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BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION PROJECTS THEMATIC TRENDS AND INDUSTRY NEEDS: THE DOUBLE HELIX OF UNIVERSITY–INDUSTRY Relation
Get PDFABSTRACT Management research has been accused of a lack of relevance to managerialpractice and of too narrow a discipline base. Its focus is the nature of knowledge created byresearch at the interface between business and academia in the context of major changes likelyto affect the nature of demand for such knowledge. To this extend most business schools havedeveloped research as a foundation of the MBA programs that they offer. A significant aspect ofan MBA which distinguishes it from its competitors is the content of its program – the nature ofits curriculum and how it meets the needs of business life. The main objective of this paper wasto present the results of an empirical study which establishes the thematic trends and industryrelevance of MBA projects in the school of business at the University of Nairobi. The study usedsecondary data which was collected from the report books at the University of Nairobi. Data wasanalyzed using content analysis and time series. Cohorts of 10 years were employed, with a totalof 7,100 projects undertaken between 1974 and 2013 taken as the study population. The reportexamines the conditions giving rise to this criticism in Kenya and identifies an importantstrategic need to increase the stake holding of users in various aspects of the research,knowledge creation and dissemination process. Results indicated that there was a positive trendin thematic research with social, economic and political aspects that impact on businessmanagement. However, while the rise in the thematic areas corresponded with the needs of theindustry, the Kenyan business landscape seems to make less use of the findings and conclusionsadvanced by MBA reports. This observation was arrived at after noting that businessmalpractice, poor business performance, business fraud, declining accountability of boardmembers, declining employee engagement rose during the same time that increased academicattention was given to the issues that keep CEO’s and business managers awake at night. Thesituation sheds doubt as to the practical application of the recommendations given by MBAreports. The findings also cast doubt as to industry awareness of the kind of research that isbeing conducted by MBA students. Implications from a theoretical standpoint are that the studyadvances new knowledge on industry-university academic linkages and questions theapplicability of content and pedagogical orientation that is supposed to inform competence inMBA students. Consequently, this paper provides a fertile ground of arguing for and againstcompetence theories and how competencies which are of value to industry are acquired. From apractical standpoint, principals and deans in academia need to question the relevance of theMBA projects from a practical standpoint. This may call for a more rigorous process which ismultidisciplinary in nature to assess the link between MBA projects and industry needs. From apolicy point of view, the Commission of Higher Education and the Federation of KenyanEmployers need to emphasize the need for organizations to fund the MBA academic projects sothat they are oriented to real life industry needs.Keywords: Management Research, MBA, Thematic trends, Industry relevanc
Performance of methylcellulose and Avicel overlays in plaque and focus assays of Chikungunya virus
Get PDFBackground: Chikungunya virus is a re-emerging pathogen that is responsible for Chikungunya fever periodic outbreaks along the Kenyan coast and in other African countries. Epidemiological data from the World Health Organization show that in 2014-2015, there was a major outbreak of Chikungunya fever in the Americas and Pacific Islands. Surveillance and correct diagnosis are therefore key in controlling the spread and management of the disease. Plaque and focus assays are key techniques in viral characterization or quantification, and both assays typically require overlay with gelling polymers to limit the spread of viruses in cell culture. There are anecdotal reports that Avicel may be superior to methylcellulose in assay of Influenza virus. However, it is unclear whether this would apply to other viruses. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the performance of methylcellulose and Avicel overlays in plaque and focus assays of Chikungunya virus. Methods: Confluent Vero cells were seeded in 6- or 96-well plates for plaque and focus assays respectively. Cells were inoculated with serially diluted Chikungunya virus, and incubated to allow adherence of the virus to the cells. The inoculum was removed; replaced with Avicel or methylcellulose overlay at various concentrations and stained with crystal violet or immunostained. Statistical significance was computed using the Holm-Sidak test. Results: The size of plaques formed by Chikungunya virus was dependent on the concentration of both Avicel and methylcellulose gels used as overlays, with Avicel overlays giving consistently larger plaques than methylcellulose. Chikungunya virus formed plaques nearly 2.5 times larger in diameter (2 vs 0.8 mm) with 1.2 % Avicel than with 1.25 % methylcellulose after 60 hr growth. Plaques formed with Avicel were better defined and easier to count after 48 hr growth period compared to a 60 hr period. However, methycellulose overlays provided smaller, more distinct and better defined foci in focus assays. Conclusion: Both methylcellulose and Avicel are good overlay media for viral assays. Avicel is marginally better for plaque assays while methylcellulose provides more distinct and easier to count foci in focus assays. Key words: Chikungunya virus, plaque assay, focus assay, methylcellulose, Avice
Construction of Gender Identity in Two Kiswahili Short Stories
Get PDFThis paper analyzes the construction of gender identities in two Kiswahili short stories-Wasia wa Baba (A Father‟s Counsel) by A. Kipacha and Usia wa Mama (A Mother‟s Advice) by Fatima Salamah from the anthology Kunani Marekani? na Hadithi Nyingine edited by P.I. Iribemwangi. Gender criticism is the approach used and is an unprejudiced tool for the interrogation of how both female and male identities are constructed in literary works. It was found out that, in Wasia wa Baba positive cultural traits and religious teachings are able to construct positive self and gender identities of both male and female characters. In Usia wa Mama too, positive attitudes, education and cultural traits are tools with which young girls construct positive self and gender identities in spite of pressure from parents
Women Characters in the Novels of Ken Walibora: Victims or Winners?
No full textAbstractKen Walibora, one of the most well-known and promising authors in the new generation of Swahili writers in Kenya, may well be considered as a male-centric writer, since his novels published from 1996 to 2012 feature men as their main figures. However, in all his books women characters play roles of growing importance not only in the lives of the main personages, but also in the author’s views on the social situations described in his novels. Women in Walibora’s books are almost exclusively portrayed as victims of cruel and unfair patriarchal society but it is their state of victim that motivates them towards the effort to elevate themselves above their second rate condition. In Siku Njema (Nice day, 1996) the main character Kongowea is inspired for life by the character of his mother, a famous singer, as well as by his school friend Vumilia, whose human virtues shape his own character when in his journeys after his mother’s untimely death he meets a young girl Amina, driven by social calamities to the state of a prostitute, and later his dead friend’s bride, who is rejected by the society as a “virgin widow”. These young women, nevertheless manage to overcome the ostracism of patriarchal society and build their own lives. In Ndoto ya Almasi (Almasi’s dream, 2006) most of the women characters are victims of the social order, however, the hope is vested in the main woman character Chebosio, who, in spite of being impregnated by her own father-in-law, still manages to construct a living with the support of her husband. A new type of a woman character is drawn in Kidagaa Kimemwozea (His Small Fish has Caught a Rot, 2012) where Imani, a girl of a destitute background, rebels against the current social order, helping her sweetheart Amani to topple the dictatorial regime in an imaginary African country. This close bond between genders (female characters ‘salvaged’ or assisted by the male ones) appears as the author’s vision of the new type of gender relationship, which will help African women in reaching self-empowerment and equity
Gender Mainstreaming and Africanizing Social Science Research with Specific Reference to Economics Research
Get PDFMost studies in social sciences have been gender blind, and this blindness hinders attempts to understand the causal mechanisms that create and maintain social patterning in outcomes. It is important to examine the differences and similarities between men and women and focus attention on both potential explanations for socio-economic gradients in various social, political and economic outcomes as well as on potential explanations for gender differences in these outcomes. Also, most of these studies and more so African economics research use examples and mathematical models developed in different environments that are not easily understood by non economists. The outcomes of the research may not necessarily fit into the African environment and may also impact differently on men and women.This paper uses desktop research and proposes gender mainstreaming and Africanise economics research
THE POT BEARER UNDERSTANDS ITS WEIGHT: AN ANALYSIS OF PRO-ABORTION DISCOURSES IN KENYA
Get PDFThe paper provides a detailed analysis of pro-abortion discourses in Kenya. It focuses on the arguments, philosophical principles, narratives and other important rhetorical strategies that are employed by pro-abortion actors in their struggle to achieve access to legal safe abortion in Kenya. The paper demonstrates that in an attempt to counter institutionalised foetal focused and moralising anti-abortion discourses espoused by anti-abortion crusaders, pro-abortion actors construct discourses that concentrate on the more politically acceptable realm of health complications and on the economic costs of unsafe abortion rather than on women‟s right to terminate a pregnancy. It is argued that the framing of the discourses is a result of neo-patrimonial politics, coupled with patriarchal tendencies, which have also enabled the institutionalization of anti-abortion discourses. Data for this paper was collected in 2009 in Kenya as part of PhD research
FACTORS INFLUENCING THE CHOICE OF MAIZE FLOUR BRANDS BY CONSUMERS IN NAIROBI CITY COUNTY KENYA
Get PDFConsumer behaviour is the focus on the processes a consumer uses to make purchasedecisions, as well as to use and dispose of purchased goods or services. Understanding consumerbehaviour is one of the largest challenges a business can face. The maize milling sector in Kenya isvery competitive, mainly because of its low entry barriers leading to price as the only competingfactor. With turnover and earnings driven primarily by market share and capacity utilization, themajor determinant of success among its players is organic growth and cost leadership. The successof each individual company is dependent on its ability to gain market share and this has made theindustry players to go through various lengths to increase capacity and to manage their costs. Thisstudy sought to determine the factors that influence the choice of maize flour brands by consumersin Nairobi, Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive research method. The population of the studycomprised of 80 retail customers receiving services in four selected supermarket in Nairobi. Theselected supermarkets were Nakumatt, Uchumi, Tuskys and Naivas. The study used questionnaires,which were given to customers buying flour in the supermarkets to fill. Data was analyzed usingdescriptive statistics whereby frequencies and percentages, generated from the various datacategories were computed and presented in graphs, pie charts, and tables. The study found thatvarious factors such as price, perceived quality, the level of income, and the social cultural aspectsinfluence the choice of maize flour brands by consumers in Nairobi. Thus, this study recommendsthat disparities resulting from the difference in their purchasing power should be utilized properlyby the maize millers by producing brands that suit different classes in the society
Serotype Diversity of Respiratory Human Adenoviruses amongst Pediatric Patients from Western Kenya, 2010-2012
Get PDFBackground: Respiratory illnesses are common among pediatric patients in Kenya, and many are attributed to viral causes. However, there is limited knowledge of the diversity of viral etiologies associated with these illnesses. Objective: To characterize respiratory adenoviruses isolates using serological and molecular approaches. Methods: A total of 1,879 samples were collected from symptomatic pediatric patients seeking medical care at New Nyanza Provincial General Hospital during the period of June 2010 to June 2012 and screened for adenoviruses as well as other respiratory viruses. Sixteen respiratory human adenoviruses (HAdVs) were isolated in Hep2 cell culture and characterized them using Immunofluorescence Assay, viral DNA amplification, sequencing and phylogenomics. Results: Phylogenetic characterization of the HAdVs using the hyper variable region 7 of the hexon gene identified HAdV B and C as the major species associated with respiratory infections during the study period. Amongst these, a single B-type and four C-type serotypes were identified. The serotype distribution consisted of 31% HAdV B7, 25% HAdV C1, 25% HAdV C2, 6% HAdV C5, and 13% HAdV C6. Positive selection was observed in the nucleotide sequences from HAdV B7 and HAdV C5 signaling evolution of these two serotypes. Conclusion: These finding may be useful to policy makers regarding appropriate strain selection for vaccination in Kenya. Keywords: Respiratory Human adenovirus, Kenya, Pediatric, Serotype, Hexon, HVR-
“She Will Never Be a Doormat”: Ideal Female Characters in Margaret Ogola’s Novels
Get PDFIntroduction One of the concerns demonstrated explicitly in African women writers literature (which we will define as literature “by women, about women and for women”) is the creation of an ideal female character that may be used as a role model for the current and forthcoming generations of readers. These characters usually serve to embody all those concepts that nurture the feminist orientation of the authors-the ideas of emancipation, empowerment, self-reliance, equality, and personal and social progress. Women’s literature of Kenya, being founded in the early 1960s, received a strong impetus in the 1980s and 1990s with the appearance of a new generation of Kenyan female writers, whose works turned women’s writing into a strong and rapidly growing trend. The late 1990s and 2000s saw a further growth of women’s writing in Kenya. The ranks of women authors were replenished with new names, among which the leading position will for long be retained by Margaret Ogola (1958-2011), a medical doctor, educationist and the author of several non-fiction works and four novels which made her the most prominent figure in Kenyan women’s literature of recent times. The present article analyses female characters in all four novels of Margaret Ogola, with a task to discern the characters that may be deemed “exemplary”, or ideal. These characters embody the author’s vision of a new Kenyan woman and her role in Kenyan society, and represent the author’s concept of a role model for her fellow female Kenyans
Synergistic Antiplasmodial Activity of Artemisia annua fractions against in vitro cultures of Plasmodium falciparum
Get PDFBackground: Artemisia annua has a very rich phytochemistry comprising several classes of compounds, mainly monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and flavonoids. It has been used in China for about 2000 years in the treatment of fever. Objective: The aim was to determine if there is any synergistic effect on the Artemisia annua phytochemicals. Materials and methods: Artemisia annua used in this study was obtained from a hybrid of the plant grown in the Tanzania highlands (2000-2200 m altitude) in Arusha by Natural Uwemba System for Health (N.U.S.Ag). The dried leaves were ground, and sequentially extracted with hexane, dichloromethane (DCM), methanol and water and the extracts were then combined. The extract was then fractionated using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The effect of the combined crude extract was tested at different doses on in-vitro cultures (a CQ sensitive isolate D6 and CQ resistant isolate W2) of Plasmodium falciparum. The fractions and different blends of these were tested at different doses to determine their role, if any, on the activity of the full blend of the plant. Results: Of nine fractions thus tested against D6 and W2, four had activities of less than 3.9µg /ml, three fractions had activities of between 4.77-14.76 µg/ml and the remaining two had activities above 250g/µml. The seven more active fractions were re-evaluated in a subtractive bioassay procedure, in which one of each fraction was excluded at a time from the full 7-component blend. The activity of the combined seven active compounds was 10.40+0.50 µg/ml against W2. Of these, one showed IC50 of less than 3.9 µg/ml and all blends showed IC50 at below 27µg/ml. Conclusion: The results show that different components of A. annua contribute to the synergistic anti-Plasmodium activity. The results constitute a useful basis for identifying the components of the plant other than artemisinin that contribute to the activity of herb. Key words- Artemisia annua, malaria, Plasmodium falciparum, artemisinin, synergy