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Assessing the Correlation between Parental Work Schedules-Family Balance and Adolescents Psycho-Social Behavior in Kiambu High Schools, Kiambu County, Kenya
No full textA Thesis Submitted To the School Of Arts & Sciences in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree of Master of Arts S in Counseling PsychologyWork-family balance remains a central issue for employed parents and employers alike. An important correlate of both adolescent psychosocial development and parental work is the parent-child relationship. Psychosocial and mental health problems are quite prevalent among adolescent worldwide, some data reporting up to 20% of adolescents having such problems, therefore this study looked into adolescents’ psycho-social behavior as influenced by parents work-family balance. The specific objectives included establishing effects of parents’ work-family balance on parenting styles; parent- adolescent bond and Parent-adolescent conflict as significant factors of adolescents' psychosocial behavior. This study was conducted using a mixed method research design and the target population was adolescents in both public and private high schools in Kiambu County. Stratified sampling technique was used to select both private and public schools in 10 districts. From the total population of 338 schools a sample of 42 was selected which represents about 12% of the total population of schools and using simple random sampling, 420 adolescents was drawn; of which 10 adolescents were randomly selected in every selected school. Structured questionnaire with a section on the Adolescents’ Psychosocial Functioning Inventory (APFI) test was developed and utilized as a tool for collecting data.. The researcher analyzed data using both descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS that involved frequency distribution and chi-square tests and presented in tables and charts. The research findings indicate that adolescents from authoritative and authoritarian parenting style inhabit same Optimism and Coping Strategies (OCS) TFS =12 slightly higher than those from permissive parenting style TFS=8 . The findings also indicate that adolescents from authoritative and authoritarian parenting style inhabit high General Psychosocial Dysfunctions (GPD) TFS=44.02 and are more likely to have Behavioral and Relationship Problems (BRP) TFS=9.78. The results show how parents’ work-family balance affect Parent- adolescent bond and in turn influence adolescents' psychosocial behavior; Adolescents who spend more quality time with parents in the evening to bond inhabit appreciable aspects of psychosocial development behaviors TFS (OCS=9.71; GPD=36.43; and BRP=9.57) and the relation between time adolescents’ father comes back from work and Parent- adolescent bond was significant, X2 (3, N=390) =40.022, p<0.01, whereby 156 (40%) adolescents noted to have poor bonding and can’t tell time their father came back because they usually asleep by the time he gets home. The relation between time adolescents’ mother comes back from work and Parent- adolescent bond was also significant, X2 (4, N=390) =136.906, p<0.01. The researcher established how parents’ work-family balance affect Parent-adolescent conflict and in turn influence adolescents' psychosocial behavior; whereby high parents-adolescents conflict lead to high TFS (GPD =41.6) and (BRP =10.78). The research concludes that the correlation between parental work schedules-family balance and adolescents’ psychosocial behavior is hinged on parenting style, level of parent-adolescent bond and level of parent-adolescent conflict. From a practical perspective, the findings of the current study have implications for both adolescents and the parent; thus in this light the researcher recommends that parents should struggle to balance work and family responsibilities for a positive psychosocial behaviour development of the adolescents
An Analysis of the Effects of Globalization on Local Firm Competitiveness: A Case of Regent Automobile Valuers and Assessors Ltd
No full textA Research Project Report proposed to the School of Business in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree Of Masters in Business Administration (MBA)The purpose of the study is to analyze the effects of globalization on local firm competitiveness, and thus to analyze strategies that aid local Kenyan firms to adapt to globalization. In recent years, the world has witnessed constant waves of globalization. These waves have impacted both local and international firms. A sample effect has been the entry of numerous foreign competitors into the Kenyan market. The study aims to come up with strategies by answering three research questions. First, what have been the effects of globalization on local firm competitiveness? Second, which strategies do local firms use to compete with foreign multinational corporations (which possess more resources) in an increasingly globalized local environment? Third, how do local firms enter international markets to gain competitive advantage? Tackling these three research questions will assist local Kenyan firms to better understand and respond to the effects of globalization, while planning for and beginning the process of internationalization.
The study used a descriptive research method for its research design. This is used to describe characteristics of a population or phenomenon. The study’s population was picked from Regent Automobile Valuers and Assessors Ltd, a local Kenyan firm that specializes in the valuation of automobiles and machinery. The research utilized a population census. It dealt with primary data. Data was collected using questionnaires. To ensure a high degree of accuracy, the questionnaire was pretested. Once data was collected, it was cleaned and input into a computer. Data analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS Statistical Analysis software and Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet software. Data analysis was then carried out using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics analyzed frequency distribution of responses, measures of central tendency, and reliability. Measures of central tendency included the mean, median, mode, standard deviation, variance, range, minimum values and maximum values. Reliability analysis utilized the Chronbach’s Alpha. Inferential Statistics undertook a correlation analysis using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Statistical findings were presented in the form of frequency distribution tables, bar graphs and pie charts.
The research discovered that globalization forces had a large impact on local firm competitiveness. Analysis discovered that firms that successfully adapted to globalization were likely to be highly successful in the local market, and were also likely to expand; or desire to expand into foreign markets. The research concluded that globalization has a great impact on both the competitiveness of local firms; and the business environments they operate in. Positive effects such as access to foreign technologies and foreign direct investments greatly benefit local firms; while negative effects, such as adverse competition, have the potential to drive companies that do not adapt into extinction. Local firms can successfully compete with foreign firms in the local business environment. They can also successfully enter international markets despite an increasingly hostile, competitive and volatile international business environment. The research recommended that local firms need to analyze the effects of globalization on both their competitiveness and their local business environments. Doing this will aid them to better position themselves to respond, adapt and exploit the effects of globalization to their advantage. The research also recommended that firms conduct thorough industry analyses to map out potential foreign threats, and position themselves in the industry. Local companies need to deeply analyze the special competitive advantages they possess by being local; and learn how to exploit them effectively. Firms that desire to expand into international markets should have an adequate global strategy
The Association between Verbal Fluency Deficits, Depression, And Quality of Sleep among Alzheimer ’s disease Patients
No full textA Thesis Submitted to the School of Humanities and Social Sciences in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree of Master of Arts in Clinical PsychologyAlzheimer’s disease represents a growing health challenge in the elderly population across the globe. The disease is associated with negative implications on survival, cost-of-care, and quality-of-life (World Alzheimer Report, 2015). Of the various debilitating cognitive symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease, language deficits are associated with much greater clinical relevance because of its interference with aspects such as self-care, recreational activities, employment, and behavior. One of the early signs of aphasia in Alzheimer’s disease is impairment in verbal fluency (Ferris & Farlow, 2013). Because of the widespread trend of bilingualism in today’s scenario (Ansaldo & Saidi, 2014), it is essential to study language deficits within the framework of the bilingual brain. Therefore, in this study, second language deficits as measured by verbal fluency tasks were assessed in Alzheimer’s disease patients as compared to healthy elderly individuals. Additionally, the study evaluated the relationship between second language deficits and depression and sleep disturbances in Alzheimer’s disease patients relative to healthy older individuals. No correlation was found between depression and sleep and verbal fluency tasks in Alzheimer’s patients. However, the rate of depression was significantly higher in Alzheimer’s patients. In healthy individuals, there was a significant effect for habitual sleep efficiency on semantic task scores, F(1, 6) = 6.069, p = .049. Furthermore, semantic task score was significantly higher than phonemic task score in healthy individuals, t(9) = 3.939, p = .003, suggesting an increased cognitive load associated with the phonemic task
The Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility on Financial Performance of Multinational Companies in Kenya: A Case Study of Unilever Kenya
No full textA Project Report Submitted to the Chandaria School of Business in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree of Masters in Business Administration (MBA)The general objective of the study was to establish the impact of Corporate Social Responsibility on Financial Performance of Unilever Kenya. The specific objectives were: to determine the Corporate Social Responsibility programs of Unilever Kenya, to access the challenges in implementing corporate social responsibility programs in Unilever Kenya and to determine the relationship between Corporate Social Responsibility and Financial Performance of Unilever Kenya. A descriptive research design was used to carry out the study. The study population consisted of 275 management staff at Unilever Kenya and the sample size consisted of 82 respondents. The study relied both on primary and secondary data which was collected from the respondents using a structured questionnaire and secondary data from annual financial reports.
Quantitative data was analysed by use of descriptive statistics including mean, frequency, standard deviation and percentages to profile sample characteristics and major patterns emerging from the data. Data was presented in tables and graphs. In the first research objective, the findings established that majority of the respondents were in agreement that it is important for Unilever Kenya to engage in corporate social responsibility. On the level of the company’s involvement in different corporate social responsibility programs most of the respondents ranked programs such as education programs, health and hygiene programs, nutrition programs, sustainable sourcing programs, fairness at work place programs, inclusive business programs and opportunities for women programs that aimed at creating a sustainable environment.
On the second research objective the findings revealed that respondents agreed that there exists challenges in implementing corporate social responsibility programs. The challenges are; failure to engage key stakeholders, inadequate skills to carry out CSR programs, strategy implementation, budget process, inability by the government to enforce CSR in to law, lack of interest in implementing CSR programs and political and social insecurity. The last objective was to determine if there was a relationship between corporate social responsibility and financial performance of the company, the correlation results showed that there is a strong positive correlation between corporate social responsibility and financial performance.
The correlation results also showed a strong positive correlation between corporate social responsibility and financial performance. The study concludes that there is a positive association between CSR and financial performance of Unilever Kenya. From the results obtained the researcher recommended that Unilever Kenya should continue to engage in corporate social responsibility to yield the benefits associated with corporate social responsibility engagement and further improve its overall performance. The study further recommends that Unilever Kenya integrates corporate social responsibility as part of its company’s core business and view corporate social responsibility as an avenue for profit maximization. Lastly, due to the fact that companies differ in their approaches to corporate social responsibility, the study recommended further studies on different multinational companies, studies which can allow for generalization of the findings to the whole industry
Factors Influencing Strategy Implementation in Organizations: A Study of Pernod Ricard 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)The purpose of the study was to analyze the key factors affecting strategy implementation in Pernod Ricard Kenya. The research was led by the following research questions: How does human resource factors affect strategy implementation at Pernod Ricard Kenya? How does communication affect strategy implementation at Pernod Ricard Kenya? And, how does organization structure affect strategy implementation at Pernod Ricard Kenya?
The study used descriptive research design. The target population of the research entailed the top and middle level employees of Pernod Ricard Kenya Limited with a population of 80 employees. The study was quantitative in nature as data was collected using questionnaires from both clusters. The questionnaires were distributed by the researcher to the different respondents and collected after completion. In regard to data analysis, the demographic data was tabulated using frequency and percentages. For data description, the Pearson’s correlation was used. The data was presented in the form of tables according to the research questions through the use of Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS).
The study showed that the organization was able to select employees who were knowledgeable for the tasks assigned, and environmental factors such as politics and the job market affected recruitment and selection at the organization. The organization used the competency model while hiring which resulted in transparency in the recruitment and selection process, and employees were trained on the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform tasks in the organization. There was an opportunity to put into practice what employees were trained on after a training and development program, and information was conveyed to new employees on the expectation of their jobs including the human resource policies of the organization.
The study showed that company used emails in communicating strategy implementation, as well as internal memos while communicating strategy to facilitate implementation. The organization did not use short message service in communicating strategy implementation which could be effective given that most if not all employees have mobile phones. The company used oral presentation in communicating strategy implementation, as well as periodic reports in communicating strategy implementation.
The study showed that employees were informed of changes and also encouraged and motivated towards strategy implementation in the organization, and they had the information they needed to do their work. There was open communication between employees and the management at the organization, and management coordinated activities through the strategy implementation process. There were social task forces, project teams and standing committees formulated to spearhead the strategy implementation in the organization, and resources such as finances and personnel were adequately allocated for strategy implementation.
The study showed that the organization was affected by the unexpected and unpredictable changes in management, and it took time to respond and adapt to new internal changes. The study recommends that Pernod Ricard Kenya management need to establish a knowledge management culture that would facilitate faster adaptation to change since systems set in place would guide all employees on what was expected of them in good time
Effect of Behavioral Biases on Ranking of Financing Decisions by Financial Managers of Firms Listed In the Nairobi Securities Exchange
No full textDissertation Report Submitted to the Chandaria School of Business in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirement for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of managerial behavioral biases on ranking of financing decisions. The study population was senior and middle level financial managers of firms listed in the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE). The study was guided by 6 specific objectives, namely: to establish the effect of managerial overconfidence; managerial over optimism; regret aversion; anchoring; mental accounting and conservatism on ranking of financing decisions by financial managers of firms listed in NSE. The level of personal skills and competence was investigated as a moderating variable.
The study employed a positivism philosophy and a descriptive correlational design drawing its population from senior and middle level financial managers the 64 firms listed in the NSE as at 31st of December 2015. A two tier sampling was applied; a census at the firm level and purposive sampling at financial manager level resulting with a selection of the top 3 senior to middle level financial managers from each firm. Consequently, the target population was the top three financial managers in each of the firms listed in the NSE resulting in 192 financial managers. A questionnaire was utilised to collect primary data from the selected population. Descriptive statistics, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and multinomial logit regression were employed in data analysis.
Findings depict that all the selected independent variables had a significant effect on ranking of financing decisions by managers in firms listed in the NSE. Detailed findings reveal that managers who were predisposed to overconfidence, anchoring and mental accounting biases were more inclined towards debt and equity compared to internal capital, with equity most preferred followed by debt then internal sources of capital. However, those with over optimism bias ranked debt highest followed by equity with the lowest ranking for internal capital. On the other hand, managers with a predisposition towards regret aversion and conservatism behavioral biases highly ranked internal capital and debt compared to equity, internal capital was most preferred followed by debt then equity. Further results indicate a significant interaction between the moderating variable (personal skills and competency) and managerial behavioral biases on ranking of financing decisions.
Consequently, it is recommended that the implications of overconfidence be considered by financial managers as well as those charged with the responsibility for corporate governance
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to constantly refine financing techniques. This will help handle the new set of challenges that come with need to strike a value adding balance on financing decisions. Specifically, over optimistic financial managers‟ focus should shift from the future to the present. Whilst the regret avert oriented managers should consider referring to decision makers who have proven relevant experience on financing decisions especially when sourcing for long term financing, managers with this type of attribute can be guided by budgeting and forecasting tools when making decisions. Further, on anchoring characteristics, it will be helpful to gain wide range of information on the specific issue requiring evaluation and subsequent decision before taking action. On mental accounting, principles such as segregation of gains, integration of losses, and integration of small losses in big gains, segregation of small gains in big losses which are procedures that effectively regulate economic and other transactions are considered useful. With regard to conservatism as a trait, financial managers in the firms should consider adopting a suitable financial policy that aligns with a commensurate risk appetite for the entity. Finally, the importance of regular and constant development in one‟s area of expertise cannot be overemphasised. The more knowledgeable, more conversant with changes and recent developments, the better the quality of financing decisions that one is able to take. This is especially useful under conditions of information uncertainty as this speaks to one‟s ability to take calculated risks in enhancing the effectiveness of management decisions and actions in times of crisis
Transformational Leadership Style and Its Influence on Performance of Judicial Staff in Kenya
No full textA Dissertation Report Submitted to the Chandra School of Business in partial fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)The purpose of the study was to analyze the influence of transformational leadership style on the performance of judicial staff in Kenya. The research questions were: How does idealized influence of judicial officers influence the performance of judicial staff in Kenya? How does inspirational motivation of judicial officers influence the performance of judicial staff in Kenya? How does intellectual stimulation of judicial officers influence the performance of judicial staff in Kenya? How does individualized consideration of judicial officers influence the performance of judicial staff in Kenya? To what extent does organizational structure moderate the relationship between transformational leadership style and the performance of judicial staff in Kenya?
The study philosophy was positivist. Descriptive correlation research design was used to conduct the study. The target population of the study consisted of 770 judicial staff in Nairobi County. The study used stratified random sampling technique to select a sample of 385 judicial staff from the target population. The research instrument for collecting data was a structured questionnaire. Out of the total sampled respondents, 312 returned dully-filled questionnaire representing a response rate of 81%.Bivariate correlations were used to establish the relationship between variables, while one way ANOVA was used to test the differences between group means. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to test hypotheses for the five variables. SPSS version 23 (2015) was used as a tool for data analysis, and results presented in tables and figures.
Correlation analysis revealed the existence of positive and significant relationships between performance of judicial staff and individualized consideration, r (312) = .678, p<.05; intellectual stimulation, r (312) =.665, p<.05; idealized influence r (312) = .621, p<.05; and inspiration motivation r (312) =.534, p<.05. Analysis of variance revealed that there was statistically significant difference between the means of the four independent variables. The null hypotheses for the four independent variables were rejected based on the regression results i.e., individualized consideration (R2=.719, F (1,310) = 641.285, p<.05); intellectual stimulation ;(R2=.642, F (1,310) = 552.207, p<.05); idealized influence (R2=.859, F (1,310) = 411.847, p<.05); and lastly inspiration motivation, (R2=.460, F (1,310) = 264.407, p<.05). Regression analysis revealed that all the four independent variables positively and significantly predicted the performance of judicial staff i.e. individualized consideration, β =0.828, t(311) =25.32, p<.05, followed by
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intellectual stimulation, β =.814, t(311) = 23.50, p<.05, then idealized influence β =.762, t(311) = 16.26, p< .05, and lastly inspiration motivation, β =.734, t(311) = 16.26, p< .05. The implication was that an increase in any of the independent variables would result into an improvement on the performance of judicial staff by a factor equivalent to the respective β-value.
The study concluded that idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration positively and significantly influence the performance of judicial staff. The study established that organization structure positively moderated the relationship between transformational leadership style and the performance of judicial staff. The study concluded that transformational leadership style significantly influences the performance of judicial staff in Kenya.
The study recommends that judicial officers should act in ways that inspire admiration and respect, and make judicial staff have complete trust in them. Judicial officers should communicate optimistically on the tasks that need to be accomplished, inspire confidence, and help judicial staff find meaning in their work. The study recommends that further research should be carried out on the moderating effect of organizational culture on the influence of transformational leadership style on performance of judicial staff
Self-Disclosure of Extradyadic Involvement among Married Men in Nairobi County and Its Environs
No full textA Dissertation Submitted to the School of Humanities and Social Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Psychology in Clinical PsychologyDisclosure of Extradyadic involvement (EDI) by married men in Kenya is mostly accidental resulting in problems for the couple and family. The study examined disclosure of EDI by married men aged 25 to 60 years with two or more years in marriage, to gather information that would bolster disclosure of EDI. The study focused on; men’s understanding of EDI,impact of EDI, EDI disclosure and what the involved men would desire their spouses to know. Mixed methods were used; quantitative data collected using questionnaires was analyzed using SPSS, qualitative data from focus group discussions was analyzed into themes along the study objectives.The findings indicated that; 65% of the respondents had physical EDI;50%of the respondents’ spouses had no idea about theEDI; only 10% of the respondents disclosedtheir EDI to their spouses and 43.4% had their spouses discovering the EDI in other ways. This was determined to be out of fear ofhurting one’s spouse, possibility of separation and divorce, guilt and shame in the society.Further, once the EDI was discovered, men appeared to get defensive, stonewalled remaining anxious and using alcohol to cope.There was a significant association between anxiety and alcohol use disorder χ2 (1, N=152) = 26.09, p<0.001 as well as avoidance with alcohol use disorder,χ2 (1, N=152) = 18.84, p<0.001.The results may suggest a clinical impact of EDI
Effects of Marketing Mix on Sales Performance: A Case of Unga Feeds Limited
No full textA Research Project Submitted to the Chandaria School of Business in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Masters in Business Administration (MBA)The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of marketing mix on sales performance. The research was guided by the following objectives: To evaluate the relationship between product and sales performance at Unga group, to evaluate the relationship between price and sales performance Unga group Ltd, to evaluate the relationship between place and sales performance at Unga group Ltd, and to evaluate the relationship between promotion and sales performance at Unga group Ltd.
Descriptive research was used in the study. Target population was 127 middle level staff at Unga Group Limited. Stratified random sampling was used to select a sample size of 96. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data. Descriptive and inferential statistics was used to analyze data. Tables and figures were used to present data. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software was used to analyze the data.
The first objective sought to evaluate the relationship between product and sales performance. It was also established that majority of the respondents agreed that product quality has a positive impact on sales performance, brand awareness influences organizational performance, packaging influence consumer-perceived product quality, packaging is used to describe the product and its use, company’s brand image, and loyalty has an influence on profitability However, respondent strongly disagreed that product perceived quality does not influence purchase intention
The second objective aimed to evaluate the relationship between price and sales performance. It was also established that majority of the respondents agreed that use of pricing strategy has increased sales volume, price promotion has a significant impact on perceived product quality, use of penetration pricing influences customer purchase and value based pricing has a positive impact on profitability. However respondents disagreed that that price promotion strategies does not affect sales performance and use of price discount influences to a significant reduction in sales performance.
The third objective was set to evaluate relationship between place and sales performance. It was established that majority of respondents agreed that distribution channels located in urban areas generate more returns than those in rural areas, use of distribution channels influences product availability, store design has a positive effect on consumer purchase and sales volume, use of distribution channels influences sales and profit. Findings also revealed that respondents disagreed that physical surrounding does not have any effect on sales.
The fourth objective intended to evaluate relationship between promotion and sales performance. Findings revealed that majority of the respondents agreed that advertising is used to present product and ideas, sales promotions influences sales volume, e-marking has a positive influence on performance, direct marketing increase profit. Findings also revealed that respondents disagreed that Unga Ltd does not use personal selling and publicity to promote products and does not offer price discounts and coupons.
The study concluded that product quality has a positive impact on sales performance, brand awareness influences organizational performance, packaging is used to describe the product, brand image, and loyalty influences company’s profitability and pricing strategy increases sales volume. In addition, store design and use of attractive stimuli such as music has an influence has a positive effect on consumer purchase and sales volume, and geographic location has a significant influence on profitability, advertising, direct marketing and increases sales volume.
The study recommended that the Unga Group should improve on their packaging design hence increase product visibility and recognition. Improve on their branding strategy. Use price promotion strategy such as uses price discounts, free samples, bonus packs to increase customer’s intention to purchase their products hence increase in sales volume. Unga Group should also use attractive stimuli’s in their work environment and also during promotion hence influences customer’s perception and increase sales
