy people who underwent physical examination at the same hospital during the same period were enrolled (the Healthy Control Group). Age, gender, height, weight, waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), diabetic course and therapeutic drugs, waist hip ratio (WHR), and body mass index (BMI) were recorded and calculated. Results The baseline characteristics of the three groups were comparable, and the diabetic course of the Complication Group and the Diabetes Group was not significantly different (P > 0.05). The WHR of the Complication Group was higher than that of the Diabetes Group and the Healthy Control Group, with statistical significance (P < 0.05). The FPG, 2hPG, HbA1C, CRP, IL-6, Visfatin, JAZF1, HOMA-IR, EAT thickness, and baPWV of the Complication Group were all higher than those of the Diabetes Group and the Healthy Control Group (P < 0.05, respectively). The JAZF1 and FIns of the Complication Group and Diabetes Group were lower than those of the Healthy Control Group, and JAZF1 of the Complication Group was lower than the Diabetes Group with statistical significance (P<0.05, respectively). Pearson correlation analysis showed that the EAT thickness was positively correlated with CRP, IL-6, visfatin, and JAZF1 (r = 0.387, 0.451, 0.283, 0.301, respectively, all P<0.001). Pearson correlation analysis showed that baPWV was positively correlated with EAT thickness, CRP, IL-6, visfatin, and JAZF1 (r = 0.293, 0.382, 0.473, 0.286, respectively, all P < 0.001). Multivariate stepwise regression analysis showed that FPG, 2hPG, HbA1C, CRP, IL-6, visfatin, JAZF1, and EAT thickness were independent risk factors that affected T2DM macroangiopathy. Conclusions Clinical monitoring and treatment of T2DM macroangiopathy can use CRP, IL-6, Visfatin, JAZF1, and EAT thickness as new targets to delay the progression of the disease. Further research on the relationship between the above factors and the pathogenesis of T2DM macroangiopathy may be helpful provide new treatment strategies.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Li ◽  
Xiaoying Wang ◽  
Yue Han ◽  
Xun Li

Abstract Background: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in angiogenesis, immune response, inflammatory response and tumor development and metastasis. m6 A (N6 - methyladenosine) is one of the most common RNA modifications in eukaryotes. The aim of our research was to investigate the potential prognostic value of m6A-related lncRNAs in ovarian cancer (OC).Methods: The data we need for our research was downloaded from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Pearson correlation analysis between 21 m6A regulators and lncRNAs was performed to identify m6A-related lncRNAs. Univariate Cox regression analysis was implemented to screen for lncRNAs with prognostic value. A least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression and multivariate Cox regression analyses was used to further reduct the lncRNAs with prognostic value and construct a m6A-related lncRNAs signature for predicting the prognosis of OC patients. Results: 275 m6A-related lncRNAs were obtained using pearson correlation analysis. 29 m6A-related lncRNAs with prognostic value was selected through univariate Cox regression analysis. Then, a seven m6A-related lncRNAs signature was identified by LASSO Cox regression. Each patient obtained a riskscore through multivariate Cox regression analyses and the patients were classified into high-and low-risk group using the median riskscore as a cutoff. Kaplan-Meier curve revealed that the patients in high-risk group have poor outcome. The receiver operating characteristic curve revealed that the predictive potential of the m6A-related lncRNAs signature for OC was powerful. The predictive potential of the m6A-related lncRNAs signature was successfully validated in the GSE9891, GSE26193 datasets and our clinical specimens. Multivariate analyses suggested that the m6A-related lncRNAs signature was an independent prognostic factor for OC patients. Moreover, a nomogram based on the expression level of the seven m6A-related lncRNAs was established to predict survival rate of patients with OC. Finally, a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network associated with the seven m6A-related lncRNAs was constructed to understand the possible mechanisms of the m6A-related lncRNAs involed in the progression of OC.Conclusions: In conclusion, our research revealed that the m6A-related lncRNAs may affect the prognosis of OC patients and identified a seven m6A-related lncRNAs signature to predict the prognosis of OC patients.


2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-42
Author(s):  
Hazlin Kadir @ Shahar ◽  
Razaleigh Muhamat @ Kawangit ◽  
Rosmawati Mohamad Rasit ◽  
Badlihisham Mohd Nasir

This article examines the relationship between learning and behavioural evaluation among religious officers in Malaysia after attending the Manual on HIV/AIDS in Islam Training Programmes organized by the Islamic Development Department of Malaysia (JAKIM). The training programmes were implemented to deliver the most accurate and the latest information on HIV / AIDS as well as to train religious officers in Malaysia to address the issues among Muslims. The training programmes apply the theoretical and practical activities where participants had the opportunity to carry out outreach activities with People Living with HIV / AIDS (ODHA). Quantitative methods through questionnaires were used to obtain data. A total of 350 religious officers who had attended the training programmes were selected as respondents by simple random sampling technique. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between the learning and behavioural evaluation. The results of the Pearson correlation analysis found that there was a significant relationship between learning evaluation in terms of the information obtained from programmes’ contents and behaviour evaluation with r = 0.489 and sig = 0.000 (p <0.05) at the medium positive range.. While the relationship between learning evaluation in terms of the information obtained from outreach activities with behavioural evaluation showed a strong positive correlation with the strength values obtained were r = 0.539 and sig = 0.000 (p <0.05). This analysis shows that the information acquired through the training program Manual Islam and HIV / AIDS has been successful in changing the behaviour of religious officers’ awareness in terms of the role of dakwah to ODHA. ABSTRAK Artikel ini bertujuan melihat hubungan antara penilaian pembelajaran dengan penilaian tingkah laku dalam kalangan Pegawai Agama di Malaysia setelah mengikuti Program Latihan Manual Islam dan HIV/AIDS anjuran Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (JAKIM). Program latihan ini dilaksanakan untuk menyampaikan maklumat yang tepat serta informasi terkini isu HIV/AIDS di samping melatih Pegawai-pegawai Agama di Malaysia untuk menangani isu tersebut dalam kalangan umat Islam. Program latihan ini berbentuk teori dan praktikal di mana peserta program berpeluang melaksanakan dakwah secara temu seru (outreach) dengan Orang Yang Hidup dengan HIV/AIDS (ODHA) secara langsung. Kaedah kuantitatif melalui soal selidik telah digunakan untuk memperoleh data. Seramai 350 orang Pegawai Agama yang telah mengikuti program latihan ini dipilih sebagai responden melalui teknik pensampelan rawak mudah. Analisis korelasi Pearson dijalankan bagi mengenal pasti hubungan di antara penilaian pembelajaran dengan penilaian tingkah laku peserta yang mengikuti Program Latihan Manual Islam dan HIV/AIDS. Hasil analisis ujian korelasi Pearson tersebut mendapati bahawa terdapat hubungan yang signifikan di antara penilaian pembelajaran dari segi maklumat yang diperoleh daripada kandungan program dengan penilaian tingkah laku dengan nilai r = 0.489 dan sig = 0.000 (p<0.05). Kekuatan hubungan ialah positif sederhana. Manakala hubungan antara penilaian pembelajaran dari segi maklumat yang diperoleh daripada program temu seru dengan penilaian tingkah laku pula menunjukkan kekuatan hubungan positif kuat dengan nilai yang diperoleh ialah r = 0.539 dan sig = 0.000 (p<0.05). Analisis ini menunjukkan bahawa pembelajaran yang diperoleh melalui program latihan Manual Islam dan HIV/AIDS ini telah berjaya mengubah tingkah laku Pegawai Agama dari segi kesedaran peranan berdakwah kepada ODHA.


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