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An Evaluation of determinants of innovation adoption by analytical laboratories in Kenya
Get PDFFull - text thesisInnovation plays a key role in improving the performance of firms. However, innovation adoption in Kenya is generally low in most sectors, including the analytical laboratories sector where most testing is still performed using old methods and technologies. Therefore, the aim of this research was to examine the determinants of innovation adoption by analytical laboratories in Kenya. The specific objectives of this study were to examine the effect of firm level, industry-level, and macro-environment determinants of innovation in analytical laboratories in Kenya. The theories that guided this research were Technology Acceptance Model and the Open versus Closed Innovation model. The positivism philosophy was adopted for this research. The methodological approach research entailed the use of the descriptive cross-sectional research design to investigate the associations between the dependent and independent variables. The target sample size for this research was 100 respondents. Data was collected using questionnaires that were administered to 88 respondents comprising of general managers, senior analysts, analysts, business development and marketing managers, quality managers/officers, finance managers, head of research and development (R&D) and human resource managers. The findings of this study showed that firm level, industry level and macroenvironment determinants had a significant positive influence on innovation adoption in analytical laboratories in Kenya. First, the findings suggested that firm level determinants have a significant positive influence on innovation adoption in analytical laboratories in Kenya. These findings imply that innovation adoption was higher in large firms, those with high product diversification, those that focus on continually developing new products/services rather than improving existing ones, older firms, those with high financial and human capabilities, and those pursuing open and closed innovation strategies. This finding suggests that enhancing firm-level determinants can improve the adoption of innovation in analytical laboratories. Secondly, the results showed that industry level determinants have a positive influence on innovation adoption in analytical laboratories in Kenya. The findings suggested that high innovation adoption was associated with high intensity of competition, high buyer power, high supplier power, high threat of substitutes and low entry barriers. This finding suggests that enhancing industry level determinants can improve the adoption of innovation in analytical laboratories. Lastly, the results showed that macro-environment determinants have a positive influence on innovation adoption in analytical laboratories in Kenya. Economic growth, regulatory environment and sustainability standards were found to have a positive influence on innovation adoption in analytical laboratories. This finding suggests that enhancing macroenvironment determinants can enhance the adoption of innovation in analytical laboratories. From the study, it is recommended that policy makers need to strengthen the regulatory environment, develop industry standards and foster compliance in order to encourage innovation in analytical laboratories. Additionally, managers of analytical laboratories should consider strengthening their firm level determinants through increasing their human and financial capacity for innovation. Managers of these firms also need to monitor industry-level determinants as well as changes in the regulatory and economic environment and respond appropriately using innovation.
Keywords: Analytical laboratories, firm-level determinants, industry-level determinants, innovation adoption, macro-environment determinants
Assess factors influencing adoption of digital transformation among manufacturing sector firms in Nairobi region
No full textFull - text thesisThe rapid changes in technological advancement implications are for companies to keep up with the trends and exploit them to their advantage. The manufacturing sector has been signaled as one of the industries that have been slow in its digital transformation. Kenya’s manufacturing sector has not been able to leverage digital transformation to enhance its performance and is behind in meeting its Vision 2030 goals. Therefore, this study assessed the influence of technological, organisational, and environmental factors on DT in Kenya’s manufacturing firms in the Nairobi region. The study was anchored on the technology organisation and environment (TOE) Framework and Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) theory. A positivist research philosophy fits with the study’s objective and is thus adopted. A descriptive correlational design is used as the study aims to describe the association between factors that may influence digital transformation. The target population was 725 firms from which a sample size of 176 was selected as the units of analysis. In each of the 176 firms, a senior manager involved in strategy implementation was purposively and conveniently sampled. The data was gathered using a Likert scale-based questionnaire that was checked for validity and reliability in a pilot study from which the internal consistency of items was assessed. The output indicated that technology, organisation, and environment factors together explained 47.5 % of the change in DT adoption in manufacturing firms and was significant at the 95 % confidence level. Independently, technological factors had a .577 positive and statistically significant effect on DT adoption. The study therefore concludes that increasing technological factors in manufacturing firms will contribute to an increase in DT adoption while organizational and environmental factors do not have any effects on DT adoption. the study recommends that manufacturing firms focus on using technology that has affords them a relative advantage over the existing technology.
Keywords: Digital transformation, Manufacturing, Technological, Organizational, Environmental factors
The Challenges of access to and use of digital financial services by women in Homa Bay County, Kenya
Get PDFFull - text thesisThis study examines the background of Digital Financial Services (DFS) situation for women, specific emphasis on the challenges that inhibit women from efficiently using DFS to enhance finance freedoms in Homa Bay County. Limited access to appropriate financial services is one of the key challenges that prevent economic participation of women. Furthermore, female headed households are more likely than male-headed households to be poor due to limited economic opportunities. Digital financial services contribute to the expansion of financial inclusion of women, but in some countries, it is disproportionate, and even though access to finance for women is rising, the gender gap is still persistent. In Kenya, two-thirds of unbanked adults are women and the most significant barrier to women’s financial inclusion being access to and use of their assets to earn independent income (Demirgüç-Kunt et al, 2018.). Anchored on Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) and Diffusion of Innovation (DoI) theories, the study highlights the challenges experienced by women and how these reflect on their financial decisions and the fundamental societal norms leading to these challenges. Mobile coverage and online bank usage as the primary representation of DFS usage, with data collected in the year 2023 via a study of selected women respondents in Homa Bay county. The data analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics and the findings were that women in Homa Bay County own digital devices, they had a good understanding of basic use of the digital devices and use digital financial services. Inferential analysis showed that differences in access to and use of DFS by women in the study area was due to variations in their digital financial literacy, with the women with a good comprehension of digital financial literacy being quite comfortable in its use and enjoyed using their devices. Socio-cultural norms did not establish a distinct effect on the nature of DFS services utilization apart from explaining number of daily logins. There were mixed relationships between perceived trust and risk against DFS use with a higher perception of doubt and reservation in the use of digital devices associated with lower logins. Perceived ease of use was associated positively with DFS usage, thus intimating that, women in Homa Bay County had a relatively high level of ease of use of digital financial services
Analysis of factors affecting adoption of big data in the automotive assembly industry in Kenya
Get PDFFull - text thesisThe study seeks to assess factors that influence the big data acceptance in the automotive sector in Kenya. The application of big data in companies has been linked to increased customer satisfaction, improved quality, better decision-making, and robust financial performance. Furthermore, in the automotive industry, the big data is applied with the aim of improving safety and providing timely data vital in enhancing customer experience. Despite the benefits associated with big data, the Kenya’s automotive industry has not fully integrated the technology within its operation, hence, missing out on the advantages. The goal of the present study was to establish how the independent variables (innovative culture, perceived ease-of-use, and perceived usefulness) influence the adoption of big data. TAM theory applied. To determine the factors affecting the adoption of big data in the automotive industry, a correlational research design was used. The quantitative study is grounded on the positivist research philosophy. A sample of 235 respondents was obtained from Kenya Vehicles Manufacturers, Associated Vehicles Assemble, Isuzu East Africa, Mobius Motors, and Trans Africa Ltd using a correlational research design and simple random sampling technique. Both the descriptive and inferential statistics were provided. Results indicated a strong and significant relationship between the perceived ease-of-use, perceived usefulness, and innovative culture and the adoption of big data in the automotive industry. Recommendations included improved leadership to enhance big data adoption in automotive sector, improve technology safety, and foster simplification of big data. Future researchers should consider exploring the big data use in other industries and apply mixed research methodology
Determinants of electric vehicle adoption by public transport companies in Nairobi City County, Kenya
No full textFull - text thesisEven though several studies on the adoption of Electric Vehicles (EVs) have been conducted globally and regionally, there exist significant conceptual, methodological, and contextual inconsistencies identified, necessitating the present study to investigate and bridge these knowledge gaps. A literature search revealed limited studies conducted in Kenya on the factors influencing public transport companies' adoption of EVs in Nairobi City County. Using Kenya's Nairobi County as a case, this study sought to answer the question, "Which factors influence the electric vehicle adoption by public transport companies in Nairobi City County?" The study’s specific objectives are to establish the influence of perceived barriers, perceived benefits, and fleet managers' characteristics on electric vehicle adoption (EVA) by public transport companies in Nairobi City County. The study is grounded on three theoretical underpinnings: the unified theory of acceptance and tech use, automobility theory, and actor-network theory. This study adopted the positivism philosophy for quantitative research to fulfill the purpose of the study and inform the descriptive research design. The public transport companies that had not adopted EVs were selected through simple random sampling while the census approach selected the EVs-adopted firms for this study. As such, a sample size of 174 respondents was selected. Self-administered drop-and-pick questionnaires were used to collect data to minimize non-responsiveness. The pilot study included 18 respondents purposively sampled from Kisumu County public transport companies. In this regard, the unit of observation includes the fleet managers and operational staff members of public transport companies. The researcher tested the instruments to meet the reliability and validity threshold. The study used descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics analyzed data quantitatively using percentages, means, and standard deviation, while inferential statistics estimated the relationship between the variables. Pearson correlation and multiple regression explained the relationship between the variables. Data was then presented in the form of frequency distribution tables. The study established that perceived barriers, perceived benefits, and fleet managers’ personal characteristics were significant predictors of electric vehicle adoption. Particularly, the study findings were that perceived barriers had a strong negative relationship with electric vehicle adoption. Perceived benefits and fleet managers’ personal characteristics had a positive relationship and were statistically significant with electric vehicle adoption. Therefore, there is a need to acknowledge the perceived barriers to EV adoption and leverage on the perceived benefits and fleet managers’ personal characteristics to enhance the rate at which public transport companies accept and use EVs in developing nations such as Kenya. The research focused on the determinants of EV adoption by public transport companies in Kenya’s Nairobi County. Therefore, this study cannot be generalized to private transport firms in Kenya. To address this limitation, a similar study may be undertaken on private transport companies
Influence of change management strategies on employee engagement in multinational companies in Kenya
No full textFull - text thesisThe business environment has become more uncertain due to macroeconomic headwinds, shifting political climates and evolving consumer needs triggering organizational change in response to disruption. Manufacturing firms have more recently led the stage in organizational changes due to their vulnerability to the rising cost of goods threatening their margins. However, multiple organizational change initiatives have been known to flop by either not meeting their objectives or resulting in a worse position than before the change. Various change management strategies can be employed to mitigate the negative effects of uncertainty which leads to decreased employee engagement during change. There are limited empirical studies investigating change management strategies’ influence on employee engagement within the context of multinational companies in Kenya within the consumer goods industry. This study investigated the link between change management strategies and employee engagement in multinational companies in the consumer goods industry in Kenya. The study was anchored on Kurt Lewin’s change theory and Kotter’s eight-step change model. The study used a descriptive cross-sectional research design where the unit analysis was the 25 multinational consumer goods companies in Kenya. The representative of each of the 25 multinational companies in the consumer goods manufacturing industry was the chief executive officer (CEO) and chief human resources officer because they hold the requisite information on employee matters and relations, bringing the total number of respondents to 50. The research instrument for primary data collection was structured closed-ended questionnaires. The findings were analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics and the statistical package for social science (SPSS) was the key analysis tool. The study found that the influence of change management strategies on employee engagement bears different magnitudes depending on the industry. Employee involvement strategy had the most significant positive influence on employee engagement while internal communication, training and coaching were positively associated with employee engagement but only to a moderate magnitude contrary to similar past studies in other sectors where all the key change management variables strongly influenced employee engagement. Recommendations from the study are that organizations should not single out a strategy but employ a combined approach for a stronger effect on employee engagement. It is also vital to foster an environment of trust between employees and leadership as it is a measure of engagement. The study acknowledges it was limited in that being quantitative and anonymous, was constrained in accounting for the experiences of the respondents as the researcher could not probe for further explanations of some responses. The study narrowed down on three change management strategies: internal communication, employee involvement and training and coaching and their influence on employee engagement while there could be other strategies that also strongly influence employee engagement. The study is also based on the perceptions of executive leadership which introduces bias.
Key Words: Employee Engagement, Internal Communication, Employee Involvement, Training, Multinational Companies
Exploring consumer attitudes towards sustainable milk packaging in the Kenyan dairy industry
Get PDFFull - text thesisThis study investigated consumer perceptions of sustainable packaging within the Kenyan milk industry, focusing on packaging characteristics, demographic influences, and willingness to pay. Guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and the Means-End Theory, it aimed to unravel the complexities of consumer decision-making regarding sustainable milk packaging adoption. The research had three primary objectives: examining the influence of packaging characteristics on consumer attitudes, exploring the relationship between consumer demographics and sustainable packaging preferences, and assessing consumers' willingness to pay a premium for sustainable packaging in the milk industry. Employing a positivism philosophy and a descriptive approach with a cross-sectional survey design, the research aimed to unravel the complexities of consumer decision-making concerning the adoption of sustainable milk packaging. It targeted a population of 3 million in Nairobi County, Kenya, with a sample size of 400 consumers, ensuring robustness and representativeness in the findings. The study's significance lay in its broad scope, covering Nairobi County, Kenya, a pivotal area for sustainable practices given its large population and initial adaptation to a circular economy. Considering the substantial contribution of the dairy sector to Kenya's agricultural GDP and high per capita milk consumption, the findings were relevant for academia, policymakers, environmentalists, and businesses in the milk industry, offering insights into sustainable business practices and consumer choices. The research underscored the importance of environmental impact as a key driver of consumer preference in milk packaging, while also highlighting the nuanced interplay between functionality, convenience, and aesthetics. It emphasized the need for the dairy industry to prioritize sustainable packaging solutions that address environmental concerns while catering to evolving consumer preferences. Additionally, the study provided insights into how consumer demographics influence preferences for sustainable packaging, offering valuable knowledge for developing targeted strategies. While there was considerable alignment between the study results and existing literature on consumer attitudes towards sustainable packaging, nuanced differences and areas of divergence were also observed, underscoring the complexity of consumer behavior and preferences. In conclusion, this dissertation contributed comprehensive insights into consumer attitudes towards sustainable packaging in the Kenyan dairy industry, offering recommendations for stakeholders to align with consumer preferences, address cost concerns, and promote sustainability in milk packaging.
Key words: Dairy industry, sustainable packaging, consumer attitude
Assessing the factors influencing the adoption of off grid renewable energy technologies in Kenya - a case for Kisii County
Get PDFFull - text thesisDeveloping resilient energy systems is imperative for enhancing electricity accessibility, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, and improving the welfare of residents in remote areas. However, many Sub-Saharan Africa countries with inadequate national power distribution systems often overlook energy provision in remote settlements due to their geographical isolation, low electricity demand, and limited financial resources. This study addresses the critical factors surrounding the low uptake of Off-Grid Renewable Energy Technologies (OGRETs) in Kisii County, Kenya, aiming to assess the constraints households face in adopting these technologies. Anchored in the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Diffusion of Innovation theory, the research investigates how technological characteristics, socioeconomic conditions, environmental considerations, and psychosocial factors influence the adoption of OGRETs. The study is aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) and aims to contribute to meet the Kenya's Vision 2030 and climate change agenda by tackling the slow progress towards universal energy access. Utilizing a cross-sectional survey employing structured questionnaires incorporating the TAM framework with Likert scale responses, data were collected from a sample of 400 households. Analysis involved inferential statistics and a multiple regression. The findings highlight environmental concerns as a significant driver of adoption, with higher levels of concern positively associated with increased adoption. Additionally, risk and trust, awareness levels, relative advantage, and ease of use displayed significant positive associations. However, initial cost and financial incentives showed minimal impact. Policymakers should prioritize implementing targeted financial incentives and support mechanisms, alongside comprehensive awareness campaigns, to promote OGRET adoption in Kisii County, Kenya.
Keywords (Energy access barriers, renewable energy adoption, renewable energy technologies, off-grid, Technology Acceptance Model, sustainable energy, energy access
Application of fingerprint authentication to fortify child safety in school transport
No full textFull - text thesisSafety of school-going children has been a great concern to parents, school administrations and the transport team in the recent past. In urban areas like Nairobi where most parents are busy working and crime is fast increasing, the need for an efficient and safe transport for pupils cannot be underestimated.
Most current school transport systems use NFC cards or manual attendance records to keep track of the children picked in the morning or dropped after school. Using manual attendance is time consuming, especially where there are many students. NFC cards could also be lost or misplaced. This could be a security loophole if picked by someone else and manage to access the transport.
This research uses fingerprint authentication for both learners and staff where fingerprints are captured, and database queried to authenticate the learner or staff. The choice of technology is inspired by the fact that fingerprints are unique to every individual adult or child. The research used Rapid Application Development (RAD) methodology because it is more flexible in accommodating the changing nature of requirements which are not well defined in the initial stages. The requirements are implemented in the system in separate prototypes until the final prototype is developed. It also allows for fast user feedback and speeds up delivery. Learners’ existing records will be used as input to the system and will be incorporated with the children fingerprint then stored in a database. Convenience sampling was used in the research to obtain simulated data.
Keywords: Biometrics, safety, fortification, school transport, Facial Emotion Recognition, Biometric Fingerprint scanner, Geofencin
Determinants of private health insurance demand: a case of insurance companies in Kenya
No full textFull - text thesisHealth insurance is an important tool for promoting health and reducing the burden of healthcare costs for individuals and households. In Kenya, health insurance coverage remains low, with only about 20% of the population covered. This study aims to investigate the factors influencing private health insurance demand in Kenya, with a focus on the effects of education, employment status, and household disposable income. This study is anchored on the Grossman's model of healthcare demand and also leans on the Nyman’s model of private health insurance. Nyman's model emphasizes the role of income and price elasticity in determining healthcare demand, while Grossman's model proposes that an individual's health investment decisions are influenced by their human capital, time preference, age, environmental factors, and expected benefits of investing in health. The study adopted a longitudinal survey design, utilizing secondary data from various sources including the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, the Insurance Regulatory Authority, and the World Bank Development Indicators. The data covered the period from 2002 to 2022, allowing for the analysis of trends and changes in health insurance demand over time. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data and examine the distribution of health insurance coverage across educational levels, employment statuses, and income levels. Linear regression analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between health insurance demand and the independent variables of education, employment status, and household disposable income. Using the F-Statistic and R-squared the research concluded that education level, unemployment rate, and household disposable income jointly influenced health insurance demand significantly. Education was not a significant determinant, contrary to expectations and previous research. On the other hand, unemployment rate and household disposable income played crucial roles in shaping health insurance demand. A notable limitation of this study was the confined time frame. This limitation arose from the unavailability of data for the years preceding 2002 for certain data series