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Relationship between process innovation, entrepreneurial passion and performance of pharmaceutical manufacturing firms in Kenya.
No full textprocess innovation, entrepreneurial passion and performance of pharmaceutical manufacturing firms in KenyaThe study explores the impact of entrepreneurial passion on process innovation and firm performance, based on self-efficacy theory. Relevant hypotheses were proposed, and the promotion mechanism of entrepreneurial passion on process innovation and enterprise performance was analyzed. A survey of 150 Kenyan firm owners/managers was conducted, and the results showed that process innovation has a significant positive effect on performance. Entrepreneurial passion is a significant moderator of the relationship between process innovation and performance, with firms with higher levels of passion achieving greater performance from implementing process innovation. This suggests that entrepreneurial passion can guide entrepreneurial persistence and promote enterprise performance by stimulating positive emotions and creativity. The study suggests that effective management of process innovation can enhance performance and encourage more entrepreneurial behavior in competitive business environments
Fine‐scale variation in soil and topography influences herbaceous vegetation and the distribution of large mammalian herbivores
No full textDistribution of large mammalian
herbivoresCurrent understanding of the distribution of vegetation and large mammalian herbivores (LMH) is based
on a combination of biogeographic studies and highly controlled field experiments, but a more complete
understanding of these patterns requires study of their natural co-occurrence patterns at intermediate
spatial scales. The study was conducted in the 120-ha Mpala Forest Global Earth Observatory (ForestGEO)
plot, Kenya. We examined differences in herbaceous plant communities and habitat use by LMH among
three topographic habitats with distinct soil types, namely steep slopes, valley and plateau. Each pair of
habitats differed in plant and animal com position. The steep slopes and plateau respectively had ≥1-fold
higher percentage herbaceous cover than the valley, whereas the steep slopes and valley had >1.5-fold
greater grass species richness and diversity than the plateau. The activity of LMH was ≥1.7-fold higher in
the valley than the steep slopes and plateau, reflecting a positive relationship between LMH activity index
and richness and diversity of grass species. Results indicate that fine-scale variation in topography and soil
are associated with both the distribution of herbaceous vegetation and LMH, suggesting a need to account
for local habitat characteristics when examining the distributions of plants, animals, and plant-herbivore
interactions in natural system
STRATEGIC ENTREPRENEURSHIP, LEAN-GREEN PRACTICES AND PERFORMANCE OF MEDIUM HOTELS IN KENYAN CITIES
Get PDFA THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE CONFERMENT OF THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP OF KARATINA UNIVERSITY.Strategic entrepreneurship has been associated with adopting technologies, products, and
administrative innovations which culminate in better firm performance. The current
rapidly changing and highly competitive market has put companies under great pressure
to adopt sustainable practices, in terms of keeping a healthy balance among economic,
environmental, and social performances. Studies done in the hotel industry have not
addressed the contribution of strategic entrepreneurship on performance and
competitiveness. The general objective of this study was to determine the influence of
strategic entrepreneurship on performance among medium hotel enterprises in Kenyan
cities. Specifically, the study examined the influence of entrepreneurial mindset on
performance, established the influence of innovations on performance, analyzed the
influence of capital mobilization on performance, examined the effect of networks on
performance, and established the moderating influence of lean-green practices on the
relationship between strategic entrepreneurship and performance of medium hotel
enterprises in Kenyan cities. The study was anchored on Schumpeterian Innovations
Theory, Natural Resource Based-View Theory, and Dynamic Capabilities Theory. The
study adopted the pragmatic research philosophy and employed a mixed-method
research design. The study population was 534 managers of medium sized hotel
enterprises in Mombasa, Kisumu, and Nairobi. The sample size was determined using
the Yamane (1967) sampling formula, resulting in a sample of 229 respondents. A
proportionate stratified sampling technique was applied to get a representative sample of
each city. Primary data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. A pilot
study was carried out in Nanyuki and Embu towns among medium hotel enterprises to
test the reliability and accuracy of the research instruments. Construct validity was
determined by calculating average variances extracted (AVEs) for each construct, then
reliability using Cronbach’s Alpha internal consistency index. The Statistical Package
for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used as the main software for data analysis. The data
was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Pearson’s correlation and
regression models were used to analyze quantitative data while qualitative data was
analyzed using content analysis. The hypothesis testing used structural equation
modeling. The hierarchical multiple moderated regression model was used to measure
the strength of the relationship between strategic entrepreneurship , lean-green practices
and performance of medium hotels in Kenyan cities. From the joint effect model the
results established that strategic entrepreneurship had the most significant influence on
performance of medium hotels in Kenyan cities (Regression coefficient .751, p = .000)
followed by lean-green practices (Regression coefficient .417, p = .000), and positively
and significantly moderate the relationship between strategic entrepreneurship and
performance (Regression coefficient .937, p = .017) with R2 change 1 percent additional
variance. The study concluded that lean-green practices positively moderate the
relationship between strategic entrepreneurship and performance of medium hotels.
Based on the findings, the study recommends enhancement of designing, implementing,
and utilizing strategic entrepreneurship with lean-green practices in medium hotels
production matrix. The findings are beneficial to the management and stakeholders in
the hotel industry and academia
Analysis of the Genetic Variability and Population Cluster in Indigenous Chicken Ecotypes of Kenya
No full textAbstract on the Genetic Variability and Population Cluster in
Indigenous Chicken Ecotypes of Kenya.Indigenous chicken (IC) provides a viable enterprise to rural and peri-urban settings in Kenya. An
analysis using microsatellite markers was carried out to determine the genetic variability and
population structure between and within six IC ecotypes of Kenya. A total of 284 eggs were
sourced, incubated and artificially hatched as follows: Elgeyo Marakwet (EM, n=68); Turkana
(TR, n =51), Homa Bay (HB, n =33), Meru (MR n =45), Nandi (ND=38); (LM, n =49) and Lamu
(LM, n =49). EM, n=68) ;( TR n =51) ;( HB, n =39) ;( MR, n =45) and (LM, n =49), respectively.
Hatched birds were raised up to 14 weeks of age. Then 50 birds, each ecotype: n=10, had their
feathers plucked for a PCR - DNA analysis. Results showed that alleles per primer ranged between
2 (MCW0097) and 8 (ADL0328). Allele frequency ranged between 0.25 and 0.81 with a mean of
0.49. All the markers used in the study were polymorphic, ADL0328 was the most polymorphic
marker (PIC = 0.79) while MCW0097 was the least polymorphic (PIC = 0.25), the mean
polymorphic content was 0.58. Expected heterozygosis ranged from 0.202 in TR to 0.453 in ND.
Mean fixation index (FST) ranged between 0.003 and 0.057 for ND and TR; respectively. Mean
fixation index for the whole population was 0.0296. The greatest variation in the study was
between ecotypes (62.78%), while within the ecotypes was 37.22%. Both factorial and
phylogenetic population analyses showed a mixed genetic background. PCA results did not
segregate IC ecotypes into distinct geographical groups discerning a rich genetic diversity of
Kenyan IC hence the need to protect the indigenous genotypes against genetic erosio
Assessment of the Contribution of Various Family Structures on Juvenile Delinquency in Embu County, Kenya
No full textContribution of Various Family Structures on Juvenile Delinquency in Embu County, KenyaJuvenile delinquency has been on the increase all over the world. Research has established a positive correlation between juvenile delinquency and family violence. However, few studies have assessed the relationship between the various family types and juvenile delinquency in Kenya, hence the need for this study. A descriptive survey research design that employed quantitative techniques was utilized. The target population was 360 juvenile delinquents in Embu County. Using Krejcie and Morgan’s Table for Determining Sample Size from a Given Population, a sample size of 176 respondents was arrived at. Simple random sampling was used to select the respondents. A questionnaire with both open and closed ended questions was utilized in data collection. Cronbach’s Alpha measured the instrument's reliability. A reliability coefficient of 0.805 was achieved indicating that the instrument was reliable. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 26. Data was described using frequencies and percentages. ANOVA was conducted in hypothesis testing and found a significant relationship between family structure and juvenile delinquency. The type of family in which a child was born and bred determines so much whom he becomes in adulthood. Most juvenile delinquents grew up in dysfunctional families characterized by violence, lacking role models from whom the children were to emulate. This study recommends the formulation of parental education programmes to sensitize parents on the role of family in addressing juvenile delinquency. Family being the smallest unit from whence community sprung, there is need to strengthen families of whatever type
Farmer knowledge, management practices and occurrence of tomato root knot nematodes in Kenya.
No full textOccurrence of tomato root knot nematodes in KenyaRoot-knot nematodes (RKNs) (Meloidogyne spp.) is a major constraint to tomato (Solanum
lycopersicum L.) production in sub-Saharan Africa; yet there is low adoption of recommended
nematode control measures in regions like east Africa due to inadequate farmer knowledge about the
pest and associated diseases. The objective of this study was to assess farmers’ knowledge status,
and intensity of damage of root-knot nematodes and their management practices in Kenya. A survey
was conducted in Kenya, during February to August 2021; using a semi-structured questionnaire
administered to 282 randomly selected household heads of actively growing tomato farmers, at two
elevations in three counties. Most farmers (98.9%) could not identify the disease precisely. They
mostly attributed its symptoms to moisture stress and nutrient deûciencies. Most farmers (63%)
practiced mono-cropping; while only 4.3% of farmers amended soils with manure. Respondents
preferred growing RKN susceptible tomato varieties, mainly Rio-Grande, Cal J, Onyx and Kilele FI. A
total of 92% expressed willingness to shift to RKNs resistant varieties, if recommended varieties match
their desirable characteristics. Majority of the respondents lacked knowledge on nematode
characteristics and its associated disease control. A total of 37.9% of the respondents did not use
control measures against the RKNs. There was high disease incidence, severity and galling index in
the surveyed areas
