scholarly journals EFFECT OF RAILWAY NETWORK INEFFICIENCIES ON BUSINESS OPERATIONS OF TATA CHEMICALS MAGADI, MOMBASA IN KENYA

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 26
Author(s):  
Keponyi Sakimpa ◽  
Dr. Willy M. Muturi ◽  
Dr Mos Otieno

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of railway network inefficiencies on business operations of Tata chemicals Magadi, Mombasa in Kenya.Methodology: This study adopted a descriptive survey design. The target population of this study was the 450 employees of TATA Chemical Magadi Ltd. The study used a sample of 135 employees. The study employed stratified random sampling to identify the 135 respondents. The strata were those of top management, middle management/supervisors and non-managerial employees. Primary data was used to gather information by use of questionnaires. Information was sorted, coded and input into the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS 20) for production of descriptive and inferential statistics.Results: Results on the analysis of variance showed that the overall model was statistically significant and that the independent variables were good predictors of performance.  This was supported by an F statistic of 71.69 and the reported p value (0.000) which was less than the conventional probability of 0.05significance level. Descriptive results indicated that inefficiencies of Kenya Railway Corporation greatly affect production targets, customer satisfaction, sales targets and equipment utilization in Tata chemicals Magadi Ltd which in turn affects the performance of the company.Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The government should allocate additional annual budget to the Kenya Railways Corporation to provide efficient means of transporting freight between cities and towns. Additionally, management of Tata Chemicals Magadi Ltd should exercise stronger leadership to enhance long term planning and disaster management to avoid loss to customers and manage its efficiency.

Author(s):  
Tom Ongesa Nyamboga ◽  
Edwin Odhuno ◽  
Walter Okibo Bichanga

Effective implementation of crediting strategy is paramount to the growth of Small and Micro Enterprises (SMEs) worldwide. Crediting provides adequate amount of initial capital needed by entrepreneurs to establish and operate their businesses. The government of Kenya having realized this scenario initiated the formation of Women Enterprise Fund (WEF) in 2007 as a micro credit to provide financial credit to women entrepreneurs throughout the country. Despite this, many women micro traders have inadequate access to credit to start and expand their SMEs. The specific objective of this study was to assess the influence crediting strategy on the growth of SMEs in Kenya. This research used a descriptive survey based design. The study’s target population constituted 2032 women group leaders from which a sample size of 335 respondents was selected randomly. Primary data was collected by use of structured researcher administered questionnaires. Data collected was analyzed by use of both descriptive statistics and inferential statistics, by the aid of SPSS version 24. Both Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Linear Regression Analysis were computed to correlate the study’s variables. The study established a positive relationship between crediting strategy and the growth of SMEs. The findings of this study will help the government of Kenya in formulating and implementing crediting strategies that would make credit accessible and therefore boost growth of SMEs in the country. The study recommends that the government establishes policies that will necessitate accessibility of credit to SMEs in the country.


Author(s):  
Eustace Njagi Kithumbu ◽  
Julius M. Huho ◽  
Humphrey Omondi

The group ranch system is one of the best land ownership and livestock production strategies in the dry lands of the world where the potential for rain-fed agriculture is limited. Its sustainability relies greately on choice of sustainability strategies adopted by group ranches. Numerous studies on the establishment of group ranches, their dissolution and coping strategies have been conducted but with less focus on the sustainability of the group ranches.This study attempts to fill the gap. It is against this background that this study investigated environmental characteristics influencing choice of sustainability strategies adopted by group ranches in Samburu County, Kenya. The investigation adopted a descriptive survey research design employing use of Questionnaires, Key Informant Interviews, Focus Group Discussions and observation as primary data collection methods.The target population for the study was the 16,611 registered members in 38 group ranches spread out in the County. The study sampled 12 group ranches with approximately 5,643 members from which 374 respondents were systematically sampled. Purposive sampling was used to select Key Informants and the participants in the Focus Group Discussions.The study employed Multi-linear Regression to analyse environmental characteristics determining choice of sustainability strategies. The Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to test the hypothesis and p-value of 0.00 was obtained, indicating that environmental characteristics (rainfall patterns, droughts, temperatures, diseases and floods) significantly influenced choice of sustainability strategies adopted by group ranches in the County. Overall, rainfall patterns were the predominating environmental characteristic with a regression coefficient of 0.317 while diseases had the least influence on choice of sustainability strategies adopted by group ranches in Samburu County, with a regression coefficient of 0.029. The study recommended integration of environmental characteristics in formulating policies for sustainability of group ranches.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 50
Author(s):  
Eunice Wangari Ndirangu ◽  
David Kiragu ◽  
Antony Ngunyi ◽  
Mohamed Shano

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to establish the effect of agency banking on performance of microfinance banks in Kenya Materials and Methods: The study adopted positivism philosophy approach and descriptive research design was used. The study also used census survey. The target population was the thirteen Microfinance Banks regulated by the Central Bank of Kenya. The questionnaires were self-administered and primary data was collected from the thirteen regulated microfinance banks. The data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for preliminary analysis. Factor analysis was conducted to reduce the number of factors and Kaiser Mayer Olkin and Barlett’s test of Sphericity were tested and total variance explained, scree plot and rotated component matrix were drawn. Findings: The descriptive statistics findings disclosed that agency banking has a positive effect on performance of MFBs. This was shown by 71.7% of the respondents were in agreement that agency banking influence the performance of MFBs. The findings showed that the relationship between agency and performance was p value was 0.018 and F test of 5.908 showing that the model was statistically significant for the data set. The coefficient table showed that the equation was Y = 2.680 + 0.355AGB. The findings denoted that agency banking has a moderate relationship with performance of MFBs. The MFBs are using agency banking to grow their businesses thus generating profits and capital gain. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study recommends that MFBs should open more agents especially in the rural areas to facilitate population access near services. In addition, the management team and the policy makers should ensure that policies are elaborated to protect the customers from fraud and also exploitation by the business owners due to higher transaction cost and the business operating the agents should be trained on fraud policies because it is affecting many customers. The government and the MFBs should ensure all those operating the agents are well trained on record keeping, managing of funds, and customer care.


2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 97
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Wangu Wachiuri ◽  
Dr. Esther Waiganjo ◽  
Dr. Noor Ismail ◽  
Prof. Romanus Odhiambo

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of supplier competence on the performance of state corporations in KenyaMethodology: The study adopted cross-sectional survey design using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The target population was all the 187 state corporations in Kenya. The study employed a census approach. Primary data was collected using questionnaires. A pilot study was conducted to measure the research instruments reliability and validity. Descriptive statistics were used aided by Statistical Packages for Social Sciences version 24 to compute percentages of respondents’ answers. Inferential statistics using linear regression and correlation analysis were applied to assist examining relationship between the research variables. The results were presented using tables and graphs.Results: The findings revealed that supplier competence explained 44.1 % of the total variations in performance of state corporations in Kenya. Further, the results indicated that the overall model was statistically significant as supported by a p value of 0.000. This was supported by an F statistic of 111.904 and the reported p value (0.000) which was less than the conventional probability of 0.05 significance level. In addition, the findings show that there is a positive and significant relationship between supplier competence and performance of state corporations in Kenya as supported by a p value of 0.000 and a beta coefficient of (0.903). This implies that an increase in supplier competence by 1 unit would increase the performance of state corporations by 0.903units.Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy:  Based on the findings, the study recommended that suppliers should develop competent technical abilities so as to provide high quality products or services. Some of the technical dimensions that suppliers should develop competence in include; compliance with quantity, compliance with due date, compliance with packaging standard, production planning systems of suppliers, and maintenance activities of suppliers, plant layout and material. It’s also recommended that state corporations in Kenya should check frequently if supplier organisation is abreast with the newer information technology developments as technology is very dynamic and changes regularly as the technology that was used in the past is not the one we using now and it will not be the one we will use tomorrow.


Author(s):  
Tom Ongesa Nyamboga ◽  
Edwin Odhuno ◽  
Walter Okibo Bichanga

The government of Kenya established Women Enterprise Fund to enhance the growth of Small and Micro Enterprises in the country through its training strategy. The purpose of this study was to establish the influence of training strategy on growth of SMEs in Kenya. This research used a descriptive survey based design. The study’s target population was composed of group leaders’ beneficiaries of Constituency Women Enterprise Scheme. Both cluster sampling and simple random sampling were used to select a sample size of 335 respondents. Quantitative primary data was collected by use of structured questionnaires. The data collected was analyzed according to research objectives. The study utilized both descriptive statistics and inferential statistics to analyze data. Both ANONA and Regression Analysis were computed to assess the correlation between the variables. The findings of the study established that majority of clients had acquired relevant business skills. The training was given to most clients on a regular basis and enabled them to operate their SMEs more effectively. ANOVA results showed a correlation between training strategy and growth of SMEs since the calculated P value 0.001 was less than the critical value 0.005. The study therefore established a positive relationship between training strategy and growth of SMEs. The findings of this study will help the government of Kenya to formulate training strategies that would boost the growth of SMEs in the whole country. The study recommends the government to provide frequent training to all SMEs in the country to make them more efficient and effective.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 52-63
Author(s):  
Jairus Mutinda Kilatya ◽  
Cyprian Kavivya

Police victimization is one of the growing cases in Kenya. There are reported cases of police being subjected to beatings and assault by citizens particularly in the low-income areas in Nairobi. Most of these reported cases have been traced to police actions, perceptions of community towards the police and even inadequate resources that the police use. These in turn affect the security situation. It is upon this backdrop that this study envisaged to scrutinize police victimization and security in Mathare North, Nairobi City County. The specific objectives of the research were; to examine the categories of police victimization and their implications on security in Mathare North, to analyze the causes of police victimization and their implications on security in Mathare North, and to evaluate the state of security in Mathare North and how it could be related to police victimization. The life style theory of victimization was used in the research. An exploratory research design based on primary data method was relied on in the study. In conducting this research, the target population was 321 police officers in Mathare North, Nairobi City County comprising of the 147 General Duty Police, 101 traffic police and 73 Administration Police. A sample size of 97police officers was selected from the target populace of Mathare North, Nairobi City County. Data collection was done through the use of questionnaires while the analysis employing descriptive and content analysis. The test for reliability showed that the variables used were reliable (Cronbach alpha was 0.759). The outcome from the study revealed that killings of the police was the main form of police victimization as shown by mean of 3.9829, followed by intimidation of police with mean of 3.7358 and assaults with mean of 3.6470. Sixty-three (63) respondents duly filled the questionnaires representing 64 percent of the total respondents. The findings revealed that the main causes of police victimization were proliferation of illegal firearms among civilians, lack of adherence to the justice system, corruption in the police, human rights violations and lack of public trust in the police. The findings revealed further that government support was necessary and influenced the relationship between police victimization and insecurity in Mathare North as shown by mean of 3.7437. The respondents agreed at mean of 3.7426 that police victimization negatively affect the security of Mathare North. A correlation test was also done and revealed that police killings, assaults on police and intimidation of police were significantly and positively correlated with insecurity based on their correlation coefficients of 0.476, 0.512 and 0.495 respectively. A regression analysis was also carried out and from the findings; police killings had a significant and positive effect on the insecurity of Mathare North with regression coefficient being 0.899 and p value of 0.006. Assault on the police had a significant and positive effect on insecurity of Mathare North as shown by regression coefficient of 1.020 and p value of 0.001. Intimidation of police had a positive and significant effect on the insecurity of Mathare North with a regression coefficient of 0.894 and p value of 0.004. The study recommends that the government should strengthen collaboration between the National Police Service and civilians in Mathare North to prevent cases of insecurity arising from police victimization. The study further recommends that the government must improve on its support in terms of equipment’s to the police in the area so that they can be able to defend themselves while maintaining the security in Mathare. Future studies should focus on other low-income settlements in Nairobi and major towns in Kenya.


Author(s):  
John Malu Nzioki ◽  
Mary Nyawira Mwenda

Project failure is an increasingly worrying challenge in Kenya. In implementation of exchequer funded building construction projects, the challenge is real. The study examined the influence of risk management practices on the performance of exchequer funded building construction projects in Machakos County. Little research has been conducted on risk identification and its influence on performance of exchequer funded building construction in Machakos County, this study intended to on build onto the already existing body of knowledge. The study was informed by Agency theory and it employed a descriptive survey research design. The target population was 585 National Construction Authority registered contractors and sample size was 232 respondents. In this case the sample selected is deemed to be representative enough of the whole population and therefore valid and genuine generalizations can be made. Methodology involved in collection and analysis of primary data. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze data. Quantitative data was tabulated and analyzed using frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviation. Test statistics computed to establish degree of relationship between the variables was Fisher test. The findings depict that risk identification leads to the performance of exchequer funded building construction Projects by factor of 0.237 with P values of 0.008. At 5% level of significance and 95% level of confidence, this is statistically significant as the P-Value is lower than 0.05. The results for testing the hypothesis were (P=0.008<0.05)as the P-Value is lower than 0.05. The study therefore rejects the null hypothesis. The study concludes that there is significant positive relationship between that risk identification leads to the performance of exchequer funded building construction Projects. Further research can be done to assess the risk identification in other county governments and national government projects in Kenya and other countries in order to establish whether the explored factors can be generalized to influence the performance of exchequer funded building construction Projects. The findings of this paper will be used to serve as a longer-term safeguard against risks in construction of buildings in Kenya.


Author(s):  
Bello Bolanle Muhinat

This study examined the perception of border community members on educating border dwellers so as to promote peace and security in an electoral process in Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey design, with a target population of This study examined the perception of border community members on educating border dwellers so as to promote peace and security in an electoral process in Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey design, with a target population of Zamfara state’s Zurmi Local Government Areas border communities of Gurbin Bore. Researcher’s designed questionnaire with psychometric properties of content validity of 0.61 and a reliability index of 0.87 was used to elicit the needed data from the respondents. A multistage sampling technique was used to sample 384 respondents. The research questions and hypotheses were analyzed using mean score and t-test. The finding revealed that all the community members perceive educating them as a welcome development that would help in breeding youth that is needed in an electoral process. It was thus, recommended among others that, the government should provide qualitative education for people residing in the international border areasThis study examined the perception of border community members on educating border dwellers so as to promote peace and security in an electoral process in Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey design, with a target population of This study examined the perception of border community members on educating border dwellers so as to promote peace and security in an electoral process in Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey design, with a target population of Zamfara state’s Zurmi Local Government Areas border communities of Gurbin Bore. Researcher’s designed questionnaire with psychometric properties of content validity of 0.61 and a reliability index of 0.87 was used to elicit the needed data from the respondents. A multistage sampling technique was used to sample 384 respondents. The research questions and hypotheses were analyzed using mean score and t-test. The finding revealed that all the community members perceive educating them as a welcome development that would help in breeding youth that is needed in an electoral process. It was thus, recommended among others that, the government should provide qualitative education for people residing in the international border areas. 


2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 15
Author(s):  
Grace Wanjiru Njine ◽  
Dr. Joyce Nzulwa ◽  
Dr. Mary Kamaara ◽  
Dr. Kepha Ombui

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to examine the influence of employee reward on Innovation Performance of DTS in Kenya.Methodology: This study adopted a descriptive survey design. The sampling frame of this study was derived from the database of the SASRA. Multistage sampling was used to select the sample of the study. The population of the study was the 181 DTS’s operating in Kenya while the target population was 18 DTS’s.  The respondents were individual management staff. A questionnaire was used to gather primary data. Secondary data was collected through review of published literature such as journals articles, published theses and textbooks. Information was sorted, coded and input into the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 21.0 for production of graphs, tables, descriptive statistics and inferential statistics.Results: The study found out that employee reward and innovation performance are positively and significant related (r=0.113, p=0.001).Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: It was recommended that both financial rewards (e.g. bonuses, pay, profit sharing) and Non-financial rewards (health insurance, holidays) be included in the employee reward human resource practice. This will lead to employee’s motivation to engage in creative activities and therefore high innovation performance will be registered.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 45
Author(s):  
Anne Ingabo ◽  
Dr. Allan Kihara

Purpose: Strategy is the direction and scope of an organization over the long term, which achieves competitive advantage in a changing environment. Strategic marketing is an organization’s process of defining its strategy and making decisions on allocating its resources to pursue this strategy, including its capital and people. The main purpose of the study was to stablish the influence of corporate strategies on financial performance of the oil marketing companies in Kenya Methodology: This study adopted descriptive survey design. The target population for this study was23 oil companies in the oil industry in Kenya. The study used primary data which was collected through self-administered questionnaires. The researcher utilized mixed method which included qualitative and quantitative techniques in analyzing the data. Results: The findings showed that all the strategies under study lead to significantly affects financial performance Oil Marketing Companies in Kenya. The greatest variation in performance is led by diversification strategy diversification at 0.398 increase, followed by positioning strategy will lead to 0.376, Mergers and acquisitions strategy, at 0.355 and finally Outsourcing strategy at 0.332. This means that if companies employ these strategies especially diversification and positioning strategies, then their investment opportunities will increase thereby increasing their revenue and financial performance Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: In order for Oil marketing Companies to enhance their financial performance through outsourcing strategy, they need to take outsourcing idea a step further to collaborate with competitors so as to find shared solutions. The Oil marketing companies in Kenya also need to train their personnel so as to appreciate the concept of outsourcing strategy, and the best practices and systems that will enhance their financial performance.


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