Effect of Government Regulations on the Level of Efficiency in Strategic Planning of Oil Marketers in Kenya

In the current business world, it is imperative that an organization runs its operations efficiently and in response to the needs of its stakeholders. In Kenya the oil sector has over 30 oil importing and marketing companies which contribute immensely higher GDP for the country and is expected to boost the economy by over 20% in 2030. Previous studies done has shown proliferation of counterfeit oil products in the market, tax evasion and tampering with product quality. The Government has countered all these through regulations, however little is known on the effect of these regulations so as to bring a win-win situation for all stakeholders. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of government regulations on the level of efficiency in strategic planning of oil marketers in Kenya. Specifically the study based on; determining the effect of licensing regulations, investigate the effect of safety standards, examine the effect of quality standards and establish the effect of price regulations, all on the level of efficiency in strategic planning of oil marketers in Kenya. The study employed Resource dependency Theory, Strategy implementation Theory and Stakeholder involvement theory. The study adopted quantitative survey design on 219 managers. The study adopted a stratified random sampling on a sample size of 66. Primary data was then collected using questionnaires from which 58 questionnaires were valid for the study making a response rate of 87.8%. secondary data was obtained from records, ppublications and audited financial reports.

Logistical Techniques on Measuring Road Roughness using Mobile Applications and further comparing the Road Roughness of PPP and Non PPP Roads

This paper compares the quality of roads built under Public Private Partnership and those which are not built under PPP. The quality of roads is measured by the vibrations captured while driving over the roads. The paper has tried to model that the variance in measuring accelerations on accelerometer is an underestimate of the actual accelerations on the road.

An Enquiry into the Production Pattern of Select Maharatnas (SAIL, CIL, ONGC and NTPC): Post-2000

Public sector enterprises have been set up to serve the broad macro-economic objectives of higher economic growth, self-sufficiency in production of goods and services, long term equilibrium in balance of payments and low and stable prices. Many of the CPSEs are also in the allocative business of natural resources. As on 31.3.2014 there were 290 Central Public Sector Enterprises consisting of 234 operating CPSEs and 56 CPSEs under construction. The turnover of all 234 operating CPSEs during 2013-14 stood at 20,61,866 crores as compared to 19,45,814 crores of 230 operating CPSEs in the previous year. Indian PSUs have developed a formidable franchise, with leadership positions in sectors like Oil and Gas, Financials, Utilities, Mining and Heavy Engineering controlling 60% - 90% market share. Over the years, they have played a significant role in the growth of the Indian economy – therefore their production pattern has been analysed using Basic Control Chart.

A Study on the Impact of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) on Indian Economy

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is fund flow between the countries in the form of inflow or outflow by which one can able to gain some benefit from their investment whereas another can exploit the opportunity to enhance the productivity and find out better position through performance. The effectiveness and efficiency depends upon the investors perception, if investment with the purpose of long term then it is contributes positively towards economy on the other hand if it is for short term for the purpose of making profit then it may be less significant. Depending on the industry sector and type of business, a foreign direct investment may be an attractive and viable option. Any decision on investing is thus a combination of an assessment of internal resources, competitiveness, and market analysis and market expectations. The FDI may also affect due to the Government trade barriers and policies for the foreign investments and leads to less or more effective towards contribution in economy as well as GDP of the economy Foreign direct investment (FDI) as a strategic component of investment is needed by India for achieving the economic reforms and maintains the pace of growth and development of the economy. The paces of FDI inflows in India initially were low due to regulatory policy framework but there is a sharp rise in investment flows from 2005 towards because of the new policy has broadened. Foreign direct investment (FDI) has been viewed as a power affecting economic growth (EG) directly and indirectly. The main purpose of the study is to analyse the impact of FDI on economic growth in India.

Consumers Awareness towards Insurance Companies and their

The insurance sector is growing rapidly all over the world. The insurance industry is gaining key position in the world economy and playing a significant role to cover the life and business risk of millions. At present, the insurance industry is in a nascent stage. The impact of privatization in risk business in India has shown its impact on transformation from the state of monopoly to mushrooming companies offering innovative products to the Indians. The growth in the life insurance sector has shown new heights and the functioning of private companies has given tough challenge to Life Insurance Corporation of India. Within a short span of time, private insurance companies have acquired more than 25 per cent of the life insurance market. Many changes have taken place in the processes and procedures of insurance business in terms of its format and products as well the mindset, motives, interests, and expectations on the part of the customers also. The customers have become more vigilant, calculative and calibrated not only in terms of risk coverage but look forward for safety of investment and higher rate of returns on the saving in insurance sector

Determinants of OFDI: A Study of Indian Manufacturing Firms

The main focus of this study is to analyze the determinants of Outward Foreign Direct Investment of firms in the Manufacturing sector of India. The data used for this study is from 2008-2010. The study shows that Indian enterprises in the manufacturing sector are investing in other countries for efficiency seeking benefits. The results indicate that mainly medium size enterprises invest abroad. They are RandD intensive and import intensive. Further, they are not the exporting firms. These results point to the fact that the Indian enterprises invest abroad to manufacture goods in a foreign location due to better investment environment abroad. They import the goods, produced in the plants abroad into India. Thus it appears that Indian OFDI is not to promote exports.

Moderating Effect of Marketing Mix Strategy on the Relationship Between Service Quality and Customer Satisfaction of Commercial Bank Customers, Nairobi Kenya

Marketing strategy remains a critical driver of customer satisfaction and competitiveness in the banking industry globally. Despite this, Commercial banks in Kenya are yet to attain required customer satisfaction levels. This is evident in the low average customer satisfaction index (CSI) which dropped from 67% in 2011 with a downward trend to 60% in 2015 way below the Kenyan Banking industry benchmark of 77%. Studies on the relationship between service quality and customer satisfaction revealed both positive and negative results. These suggest that the relationship may be affected by other factors such as marketing mix strategy. Previous studies have not addressed the role of marketing mix strategy comprising of product, price, promotion, place, people, process and physical evidence in the relationship between service quality and customer satisfaction. The role of a moderating variable like marketing mix strategy can have a strong influence on the strength of the relationship thus it’s needed for the study. The main purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of marketing mix strategy on the relationship between service quality and customer satisfaction of commercial bank customers in Nairobi, Kenya.

Rural Marketing: Opportunities and Challenges in Indian Context

The significance of rural marketing lies in the fact that 68% of population in India lives in villages. It has untapped market and marketers looking it as an opportunity. Due to continuous increase in purchasing power of rural population and improvement in infrastructure it has large potential to increase the customer base. The consumption pattern of rural population can be broadly classified as consumer goods and agricultural inputs. But at the same time, due to vastness of the country it possesses some challenges in the form of cultural, lingual and religious diversity. The present paper discusses the various opportunities and challenges in rural marketing in Indian context.

Consumers Perception Towards Online Banking: A Case Study of ‘Bank of India’

Internet banking is still at infancy stage in the world. Many studies focused on usage of internet banking but many factors on non-usage were overlooked. This research was carried out to validate the conceptual model of internet banking. The causes were identified and researched through correcting the causative factors so that internet banking can be used by more people. This will help the banking operations to be more cost effective. The research is focused on what are the customer’s perceptions about internet banking and what are the drivers that drive consumers. How consumers have accepted internet banking and how to improve the usage rate were the focus of research area in this study. The study revealed that education, gender, income plays an important role in usage of internet banking. Not much research has been done on these areas as they were focused more on the acceptance of technology rather than on people. The research corroborated the conceptual framework stating that if skills can be upgraded there will be greater will to use internet banking by consumers. Inhibitory factors like trust, gender, education, culture, religion, security, and price can have minimal effect on consumer mindset towards internet banking. E-banking is fast becoming a norm in the developed world, and is being implemented by many banks in developing economies around the globe. The main reason behind this success is the numerous benefits it can provide, both to the banks and to customers of financial services. For banks, it can provide a cost effective way of conducting business and enriching relationship with customers by offering superior services, and innovative products which may be customized to individual needs. For customers, it can provide a greater choice in terms of the channels they can use to conduct their business, and convenience in terms of when and where they can use e- banking.

Analysis of Service Quality and Organizational Performance of Private Healthcare Facilities in Nairobi County, Kenya

Private healthcare has a significant market share, approximately 50% in Sub –Saharan Africa. In Kenya, it contributes 22% of all health services. Despite the sector’s contribution, its annual growth rate continues declining from 5.2%, 3.5% and 2.3% in 2008, 2009 and 2010 respectively. Previous studies on service quality dimensions have focused on the relationship between tangibility, responsiveness, empathy, reliability, assurance, and customer satisfaction no studies have looked at elements of service quality such as competence and equity in relation to organizational performance. The main objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between service quality and organizational performance of private healthcare facilities in Nairobi. Theory of quality trilogy guided the study in a correlational survey research design. The population was 52 chief operation managers of 52 private health facilities accredited by NHIF in Nairobi. Pilot results (N=10) revealed 51-item instrument reliability ranged between α=0.700 and α=0.867 Results revealed Tangibles (β = 0.258, p = 0.005); responsiveness (β = 0.244, p = 0.007); Competence (β = 0.222, p = 0.032) and Equity (β = 0.248, p = 0.011) had positive significant effect on organizational performance of private health facilities in Nairobi. The study concluded that service quality practices (tangibles, responsiveness, competence and equity) were significant predictors of organizational performance. Recommendations were that facilities should continue enhancing service quality dimensions as these efforts improve organizational performance. The study provided a service quality management framework that will aid healthcare policy makers in strengthening the relationship between quality of care and organizational performance.