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Influence of divided policy on shareholder's wealth. A survey of companies listed in Nairobi securities exchange
No full textHG 172.N5 2013The study sought to analyze the influence of dividend policy on shareholder's wealth, using the following specific objectives; the effect of dividend payout, dividend stability and, growth in Assets on shareholders wealth. The main objective of the study was to analyze the effect of dividend policy on shareholder's wealth. The findings from the sought to help interested investors, shareholders, students, researchers, finance managers and financial advisors in predicting the likely implications of dividends policy on companies in regard to shareholders wealth. The study also sought to close the gap in the existing body of knowledge since not much has been done in this area and it was a survey of companies listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange. It also used descriptive statistics. The researcher targeted 57 companies listed in Nairobi Securities Exchange. The respondents were the finance managers of the listed companies in Kenya. Primary data was collected using open ended and close ended questionnaire. Secondary Data was collected from secondary materials which included the annual reports of the company, audited financial report, director's speech and financial journals. All the data from the research was analyzed through the use of descriptive statistics including frequencies, percentages and cross tabulations. Multiple linear regression analysis was also carried out to establish those factors that were significantly associated with the dependent variable. Narrative interpretation and description was used to present both qualitative and qualitative results. Hypothesis testing revealed that there is a significant relationship between dividend payout and shareholders wealth while dividend stability and growth in assets were found to have no significant relationship with shareholders wealth. The• researcher recommended that in order for listed companies to improve their shareholders wealth, factors that influence dividend policy of listed companies should be considered. Since the study was limited to only three effects which were assumed to affect dividend policy of listed companies in Kenya, further study may investigate other effects affecting dividend policy on shareholders wealth
Impact of ICT tools on students' discipline in secondary schools in Nyandarua West district, Nyandarua county.
No full textABSTRACT
Adoption of new technologies like Information Communication and Technology (ICT) tools has great impact amongst people. Examples of these tools are; computers, mobile phones, digital cameras, television, radio, modems and flash disks, among others. In some situations, some of these tools have been misused in schools, resulting to cancellation of examination results. For example, in the year 2010, two students had their results cancelled in one school in Nyandarua County as a result of mobile phone misuse during the period of examinations. This study focused on the impact of information and communication tools on the secondary school students' discipline. The study was conducted in Nyandarua West District in Nyandarua County, Kenya. Descriptive survey design was used. Targeted population was 5821 students, 1540 parents, 108 support staff and 14 principals. Sampling was done. Students' sampled number was 361 and that for parents was 306. For the actual respondents for the study, a total of286 students and 79 support staff members were used. Sampling was done randomly and stratification done on the basis of sex and class. Data was collected using questionnaires and an interview schedule for 235 parents. Data was coded and then analyzed using SPSS (Version 17). Chi-squire statistical indices were computed and the results compared to the objectives of the study. The results were presented as percentages, tables and charts. Television, radios, mobile phones, computer and cameras were identified and found to be in use in Nyandarua West Secondary Schools. Most of the students relied much on television and radio as these were both found in schools and at home. The level of adoption was 90%. At home students mostly used mobile phones and computers. Through use of television, students were able to have role models through movies and this influenced their conduct both at home and in school as they tended to imitate them. It was noted that students had access to JCT tools at school, at home and at times, it was not known to the parents. The use oflCT negatively affects students' discipline, academic performance and social perspective. In addition, students spend considerable time on JCT tools in areas that are not beneficial. However, ICT tools can be used to enhance students' discipline through selected programmes on guidance and counselling. The researcher recommends that more learner friendly JCT tools be availed to learners to enhance learning in schools. There is need to guide learners on safe use of JCT tools to ensure that they use them in a beneficial way
Factors influencing the implementation of the strategic planning policy in secondary schools in Meru Central District
No full textStrategic planning is one of the major approaches for improving secondary school performance in Kenya. However, the implementation of strategic planning policy has been faced with challenges that needed to be investigated. This study therefore investigated the factors influencing the implementation of strategic planning policy in Meru Central District. The study looked at the influence of stakeholder involvement, availability of financial resources leadership styles and technical competence on the implementation of the strategic planning policy secondary schools': The study adopted a descriptive research design where the study target population included all 17 secondary schools. The study used stratified random sampling techniques at various stages of the research process to select 334respondents comprising of 17 Principals, 114 teachers and 203 members of school Boards of Governors from whom a questionnaire was used to collect data. The data collected was organized, coded and entered into the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) computer program where descriptive analysis involving means and frequency and cross tabulations were used while Log linear regression model was used for inferential statistics analysis. The output was presented in frequency tables based on which interpretations and conclusions were made. Inferential statistics of Regression analysis model was used to test the hypothesis. The study concluded that Technical Competence had a significant influence on the Implementation of The Strategic Planning Policy. The study concluded that financial resources had a significant influence on The Implementation of The Strategic Planning Policy and that leadership styles had no significant influence on the implementation of the strategic planning policy in secondary schools. The study concluded that Stakeholder involvement had no significant influence on the implementation of the strategic planning policy in secondary schools. The study recommends that policy makers at the Ministry of Education improve the implementation of the strategic planning policy in secondary schools by addressing the shortcomings in the implementation of the strategic planning. policy. The study recommends that principals create a higher level of involvement of stakeholders in any further strategy development and review to avoid hands off approach and lack of ownership on their part. It is also critical that a review is done to distinguish between strategic plan implementation and other performance and Quality management tools. There is also need to institutionalize policies so that their guiding philosophies are shared across the faculty membership and to avoid them being vied as managerial propensity to lord over staff. Further study can also be executed on the effectiveness of the strategic management plans being implemented in the Secondary schools and finally a study on the Ministry of Education Human resources capacity to effetely participate in training strategic management planning and implementation in secondary schools in Kenya would be critical to any conclusions on the effectiveness of strategic management implementation
The influence of competitive strategies on the performance of savings and credit cooperative societies in Imenti South District
No full textHG 2015.G58 2013The study sought to investigate the influence of competitive strategies on the
performance of savings and credit cooperative societies in Imenti South District in Meru County. It was done by determining the influence of cost leadership, differentiation and focus strategies on the performance of Saccos. The study tested the hypothesis that; cost leadership, differentiation and focus strategies had no significance influence on the performance of savings and credit cooperative societies in Imenti South District. The study aimed at benefiting the management team of Saccos, cooperative industries, scholars and financial institutions. 12 registered Saccos in Imenti South district were covered. The study reviewed three theories; game theory, competitive advantage theory and resource view based theory. The empirical literature that related the past studies and this study were included. The conceptual and operational frameworks were used to illustrate the relationships between the dependent and the independent variables. The target population for the study was 155 marketing officials in 12 Saccos in Imenti South District and the accessible population included 4 7 marketing officials in the 12 Saccos in Imenti south district, which was 30% of the target population. Stratified random sampling design was used and a table of random numbers used to select the individual respondents for the study where 30 marketing clerks and 17 management officials were chosen on whom survey was done. The research was carried out using a questionnaire as the data collection instrument and data collected analyzed using descriptive statistics. The data analysis consisted of examining the evidence so as to address the initial propositions of the study using SPSS computerized software. Logistic regression was used to determine associations between the independent variables and dependent variables in the objectives and hypothesis of the study. The results showed that cost leadership and differentiation strategies have positive relationships with the performance of Saccos in Imenti South District while focus strategy has a negative relationship. However on hypothesis testing the findings showed that there was no significant relationship between cost leadership strategy (with a calculated value of 1.000), differentiation strategy (with a calculated value of 1.000) and focus strategy (with a calculated value of 0.600) with performance of Saccos m Imenti South District
Factors that lead to decline in academic performance in Kenya KCPE examination in Igembe North district Meru county, Kenya
No full textEducation is the best legacy a nation can give to her citizen, especially the youth. This is because the development of any society depends much on quality of education of such a nation. The purpose of the study was to investigate factors that lead to the decline in academic performance in the KCPE examination in lgembe North District, Meru County. The researcher was guided by five objectives and five matching research questions. The location of the study was Igembe North District, Meru County. The target population was all the primary schools in Igembe North District. The target population was 3,714 subjects. A number of primary schools constituted the unit of analysis. The sample size was 268 subjects which constituted the head teachers, teachers, pupils, and parents. The study used expost Jacto research design since the researcher examined an already existing situation in which changes have already taken place. Questionnaires, document analysis and interview schedules were used to collect the required data. The pilot study was done in three schools outside the district of the-study. The pilot test results were used to validate the instruments as well as assess the reliability of the instruments. Data was sorted out and then analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 17). Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used in data organization and presentation. Results were grouped according to the research objectives. Frequency tables, pie-charts and bar¬graphs were used to present the results. This study established that teachers were well trained and there existed further training opportunities for teachers to enhance and promote acquisition of new and relevant knowledge. Findings also revealed that there was understaffing, overcrowded classrooms and Jack of support by parents. In addition, the study revealed that there was so many pupils' per class which increased workload for teachers. Most of the times pupils absented themselves to participate in miraa (khat) harvesting and business. The culture had negative effect on education. The- researcher recommends that the government to increase allocation of funds, parents to be sensitized on education needs for their children and school administrators to improve on the pupil-teacher relationship. The researcher recommends further study on family structure in relation to education and how teacher quality affects pupils' academic achievement
Challenges facing academic performance in catholic sponsored private schools; a case of catholic primary and secondary school schools in Isiolo county.
No full textABSTRACT
In Kenya, the church missionaries were the initiators of education. They built their schools and maintained them, hence, the genesis of church participation in schools. Education was an important integral part for evangelization and moral formation for the recipient Africans. This study intended to investigate the challenges facing academic performance in mission owned schools in Isiolo County and to make recommendations to improve the performance. Descriptive survey design was used and mission owned both primary and secondary schools in Isiolo County formed the study population. Since there are only three secondary and five primary schools the whole population was studied. The participants constituted the five head teachers, three principals and Education Secretary. The total enrolments of students was 1560 the enrolment of standard eight pupils was one (148) who formed the sample to represent primary schools, while those in form four were90 total number of Parents Teacher Association (PTAs) members was72 while Board of Governors members were thirty nine (39), The school Management Committee were 65 in number resulting to 1745 participants. The sample size was 224 respondents who were randomly sampled. Questionnaires, interview and observation schedules were used as tools for data collection. The instruments had achieved a reliability coefficient of 0. 7. The study generated qualitative and quantitative data. Quantitative data was coded, grouped and entered into a computer for analysis using the SPSS software program. Qualitative data was presented thematically in line with the objectives of the study. The results of data analysis were presented using frequency distribution tables, bar graphs and pie charts. The study found that the average annual school fees collection was 50%-75%. The main sources of funding other than parents were donor funds. The sponsor supports the school. The study concluded that provision of quality education infrastructure is an expensive venture which forces such institutions have simmering row between parents, sponsor and the government. The management put parents' contribution through fees into good use such as paying salaries and other development activities. It was recommended that there is need to seek the private sector support to complement government efforts in providing education. Current education reform policies in Kenya encourage potential contribution of private sector, however, the issues affecting private sector in primary and secondary education have not been assessed adequately; School atmosphere should be conducive to the learning and overall development of children; Physical facilities should be adequate and well maintained. There is need to engage Head teachers who are• qualified in relevant courses in education as well as teachers specialized in relevant subject areas should be recruited, and finally a school strategic plan should be put in place
Spiritual and moral formation in the private Universities in Kenya: A case study of Kenya Methodist University.
No full textDespite the critical importance given to character building and spiritual formation in most private universities in Kenya (many of which have religious foundations), there is considerable evidence that many students are found to be involved in socially deviant behavior as well as academic malpractices. This study examined the importance given to, and the current state of character building and spiritual formation affairs at the Kenya Methodist University (subsequently referred as KeMU). The students' perception regarding the importance of the above virtues to their holistic development was sought. The researcher further sought to establish what relationship existed between deviant moral behaviors among the students to their involvement in relevant spiritual programs available at the university. The study was significance because intellectual excellence alone, without moral and spiritual uprightness to match with, has continued to produce and send imbalanced graduates to the society, unable to synthesize academic and upright character in their service. The researcher developed survey instruments (interviews and questionnaires) to collect data from a sample of 240 student respondents through stratified random sampling and a purposive sample of 10 staff members. The findings of the study revealed that spiritual and moral formation programs needed to be enhanced and that a lack of adequate spiritual impartation played a major role in the moral deterioration evidenced by academic malpractices and other vices among students in Kenya's private universities. One of the major priorities of the Kenyan government is to produce learned men and women of integrity who would be used to implement its strategic plan as envisioned in the vision 2030 dream. The implementation of the findings of this is study will go a long way in helping the Kenyan government achieve its dream through well educated, holistic individuals
Assessment of nutritional status and biomarkers among chronic haemodialysis patients
No full textAlthough biomarkers have significance on the nutritional status, there is little information about its relationship among patients on maintenance haemodialysis (MHD). The study was done to determine the significance of the relationship between nutritional status and biochemical markers among chronic haemodialysis patients. The study was done at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), Nairobi-a teaching and a referral hospital. This was a cross-sectional, prospective study among chronic haemodialysis patients. Fifty patients on chronic maintenance haemodialysis for 3 months and more were included in the study which was carried out May 2012. All eligible study subjects gave informed consent. Biochemical tests of albumin, electrolytes: sodium and potassium and urea were done and anthropometric measurements taken. The reagents for all biochemical analysis were provided by JAS INC., Court Miami Lakes Florida. The relationship between nutritional status and dietary intake, anthropometric status primary diagnosis, co-morbid, socio-demographic factors and dialysis related factors were determined. Fifty subjects were recruited in the study. The consent for the study was sought at Kenyatta National Hospital/University of Nairobi Ethics and Research Committee (KNH/UON ERC). Electrolytes mainly potassium were elevated. Sodium and albumin was low. There were significant correlations between albumin and hospital attendance, albumin and nutritional counseling and BMI with anthropometric parameters. The electrolyte levels of sodium and potassium are useful nutritional biomarkers for HD patients coupled with regular nutritional advice. Anthropometric parameters and BMI can be used for nutritional status assessment
Influence of primary school headteachers instructional leadership style on the performance of KCPE in Isiolo district, Kenya.
No full textThe role of school head teacher in relation to the management of institution and curriculum improvement is very crucial. The head teacher is the person behind the success of any institution and this largely rely on the leadership. Isiolo District has its unique challenges that face the inhabitants. This has attracted various donors who for along time have invested heavily on health and education. However, even with considerable inputs by NGOs and other agencies, the KCPE performance has not been good. This low performance in view of so many inputs was the problem the research intended to prove. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of the primary school head teachers' instructional leadership in Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) performance in Isiolo District. The main areas were; head teachers instructional role in the school in regard to performance, teacher's views in regard to performance, motivational level of the teachers, role of the parents, vhether head teachers sensitize parents on the importance of education, the crises that could be influencing performance, political issues that may be influencing performance and how head teachers influence performance in view of the a above. The research design was descriptive survey. The study targeted all the primary school that had presented candidates for KCPE in the last ten years, all the head teachers, pupils, school management committee and educational officers in the district. The data was collected using questionnaires, interviews and focused group discussions. Sampling was through homogenous type, purposely targeting only a number of head teachers, students, parents and education officers. Qualitative data analysis was done in relation to the findings in each category. Considering the findings of the study, it was revealed that most of the head teachers were actively involved in the teaching. However. on of the head teacher was reported to have a mission and vision for the school. Most of the head teachers also felt that performance could be enhanced rhrough collaboration with the parents. Teacher rampant absenteeism and poor teaching was also noted. Most of the head teachers were noted not to be covering their syllabus. This was echoed by the TAC tutors who cited poor leadership by the head teachers and chronic absenteeism by teachers as the main cause of low performance. 1n conclusion based on the findings, it was recommended that primary school head teachers should be instructional leaders in order to improve performance of KCPE and at the same time continue promoting an environment that is sensitive to cultural diversity, address political issues that affect learning, and educate the community on the importance of education while at the same time actively involving themselves in teacher motivation. Once the causes of the current situation were established the findings could be used in designing solutions to the problem. Education experts, planners and other related authorities will be better placed in formulating techniques of improving performance of KCPE in the district and hence advancement of the pupils to secondary schools
Information communication technology utilization in management of public secondary schools in Njoro district, Kenya.
No full textInformation Communication Technology (ICT) integration in the management of secondary schools is an investment that is worth undertaking. This is because new information and communication technologies are ~-.;.~ in the modem world. This study sought to establish the utilization of information communication technology (ICT) in secondary schools' management. It was conducted in Njoro District and involved 22 - secondary school, 22 principals and 248 teachers. The study adopted a survey design. The census sampling technique was applied in the selection of the study sample. Questionnaires and interviews were methods used as instruments of data collection. The formulated instruments were subjected to a pilot ~- in order to measure their reliability and validity. The pilot study was carried out in a neighboring district Molo.The district was selected because it had features that were similar to those found in Njoro district. The data collected was processed, organized and analyzed with the aid of the computer programme, statistical packages for social sciences (SPSS) and the results presented in frequency-distribution tables, percentages and discussions. The data collected was analyzed by use of descriptive statistics The study found out that there was minimal and almost nonexistent use of ICT in the management of public secondary schools in Njoro district. The study also found out that although most principals had a basic knowledge on the use of computers, they had made minimal efforts to embrace ICT in their schools. Findings from items on ICT competency that indicated results of below 50% were perceived to mean a low level of competency and vice versa. The study recommends that the government ugh the Ministry of Education releases funds for the availing of facilities in schools for ICT implementation. The findings of this study will enable the Ministry of Education officials to implement the National Educational ICT policy effectively from an informed position