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EXTENDING TECHNOLOGY ACCEPTANCE MODEL TO PREDICT INNOVATION IN MICRO AND SMALL FOOD MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES IN KENYA
Full text linkFood processing is one of the manufacturing sectors that is propagated to feed the steady growing population and other current economic development challenges such as poverty, job supply, healthy lifestyles, globalization and competitive entrepreneurship in food value chain. How food processing innovations are affected by Micro and Small Entrepreneurs’ (MSEs’) perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness and attitude towards acceptance behaviour are the research questions this study addresses. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) is used as a base model to produce a causal model representing a network of relationships among the study constructs. Mixed research methods were used to collect data from 132 MSEs manufacturing food in Busia and Nairobi Counties on Likert Scale questionnaires and interview schedules. The Cronbach’s alpha found an excellent internal consistency of 0.97 reliability. Due to weak information management system of agro-food processors in Busia county, snowballing sampling techniques was used and fisher sampling techniques formula at standard normal deviate of 1.96 on Nairobi County Government given its numerous food manufacturing enterprises. Data analysis by Logit model showed that at wald(1) = 41.475, p= .000, sig < .05, 2 tailed, the three of Davis predictors (“ease of use,” “usefulness” and intention to use) significantly influenced food innovations. Behavioural intention to adopt technology scored highest n=129(97.7%) followed by perceived technology to be useful n=109(82.6%) and ease of use n=102 (77.3%) last. The study recommends that county governments should facilitate technology permeation among MSEs through appropriate policies and programmes and establish agro-industrial “silicon valley,” and agro-export zones that would link MSE products to global agricultural value chains
KENYA, CHINA, AND PRELUDE TO ONE BELT ONE ROAD (OBOR) INITIATIVE
Full text linkThe British economic influence lingered on after Kenya gained her independence in1963. It was espoused by their car models, banking system and an education where mostKenyans saw UK as the destination of choice for their university education particularlyamong the elites. Two of Kenya’s presidents schooled in Britain. Soon the Japanesefollowed with first Toyota car sold in Kenya in 1965.That all changed with opening upof China in 1978, the end of cold war and accession of China to World TradeOrganization (WTO) in 2002. Today, China is now a leading investor in Africa. CanKenya learn something from China? This paper compares Kenya and China using anumber of economic indicators from Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth,population growth, innovation, Research and Development (R&D), Foreign DirectInvestment (FDI), life expectancy, urbanization, Human Development Index (HDI) andcontribution of manufacturing to GDP. The analysis shows Kenya can learn a lot fromChina in her quest to grow economically. This paper serves as a good starting point inKenya’s engagement with China in One belt one road initiative (OBOR). By analyzingthe economic similarities and differences, between the two nations, OBOR’s success ratecould be raised and help catalyse Africa’s growth and make her part of the globaleconomic system through the win –win cooperation espoused by Chinese presidentduring the Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa (BRICS) summit in South Africa in2018. The paper finds that while every countries growth trajectory is different, it ispossible to learn from each other. Future research should focus on how OBOR shallspur growth in Africa and gauge its success against Western economic engagement withAfrica since the countries got their independence
Antiulcerogenic activity of husk extract of Zea mays
Full text linkBackground: Zea mays husk is used in Ibibio traditional medicine for the treatment of various ailments including diabetes mellitus, malaria and ulcer. Objective: To investigate the antiulcerogenic potential of husk extract of Zea mays. Methods: Ethanol husk extract of Zea mays (187-784 mg/kg) was evaluated for antiulcerogenic activity against indomethacin, ethanol and histamine-induced ulcers in rats. Results: The husk extract was found to significantly (p<0.05 -0.001) inhibit ulcers induced by indomethacin, ethanol and histamine in a dose-dependent fashion. Conclusion: These results suggest that the husk extract of Zea mays possess antiulcerogenic potentials which are due to the activities of the phytochemical constituents. Keywords: Zea mays, husk, antiulcer, gastrointestinal system
Toxicity of Mucuna pruriens seed extract on the kidney of adult Sprague-Dawley rats
Full text linkBackground: The commonly acceptable knowledge that herbal medications have little or no toxicity and are absolutely safe makes people consume them indiscriminately. All parts of Mucuna pruriens have been reported to possess valuable medicinal properties, but its potential toxicity on vital organs remains unexplored. Objective: To determine the deleterious effect of Mucuna pruriens on the Kidney of Adult Sprague-Dawley Rats. Methodology: Twenty Sprague-Dawley rats were used and divided into four groups of five rats per group. Group I served as control and received distilled water and groups II-IV received 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg of the extract respectively for 2 weeks. The animals were sacrificed, blood was collected for kidney function test and the kidneys were excised via ventral laparatomy. The right kidney was fixed for histological studies while the left kidney was analysed for biochemical markers of oxidative stress Results: Lipid peroxidation increased significantly while superoxide dismutase and glutathione recorded a significant decrease in activities when the treated groups were compared to control. Creatinine decreased significantly and urea increased significantly when treated groups were compared to control. Histological sections showed degenerative changes and tubular necrosis in the kidney at higher doses. Conclusion: Mucuna pruriens causes degenerative changes in glomerular epithelia and reduced urea clearance possibly by an oxidative stress mechanism. Keywords: Kidney, Mucuna pruriens, superoxide dismutase (SOD), creatinine, urea
Safety, anti-inflammatory and analgesic assessments of methanolic extract of Musa paradisiaca peel in Sprague Dawley rats
Full text linkBackground: Musa paradisiaca peel is used in folklore for the treatment of inflammation and pains without any scientific evidence. Objective: The present study, therefore, evaluated the safety, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of the methanolic extract of M. paradisiaca peel. Methods: The methanolic extract of M. paradisiaca was administered orally in three different doses; 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg to Sprague Dawley rats. The anti-inflammatory effect of M. paradisiaca peel was tested in egg albumin-induced paw edema and compared to ibuprofen (25 mg/kg). The analgesic effect was evaluated using formalin-induced paw licking and acetic acid-induced writhing and compared to indomethacin (10 mg/kg). Also, after 21 days of extract administration rats were sacrificed serum was extracted from blood and evaluated for liver, renal function indices and lipid profile. Kidney and liver were excised and weighed. Results: The methanolic extract of M. paradisiaca produced analgesia and decreased inflammation significantly (p<0.05) and in a dose dependent manner. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects were significant (p<0.05) at 400 mg/kg of M. paradisiaca when compared to ibuprofen (25mg/kg) and indomethacin (10mg/kg) respectively. Furthermore, M. paradisiaca did not produce significant (p>0.05) effects on organ weight, serum alkaline phosphatase, aminotransferases, conjugated bilirubin, total bilirubin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein, glucose, creatinine, urea, uric acid, total protein, albumin, and serum electrolytes when compared to control. Conclusion: This study observed that the methanolic extract of M. paradisiaca peel has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects and may be safe with use. Key words: Musa paradisiaca, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, toxicity, rat
Ethyl-acetate and aqueous fractions of Moringa oleifera Lam (Moringaceae) leaf extract possess antidepressant activity in mice
Full text linkBackground: Depression is one of most costly psychiatric illnesses all over the world that afflicts roughly 21% of the world population. Moringa oleifera has been used in traditional folk medicine for treating neurologic disorders and plays a key role in memory, mood elevation, response to stimulus such as stress and pleasure which are common in depression. Crude ethanol leaf extract of Moringa oleifera has been scientifically evaluated to have antidepressant activity. Objective: This work evaluated the antidepressant activities of ethyl-acetate and aqueous fractions of Moringa oleifera ethanol leaf extract in mice. Methodology: Ethanol leaf extract of Moringa oleifera was partitioned with ethyl-acetate and water to obtain two fractions. Preliminary phytochemical screening and acute toxicity studies were carried out on both fractions. Antidepressant activity of both fractions at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg was evaluated using tail suspension (TST), forced swim (FST), and locomotor activity tests in mice. Results: Glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, saponins and terpenoids were detected in both fractions, while the interperitoneal median lethal dose was estimated to be 1,131.4 mg/kg in mice for the two fractions. The ethyl-acetate and aqueous fractions of Moringa oleifera leaf extract significantly (p<0.05) reduced the immobility time of mice compared to the normal saline treated group in the tail suspension test. In the forced swim test, ethyl-acetate fraction (EF) at the tested doses significantly (p<0.05) reduced the immobility time compared to the normal saline treated group, while the aqueous fraction (AF) at 200 and 400 mg/kg doses produced a significant (p<0.05) decrease in the immobility time. In the open field test (locomotor activity test), both fractions did not produce statistically significant difference in the mean number of squares crossed by mice compared to control. Conclusion: This study shows that ethyl-acetate and aqueous fractions of Moringa oleifera ethanol leaf extract possess antidepressant activity without altering motor activity in mice tail suspension and forced swim tests, buttressing the potential of Moringa oleifera in the management of depression in the nearest future. Keywords: Antidepressant, tail suspension, forced swim, Open field, Moringa oleifera
EFFECTS OF ACCESS TO CREDIT ON FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF SMALL AND MEDUIM ENTERPRISES IN NAIROBI COUNTY
Full text linkPurpose: SMEs have been recognized as being great contributors to the Kenyan economy offering both employment and a platform for innovative ideas. They form a larger percentage of the businesses that operate in Kenya as compared to their counterpart, the large companies. They are however faced with many constraints that hinder their performance and consequently their growth. One of the main constraints that have been highlighted over the years is the financial constraint. The need for finance is of paramount importance for the success of any firm, be it big or small. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of credit access on financial performance of SMEs in Nairobi County. Methodology: The literature explored in this research highlight three main factors, namely firm size, loan amounts, access to credit and financial performance. These form the independent variables in the theoretical framework that influence the dependent variable, that is, access to external funding. The analysis involves primary data obtained through questionnaire and interviews and secondary data from journals, books and internet. The data covered a period of five years ranging from the year 2012 to 2016. Findings: The regression model has an R of 0.724 which indicates a strong positive relationship between the variables. The coefficient of determination, R square indicates how well data fits in the statistical model; how successful the fit is in explaining the variation of the data. In this model, 52.4% of the variations in the dependent variable are explained by the independent variables. Implications: This report contributes as a wakeup call to the financial system to be more and more SMEs’ sensitive and offer financial services that are all inclusive. The financing gap, in the credit market, that exists between large and small companies need to be abridged. This can be achieved by creating an enabling environment for SME, formulating regulatory framework that is SMEs friendly, segmenting NSE for SMEs’ listing. SMEs are also called up to keep good financial reports and to form linkages or associations to ease the burden of accessing funds. Value: This research is motivated by the increasing importance in Kenya’s economy of SMEs, and the continuing constraints they face in their activities. The development of SMEs has been identified as one of the strategies in the Kenyan economic blueprint of vision 2030 as one of the pillars for addressing key economic issues for generating industrialization, employment generation and poverty reduction in Kenya and in working towards a sustainable economy that achieves the Millennium Development Goals like solving the problem of unemployment. The government in its goal through Economic Recovery Strategy (ERS) is employing all players to make this dream come true. The research is also resourceful for prospective entrepreneurs wishing to start a small business. It is also a wakeup call on the lending institutions to work up a strategy that would have a wider financial inclusion.
PROJECT TEAM DEMOGRAPHIC DIVERSITY AND PERFORMANCE OF RURAL ROADS CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN KENYA
Full text linkTechnology sustainability in organisations is enhanced through creativity and innovation. By so doing, organisations are able to compete in turbulent markets and risky environments. With advances of technology, demographic diversity among the workforce has quickly become the greatest engine in business growth around the world since it enriches the workplace through broadening employee perspectives, strengthening their teams, and offering greater resources for problem resolution. Today’s workforce in organisations is a mix of different demographic factors. Most studies on demographic diversities among the workforce as well as emerging technologies have continuously resulted into inconsistent results on the direction and magnitude of their influence on performance of projects. The most affected include the construction of rural infrastructure projects especially roads due the role they play in supporting creativity, innovation and technology transfer in the rural areas and importantly demographic diversity is more pronounced. This paper therefore sought to establish the influence of age, gender, ethnicity and religion diversities of workers on performance of rural roads construction projects. The study was based on Kenya Rural Roads construction projects in Kenya. This paper adopted cross-sectional correlational survey design where structured questionnaire, interview guide and focussed group discussion were used in obtaining data from workers in rural roads construction projects. Descriptive and inferential analysis carried out indicated r= 0.788, R2 = 0.783, and F (1,195) = 319.256 at level of significance p=0.000<0.05. The null hypothesis was therefore rejected and concluded that there is a significant relationship between project team demographic diversity and performance of rural roads construction projects in Kenya. These findings indicate a thoughtful need to consider demographic diversity when constituting the project team to enhance performance in rural roads construction projects. This is therefore a clear evidence for government to draft policies to reaffirm the importance of project team demographic diversity in all its projects. For organisations and business practitioners, this paper recommends that firms should establish a robust system that records, collates, analyses, evaluates and recommends the best practices on effective implementation of diversity initiatives. This study recommends further study that would identify all demographi
MARKETING AGENCY SERVICES AND MEMBERS SATISFACTION: A CASE OF COFFEE CO-OPERATIVES SOCIETIES IN NANDI COUNTY, KENYA
Full text linkThis paper examined the influence of coffee marketing agency services provided to members of Co-operatives in Nandi County Kenya. The objectives of the study were to investigate the influence of timely coffee payments on members satisfaction, to investigate the influence of coffee prices on members satisfaction, to investigate the influence of commission charged on members satisfaction and to investigate the influence of advance payments on members satisfaction. The study focused on Songhor Division which is one of the divisions with highest concentration of coffee farmers in Nandi County, Kenya. The target population of the study was 1122 members with a sample size of 285 chosen . Results of the study showed that there was no significant influence on timely coffee payments and coffee prices on member satisfaction but the study established that there exist significant influence on commissions charged on coffee and advance coffee payments on member satisfaction. The study recommended that coffee cooperative societies in the area need to look for better markets for their coffee, members should also improve their coffee quality and coffee payments need to be made within a short period of time
STRATEGIC ALLIANCES AND PERFORMANCE OF FOOD AND BEVERAGE MANUFACTURING COMPANIES IN KENYA
Full text linkThe current hash economic times and limited resources have forced organizations tofoster appropriate strategic alliances to improve on their performance. Evidence fromprevious empirical studies shows that scholars have investigated the relationship ofstrategic partnerships and firm performance with varied results. In this study, wecollected and tested data from 125 Large-Scale Food and Beverage ManufacturingCompanies (FBMC) in Kenya. The study covered a three year period. The paper testedthe alternative hypothesis that strategic alliances have a significant stimulus onperformance using regression analysis. However, the evidence did not support thispreposition. To the contrary, the connection between strategic collaborations andperformance was found to be insignificant. This suggests that a firm’s success throughstrategic relationships is not pronounced as in a pure competitive market like agroprocessingbusiness as it is in a monopolistic or duopolistic rivalry. Thus the outcome ofthe study contributes to knowledge pool in strategic management by determining theconnections of strategic associations and firms’ performance. Senior executives inFBMC in Kenya will apply the findings to evaluate crucial partnerships for enhancedperformance. The study offers valuable direction for policy makers and owners of foodand beverage manufacturing companies. Areas for further research has beenrecommended at both contextual and conceptual levels