University of Nairobi Journal Systems
Not a member yet
1034 research outputs found
Sort by
Implications of a Late-Time Interaction in Vacuum Dark Energy Models
Full text linkRecently, Wang et al. (2014) and Salvatelli et al. (2014) have reported results showing that a late-time interaction between cold dark matter (CDM) and vacuum dark energy is favoured by current cosmological datasets and could alleviate the tension between the value of the Hubble constant obtained from Plank + WMAP polarisation data and that of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). In this paper, we explore an alternative interacting vacuum dark energy model in which the net energy-momentum transfer is linear in the dark energy density and consider the behaviour for scalar perturbations in the conformal Newtonian gauge. Normalizing the energy densities to their present values, a positive interaction in the Friedmann Robertson Walker (FRW) background implies higher allowed values for the Hubble parameter, ..0, and the Dark Matter (DM) density than the in non-interacting model. Perturbations in the DM density deviate highly from the standard non-interacting case for higher interaction strengths regardless of direction of the energy transfer while in the linear DM power spectrum shows a shift degenerate with bias in the standard case.�P`K}�
TAX INCENTIVES AND FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT ELATIONSHIP IN THE EAST AFRICA COMMUNITY PARTNER STATES
Full text linkThe relationship between tax incentives and Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) isone of the unresolved issues in public finance. The existing studies on theeffectiveness of tax incentives in attracting foreign investors differ depending onjurisdiction of research and the methodological approach employed. This studywas to establish the relationship between tax incentives and FDI in East AfricaCommunity Partner States. A panel descriptive study design was used todetermine the relationship between tax incentives and foreign direct investment inEast Africa Community Partner States, which included Tanzania, Rwanda,Kenya, Burundi, and Uganda. The study used panel secondary data, whichcovered a period of 16 years from 2002 to 2017. The study revealed that taxholidays and period of losses carried forward did not have statistically significantinfluence on FDI inflow. However, investment allowances had a positivestatistically significance influence on and FDI inflow in EAC. The studyconcluded that the investment allowance had a significant influence on FDIinflows among the East African community partner states. The studyrecommended that the leadership of East Africa community partner states shouldencourage use of investment allowances to attract FDI. The study alsorecommended that tax holidays and period of losses carried forward should not beused as a means of attracting FDI since the empirical evidences shows that the twoare not significant in attracting FDI
Effect of Cash flow Sensitivity on Financial constraints of Firms: A critical Literature Review
Full text linkIn Corporate Finance, there has been a heated debate for over twenty five years on whether investment cash flow sensitivity is a measure of financial constraint. Fazzari, Huhhard and Peterson (1988) argue that the Pecking Order Theory predicts that firms facing financial constraints rely more on internal funds and thus will display high investment cash flow sensitivity contrary to the arguments by KZ and Cleary. Secondary data is used to provide a critical review of literature on investment cash flow sensitivity. The study asserts that whether investment cash flow sensitivity is related to firm’s financial constraint is still a puzzle. Relevant literature is available from developed economies which include USA, UK, Brazil, India and China. No literature is available from developing economies. Besides financial constraints, empirical studies confirm that investment cash flow sensitivity is affected by other factors which include financial systems, firm’s size, age, credit worthiness and industrial structure. There exist no regional or local studies on investment cash flow sensitivity. Furthermore methods of dividing firms into either financially constrained or non-financially constrained pushed the arguments into further controversy. Further research studies are recommended to provide a local outlook on these controversies
SERVICE QUALITY AND OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE OF TOUR OPERATORS IN KENYA
Full text linkThe paper explores the relative significance of service quality components and how theseaffect the operational performance of firms in the tourism industry. Empirical data for thisstudy was drawn from 86 service operations managers of tourism enterprises in Kenya.Several analytical techniques were used to assess the relationships among the variablesunder investigation and these included the mean scores, standard deviations, andcorrelations. The findings of this study suggest that there are significant relationshipsbetween the variables under study. The results suggest that both technical quality andfunctional quality need to be enhanced, with functional quality demanding high priority. Thecorporate image falls into areas that require more improvement. Furthermore, this studyanalyzes the views of service quality among micro, small and medium-size firms and theiraffiliations. The findings show that although both micro-and-small enterprises managedindependently generally place a similar level of importance on service quality components asmedium-internationally affiliated firms, these firms are still unsuccessful in attaining highoperational performance
The Effect of Macro-economic Variables on Real Estate Development in Kenya
Full text linkPurpose – The development of real estate sector in any context is highly affected by several economic factors. This study sought to establish the effects of macroeconomic factors on real estate sector development in Kenya. Independent variables studied are balance of payment, government expenditure, external government debt, foreign direct investments, taxation, interest rate, inflation rates, unemployment, capital market development and exchange rates. Methodology – Development of the real estate sector was measured by quarterly Hass Consult Property index. Secondary data was collected for a period of 10 years (January 2008 to December 2017) on a quarterly basis. The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional research design and a multiple linear regression model was used to analyze the relationship between the variables. Findings - The results of the study produced R-square value of 0.840 which means that about 84 percent of the changes in growth of the real estate sector in Kenya can be explained by the ten selected independent variables while 16 percent in the variation was associated with other factors not covered in this research. The study also found that the independent variables had a strong correlation with growth of the real estate sector. The results further revealed that individually only balance of payment and unemployment rate are statistically significant determinants of real estate development in Kenya. Implications - Adequate measures should be put into place to improve and develop the real estate sector in Kenya by reducing both the prevailing unemployment rate levels and current account deficit. Value – The study will be used as a guide in formulating policies by the government and any other institution involved in policy formulation for the real estate sector. Key Words: macro-economic variables, Real Estate Development in Keny
EFFECT OF COST LEADERSHIP STRATEGY ON PERFORMANCE BY KENYA SELECTED CAR RENTAL BUSINESS IN NAIROBI CITY COUNTY,
Full text linkPurpose of this study was to determine the effect of cost leadership strategyon performance of selected car rental business in Nairobi City County. Thisstudy was a cross-sectional descriptive study design where purposivesampling technique was used to select fifteen (15) car rental business inNairobi City County. Stratified and simple random sampling technique wasemployed in recruiting three categories of respondents. The three category ofstaff included, top level, middle level and bottom level management.Structured questionnaires were used to collect primary data which was thenanalyzed. Both descriptive and inferential statistics was used. The findings ofthe study revealed that cost leadership strategy was not statisticallysignificant in affecting the performance of Car hire firms in Nairobi CityCounty. Many of the car hire business in Nairobi City County charged sameas their competitor. Cost leadership strategy affected performance of carrental business in Nairobi City to a very large extend. This studyrecommends the need to evaluate other competitive strategies onperformance of car rental business in Nairobi City. This study findingsimplies that sustaining a cost leadership strategy an entrepreneur shouldbecome aware of the competitors offer and consider developing customerintimacy and focus on a narrow target market
MICRO-CREDIT AND POVERTY REDUCTION AMONG SELF HELP GROUPS WITHIN KISUMU COUNTY, KENYA
Full text linkPurpose: Micro-credit is an informal source of revenue that was established to bridge the gap between Commercial banks and Formal Micro-finance institutions with an objective of providing small loans to the poor who were discriminated against due to their economic conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between micro-credit and poverty reduction among self-help groups in Kisumu County. Methodology: The research was mainly anchored on Grameen model which focused on funding the poor without collateral and vicious cycle of poverty theory which view poor people as vulnerable hence need to be supported to come out of poverty that is heavily grounded. The study relied on primary data collected using semi-structured questionnaire and observation check with the help of research assistants drawn from Organization staff and group officials. The data collected was analyzed by both quantitative and qualitative methods with the help of SPSS version 20 and excel package. Findings: The findings portray mixed results since micro-credit reduces poverty to a certain level beyond which it starts raising again as measured by changes in the annual income before and after loan acquisition. The impact of loan was moderate on both the living standard and business expansion despite of the majority attending trainings related to micro-credit and poverty reduction. Implication: The researchers recommend frequent training to enhance their intellectual capacity since most have only attained basic education. Training is perceived to be essential for them to enhance their earning potential by minimizing risks related to book keeping, business management and financial management. The study used cross-sectional method and only focused on credit recipients attached to a specific organization thus the findings may lead to subjective biasness. The researchers therefore recommend further study on the topic using longitudinal method to achieve significant results over a period of time especially in Kisumu County. Value: The finding will help in enhance microfinance models that can add value to both the clients and the financial institutions. The micro-credit and market linkages, micro-credit and capacity building programs on the economic performance of SHG members should be treated as a priority in poverty reduction among the disadvantaged groups. Key-words: micro credit, poverty reduction, self-help group
SUPPLY CHAIN PRACTICES, REFORMS AND PERFORMANCE IN THE KENYAN MINISTRIES
Full text linkA signicant part of the undesirable performance in public institusions has been attributed toweakeneses in their supply chain performance. It is primarily for this reason that the studysought to survey and investigate the supply chain management practices, reforms and theirimpact on supply chain performance in the Kenyan national government ministries. The studyemployed both qualitative and quantitative research designs and utilized data from all the 18government ministries in Kenya. The 54 respondents who participated in the study weresampled through the census method. The primary data from the sample subjects werecollected through semi-structured questionnaires. The study findings drawn from bothdescriptive statistics and regression analysis identify the use of information technology,partnerships, outsourcing, tendering, distribution and logistics, inventory control, and leanbase reduction as the key supply chain practices among government ministries in Kenya. Thestudy findings also reveal that the ministries have made a number of reforms that relates totheir supply chain systems including the introduction of e-government, adherence to ISOstandards, and implementation of service delivery charters. The present study cements thefindings of previous studies that supply chain practices and reforms do, though notsignificantly, affect the supply chain performance in Kenyan ministries.Key words: Supply Chain Practices, Supply Chain Reforms, Supply Chain Performance,Kenyan Ministries
STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE DELIVERY: EVIDENCE FROM DEVOLVED GOVERNMENTS IN KENYA
Full text linkStrategic leadership is an important concept as it enables leaders toempowers teams through envisioning, anticipating and creation of changesstrategically. However, the key challenge in the African context, with regardto political leaders, is that when they assume their state offices, they fail tofollow through the promises they made to the electorate. The main objectiveof the devolved governments is to bring improved services closer to thepeople. However, despite the Government of Kenya’s endeavour to devolvefunds to the grassroots, the economic welfare of the people is still poor. Thepurpose of this study was to determine the influence of strategic leadershipon service delivery by County Governments in Kenya. The study was basedon the upper echelon theory. This study used positivism research philosophywhere quantitative approaches were utilized in a cross-sectional survey. Theunit of analysis was the 47 Counties in Kenya. Six respondents werepurposively selected from six key departments in the counties and thus thestudy had a sample size of 282. The study used primary data collected usingquestionnaires. Data analysis was through descriptive and inferentialstatistics. The study regression results showed that strategic leadership hada significant influence on service delivery. It was therefore recommendedthat County Governments must understand the county leadership has to bemore strategic and train employees on innovations for better servicedelivery. The study recommended that the law enforcement agencies shouldenforce sanction on unethical leaders and employees to ensure more effectiveservice delivery
THE MODERATING INFLUENCE OF REGIONAL INTEGRATION ON STRATEGIC ALLIANCES AND PERFORMANCE OF KENYAN MANUFACTURING FIRMS IN THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY MARKET
Full text linkThe specific objective of this study was to determine the influence of regionalintegration on the relationship between strategic alliances and performance ofKenyan manufacturing firms in the East African Community market. The studywas anchored on Resource dependency theory, theory of integration and the Opensystem theory. The positivism philosophical paradigm and a cross sectionaldescriptive survey design guided the study. The population of the study was 160Kenyan manufacturing firms in the EAC market. Primary data was collectedusing a semi-structured questionnaire. A response rate of 81.88% was realized.Secondary data was collected from financial statements of the respective firms.Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Hypotheses wastested using Baron and Kenny model of stepwise regression analysis to test formoderating effects. From the research findings, regional integration was found tohave a statistically significant moderating influence on the relationship betweenstrategic alliance and firm performance. These results are consistent withpropositions in the resource dependence and open system theories. In a regionalintegration framework, firms depend on each other through strategic alliances togain competitive advantages as envisaged in resource dependency theory. Thestudy recommends that policy makers in EAC partner states should encouragecomplementarity and competitive advantage approaches while promoting skillstransfer and information sharing amongst the firms