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A Model for mapping crime hotspots using neural networks: a case of Nairobi
No full textFull - text thesisSince the inception of the first modernized police agency, the primary objective of police organizations has been to prevent crime. Law enforcement, police, and crime reduction agencies commonly used hotspot mapping, an analytical technique, to visually determine the locations where a crime was most prevalent. This assisted in decision-making to determine the deployment of resources in target areas. This study aimed to investigate crime mapping techniques in crime analysis and suggest ways to enhance the implementation of crime mapping in Nairobi. Beginning with a historical analysis of GIS and crime mapping, the study then moved on to a consideration of the significance of geography in dealing with crime concerns. Neural Networks and K-Means machine learning models were used, and data was collected through quantitative and qualitative means in two phases. X was utilized in the first phase to collect information from the general public and important informants. The second phase involved collecting crime hotspot coordinates using a participative Geographic Information System. The study focused on utilizing social media data and machine learning techniques, particularly the KMEANS with NN (Neural Network) model, to identify and map crime hotspots in Nairobi. By analyzing crime-related tweets and categorizing them as either positive, negative or neutral using this NN (Neural Network) model then clustering them as either high risk or low risk using K-Means, the study achieved high accuracy, precision, recall, and Fl-Score, suggesting the effectiveness of this approach for crime prediction and prevention.
Keywords: Hotspot mapping, X, Machine learning, crime, Neural Networks, K-Mean
Impact of hybrid working systems on employee wellbeing in professional services firms: a case study of PricewaterhouseCoopers in Nairobi, Kenya
Get PDFFull - text thesisThe maintenance of a safe and healthy work environment for all the employees and the organization itself, as well as the people working for the organization, contributes to sustainability of organizations. Organizations that have embedded employee wellbeing at the workplace have chronicled the business success as well. For individuals, workplace wellbeing stands for a full, non-stop duty for both the employer and employees. Hybrid working system is an adaptable mode of implementation that, besides working in an office environment, also gives the option of working remotely. Flexibility is different depending on the hybrid working environment, thus giving rise to a different range of schedules. Companies may design their hybrid work model to create a more comfortable working environment that gives a better work-life balance to the employees. It becomes a source for new ideas and active dialogue which in turn lead to productivity and employee engagement at work. The study was to assess the impact of hybrid working systems on employee wellbeing in professional services firms: A case study of PricewaterhouseCoopers in Nairobi, Kenya with specific objectives being; To establish the influence of hybrid working systems of professional services firms: a case of PwC in Nairobi, Kenya; to investigate the effect of building flexible infrastructure on employee well-being in professional services firms in Nairobi Kenya, PwC; to establish the impact of physical working environment on employees wellbeing of professional services firms in Nairobi Kenya, PwC; and to establish the impact of remote working on employees well-being of professional services firms in Nairobi Kenya, PwC. Through the assessment of this topic and the variables there was fulfillment of the mission aligned with hybrid work practices such as infrastructure building, tie-in of human resource and information technology, the creation of a correct work environment, and connecting offsite and onsite employees. The study adopted Job Demand resources theory and Self-Determination theory constituting, of the basis upon which the study was grounded. The study targeted all the employees of PwC in Nairobi, Kenya as the target population. The study applied a research philosophy of positivism and a descriptive cross-sectional survey was used as the research design. Data collection instrument used was questionnaires which consisted of both open and close questions, and the procedure adopted was a handed out in a drop and pick technique. Collected data was subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics analysis, while qualitative research was gathered using interviews which was further analyzed using NVIvo using thematic approach. In establishing the relationship between the variables the study used multiple regression model. The study utilized both qualitative and quantitative data approaches to help identify the key findings. The results, after careful analysis and examination, revealed that flexible work environment, physical work environment, and remote working impact on employee well-being within professional service firms. The results yielded crucial insights into optimizing workplace conditions for enhanced employee satisfaction and productivity. The findings underscore the multifaceted nature of employee well-being, elucidating how various aspects of the work environment contribute to overall satisfaction and fulfillment. With a notable portion of the variability in employee well-being explained by these factors, it becomes evident that organizations must prioritize creating conducive work environments that cater to the diverse needs and preferences of their workforce. The study suggested a future research to be conducted in the same area but employing a longitudinal or experimental designs, utilize multi-source data collection methods, incorporate qualitative approaches, conduct comparative studies across industries and geographic regions, implement intervention studies to evaluate the effectiveness of specific interventions, and explore mediation and moderation analysis to uncover underlying mechanisms and boundary conditions influencing the relationships under investigation. Addressing these limitations and pursuing further research in these areas would contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the complex interplay between work environment factors and employee well-being in professional services firms
The Factors that affect commercial property prices in Nairobi County: a case of real estate players in Nairobi
Get PDFFull - text thesisPricing is a key factor in achieving full occupancy and maximizing return on investment in the commercial property sector. To thrive in the competitive property market, it is essential for market players to identify the pricing factors that provide a competitive edge. This study aimed to establish the factors affecting commercial property prices in Nairobi County, the economic hub of the region. The broad objective was to determine the overall impact of various factors on commercial property prices, while the specific objectives focused on the effects of macroeconomic factors, property location, government policies, and competition. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional survey design to capture a snapshot of the current situation. The target population comprised real estate players registered with the Kenya Property Developer Agencies, active, highly ranked, and operating in Nairobi. A sample size of respondents was selected through a judgmental sampling method and stratified according to the type of firms. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaires. Data analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Quantitative data were analyzed through descriptive statistics, including mean and standard deviation. Inferential statistical analysis involved Pearson correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis to test the association between the variables. The findings revealed that location significantly influenced the pricing of commercial properties, highlighting the need for transparent and corruption-free property valuation processes. Macroeconomic factors, such as inflation and interest rates, also played a significant role in property pricing, emphasizing the importance of monitoring economic conditions. Competition was identified as a critical determinant, suggesting the need for regulatory mechanisms to ensure fair competition within the real estate sector. The study was anchored on the Real Estate Market Theory and the Hedonic Pricing Model, providing a robust theoretical framework for understanding property pricing dynamics. The insights gained from this study are crucial for policymakers and practitioners in formulating strategies to enhance market stability and investor confidence. The study's limitations included the reliance on a descriptive cross-sectional survey design, which cannot establish causality or changes over time, and the focus on Nairobi County, limiting the generalizability of the findings. Future research should consider longitudinal designs and explore additional variables such as technological advancements, demographic shifts, and environmental factors to provide a more comprehensive understanding of commercial property pricing. The findings were presented using tables and graphs, providing a clear visualization of the data and facilitating the interpretation of results. This study contributes to the empirical evidence on commercial property pricing and offers actionable recommendations for improving property valuation and market regulation
Assessing factors influencing adoption of Artificial Intelligence in audit of public entities in Kenya
Get PDFFull - text thesisThe current digital era, industrial 4.0 and surge of financial transactions leading to a deluge of data has complicated the work of contemporary auditor rendering traditional auditing methodologies inadequate. This has birthed Artificial Intelligence (AI) with capacity to match the transmuting nature of fraud. As other professions rush to benefit from AI, auditing has lagged behind with low levels among the big four that includes Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young and Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler. Key stakeholders such as professional bodies and Supreme Audit Institutions are under pressure to include risk in audit an arduous task for auditors using traditional methodologies compelling exploration of robotic auditors born from AI. However, the desire to espousal remains low with several factors considered as encouraging or stifling the process. The purpose of this study was to assess factors influencing the adoption of AI in audit of public entities in Kenya. The specific objectives were to determine the influence of technological, organizational and environmental factors guided by Technology Organization Environment (TOE) framework and Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) theory. It targeted all the active audit personnel in the Office of Auditor General (OAG) who is the principal government auditor in Kenya. Simple random sampling was used to select 333 auditors to participate in the study with structured questionnaire to collect data. Validity and reliability of the research instrument was ascertained in a trial study. Data was analysed using both the descriptive and inferential statistics riding on Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS). Descriptive statistics included percentages, means and standard deviations, while the inferential included the multinomial logistic regression, spearman rank correlation and factor analysis. Tables and figures were used in data presentation. The results revealed that technological, organizational and environmental factors positively influence the low adoption of AI in audit of public entities in Kenya with odds ratios that are higher than 1. Organizational factors showed a slight edge over technology, which came second with environmental factors scoring least. However, they collectively accounted for 86.170% of factors that influence adoption of AI in audit of public service entities. To overcome the limitation in smart auditing, the study recommends stakeholders to focus on addressing the factors associated with adoption to match the emerging challenges in the wake of torrential flow of transactional data
An Evaluation of factors affecting the performance of mobile lending FinTech companies in Kenya
Get PDFFull - text thesisThe FinTech sector experienced unprecedented growth over the past decade, marked by escalating investments that underscored its disruptive potential and critical role in reshaping the global financial landscape. This growth was especially significant in Africa, where FinTech acted as a pivotal conduit for the unbanked population, providing innovative alternatives to conventional banking challenges. In Kenya, a key player in the African FinTech arena, mobile lending companies formed an essential segment of this burgeoning industry. This study undertook a detailed examination of the factors influencing the performance of mobile lending FinTech companies in Kenya, motivated by a need to elucidate the complex interplay of internal and external elements that determined their success. The primary aim of this research was to dissect and understand the determinants of performance within this sector, with specific focus on: Assessing the impact of internal operations and strategy factors on the performance of mobile lending FinTech companies in Kenya. Evaluating the influence of regulatory and compliance factors on their performance. Investigating how market presence and outreach affected their performance. The findings of the study revealed that performance was significantly influenced by three principal factor groupings: Regulatory and Compliance, Internal Operations and Strategy, and Market Presence and Outreach. Regulatory and Compliance factors were critical, as they encompassed the challenges and opportunities presented by evolving legal frameworks, which necessitated a delicate balance between fostering innovation and adhering to regulatory mandates. Internal Operations and Strategy factors highlighted the crucial role of effective management practices, ongoing innovation, and strategic alignment in propelling organizational success. Meanwhile, Market Presence and Outreach underscored the importance of robust marketing strategies and active customer engagement in securing a competitive advantage. This research further explored the implications of these findings for FinTech companies, regulatory bodies, and policymakers, offering targeted recommendations to cultivate an environment conducive to the sustainable growth and innovation of the FinTech sector. Future research directions suggested included examining the adoption of emerging technologies, understanding customer behaviors and trust dynamics, and analyzing the nuanced impacts of regulatory changes on innovation. By detailing the dynamic factors that affected mobile lending FinTech companies in Kenya, this study enriched the understanding of the sector’s challenges and opportunities. It provided invaluable insights for stakeholders aiming to navigate the complexities of the digital finance ecosystem, emphasizing the necessity for a strategic, regulatory, and market-focused approach to enhance the performance and innovative capacity of FinTech enterprises
Effect of government accountability on voluntary tax compliance of motor garages in Kenya
Get PDFFull - text thesisThe effective functioning of a nation's government relies on resources to fulfill its duty of providing public goods and services to citizens. Taxation constitutes a significant portion of the country's internal revenue. However, implementing tax policies poses a considerable challenge, particularly in developing economies where a substantial part of the economy operates informally. Despite the informal sector being the primary employer in Kenya, most of the tax revenue is derived from personal taxes and value-added tax (VAT), not the informal sector. Apart from this, taxpayer apathy plays a significant role in influencing tax compliance. Yet many studies in this sector have been done in developed countries which are more transparent than countries in developing economies. To fill this gap this study therefore sought to establish the effect of government accountability on voluntary tax compliance of motor garages in Kenya. This research endeavors to explore the viability of the government creating a psychological understanding with merchants, particularly concentrating on those involved in wholesale and retail activities within the motor vehicle and motorcycle repair domain, commonly known as garages. The aim was to evaluate how the government's commitment to social, institutional, and economic accountability influences the voluntary adherence to taxation by these traders. This study was anchored on the legitimacy theory, the theory of predatory rule, and the fiscal exchange theory. The study used a census model to investigate all the 109 registered garages at the Kenya Motor Repairers Association. The study used the ordinary least square regression methodology and found that social and institutional accountability enhances voluntary tax compliance. Economic accountability was found not to have any statistical impact on voluntary tax compliance. KRA should therefore continue with their taxpayer education as this will lead to improvement in compliance. Additionally, the study found that tax audits enhance voluntary tax compliance, personal norms increase voluntary tax compliance while social norms affect tax compliance negatively. This implies that taxpayers comply because they fear tax audits, but taxpayers can also be negatively affected by the behaviors of peers not to pay taxes
Clinical errors—the unclassified diagnosis; application of TeamSTEPPS tool to examine the impact of teamwork on clinical errors at Gulu Hospital
No full textFull - text thesisClinical error continues to highlight the shortcomings of the healthcare system, particularly the Healthcare ergonomics and the human system. If it were to be a disease, it would rank the third-leading cause of deaths in the population. They are latent or active events that occur as a result of structural, process, or outcome-based actions ranging from failing of an action on intended objective to using erroneous policy, procedures, processes, and practices in patient care. Healthcare institutions are investing significant resources to reduce the incidence and severity of clinical errors in patients through collaborative team structures and effective communication in order to promotes safe, patient-centred, and equitable healthcare. However, in Uganda and elsewhere the notion of teamwork to reduce clinical error incidence and severity have been low due to poor safety culture, punitive leadership, poor communication ethics, and lack of mutual team support. This study aimed to examine how team structures, leadership and management, mutual support, and communication impacts on the incidence and severity of clinical errors at Gulu Hospital. The study was anchored on two theories and models: Human Error and system error theories and TeamSTEPPS Model and System Engineering Initiatives for Patient Safety (SEIPS). A mixed-method cross-sectional study design using structured and unstructured questionnaires developed from the Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patients Safety (TeamSTEPPS) framework were used to collect primary and secondary data. The collected data were analyzed using Spearman’s Rank Correlation in SPSS Version 10. The result showed that conflict management and effective team communication significantly improves clinical error reporting, resolution, and deaths, however, no significant relationship with team structures, team leadership, and mutual team support. Furthermore, the findings showed clinical error deaths are not significantly related to the different teamwork themes studied except team conflict management. In conclusion, though clinical error is not a classified diagnosis by standard, the results indicate that teamwork may reduce the incidence and severity of clinical error at Gulu Hospital. The study recommends hospital, policy institutions, and healthcare providers to embrace teamwork as an innovative approach to strengthen team collaborations especially in promoting quality of care and patient safety culture in healthcare
Toward improving energy security in Kenya via HTLS conductors and load balancing
No full textFull - text thesisThe Industrial and Commercial sectors of the economy are rapidly growing and hence, energy consumption and transmission line loading are also increasing. This explains the major breakdowns related to transmission lines since the initially installed lines are not able to handle the increased energy requirements. Previous studies have been done replacing ACSR with ACCC conductors to reduce thermal line losses. The project aims to replace ACSR with ACCC conductors in short lines, analyze the length of the line in which the ACCC conductor will cease to be beneficial, and analyze the mechanical properties of the line. The Kenyan grid will be analyzed in its present state by performing a load flow analysis and a sag and tension analysis. The short lines will then be replaced by ACCC conductors and the load flow and sag and tension analysis of the new system done. The two systems will then be compared. The length of the line in which the ACCC conductor will no longer be beneficial for application will be determined. The analysis will be performed using Power Factory DigSilent software
Managing through a crisis: strategies used by Kenyan executives to lead their organisations through the COVID-19 pandemic
Get PDFFull - text thesisThe COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges for businesses and organisations around the world. In Kenya, executives were faced with the task of leading their organisations through a crisis of unknown duration and impact. This study aimed to investigate how Kenyan executives managed the Covid-19 pandemic starting with the precrisis period, the crisis period and the post crisis period. The study was anchored on the Stakeholder theory of crisis management which proposes that in the context of crises, managers behaving more in accordance with the stakeholder model will exhibit greater frequencies of proactive and accommodative crises management behaviour, even if these crisis management behaviours are not perceived to increase shareholder value. This study is undergirded on the interpretivist paradigm which posits that meaning is created from the personal interpretation of events and experiences of the participants. The research design that was used in this study was qualitative research design. This research design was deemed to be the most suitable for this study as it allows “patterns and meanings to emerge from the study that have not been strictly specified in advance” (Yardley, 2008, p. 246). The target population for this study was executives who work in the 13 industry sectors. The study applied purposive sampling where the participants were chosen because of their experiences. Primary data was collected using semi-structured in-depth interviews with the participants. This research used thematic analysis approach to the data, which entailed the researcher systematically assigning codes to qualitative data in order to uncover and explore emerging themes for subsequent analysis. During the data presentation phase, the study employed "thick descriptions'' to offer a comprehensive and intricate exposition of the findings. The findings of this identified ten strategies that were employed by the Kenyan executives. They include; 1) Business Continuity Plans 2) Crisis Management Teams 3) Prioritising Employee Safety 4) Risk Assessment and Business Continuity 5) Stakeholder Engagement 6) Crisis Communication 7) Enhancement of Business Continuity Plans 8) Heightened Vigilance 9) Flexibility and Adaptability and 10) Stakeholder Engagement. The researcher ensured that the participants’ data was treated with privacy and confidentiality. The analysis conclusions were that Kenyan executives employed several strategies in the pre-covid, covid and post-covid stages. The Kenyan executives, although they did not anticipate the Covid-19 pandemic and its accompanying magnitude, did have several pre-crisis preparedness plans and also shaped and implemented crisis management strategies during the pandemic and in retrospect, have instituted various post-crisis measures that have potential to stand them in good stead in the face of future crises. This study recommends executives to prioritise stakeholder engagement in the designing and implementation of crisis response strategies to ensure the concerns of every stakeholder group are catered for in the organisations’ response strategies. This study also recommends executives to have more robust business continuity plans that prioritise the health, wellness and safety of their employees
Affordable housing delivery and economic revival in the post COVID 19 era- a case of family homes fund in Nigeria
Get PDFFull - text thesisAfrica is facing an unprecedented population growth and urbanization rate, coupled with the social and economic effects of the COVID pandemic; making it necessary to enhance mechanisms for social support such as housing. This study’s aim was to establish the role of affordable housing delivery and economic revival in the post COVID-19 era using a case study of the Family Homes Fund in Nigeria. Specifically, the study sought to analyze the different approaches to affordable housing delivery adopted and their impact on economic revival post COVID -19; determine the skills set of affordable housing delivery affecting economic revival in the post COVID-19 era in Nigeria; and to establish the critical success factors of affordable housing delivery affecting economic revival in the post COVID-19 era in Nigeria. The study was anchored on the Keynesian economic theory and the public interest economic regulation theory. A quantitative explanatory research design and a stratified random sampling technique were utilized. Primary data was collected using questionnaires. Reliability of the data collection tool was determined through Cronbach’s Alpha Coefficient, while the data was analyzed by relevant statistical tools using the SPSS 24 package. Correlation results revealed that there was a positive but insignificant relation between the approaches to affordable housing delivery and economic survival in the post COVID-19 era in Nigeria. Further, skills set for affordable housing delivery had a statistically significant moderately positive correlation with economic survival in the post COVID-19 era in Nigeria while critical success factors had a significant weakly positive correlation. Regression analysis revealed that there a positive and significant relation between affordable housing delivery and economic survival in post COVID-19 era in Nigeria. The study also determined that there was no significant effect of the various approaches used in predicting economic revival in the post COVID-19 era in Nigeria. The analysis further found that there existed a positive and significant relation between the Skillset for Affordable Housing Delivery applied as well as Critical Success Factors for Affordable Housing Delivery and economic revival in the post COVID-19 era in Nigeria. The study recommends that the relevant bodies establish and strengthen skills development programs for professionals involved in affordable housing delivery. Additionally, the study recommends exploration of innovative financing models to support the development and implementation of affordable housing projects thereby enhancing the affordability and accessibility of housing options, leading to economic revival. Lastly, the study recommends adopting an integrated planning approach that considers affordable housing as a key component of broader economic revival strategies.
Key words: Affordable Housing Delivery, COVID pandemic, Economic Revival, Nigeria