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EXAMINING RESETTLED FARMERS’ADAPTATION STRATEGIES IN UNFAMILIAR AGRO-ECOLOGICAL ZONES OF LAIKIPIA CENTRAL SUB COUNTY, KENYA
No full textFULLTEXTResettled farmers in Shalom settlement scheme originated from agro-ecological zone II in Nakuru and Uasin Gishu, Rift Valley region. Comparatively, these areas have better agricultural and livestock production potential than agro-ecological zones IV in Laikipia Central Sub-county where they are currently settled. Crops and livestock production has remained their main sources of livelihood therefore in their unfamiliar agro-ecological zone; they are compelled to practice different farming practices to sustain their production. There is scanty research on the range of adaptive strategies that these resettled farmers have adopted as the most effective in their current unfamiliar agro-ecological zone. The main purpose of the study was to examine the adaptation strategies by resettled farmers Laikipia Central Sub County. The specific objectives of the study were to compare agro-ecological conditions in zone II the farmers’ initial region with the new resettlement area, to identify the constraints faced by resettled farmers in adapting to unfamiliar agro-ecological zones’ conditions in Laikipia Central Sub County, to identify the adaptation strategies adopted by resettled farmers in unfamiliar agro-ecological zones’ conditions in Laikipia Central Sub County. The study employed Impoverishment Risk and Reconstruction Model. A descriptive survey design was adopted for this study. The target population for the study was 1525 household heads. A sample of 233 households was derived from 15% of the targeted population and 4 community leaders. Key informants were sampled through purposive sampling procedure and census survey was used for 4 community leaders. Data was collected from the household heads using questionnaires as well as through interviews with 4 community leaders. Quantitative data was analyzed using t-test and ANOVA in Statistical Package for Social Sciences (version 26.0). The results showed significant differences in agro-ecological conditions between Shalom and Nakuru (t-test value = 0.441, p = 0.034) and between Shalom and Uasin Gishu (t-test value = 0.2511, p = 0.012). To mitigate these differences, most resettled farmers have adopted adaptation strategies like water harvesting and conservation, crop diversification and changing of the planting calendar which they consider as the most effective while migration is considered the least effective. Effective adaptation strategies, coupled with support from various stakeholders, are essential for enhancing agricultural resilience and ensuring sustainable livelihoods in the face of changing climatic and environmental conditions. Continued research and targeted interventions can further empower these communities to thrive amidst climatic and environmental uncertainties. Policymakers and stakeholders should alsoleverage these insights to design targeted interventions that address the specific needs of resettled communities, fostering sustainable agricultural practices and enhancing the overall success of resettlement initiatives
Customer Relationship Management - Contemporary Concepts and Strategies
No full textBook ChapterThis chapter explores the role of emotional intelligence (EI) in fostering customer loyalty. The
chapter begins by introducing the concept of emotional intelligence (EI) and some models of EI
and its relevance in customer service. It highlights how businesses are increasingly recognizing
the importance of emotional intelligence in building strong customer relationships. The chapter
then delves into the key components of EI and its impact on customer loyalty. It discusses the
concept of customer loyalty and subsequently provides an insight of how an entrepreneur can use
the customer loyalty funnel to influence customer loyalty. The chapter concludes by emphasizing
the significance of EI to an entrepreneur and encouraging businesses to prioritize its development
as a key driver of customer loyalty. On the whole, this chapter aims to provide insights and
practical guidance for entrepreneurs seeking to enhance customer loyalty through the cultivation
of emotional intelligence
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GREEN SUPPLY CHAIN PRACTICES AND SUSTAINABILITY OF TEA FACTORIES IN NYERI COUNTY, KENYA
No full textA THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT (PROCUREMENT OPTION), KARATINA UNIVERSITYABSTRACT
The adoption of green supply chain management system is becoming more acceptable in most of the organizations. Despite the large number of businesses that understand the importance of Green Supply Chain Management in the wake of increasing environmental pollution, the number of firms that actually engage in such practices is significantly lower than expected and its sustainability is low. Many organizations have realized the benefit of sustainability in the management practices. This has led to the endeavors in innovative strategies such as the procurement procedures. Previous interventions have not helped organizations to reap the benefits of sustainability in their supply chain practices. The study target population was tea factories in Nyeri county. To achieve sustainability, green supply chain practices have been introduced as key activities targeting an enhancement to the procurement of their tea factories. This study’s main objective was to establish the relationship between green supply chain practices and sustainability of tea factories in Nyeri County, Kenya. The study specifically aimed to: determine the influence of reverse logistics on sustainability, establish the influence of green procurement on sustainability, to examine the influence of green packaging on sustainability and to establish the influence of waste management system on sustainability in tea factories in Kenya. This study was based on two theories; Supply Chain Management Theory and Logistics Management Theory. The study adopted a descriptive research design and the target population was a total of 65 management staff working in 5 Tea factories in Nyeri County, Kenya. The study applied purposive sampling technique to select; 1 functional manager, 6 supervisors, 5 sectional heads and 1 management trainee per each factory. The main data collection instruments were the questionnaires containing both open ended and close ended questions with the quantitative section of the instrument utilizing both a nominal and a Likert-type scale format. The study used primary and secondary data. A pilot study was carried out to test the reliability and validity of the questionnaires using Cronbach Alpha. Descriptive statistics data analysis method, inferential statistical tools such as correlation and linear regression was used to determine and explain variable relationship using Statically Package for Social Sciences version 23. The study findings are expected that it helped the management of tea factories, county government and the agriculture ministry in improving the sustainability in the tea industry in Kenya. The study findings revealed that the factories are using green packaging practices, factories use eco-designs packaging materials for the products it produces and tea factory obverses packaging re-cycle after procuring goods. The tea factory observes packaging re-use after procuring and they are using materials that can be recycled after use. However, company does not use materials that can be recycled and factories may be using some approved while others are using unproved materials. The waste management system affects sustainability, the factories have adopted alternative sources of transport apart from those that pollute the environment. There is need for the factories to recycle some products to reduce wastage and environment is clean. The study recommends that there is need to ensure that factories uses green procurement selection. There is need to use materials that not harmful to the environment. The factories should collaborate with suppliers to meet the environmental problems. There is need for the factories to use approved materials in their factories and they should materials that can be recycled later to avoid environment harm. The factories should adopt green packaging practices and also factories should use eco-designs packaging materials for the products it produces. There is need for the tea factories to put a system in place to treat hazardous wastes from tea factories such as electronics
REPORT ON THE EXCHANGE PROGRAMME BETWEEN AFRICAN CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE AND UNDERUTILIZED BIODIVERSITY (ACENUB) (MZUZU UNIVERSITY) AND KARATINA UNIVERSITY LIBRARY
No full textFULLTEXTKaratina University (KarU) Library hosted a staff exchange programme with Mzuzu University
library staff from 18th to 29th November 2024. The programme was designed to foster
collaboration, enhance technical capacity, and share best practices in managing institutional
repositories by using Dspace 8 software and research output. The exchange was a mix of virtual
sessions (18th-22nd November 2024) and physical meetings at Karatina University (24th - 22nd
November 2024). This report outlines each session and provides an overview of the activities
conducted, key learnings, and outcomes
Integrating Artificial Intelligence Literacy in Library and Information Science Training in Kenyan Academic Institutions
Full text linkConference Proceedings ArticleWith the rapid technological advancements, Library and Information Science (LIS) programs should evolve to equip students in academic institutions with Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills and knowledge to meet the demands of the information profession. The objectives of this paper were to establish the current state of AI literacy in LIS training in academic institutions in Kenya, examine the extent to which AI literacy has been integrated into LIS curricula in academic institutions, identify the challenges and opportunities associated with the integration of AI literacy in academic institutions in Kenya, and propose critical recommendations that the management in academic institutions should consider for integrating AI literacy in LIS training in Kenya. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. Quantitative data was collected through bibliometrics analysis, while qualitative data was collected using a systematic literature review and observation. Data was collected from Google Scholar using Harzing’s “Publish or Perish” software and academic institutional websites. It was analysed using Microsoft Excel, Notepad, and VOSviewer and presented using tables, graphs, and figures. The findings reveal that LIS professionals must possess essential skills and competencies in AI to meet the evolving needs of the job market. The study highlighted valuable practical insights and recommendations to the management in academic institutions on a comprehensive understanding of the opportunities and challenges presented by AI literacy in LIS training, offering a foundation for future research, policy development, and pedagogical innovation in the field
Evaluating the Performance of Tree-Based Predictive Models as Programme Recommenders for University Entrants in Kenya.
No full textAbstractEnrolling for the wrong programme by university students has, to an extent, contributed to the high
rates of discontinuation on academic grounds, repeat year cases, change of programme after
registration, interuniversity transfers, deferments to change programme, drop out cases, suspension
over exam irregularities as well as to strikes. This study focused on finding a technological solution
for reducing these cases by evaluating three tree-based predictive models and recommending the
most predictive model to implement as a programme recommender. Data was collected in five
selected public universities in Kenya using Google Forms. The respondents were 308 translating
to 308 rows of data with 36 columns. Numpy, Pandas, Matplotlib, Sklearn, Seaborn, Scipy, Plotly
python analytics libraries were deployed using Jupyter Notebook for Anaconda. The cleaned and
processed dataset features had categorical variables thus one-hot-encoding technique was
employed. Data was split for training and testing with the random_state set to 42. Gini index
criteria was implemented.
The three models were evaluated on their performance from the optimally split data for training
and test with a 80:20 ratio. Random Forest (RF) came out the most predictive at 99.3% followed
by Gradient Boosting (XG Boost) at 90% then Decision Tree (DT) at 80.93%. The testing accuracy
score for RF was 81.72%, XGBoost was at 75.72% and DT was at 76.34%. Confusion matrix
criterion was implemented to evaluate the performance of the three models. The results of this
study have demonstrated the high accuracy level of RF as the most predictive tree-based model
for this real-world University crisis. The model is recommended for development as a system to
be integrated into the KUCCPS portal. The integrated system is dubbed Programme Recommender
which if launched would highly predict the best programme of study for application by university
entrants
STRATEGIC RENEWAL, SOCIAL MEDIA ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND PERFORMANCE OF YOUTH OWNED AGRO-PROCESSING SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES IN SELECTED COUNTIES IN KENYA.
Full text linkA RESEARCH THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF THE DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY DEGREE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT OPTION) KARATINA UNIVERSITY.Strategic renewal emphasizes on establishing a set of activities that an organization undertakes to alter
its resource pattern and strategic course. In Kenya, despite the critical role played by SMEs in the
country, research has shown that 90% of most business startups fail in their third year and especially
those owned by the youths. The general objective of the study was to establish the influence of
strategic renewal on performance of the youth-owned agro-processing SMEs in Kenya and to
determine the moderating effect of social media entrepreneurship on the same relationship.
Specifically, the study sought to establish the influence of organization structure, examine the
influence of capacity building, determine the influence of entrepreneurial networking on performance
of youth owned agro-processing small and medium enterprises in selected counties in Kenya. Further,
the study sought to examine the moderating role of social media entrepreneurship on the relationship
between Strategic renewal and performance of youth owned agro-processing small and medium
enterprises in selected counties in Kenya. The study was anchored on strategic management, social
exchange, resource mobilization and social network theories. To achieve these objectives, the study
adopted a positivist philosophy and a descriptive research design. The target population of the study
were 287 owner/manager youth owned agro-processing SMEs in Kenya registered by the Ministry of
Trade and Industry in the four (4) County governments of Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a and Nyandarua.
All 287 owner managers participated in the study thus it was a census as the whole population was
used. Primary data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using
descriptive and inferential statistics with the aid of SPSSV23. The study established that organizational
structure R
2 =0.136 and P=0.000, capacity building R
2=0.498 and P=0.000, and entrepreneurial
networking strategies, R2= 0.092 and P=0.000, all had a statistically significant influence on
performance of youth-owned agro-processing smss in Kenya. On the moderating influence of social
media entrepreneurship, R2
changed by 23.2% (from 50.9% to 74.1%), indicating that social media
entrepreneurship had moderating effect on the relationship between strategic renewal and performance
of youth owned agro-processing SMEs in Kenya. This study concluded that social media
entrepreneurship has a moderating influence on the relationship between strategic renewal and
performance of youth owned agro-processing smes in Kenya. SME owners have thus to seek and
establish networks outside their business circles and that, youth owned agro-processing smes develop
mechanisms that enable them to review and renew their operational strategies. Further, the government
and other stakeholders should develop policies that will enable youth smes adopt new strategic
alliances with large organisations
The moderating effect of road safety and compliance training on the relationship between motor cycle accessibility to market and performance wholesale retail sector in Kenya
No full textThe moderating effect of road safety and compliance trainingThe use of motorcycles has increased dramatically in Africa in recent years. Motorcycles (boda boda)
are often used as taxis, with riders charging a fare to carry passengers or goods by wholesalers and
retailers. Motorcycle transport is certainly not without risk, including the risk of being injured in a
crash. Attempts by governments to regulate the use of motorcycle taxis for safety and other reasons
have largely failed, with authorities often unable to keep pace with the rapid influx of motorcycles into
the continent and the high demand for their services by local populations. This study sought to establish
the moderating effect of road safety and compliance training on the relationship between the
motorcycle accessibility market and the performance of wholesale retail businesses in Kenya. This
study was anchored on system theory. The research philosophy adopted for the study was descriptive
using a quantitative approach was used. The study targeted all wholesale and retail shops in 47
counties and systematic sampling and simple random sampling techniques were employed to select a
sample size of 383 respondents. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Descriptive and
inferential analysis was undertaken using SPSS software Version 28. On average, the findings noted
that motorcycle accessibility to the markets had enhanced the growth of wholesaler and retailer
businesses in Kenya with a score of 4.03 out of 5.0. On inferential statistics, the results indicate road
safety and compliance training of motorcycle riders had a positive moderating effect on the
relationship between the motorcycle accessibility market and performance wholesale retail business R
squared change of 0.206 which translates to a 21.39% change in the R-square. This means road safety
and compliance training of motorcycle riders’ moderate motorcycle accessibility market and
performance positively and statistically significant. The findings imply that training motorcycle riders
on road safety and compliance is very important in improving the wholesale and retail sector
performance in Kenya. The government should formalize road safety and compliance, in this case,
NTSA, should uphold and enhance official training of the commercial motorcycle delivery solution
providers
UTILIZATION OF MOBILE DEVICES IN ACCESSING INFORMATION BY LECTURERS AND STUDENTS IN PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN KENYA
Full text linkUTILIZATION OF MOBILE DEVICES IN ACCESSING INFORMATION BY LECTURERS AND STUDENT