3673 research outputs found
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Strategy Implementation on Non-Financial Performance of Private Universities: A Case of United States International University- Africa
No full textA Research Project Report Submitted to the Chandaria School of Business in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirement for the Degree of Masters in Business Administration (MBA)The purpose of the study was to assess the impacts of effective strategy implementation on performance of private universities: a case study of United States International University (USIU). This study aimed at determining the influence of strategic financial allocation on performance of private university, explore the influence of human resource competence on performance and examining the influence of organizational culture on performance of Kenya’s private universities.
The study adopted a descriptive research method in gathering, analyzing, interpretation, and presentation of information. The descriptive research design helped in focusing at the strength of relationship between strategy implementation and performance. The study employed the use of questionnaires to obtain relevant information from respondents. The study focused on Top management, faculty and staff of USIU-A. Probability sampling technique was used to determine the sample size of 246 respondents and collect data from the sample. The study adopted a descriptive and inferential statistics in data analysis and presentation. Correlation analysis and regression analysis was used in the study to determine the impact of effective strategy implementation on performance of private universities. Data was presented in tables and charts.
The study determined how strategic resource allocation influences the performance of an organization specifically, the private universities in Kenya. The study found that resource allocation where senior management dictates fixed levels of resources for middle management hinders performance. The study reveals that resource allocation processes (RAP) shape what initiatives the organization funds hence organizational resources are significant tools to reach superior market position for your organization. The study established that strategic resources are critical in implementing strategies in your organization.
The study revealed how human resource competence influences performance of Kenyan private universities. The study found that personality in the workplace is important to achieve
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organization objectives hence private universities have employees that have capability of adjusting to swift dynamic business environment. The study found that human capital helps the organization to establish and maintain its competitive advantage over others hence the greatest objectives of human capital are to educate employees.
The study examined the influence of organizational culture on organizational performance in the private universities in Kenya. The study reveals that communication helps in improving operational efficiency thus improving the organization performance. Organizational culture is used to guide behaviour at work hence enhance performance hence the ways in which employees behave impact the organizational performance to a big extent.
The study concludes that resource allocation where senior management dictates fixed levels of resources for middle management hinders performance. It is necessary for an organization to have full level of employee commitment in order to have outstanding performance. The study concludes that the ways in which employees behave impact the organizational performance to a big extent. The study recommends the management of private universities should pay great attention to the relationship between strategy, resources and organizational performance. The organization should install resource allocation processes (RAP) as they shape what initiatives the organization funds
Influence of Corporate Governance on Financial Performance of Commercial Banks in Kenya
No full textA Research Project Report Submitted to the Chandaria School of Business in Partial Fulfilment for the Requirement of the Degree of Master of Business Administration (MBA)The purpose of this study was to establish whether corporate governance practices do influence financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya. The study was guided by the following research questions: How does the ownership structure of commercial banks influence the banks financial performance? How does board diversity affect financial performance of commercial banks? How does code of corporate governance influence performance of commercial banks?
Findings on ownership structure show that there exists a statistically significant relationship between ownership of commercial banks and financial performance, r (0.518); p < 0.01. All components considered under this research question including block ownership and institutional ownership were important in enhancing financial performance
Findings on board diversity show that there exists a statistically significant relationship between board diversity and financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya, r(0.309); p < 0.05. All components considered for this research question including board gender diversity, board size, board independence, and board-director duality were all important in enhancing financial performance of commercial banks
Findings on code of corporate governance shows that there exists a statistically significant relationship between code of corporate governance and financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya. Agency conflict and code of corporate objectivity were all considered and found to have influence on financial performance of commercial banks
This study concludes that both institutional and block ownership are relevant, and important in enhancing commercial banks financial performance., The variance is in how the structure do leverage of their inherent strength to advance financial performance objectives. This study also concludes that all the components considered under board diversity, including board gender diversity, board size, board independence significantly contribute to enhancing commercial banks financial performance. Finally, the study also concludes that agency conflict and code of objectivity are significant and important in enhancing financial performance of commercial bank.
This study recommends that management of commercial banks should invest more in systems and structure that enhance both block ownership and institutional ownership, since they are both relevant within the commercial banking sector. The study recommends that board diversity components, including gender diversity, board size, board independence, and board-director duality are very important to financial performance and need to be strengthened. Finally, the study recommends that commercial banks should continuously review and update their agency conflict policies in line with the changing dynamics within the banking sector
Influence of Human Resource Practices on Employee Commitment in Organizations in Kenya: A Case of Nene Solutions Limited
No full textA Research Project Submitted to the Chandaria School of Business in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree of Masters in Business Administration (MBA)The purpose of the study was to assess the influence of human resource practices on employee commitment at Nene Solutions Limited. The study was guided by three research questions which assessed: the extent to which recruitment and selection influence employee commitment at Nene Solutions Limited, the extent to which compensation influence employee commitment at Nene Solutions Limited, and the extent to which training and development influence employee commitment at Nene solutions Limited.
The research designed adopted for the study was descriptive research design. Descriptive design main aim is to identify and explain the associations that may occur between variables. The study targeted employees at Nene solutions Limited who are 34 in number. To attain the most convenient sample size, the study used a census approach first because the sample size was small, and also to ensure reliability and accuracy as there was no generalisation to be done. The researcher targeted 100% of the population hence 34 responses. The study further used inferential as well as descriptive statistics for analysis of the collected data. Presentation of the findings was done by use of tables, pie-charts, and graphs.
It was found from the first objective that majority of the respondents believed that the selection process of employees in an organisation influence commitment. To begin with, selection of employees based on merit occurred to be a key factor in enhancing commitment in the organisation. The second factor that mainly influenced commitment was selection of the right candidate for the right job with more than half of the employees’ agreeing with this factor. Again, the respondents believed that recruitment was influenced by them being recruited internally. The other factors of recruitment such as internet recruitment and third party recruitment as well as the time the company took to recruit new staff did not prove to be factors that would influence commitment.
An analysis done on the second objective established that the employees were more inclined to non-monetary form of compensation to influence their commitment as opposed to monetary form such as salary and bonuses. Majority of the respondents believed that promotion influenced their commitment much more than bonuses and incentives did. The employees further confirmed that when management recognised and praised their success
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on a job performed well, they became more committed to the organisation. The study did not find any relationship between benefits and salaries the employees earned and employee commitment. The study found that employees were not willing to leave the organisation on the basis of a better salary offer in another organisation.
On the third objective, the study found a positive relationship between training and development and employee commitment. Respondents were in agreement that the training they had received as well as the skills and knowledge they gained during training sessions had enhanced their commitment to the organisation. The management support on developing employees was also an influencer to employee commitment. Majority of the respondents felt that their relationships with colleagues were built during training and opportunities to try out what they had learnt during the training sessions influenced their commitment to the organisation.
The study concludes that the most influencing factors in employee commitment are training and development as well as selection. Compensation by a large extent was found to be influencer in non-monetary form, such as promotion, recognition, praise as well as incentives such as paid for holidays. Initiatives on factors such as having effective training sessions where training needs are identified and addressed and management involvement in training sessions would influence commitment in the organisation.
The study recommends that as far as human resource practices is concerned, training and development should be at the forefront to enhance commitment in an organisation. The study also recommends internal selection for purposes of commitment. With regards to compensation, it is recommended that the organisation focuses on promotion and recognition as well as career growth of the employees to ensure commitment within the organisation. Further research is also recommended to establish commitment of employees for locations that were not included in the study as well as different cultures with different work ethics and values. There is also need to conduct such a study with firms that are not in the same industry, including other practices in human resource management that are not limited to recruitment and selection, compensation and training and developmen
Why There Is Low Adoption of Internet Banking By Consumers in Kenya
No full textA Research Project Report Submitted to the Chandaria School of Business in partial fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree of Master of Business Administration (MBA)This study sought to establish why there is low adoption of internet banking in Kenya: a case of Nairobi County. Specifically, the study was guided by three objectives; to determine the effect of perceived usefulness to consumers on the adoption of internet banking facility; to determine the effect of perceived risks associated with adoption of internet banking; and to determine the effect of technological readiness of consumers on adoption of internet banking. The study was carried out in Nairobi County.
The study focused on two commercial banks, namely, Kenya Commercial Bank and Equity Bank. A study sample of 384 respondents was drawn from the study population. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The study samples were selected using a mixed sampling approach; the researcher used purposive sampling and simple random sampling. The study employed a set of structured and unstructured questionnaires to collect data. Data collected was analyzed using SPSS and the results were then presented in a tabular summarized form.
The study revealed that there was a positive relationship between perceived usefulness, perceived risk and technological readiness of the consumer and adoption of internet banking. The relationships (p < 0.000) are all significant with perceived risk (r = 0.669, p < 0.000), perceived usefulness (r = 0.664, p < 0.000) and technological readiness of the consumer (r = 0.656, p < 0.000). The study concluded that perceived usefulness by the consumers toward internet banking influenced the adoption of internet banking. Perceived risk associated with the use of internet banking also influenced the adoption of internet banking. Technological readiness of the consumers towards internet banking also influenced adoption of internet banking.
The study recommended that there is need for financial institutions to engage consumers more on the usage of internet banking and create more awareness of the service. The study further recommended that regulations and policies should be put in place to ensure safety of the internet banking platform to reduce risks of fraud and uncertainty towards usage of internet banking. The study recommends further research on effect of perceived usefulness, perceived risk and technological awareness through collection and analysis of secondary data to give more insight on how the above factors influence adoption of internet banking. The study also recommends further research on adoption of internet banking in other counties to compare the findings
Effects of Social Responsibility Initiatives on Performance of Safaricom Kenya Limited
No full textA Research Project Report Submitted to the School of Business in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Masters in Business Administration (MBA)The aim of the study was to find out the effect of CSR initiatives on Safaricom. The research questions that were addressed in this study were; what is the effect of CSR initiatives on sales? What is the effect of CSR initiatives on market share? What is the effect of CSR initiatives on brand? A survey to investigate and come up with the answers to the research question was conducted at Safaricom limited using descriptive design. A sample of 75 respondents was used to conduct the survey at Safaricom limited where structured questionnaires were issued to the selected sample using stratified sampling technique. The data was entered and analysed using SPSS statistical tool to generate correlation figures as well as frequencies and percentages. The information was further presented using figures and tables and related with the literature review.
The study investigated the Effect of CSR in Sales, from the study, it was established that there is the effect of CSR initiatives on the sales of Safaricom Limited. It was found out that as a result of CSR initiatives, there has been an increase in the levels of sales, increase in capital employed, increase in profitability as a result of an increase in sales and increase in return on investment. In addition, the research found a relationship between CSR initiatives and Sales increase. As such, it can be said that CSR initiatives have an effect on Sales at Safaricom. It was recommended that Safaricom limited should continue implementing the CSR initiatives as they were found to have more benefits. Such continued implementation would ensure that the company continues to enjoy the benefit of good brand reputation, increased sales revenues and larger size of market share.
Again, the study investigated the Effect of CSR Initiatives on Market Share. The study established that there is the effect of CSR initiatives on the market share of Safaricom Limited. It was found out that as a result of CSR initiatives, the has been increase in the market share, increase in return on investment as a result of increase in market share, increases in customer preference for Safaricom products compared to the competitors and enjoy economies of scale as a result of a bigger market share than competitors. In addition, the research found a relationship between CSR initiatives and market share increase. As such, it can be said that CSR initiatives have an effect on market share at Safaricom. It was recommended that Safaricom limited should continue implementing the CSR initiatives as they were found to have more benefits. Such continued implementation would ensure that the company continues to enjoy the benefit of good brand reputation, increased sales revenues and larger size of market share. In addition, Safaricom limited should identify the aspects of market share which CSR affects, i.e. the market value or volume so that they are able to know what products to offer to these markets that have increased as a result of CSR initiatives.
Finally, the research investigated the Effect of CSR Initiatives on Brand. The study found out that there is the effect of CSR initiatives on the on Safaricom Limited brand. It was found out that as a result of CSR initiatives, the brand has become more reputable, brand growth has brought about increase in financial performance, earning customer loyalty and create a brand reputation in an honest and reliable manner. In addition, the research found a relationship between CSR initiatives and market share increase. As such, it can be said that CSR initiatives have an effect on Safaricom Limited Brand. It was recommended that Safaricom limited should continue implementing the CSR initiatives as they were found to have more benefits. Such continued implementation would ensure that the company continues to enjoy the benefit of good brand reputation, increased sales revenues and larger size of market share. In addition, Safaricom in future would need to consult the recipients of CSR initiatives so as to enhance their services to them. This is because it is easy for competitors to copy the initiatives and render the same services which would make the CSR initiatives by Safaricom a routine
An Investigation on the Techno-Human Influence on Examination Information Security Management: A Case of Three Kenyan Universities
No full textA Project Report Submitted to the School of Science and Technology in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree of Master of Science in Information Systems and TechnologyThe use of and reliance on information systems for business has been on the rise especially in recent years. This has had a serious impact on the security of business information. Previous studies have identified two areas that must be considered when creating a secure information system: technology and human compliance to policies. Many researchers have stated that technology vulnerabilities are a key source of weakness and data loss in many information systems in organizations. Additionally, studies have shown that inappropriate user behavior and staff nonconformity to organizational information systems security policies may lead to data breaches; these factors are therefore major concerns in many organizations.
The purpose of this study, therefore, was to investigate the technology and human related factors that may contribute to information security breaches as far as confidentiality of examination materials in selected Kenyan universities is concerned. This was motivated by the need to safeguard examination confidentiality. Specifically, the study aimed to examine the influence of technological factors on examination information security management, investigate the influence of individual factors on examination information security management and explore the influence of organizational factors on examination information security management.
Based on the purpose of the study and the type of data collected, a descriptive research design and convenience sampling were used. Information was obtained from both first hand sources (primary data) and from available literature (secondary data). The primary data was quantitative with 120 questionnaires administered. Several sources of literature reviewed in order to collect data.
The scope of the study was limited to 3 Kenyan universities. Limitations experienced while carrying out the study included reluctance from some members of the sample to participate in the study, time and cost constraints.
Results of multiple regression analysis show that the factors considered in this study explain almost one third (r2 equals .326) of the variance in the dependent variable i.e. user security behavior. Further, the p-value of .000 (< .001) implies that the research model is significant at the 1 percent level and that the independent variables considered in this
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study namely self-efficacy, information security awareness, threat appraisal, job satisfaction, organizational culture, security policy, training and awareness and management commitment to Information Security Management (ISM) significantly statistically influence user security behavior, as a whole, in the selected universities.
Given the results obtained from the study, it is recommended that the study be extended to cover a wide range of institutions of higher learning in order for them to understand their information security environments and consequently tailor make solutions to address their findings. Other factors that have been identified in previous studies on user security behavior with respect to information security and were not included in this study, such as rewards, personal innovativeness, direct supervisory practices and coping appraisal, should be considered for future research work. Practically, an environment that cultivates self-efficacy, information security awareness and job satisfaction as well as a healthy information security culture should be encouraged to improve user security behavior
The Impact of Knowledge Management on Economic Empowerment within Communities: A Case Study of Informal Settlements in Nairobi, Kenya
No full textA Research Project Submitted to the Chandaria School of Business in partial
fulfilment of the Requirement for the Degree of Masters of Business Administration (MBA)The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of Knowledge Management
(KM) on economic empowerment within communities specifically focusing on
informal settlements of Kibera, Mathare, Korogocho and Mukuru of Nairobi,
Kenya that are supported by Umande Trust. It tested 3 research questions: First,
establishing the effect of knowledge generation on economic empowerment,
whether existing knowledge sharing mechanisms affect economic empowerment,
and how ICT-enabled knowledge management affects economic empowerment.
The study used a descriptive survey design which employed a quantitative
methodology that helped in providing and analysing quantitative data. It involved
use of a structured questionnaire as a data collection tool to gather information from
the respondents. The population of the study were 55 Community Based
Organizations (CBOs). The questionnaire was administered to a sample size of 200
respondents with at least 3 randomly picked from each CBO. Out of the
questionnaires administered, 115 were considered valid representing 57.5% of the
response rate. Data was analysed using computer statistical packages. Descriptive
statistics including frequencies, mean, correlations and regression were utilized to
inform the analysis. The study showed that knowledge within communities is
mainly generated from development partners’ project teams/staff and interactions
amongst community members. Knowledge sharing mostly takes place during social
interactions such as trainings, meetings and workshops. Use of
computers/phones/internet helps to reduce costs related to KM and provide quick
and better access to information. This study concluded that knowledge generated
from development partners’ project teams/staff enhances members’ ability to
support CBOs to set priorities and planning of economic activity programmes.
Knowledge sharing through social interactions enhances CBO members’ ability to
hold leaders accountable and make more informed decisions affecting both their
CBOs and personal businesses. Possession of computers and access to cyber cafes
(internet) for KM enhances the community members’ ability to support their CBOs
to set priorities and planning for economic programmes. The study recommends
that cultivating an enabling environment to spur interactions to facilitate knowledge
generation to support economic empowerment should be strategic and intentional.
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Economic empowerment initiatives to employ more of social interacting knowledge
sharing initiatives/platforms. There is need to invest in technology including KMS
and infrastructure, sensitization and awareness about the value of ICT as an integral
part of KM to enhance economic empowerment. Given this study only covered the
impact of knowledge generation, knowledge sharing mechanisms and ICT-enabled
KM on economic empowerment in communities, future research studies could be
conducted on other aspects of the KM process such as knowledge storage,
presentation, etc. and how these affect economic empowerment
An Analysis Of Kenya Vision 2030’s Efforts Towards Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 10
No full textA Thesis Submitted To the School Of Humanities and Social Sciences (SHSS) In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree of Master of Arts in International RelationsKenya has been experiencing significant economic growth over the last few decades. The effect of this economic progress has however been felt by a limited segment of the population, while the vast majority fails to benefit from this prosperity. Extreme inequality tends to slow down the development process for all economic classes, hence the need to consider ways of sharing economic prosperity as proposed by John Rawls’ theory of distributive justice. The three-fold objectives of this study are: to describe the effect of applying Kenya Vision 2030 on wealth inequality between 2008 and 2016; to establish the extent to which Kenya Vision 2030 is in harmony with the aims of Sustainable Development Goal 10; to describe the factors that may hinder the realization of Sustainable Development Goal 10 in Kenya. Inequality does not manifest only in income differences, but also in the unfair distribution of opportunities to develop an individual’s full potential. The Sustainable Development Goals provide a normative framework of issues, objectives and policies that underpin sustainable development. The methodology of the paper was to measure the extent of Kenya’s income inequality using the Gini index, while the inequality of outcomes was measured using the loss in human development index due to inequality. The findings of the research indicate that through Kenya Vision 2030, the country succeeded in marginally reducing the level of inequality of outcomes while failing to address income inequality. This is explained largely by low financing in 6 critical sectors outlined by the World Bank, which plagued all efforts against inequality. The main recommendation offered to the government is to diversify and increase the country’s export capacity, which would afford Kenya the capacity to battle inequality effectively
US Foreign Policy toward Africa: A contextual analysis of interventions, partnerships, and the role of Congress, 1989 to 2015
No full textA thesis submitted to the School of Humanities and Social Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirement for a Master of Arts Degree in International RelationsUnited States International University - AfricaThis thesis attempts to analyze the US foreign policy towards Africa between 1989 and 2015. This period marks the end of the Cold War which has been experienced from 1945 to 1989. It is worth noting that before the Cold War period, with spectacular events in the international arena such as the scramble and partition of Africa and earlier the international slave trade, the US did not have direct foreign policy towards Africa. The US did not participate in the partition of Africa however the American citizens of African origin were concerned and protested the aim of European powers in colonizing Africa.This signaled the race factor in the US foreign policy making towards Africa. During the Cold War period, the US sacrificed the foreign policy on promotion of democracy and human rights in Africa in order to block the spread of communism in Africa by the former Soviet Union. At the end of Cold War, the US embarked on serious bilateral and multilateral engagement with African nations. This thesis has analyzed the interventionist and partnership basis of US foreign policy towards African nations; and the role of the Congress in the policy decision-making process. Kenyan nation in the globalized world has had the experience of the interventionist US policy and the underlying element of public diplomacy under the aegis of intervention by the US government to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS. As well Kenya has established a strong trade partnership under the banner of AGOA, a trade policy by the United States towards African nations. An illustration of textile manufacturing industry in Kenya dubbed Export Processing Zones is a success story of trade partnership between the US and Kenyan governments
The Role of Media and International Relations: A Case Study of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide
No full textThesis Submitted To the School of Humanities and Social Sciences in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree Of masters of Arts in International RelationsThe main objective of this study was to determine the role that the media and international relations played in the 1994 Rwanda Genocide. The specific objectives were to examine the role of media and International Relations the effects of ethnic tensions, failure of international community to intervene in the genocide immediately it began, impunity and the failure of humanitarian intervention in the 1994 Rwanda genocide.
Secondary data was used to investigate the role that the media and International Relations played in the 1994 Rwanda genocide. This study presented recommendations and suggestions for media ethics and the involvement of the international community in order to be successful; there was a need to have humanitarian intervention during genocide. The study found out that the international community actively sought to avoid any responsibility it might have for acting to prevent the killing. Individual states sought refuge for their choice not to act by asserting that the killing was the result of ancient tribal hatreds that could not be resolved. Others relied on the claim that intervention would violate Rwandan sovereignty.
The researcher recommended that further research should test the hypothesis that media involvement in human rights campaign should be intensified. This is necessary considering the fact that the media are also rights holders in order to know if the organizations should set a limit to any positive contribution they make in regard to human rights promotion. Therefore, media involvement in charities or nonprofit organizations should be investigated to find out the impact of such involvement on media credibility and expertis