University of Nairobi Journal Systems
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ONLINE FOOD ORDERING AMONG FOOD OUTLETS IN NAIROBI
Full text linkInternet is the prototype of the global information infrastructure. Firms are using the Internet primarily for sales and service by advertising and providing customers with relevant information about a product or service. This paper describes the emerging implications of Internet technology as an evolving medium that offers restaurants limitless opportunities for e-commerce and for creating lasting relationships with customers. It dampens the bargaining power of channels by providing companies with new and more direct avenues to customers .The Internet provides an efficient means to order products. Online ordering being one of the e-commerce initiatives has emerged as an alternative avenue for food outlets to grow their sales. It offers more opportunities for interactive and personalised marketing as well as ease, speed and precision for the consumer. Food-outlets are able to offer the service through their own websites, multi-restaurant sites, mobile applications, and text ordering. Studies have shown that online food ordering can result in an increase in revenue, average check value, volume of sales, frequency of sales, order accuracy, productivity, improved convenience and customer relationship management. On line food ordering is new in Kenya. Few studies have been done in Kenya to determine the extent and distribution of online ordering by food outlets, and preference for distribution channels. From a population of 408 middle to upscale food outlets in Nairobi, this study sought answers to these questions. The results show that 23.7% of the outlets currently offer online ordering. The offerings were found to be independent of the restaurant type, but dependent on the type of cuisine offered. The characterization provided by this study lays the ground work for future work on the impact adoption has had on business performance
THE IMPACT OF HUMAN RESOURCE INFORMATION SYSTEMS ON HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN STATE CORPORATIONS IN KENYA
Full text linkThe main objective of the study was to assess the impact of human resource information systems (HRIS) on human resource management (HRM) practices in state corporations in Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive research design in order to help understand the underlying motivation, perceptions about, and reasons for adoption of HRIS among public corporations in Kenya today. The study adopted a sample of 45 state corporations out of 187. The study used a structured, self-administered questionnaire to collect primary data. Data analysis was based on descriptive statistics and regression analysis. The results were presented in form of tables, charts and graphs. The study findings revealed that across a majority of state corporations surveyed, there were relatively high levels HRIS adoptions complete with among others, integrated HRIS software and a support system for continued improvements and updates. Most state corporations in Kenya have various practices in place that drive HRIS uptake that includes routine reviews of HRIS policies and related procedures and feedback mechanisms through which staff can submit feedback and suggestion for improvements. The regression analysis results revealed that there was a statistically significant relationship between HRIS and human resource management practices; the correlation coefficient for the model was 0.928. The study recommends that, to further improve, HRM practices organizations should continuously upgrade information systems
Phyto-composition and antimicrobial activities of the ethanol seed extracts of Buchholzia coriacea
Full text linkBackground: There is a growing awareness in correlating phytochemical compounds with their biological activities. Folk medicines suggest that Bulccholzia coriacea is effective in the management of bacterial infections. Objectives: This research was aimed at investigating the phyto-composition and antimicrobial activities of Bulccholzia coriacea ethanol seed extract. Methods: Phyto-composition of Bulccholzia coriacea seeds were determined using gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) technique. Clinical isolates; Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, Streptococcus faecalis, and Candida albicans were used to test for the antimicrobial activities of Bulccholzia coriacea seeds following disc diffusion and broth dilution methods. Results: Gas chromatogram reveal six peaks depicting different phyto-constituents with Oleic acid (75.57%) highest peaked. Candida albican, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Klebsiella pneumonia and Staphylococcus aureus had the same minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 6.25mg/ml and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) value of 12.5mg/ml. Conclusion: Findings from this study supports the claims of local people who use B. coriacea seeds for the management of infectious diseases. Keywords: Phyto-composition; antimicrobial; Buchholzia coriace
CORPORATE IMAGE AND BRAND PERFORMANCE OF KENYAN UNIVERSITIES
Full text linkThe highly competitive arena of the higher education sector implies the need for a good corporate image. Corporate image is recognized in the literature to have a positive impact on customer loyalty and is also a great way of differentiating an organization from its competitors as well stimulating consumers purchase. The higher education sectors’ products and services are increasingly similar today hence the need for the institutions to devise strategies to differentiate their products. Literature acknowledges the role of corporate image as an asset, which could give an organization a chance to differentiate itself with hope of maximizing its market share, acquiring new customers retaining existing ones, as well as counteracting the competitors’ actions in order to ensure success and improved performance. Organizations in the service industry are in business of creating outstanding service experiences for their customers. The management of corporate image however, is not an easy one especially in the service industry given the intangibility nature of services. An organization’s proper management of its corporate image can add value to a firm in a variety ways. Conversely, a negative image can destroy an organization’s reputation and isolate their customers. Empirical study results on corporate image and brand performance relationship however report mixed findings hence the need for the current study. This study investigated the relationship between corporate image and brand performance of Kenyan Universities. Data for the study were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. The findings of the study support the notion that corporate image impacts brand performance. This therefore implies that an organization that invests in brand marketing activities relating to corporate image should experience enhanced brand performance. The study’s contribution to the higher education sector is in terms of addition to the body of knowledge. It also provides policy and managerial implications. The study only covered Kenyan universities. A similar study could also be carried out in the future focusing on all universities. Future studies could also focus on other sectors other than the higher education sector
AN ENVELOPMENT ANALYSIS APPROACH TO MEASURING THE EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF COMMERCIAL BANKS IN EAST AFRICA
Full text linkThe purpose of this paper was to analyse the efficiency, effectiveness, and performance of 63 commercial banks operating in the East African Community States using a two-stage performance evaluation model. This paper is perhaps the first to evaluate the performance of East African commercial banks by considering simultaneously the aspects of efficiency and effectiveness. Using cross-sectional data for the financial years 2006-2011, the technique of data envelopment analysis was used for computing the efficiency and effectiveness scores for individual commercial banks in the East African Community (EAC). The overall performance scores have been derived by taking the product of efficiency and effectiveness scores. The empirical results reveal that high efficiency does not imply high effectiveness in the East African banking industry. A positive and strong correlation between effectiveness and performance measures has been noted. Large banks score better than small banks in efficiency, effectiveness and overall performance
Determinants of Private Finance Initiative for Project Financing; A Study of National Road Construction Projects in Kenya
Full text linkPurpose – The purpose of the study was to assess the factors determining the financing of private finance initiative projects specifically road construction projects in Kenya Methodology - Across-section survey research design was used in the study. Questionnaire was used as instrument for data collection. Quantitative data were analyzed using both inferential and descriptive statistics while the qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Inferential statistics such as regression and correlation analysis were used in analyzing the association between the study variables. Pie charts, bar graphs and tables were then used to present the analyzed data. Findings – The study found that 69.3% of the variations on financing for private finance initiatives can be explained by project characteristics, government attributes, political environment and economic environment. This is also an indication that the variables tested were very strong determinants of the financing of the road projects in Kenya under the private finance initiativesprivate finance initiatives. Aspects of project characteristics such as cost, scope and size of the project (Mean 4.55) and project technical feasibility & maintenance (Mean 4.09) were found influence the project financing of road projects to a very large extent. The study further found that different aspect government attributes such as cost of the loan (Mean 4.73), tax policy (Mean 4.27) stable macroeconomic conditions (Mean 4.27), favorable legal framework (mean 4.18), project development objectives (PDOs) (Mean 4.18) and sound economic policy (4.09) were found to influence financing of road projects to a very large extent. The findings finally revealed that stability of political environment influenced the financing of road project financing to a very large extent (Mean 4.73). Implications - The findings of the study will contribute to the formulation of borrowing policies. Government bodies such as the treasury can use the findings of the study to come up with policies regulating borrowing for private finance initiatives in Kenya. For example, the findings can be used to regulate over borrowing to finance road projects at the expense of other development areas. The study will also contribute to the existing theories on private finance initiative. Theories such as public choice theory focusing on political decisions which are not in line with public interest may not fully explain the determinants of financing of private finance initiatives. This study found that other factors such as the project characteristics and economic environment influences financing of private finance initiatives Value - By highlighting on the determinants of project financing for private finance initiatives projects, governments and policy makers will be able to come up with policies aimed at ensuring favorable environment for the implementation of road projects. Furthermore, government will be at a position to know the factors determining their eligibility for funds for financing particular projects before seeking for the finances. The study will also be of importance to the Private Finance Initiative partners such as World Bank, African Development Bank (ADB), Trade Mark East Africa Organization (TMEA) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). By highlighting on the determinants of project financing for private finance initiative projects, the partners will be at a position to make more informed decisions when determining the projects to fund
Effects of Unit Trust Products Mix on Turnover of Asset Management Companies in Kenya
Full text linkPurpose: The focus of this study was to establish the effect of unit trust products mix on turnover of Asset Management Companies in Kenya. Methodology: The study was modeled as a mixed methods research design which incorporated both qualitative and quantitative methods of research. Primary and secondary data was collected and thereafter analyzed through a multiple linear regression model. Data from 10 of the 21 registered mutual funds managers as at April 2017 was used for the study. Findings: The study revealed that holding proportions of Equity funds, Money market funds, Balanced funds and bond funds constant revenues of asset managers would be at 7.306, a unit increase in equity funds would lead to an increase in revenues of asset managers by a factor of 1.86, a unit increase in money market would lead to an increase in revenue of asset managers by a factor of 0.861, a unit increase in balanced funds would lead to increase in revenue of asset managers by a factor of 0.672, further a unit increase in size of bond fund would lead to an increase in the revenues of asset managers by a factor of 0.369. Therefore, the industry is generally experiencing unbalanced investment volumes and, hence, income level in the unit trust products. Implications: This study implies that different unit trust products had different degrees of contributions to the total income attributed to unit trusts. Also, unit trust products had a positive impact on the incomes by asset management companies but losses in some unit trust products had negative effects on incomes of the companies as well. This necessitates for the intervention of authorities such as the Capital Markets Authority and make policies that encourage the even distribution of investments in unit trusts and a fairer competitive environment for the mutual fund managers. Value: This study will aid the fund managers in improving their skills to make viable decisions by taking into consideration different unit trust products and their optimal performance in the Kenyan market. Secondly, the asset management companies should comprehend how best to add value to unit trust products with the intent of boosting and diversifying their incomes. Unit holders should also be able to understand how best to link asset management performance through their reported incomes over specific periods. The investors should also have a better glimpse on the overall health of the asset management industry by observing trends and key performance indicators (KPIs) that denote the overall health of the capital markets in Kenya. This study should be of benefit to the Kenyan government through its bodies; National Security Exchange (NSE) and Capital Markets Authority (CMA). The relevant bodies should be in a better position to avail informed policies and counsel to the relevant asset management companies and authorities hence aid the market efficiency and industrial growth.
ORGANIZATIONAL RESOURCES AND RETURN ON ASSETS OFLARGE MANUFACTURING FIRMS IN KENYA
Full text linkThe general objective of this study was to determine the effect of organization resources on return on assets of large manufacturing firms in Kenya. The specific objective of this study was to determine the influence of organizational resources on return on assets of large manufacturing firms in Kenya. The study was a cross sectional survey targeting 102 large manufacturing firms and the response rate was from 94 firms. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Null hypothesis was tested and results indicated that organizational resources had influence on return on assets of large manufacturing firms in Kenya. The study was limited in that change of variables of study was not monitored or observed over time as would be the case with longitudinal studies
ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING AS A MEDIATOR OF THE INFLUENCE OF TACIT KNOWLEDGE ON COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE: LEARNING FROM ICT SERVICE PROVIDERS IN NAIROBI
Full text linkThis study sought to determine how tacit knowledge interplays with organizational learning to enhance the competiveness of ICT content service providers in Nairobi. Many scholars, building on the resource- and knowledge-based theories of strategic management theory, have postulated that tacit knowledge is a valuable source of competitive advantage. However, there appear to be no empirical studies that have explicitly tested this theory in the Kenyan context. The current theory fills this gap. The study followed a post-positivist critical realism philosophical orientation and used a cross-sectional survey design approach. Accordingly, data was elicited from study participants using a self-administered survey instrument. The population for the study was the ICT content service providers licensed by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK), a fertile ground for ICT knowledge creation and dissemination. Out of the target population of 197 ICT content service providers licensed by the CAK, 135 firms provided valid responses to the survey. The study showed that organizational learning was a strong mediator of the influence of tacit knowledge on competitive advantage. The study is an additional building block in strategic management theories that show the importance of continuous enhancement of the productive knowledge of individuals as a driver of competitive advantage for an organization, particularly the Knowledge-Based View and Organizational Learning Theory. The insights from the study will motivate policy makers and strategic management practitioners to embrace and promote tacit knowledge and organizational learning practices in their respective organizations
THE EFFECT OF TIME-VARYING BETA ON THE VALIDITY OF THE CAPM IN NAIROBI SECURITIES EXCHANGE
Full text linkPurpose-The Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) is widely used to price assets in the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE). This paper examines whether it is more adequate for capital asset pricing in the NSE if the beta estimate is assumed to be a random variable rather than a point estimate. Methodology-The study follows a descriptive approach and it is based on secondary data. Precisely, it is based on the monthly returns of the 20 companies that formed the NSE 20-share index from 1st January 2013 to 31st December 2016. First, the CAPM is tested on this data using the Classical Linear Regression Model (CLRM), where the beta estimate is assumed to be a constant. Then, a multivariate General Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedastic (GARCH) model of the Diagonal BEKK (Baba, Engle, Kraft and Kroner) type is fitted on the data to compute time-varying betas and the test of the CAPM is repeated using these betas. Analysis is done using the E-views software, 9th edition. Findings- From the regression analysis in the first test, beta is statistically significant. Ranking the securities from the one with the highest beta to the one with the lowest beta shows that the security with the highest beta is not the one with the highest expected return. Neither does the security with the lowest beta have the lowest return. ICDC has the highest beta (1.649329) estimate but it actually has negative expected returns (-2.18494). From these results, it is clear that the CAPM does not hold in the NSE. When time-varying betas are calculated, it is possible to construct various combinations of returns and beta where the stocks with the highest returns have the highest betas and those with the lowest returns have the lowest betas. This clearly shows that using time-varying betas improve the validity of the CAPM on the NSE. Implications- Beta, which is a measure of the systematic risk, is the most important parameter of the CAPM model. Assumptions about it should therefore be made carefully. Precisely, it should not always be assumed to be constant. Other assumptions of the CAPM should also be put to test before it is applied in pricing assets in the NSE. Value- The CAPM is used to compare securities such as stocks, investment funds, equities, and bonds. It is also used to price portfolios and to choose the mean variance portfolio. Investors also use this model to compare the intrinsic value of an asset to its book value. In project appraisals, the CAPM gives a better view of the feasibility of a project than the Net Present Value (NPV). When using the CAPM in all these ways, investors, financial officers and managers will find using time-varying betas more useful than using constant ones. Indeed, using time-varying betas will give a more realistic picture of the economic reality underlying the trading of securities. Key words: CAPM, Dynamic CAPM, beta, time-varying beta