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Office Technology for Secretaries and Clerical Officers
Full text linkOffice Technology for Secretaries and Clerical Officer
UTILIZATION OF MOBILE DEVICES IN ACCESSING INFORMATION BY LECTURERS AND STUDENTS IN PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN KENYA
No full textA THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF PURE AND APPLIED SCIENCES IN
PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE CONFERMENT OF
THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN INFORMATION SCIENCE, KARATINA
UNIVERSITYThe application of mobile devices is essential in the dissemination of information. In institutions
of higher learning, apart from providing convenience, mobile devices open up new avenues for
academic libraries to enhance access to information. However, more studies need to be carried out
that directly look at the use of mobile devices in enhancing access and use of information. This
study aimed at assessing the utilization of mobile devices in libraries in public universities in
Kenya. The objectives that guided the study were: to identify various mobile devices available in
the libraries; to determine the different ways in which mobile devices are utilized; to examine the
benefits of mobile device utilization; to evaluate the challenges faced in the utilization of mobile
devices, and to determine viable ways of enhancing utilization of mobile devices in public
university libraries in Kenya. The study was guided by the Technology Acceptance Model. The
study adopted the descriptive research design. The study targeted 1620 students, 57 teaching staff
from three academic departments, 91 library staff, and 38 ICT staff from KU and UoN universities.
The study sample size was determined using 10% of the target hence 162 students and six teaching
staff were sampled using stratified random sampling while nine library staff and four ICT staff
were sampled using purposive sampling. Questionnaires and document analysis were used to
collect both primary and secondary data. Descriptive (frequency, percentage, and mean) and
inferential statistics (Chi-Square test and Fisher’s test) were used in analyzing data. The Statistical
Package for Social Sciences (SPSS, ver. 28) was used for data analysis. The study found that the
majority of university students access libraries via mobile devices and that they were mostly used
for accessing e-resources, and online searches for educational materials. The study found a strong
correlation between the use of mobile devices and ease of access to library resources, exposure to
diverse content, convenience of utilization of study materials, and interactive usability of study
materials. The study established the shortage of power outlets for charging mobile devices, lack of
technical assistance, and inadequate internet access were some of the challenges faced in the
utilization of mobile devices in public university libraries. The study concluded that using mobile
devices in university libraries benefits users significantly and relieves pressure on more traditional
library services. The findings of the study will be useful to policymakers and library managers in
improving access to information in libraries
Mechanisms Used by Academic Libraries in Kenya to Enhance Webometrics Ranking
Full text linkMechanisms Used by Academic Libraries in Kenya to Enhance Webometrics RankingLibraries essentially provide equal and fair access to information. Thus, they have a
significant influence on the Webometrics ranking of universities across the world. Academic
libraries affect Webometrics ranking through the generation of scientific publications and
other scholarly resources. The purpose of this study was to examine mechanisms used by
academic libraries in Kenya to enhance Webometrics ranking and to analyse the extent to
which Webometrics ranking mechanisms in place in university libraries in Kenya have been
successful. This study adopted a mixed research design. The target population included staff
members of the University of Nairobi, Chuka University, and Kirinyaga University. A total
of 73 staff members from the library, ICT, and research departments involved in
Webometrics ranking were selected purposively. Semi-structured questionnaires were used
as the data collection instruments. Quantitative data was analysed descriptively while
qualitative data were analysed using content analysis. The study established that
mechanisms put in place to enhance the participation of university libraries in Kenya in the
Webometrics ranking include improved use and submission of e-resources as well as
promotion of high-quality research in the institutions. Webometrics ranking mechanisms
currently in place at the university libraries in Kenya have only been moderately successful.
The findings of this study may be used by other institutions of higher learning on the
mechanisms they can adopt to increase the capacities of their academic libraries so as to
improve the contribution of these libraries to Webometrics and consequently to the overall
ranking of the individual universities nationally and internationally
CONTRIBUTION OF STRATEGIC COLLABORATIONS OF MOTORCYCLE INDUSTRY ON PERFORMANCE OF WHOLESALE AND RETAIL SECTOR IN KENYA
No full textA THESIS PRESENTED TO THE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT FOR THE REQUIREMENTS FOR DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT (STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT OPTION) OF KARATINA UNIVERSITYWholesale and retail sector is one of key sectors that are expected to help the government in realizing vision 2030. They are great contributors to employment and GDP. However, of late, wholesale and retail businesses have faced a myriad of challenges in a performance and dynamic environment. The purpose of the study therefore was to investigate contribution of strategic collaborations of motorcycle industry on performance of wholesale and retail sector growth in Kenya. The study was guided by five research objectives which were to examine the influence of motorcycles delivery innovation, logistic cost, timeliness, motorcycles accessibility to the markets and to examine the moderating effect of road safety and compliance training of motorcycle riders on the relationship between strategic collaboration of motorcycle industry and the performance of wholesale and retail sector in Kenya. The study was anchored on social exchange theory, Greiner’s Growth Model, Cost Leadership Strategy and neo-classical growth model. Descriptive research design was used. The study targeted all wholesales and retails shops in 47 counties in Kenya which employed commercial motorcycles for their last mile delivery of goods. Systematic sampling technique was employed to select the counties while in each County simple random sampling technique was employed to select a sample of 383 respondents. Closed ended questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data, while open ended questionnaire was used to collect qualitative data. Cronbach alpha was adopted to test the reliability of the data collection instruments. The questionnaires were self-administered to the respondents using a pick and drop method. Data analysis involved both quantitative (descriptive -frequencies, mean, standard deviation, percentages and inferential- Pearson correlation coefficient) and qualitative techniques where data was summarized in themes and presented in narrative form as well as raw data excerpts. The study achieved a response rate of 77.8% where a total of 298 out of 383 questionnaires were filled and returned back. The study findings indicated that motorcycle delivery innovation had been embraced by the wholesalers and retailers in their businesses resulting in improved performance. The study found that motorcycle logistics costs were low and manageable as compared to motor vehicles and this had helped the businesses realize more profits due to reduced cost of operations such as storage cost and distribution cost as well as improving the delivery time. The study further established that use of motorcycles by wholesalers and retailers had enhanced distribution of goods to the customers as well as reaching a wide range of customers hence improving customer satisfaction and customer retention. The study revealed that motorcyclists engaged by the wholesalers and retailers had been trained on road safety and they were all compliant with NTSA rules. The study concluded that delivery solution strategies, logistic cost, timeliness of motorcycles and their accessibility contributed to positive performance of the businesses. The study concluded that logistic cost is inversely proportional to performance of wholesale and retail businesses. The study concluded that road safety and compliance training of motorcycle riders had a significant moderating effect on the relationship between strategic collaboration of motorcycle industry and performance of wholesale and retail sector in Kenya. The study recommended that the government should embrace the use of electrical motorcycles as innovative delivery solution to help reduce pollution caused by increased use of petrol motorcycles. The study further recommended that the government should design specific lanes for commercial motorcycles especially in Nairobi to help increase their accessibility to the central businesses district to help promote wholesale and retail businesses in major towns
Insights on Dietary Polyphenols as Agents against Metabolic Disorders: Obesity as a Target Disease
No full textObesity: Obesity is a condition that leads to increased health problems associated with metabolic
disorders. Synthetic drugs are available for obesity treatment, but some of these compounds have
demonstrated considerable side effects that limit their use. Polyphenols are vital phytonutrients of
plant origin that can be incorporated as functional food ingredients. This review presents recent
developments in dietary polyphenols as anti-obesity agents. Evidence supporting the potential
application of food-derived polyphenols as agents against obesity has been summarized. Literature
evidence supports the effectiveness of plant polyphenols against obesity. The anti-obesity mechanisms
of polyphenols have been explained by their potential to inhibit obesity-related digestive enzymes,
modulate neurohormones/peptides involved in food intake, and their ability to improve the growth
of beneficial gut microbes while inhibiting the proliferation of pathogenic ones. Metabolism of
polyphenols by gut microbes produces different metabolites with enhanced biological properties.
Thus, research demonstrates that dietary polyphenols can offer a novel path to developing functional
foods for treating obesity. Upcoming investigations need to explore novel techniques, such as
nanocarriers, to improve the content of polyphenols in foods and their delivery and bioavailability at
the target sites in the bod
The Role of Plantosemic Metaphors in the Conceptualization of the Males in Ekegusii: A Cognitive Linguistic Approach
No full textThe Role of Plantosemic Metaphors in the Conceptualization of the Males in EkegusiiPlants are fundamental in the transference of semantic aspects that are helpful in structuring maleness in society. As a result, plantosemic metaphors which enhance conceptualization of omosacha (a man) are ubiquitous in Ekegusii. This study employed conceptual mappings to evaluate Ekegusii plantosemic metaphors. The study adopted descriptive research design. First, an interview schedule was utilised to establish the terms used to describe men in Ekegusii from 48 Ekegusii native respondents purposively sampled using the criterion of gender. The collected terms were then subjected to the Metaphor Identification Procedure Vrije Universiteit (MIPVU) in which four annotators undertook the MIPVU procedure. Through MIPVU, ten metaphors were identified. The study then selected three metaphors that describe a man as a plant hence the Ekegusii plantosemic metaphors for analysis. The study reveals that Ekegusii plantosemic metaphors are critical in validating the culturally assigned roles to men among Abagusii. Moreover, the principle of conceptual mappings is useful in divulging critical issues concerning gender relations between men and women in Gusii. The paper concludes that metaphor is a valuable tool of communication and should be explained using the Cognitive Linguistics framework
Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Larvae Meal as a Sustainable Protein Source for Fish Feed Production in Kenya
No full textBlack Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Larvae Meal as a Sustainable Protein Source for Fish FeedAquaculture has been ranked as one of the fastest-growing food sub-sectors, providing quality protein to better the livelihoods of rural communities alongside curbing malnutrition and food security globally. Nonetheless, the industry’s sustainability has been threatened by the high cost of fish feeds, which account for approximately 60–70% of the total operational costs. Fish meal (FM) has been extensively utilised as the main source of protein in the diets of farmed finfishes. However, due to declining capture fisheries and competing uses from other animal feed producers, the ingredient has become a scarce resource with limited availability and high prices. Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) have been identified as a promising alternative protein source in fish feeds. BSFL are documented to have high nutritional content: crude protein (of up to 64% dry matter), essential amino acids, fatty acids, and other micro-nutrients which are vital for the growth of fish. BSFL meal has the potential success of replacing FM in the diets of various fish species. This chapter focuses on analysing recent research work in BSFL proximate and chemical composition, its current utilisation in fish feeds and gaps to be filled in its complete utilisation as an ingredient in commercial feed production. This information is expected to help both cottage and commercial fish feed producers utilise BSFL in feed production in Kenya and further will promote the sustainability of the aquaculture industry
