scholarly journals Drivers of Labour Productivity in Flower Farms in Naivasha, Kenya

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 117
Author(s):  
Jared Isaboke Mose

Although Kenya is the most successful producer and exporter of fresh produce and flowers in sub-Saharan Africa, other countries both in Africa and elsewhere, offer strong competition that could erode export market share in future. Increased labor productivity is crucial for Kenya’s competitiveness. This study aimed at examining the key drivers of labour productivity in flower farms in Naivasha, Kenya. Descriptive survey design was employed and stratified proportionate random sampling technique used to select 381 respondents from who data was collected using a questionnaire. A log-linearized Cobb-Douglas model was used examine determinants of labour productivity. The results showed that workers’ participation in Labor unions, Information & Communication Technology and workers’ skills acquired through training were the major factors that determined labour productivity by 35.4 percent, 19 percent and 14.7 percent respectively. While worker’s wage increase and tools used by a worker influenced labour productivity by 9 percent and 11.4 percent respectively. Worker’s level of education and worker’s experience also increased labour productivity by 5.1 percent and 4 percent respectively. The study recommends that; the Kenyan government should give special attention to education to produce skilled and innovative workers. Flower Farms should invest more in training of workers to acquire relevant skills, acquisition of appropriate tools; improve ICT infrastructure and support labor union in the flower farms.

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonard E. Egede ◽  
Rebekah J. Walker ◽  
Patricia Monroe ◽  
Joni S. Williams ◽  
Jennifer A. Campbell ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Investigate the relationship between two common cardiovascular diseases and HIV in adults living in sub-Saharan Africa using population data provided through the Demographic and Health Survey. Methods Data for four sub-Saharan countries were used. All adults asked questions regarding diagnosis of HIV, diabetes, and hypertension were included in the sample totaling 5356 in Lesotho, 3294 in Namibia, 9917 in Senegal, and 1051 in South Africa. Logistic models were run for each country separately, with self-reported diabetes as the first outcome and self-reported hypertension as the second outcome and HIV status as the primary independent variable. Models were adjusted for age, gender, rural/urban residence and BMI. Complex survey design allowed weighting to the population. Results Prevalence of self-reported diabetes ranged from 3.8% in Namibia to 0.5% in Senegal. Prevalence of self-reported hypertension ranged from 22.9% in Namibia to 0.6% in Senegal. In unadjusted models, individuals with HIV in Lesotho were 2 times more likely to have self-reported diabetes (OR = 2.01, 95% CI 1.08–3.73), however the relationship lost significance after adjustment. Individuals with HIV were less likely to have self-reported diabetes after adjustment in Namibia (OR = 0.29, 95% CI 0.12–0.72) and less likely to have self-reported hypertension after adjustment in Lesotho (OR = 0.63, 95% CI 0.47–0.83). Relationships were not significant for Senegal or South Africa. Discussion HIV did not serve as a risk factor for self-reported cardiovascular disease in sub-Saharan Africa during the years included in this study. However, given the growing prevalence of diabetes and hypertension in the region, and the high prevalence of undiagnosed cardiovascular disease, it will be important to continue to track and monitor cardiovascular disease at the population level and in individuals with and without HIV. Conclusions The odds of self-reported diabetes in individuals with HIV was high in Lesotho and low in Namibia, while the odds of self-reported hypertension in individuals with HIV was low across all 4 countries included in this study. Programs are needed to target individuals that need to manage multiple diseases at once and should consider increasing access to cardiovascular disease management programs for older adults, individuals with high BMI, women, and those living in urban settings.


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 293-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chukwuka Christian Ohueri ◽  
Wallace Imoudu Enegbuma ◽  
Ngie Hing Wong ◽  
Kuok King Kuok ◽  
Russell Kenley

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a motivation framework that will enhance labour productivity for Iskandar Malaysia (IM) construction projects. The vision of IM development corridor is to become Southern Peninsular Malaysia’s most developed region by the year 2025. IM cannot realise this foresight without effective labour productivity. Previous studies have reported that the labour productivity of IM construction projects was six times lower than the labour productivity of Singapore construction projects, due to lack of motivation among IM labourers, and a shortage of local skilled labour. Therefore, there is a need to study how to motivate IM construction labourers, so as to increase their productivity. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative research method was used to collect data from IM construction skilled labourers and construction professionals, using two sets of questionnaire. The respondents were selected using a purposive sampling technique. In total, 40 skilled labourers and 50 construction professionals responded to the questionnaire survey, and the data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science software (version 22). Findings The analysis revealed the major factors that motivate labourers participating in IM construction projects. The factors were ranked hierarchically using Relative Importance Index (RII) and the outcome of the ranking indicated that effective management, viable construction practices, financial incentives, continuous training and development, and safe working environment were the most significant motivation strategies that positively influence IM construction labourers. Originality/value The study developed and validated a framework that can be used to boost the morale of IM construction labourers, so that their productivity can be increased. Implementation of the established motivation framework will also lead to career progression of IM construction labourers, based on the training elements in the framework. This career prospect will attract local skilled labourers to participate in IM construction projects.


2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Idongesit Godwin Utuk ◽  
Kayode Omoniyi Osungbade ◽  
Taiwo Akinyode Obembe ◽  
David Ayobami Adewole ◽  
Victoria Oluwabunmi Oladoyin

Background:Despite demonstrating global concerns about infection in the workplace, very little research has explored how co-workers react to those living with HIV in the workplace in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to assess the level of stigmatising attitude towards co-workers living with HIV in the workplace.Methods:The study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey involving 403 respondents. They were recruited from selected companies through a multistage sampling technique. Survey was carried out using pre-tested semi-structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences to generate frequencies, cross tabulations of variables at 5% level of significance. Logistic regression model was used to determine the predictors at 95% confidence intervals.Results:Mean age of respondents was 32.9 ± 9.4 years with 86.1% being females. Overall, slightly below two-third (63.0%) had good knowledge on transmission of HIV/AIDS while 218 (54.1%) respondents had a high stigmatising attitude towards co-workers with HIV in the workplace. More female respondents (69.6%) demonstrated high stigmatising attitudes towards co-workers with HIV in the workplace (p = 0.012). Female workers were twice more likely to have high stigmatising attitudes towards co-worker with HIV [OR 2.1 (95% CI: 1.13 – 3.83)].Conclusion:Stigma towards people living with HIV/AIDs is still very persistent in different settings. Good knowledge amongst our participants about HIV/AIDs did not translate to low stigmatising attitudes among workers. Concerted efforts and trainings on the transmission of HIV/AIDs are essential to reduce stigma that is still very prevalent in workplace settings.


Author(s):  
Ezebunwa E. Nwokocha ◽  
Turnwait O. Michael

Child fosterage is one of the major manifestations of lack of capacity to cater for young family members in several societies of sub-Saharan Africa, which is reputed for prolific and sustained childbearing in the context of poverty. In Nigeria, the practice remains rife, with attendant negative consequences for foster children and communities in some cases. This paper, therefore, examined the challenges and coping strategies adopted by foster children in Bayelsa State, which was identified as one of the areas with high rates of child fosterage in Nigeria. Ethnomethodology and the rational choice theory were adopted as the theoretical framework. A total of 408 copies of a questionnaire were administered on respondents through a multistage sampling technique. Six in-depth interviews and two focus group discussions were conducted with foster children. The challenges reported by these children included physical abuse and maltreatment, lack of love and care, and lack of freedom of speech and boldness. Among the coping strategies identified by the foster children were endurance and silence, obedience and humility, and the uptake of paid jobs. There is, therefore, an urgent need for sustained fertility decline in order to discourage unnecessary child fosterage in Bayelsa and other states in Nigeria.


Author(s):  
Olasunkanmi Habeeb Okunola

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify and analyze indicators for measuring residents’ level of social and physical vulnerability to human-induced disasters in disaster-prone communities of Lagos, Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted the quantitative research method. Questionnaires were administered to household heads in three disaster-prone communities of Lagos, Nigeria. Using systematic random sampling technique, household heads’ opinions were sampled in 10 per cent of the buildings. This effort culminated in the sampling of 288 household heads in the three communities. Findings The study identified flood, fire outbreak and environmental pollution as the most prevalence disasters in the communities. State of infrastructure, housing conditions and residents’ socioeconomic characteristics were identified as the major factors influencing residents’ level of vulnerability to disasters in the communities. Research limitations/implications The study could be strengthened by looking at other disaster-prone communities in Nigeria with different cultural and political settings. Hence, the view presented in this paper may not be considered generalizable to other parts of the country with different cultural settings. Originality/value To build resilient communities in cities of developing countries, the paper of this nature is important to determine factors influencing residents’ level of vulnerability to disasters. This will aid in strengthening community-disaster preparedness in these countries.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 204
Author(s):  
Justus I. Emukule ◽  
Mary J. Kipsat ◽  
Caroline C. Wambui

Market participation in sub-Saharan Africa has been assessed mainly based on already producing households by looking at whether they sold or not, and if they sold, what quantities. The objective of this study was to determine the socio economic factors that influenced households’ decisions on market participation in terms of dairy cow ownership and quantity of milk sold while taking into consideration the non-producers using Heckman two stage model. The model allowed for not only determination of the effects of household characteristics on volume of milk surplus sold by already producing households but also drew inferences on the effect of household characteristics on probabilities of dairy cow ownership whileadding new information to literature by generating the truncation effect. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 544 producer and non-producer households and primary data collected using a semi structured interview schedule through personal interviews. From the results, probit marginal effects for dairy cow ownership were associated positively and statistically significant with household size, the level of education and land size owned by the households. The Heckman selection estimates revealed that increased number of dairy cows per household positively influenced the volumes of milk sold, while household size influenced negatively the quantity of milk sold. In conclusion, milk sales conditional on dairy cow ownership suffered from negative selectivity bias whereby a household with sample average characteristics who selected into dairy cow ownership secured 40% lower quantity of milk sold than would a household drawn at random.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  

Background: Hypertension, the global first and third risk for mortality and disease burden respectively, is recording an increment in Sub-Saharan Africa countries. This study aimed to identify prevalence and its associated risk factor of Hypertension in the Assosa town. Objective: To identify prevalence and factors associated with hypertension in the study area to increase it’s prevention and control methods. Methods & materials: Institutional based cross sectional study design with quota non-probability sampling technique was conducted among patients visited OPD units ofAssosa General Hospital (AGH) andAssosa Health Center(AHC) fromMarch to June 2018. All outpatients were included. To collect data, pre-tested structured questionnaire and face to face interviews were used. Components ofstatisticalresearch software SPSS version-21 like frequency table, chi-square test of independence & logistic regression was used to enter, analyze, summarize and characterize disease and associated factors data. Result: The study was conducted among 194 participants(152 from AGH and 42 from AHC) with 102 males and 92 females. Prevalence of hypertension among patients visited outpatient units of Assosa General Hospital and Assosa Health Center was 17.5%, and was slightly highest in male than female. Associated factors for hypertension among patients visited OPD units of AGH & AHC were history of hypertension in the family (CI=95% and COR=4.497(1.133-17.844) and being private employee (CI=95% and COR=0.0017(0.001-0.407). Conclusion & recommendation: Prevalence of HTN in the Assosa town, was low and influenced by some risk factors like work status and previousfamily history of hypertension. Even if usual usage ofsalt and using vegetable oil was not associated factor, being private employee were independent factor of HTN. In-depth study is recommended for further investigation. To increase preventative methods of HTN, health education supported by mass media, illustrative posters and anotherstrategies at every government & non government work sector are recommended.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-25
Author(s):  
Morufu Oladejo ◽  
Saliu Yinus ◽  
Azeez Abeeb ◽  
S. Shittu ◽  
Sanni Tajudeen

Managing queuing within the banking business in Nigeria has constituted major challenges whose effects have not been thoroughly examined. This study sets to investigate the continuous queuing in the Nigerian banking environment despite e-banking adoption in Nigeria. The research adopted a survey design where primary data were obtained using a structured questionnaire. Fifty (50) respondents were purposively chosen. A purposive sampling technique was used which considered banks having branches within Ladoke Akintola University of Technology and Ogbomoso town. OLS regression was used to determine the influence of electronic banking on customers queuing the factors for queuing in the banking environment amid e-banking adoption at 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that queue in the study area was most of the time very high in the morning, high in the afternoon and evening while at night, most time witnessed no queue. Electronic banking had a significant influence on customers’ queuing in the study area. Further, Tendency to Hold Cash by banks customers (THC), Poor Internet Infrastructure (PII), Cybercrime (CC) were the major factors causing bank customer queue in the banking environment in Nigeria, followed by Inadequate of Banking Technology Management (IBTM) and E-Banking Transaction Cost (EBTC). Therefore, banks service providers should increase efforts on cashless e-banking services and ensure reliable internet service at all times. Bank customers should be made to appreciate other e-banking services than ATM and allay fear on tendency to hold cash.


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