KeMU Digital Repository
Not a member yet
446 research outputs found
Sort by
Adoption of e- records management for service delivery in the Kenya police service.
No full textWith the advent of information technologies, the variety of ways that information can be created, stored and manipulated has greatly increased in comparison to the days when information was produced almost solely through the medium of paper. The aim of this study was to examine the adoption of electronic records for service delivery at the Kenya Police Service. The objectives of the study were: to examine the status of records management in the Kenya Police Service; the availability of ICT infrastructure to facilitate e-records management; the financial support provided for the adoption of e-record management and the skills of personnel at Kenya Police Service in e-record management. The theoretical literature focused on Technology Acceptance Model. The study adopted a survey research design and the target population comprised of 616 officers from 29 police stations in Nairobi, Kenya. Data was collected using questionnaires and an interview guide. A total of 112 questionnaires were returned resulting in a response rate of 86.8%. The study used both probability sampling technique (stratified random sampling) and non-probability sampling techniques -. (purposive sampling and convenience sampling). The study collected both qualitative
7 X
and quantitative data hence the use of mixed method. The" quantitative data from questionnaires was analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and regression analysis. The qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis. The study established that Kenya Police Service mainly used manual record keeping systems and the institution was not prepared for the adoption of electronic records management as a tool to enhance efficiency in service delivery. The study recommends that the Kenya Government and the Kenya Police Service should come up With a strategic plan that would guide automation of record keeping systems, allocate sufficient funds to support acquisition of ICT infrastructure for e-records, staff training an
Functionality of community-based health information systems in Embakasi sub-county, Nairobi County, Kenya.
Get PDFA functional Community-Based Health Information System (CBHIS) is poised to collect, collate, analyse, evaluate, store, and disseminate community health-related data and information for use by the community. There is inadequate information available of what influences the functionality of CBHIS in Embakasi Sub-county. This is an impediment to informed strategies that can enhance focused improvement and maintenance of functional CBHIS. The main objective of the study was to assess functionality of CBHIS in Embakasi Sub-County, Nairobi County, Kenya. The specific objectives were: To determine the relationship between workers individual characteristics and functionality of CBHIS; to assess the internal factors that influence functionality of CBHIS and to assess the external factors that influence functionality of CBHIS. The target population was 10 functional Community Health Units (CHUs) in Embakasi sub-county. A sample size of 80 health workers from CHU and link health facilities was used. The study was descriptive cross sectional in nature where both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection were used. The study adopted Key Informants interview, for link health facility workers, and 2 sets of questionnaires for CHU workers. The data acquired was analyzed using thematic analysis, MS Excel and Statistical Package for Social Sciences Software respectively and presented in frequencies, percentages, tables, charts and graphs. Relationship between the independent variables and the dependent variable was established using Chi-square test of association, fisher's exact test and Logistic regression models since the responses were categorical. A total of 68 respondents were interviewed with a response rate of 67%. There was a significant relationship between marital status, age of the Community Health Volunteers (CHVs), and ability to collect data at (p=0.024 and p=0.016 respectively). However, at a=0.05 there was no significant evidence linking gender and ability to collect data (p =0.637). Besides, at a=0.05 there was a strong relationship between experience and CHVs ability to understand indicators (p=0.033). There was no sufficient evidence linking CHV education level, age and understanding of indicators (p=0.696 and p=0.469 respectively). The tools, feedback forums, training and support supervision were available but inadequate and that CHUs did not have data analysis capacity. There was acute shortage of workers, inadequate tools and the reporting lines were not clear. The community was very supportive to CHUs activities and the linkages were effective as stated by all the respondents. However 3(60%) of the Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs) pointed out that the county leadership was unsupportive to the CHUs while 2(40%) reported the county leadership supportive. The study recommends that CHUs functionality be reinstated in order to strengthen the functionality of CBHIS, HIS and the entire health system. Marital status, age and experience of workers should be considered when selecting the CHVs; the local leadership should provide the workers with adequate tools, capacity build them on data analysis, strengthen dialogue and action days, offer frequent refresher training and equip the workers with supervisory skills. Finally, the linkages between CBHIS and FHIS should be strengthened and that the local leadership should support the community health unit activities. The researcher proposed that further research be done to determine the role of Community-Based health data in strengthening decision making at the national and local level
A case study of Jomo Kenyatta University of agriculture and technology.
Get PDFInformation literate students' access, retrieve, evaluate and put into use information from different sources. They communicate effectively and efficiently and reflect on the process as well as the product. However, students in most universities depend heavily on their lecture notes and library assistants to seek information despite having been taught information literacy skills during their fast year in the university (Kavulya, 2003). One is thus led to ask the question: Why are students not performing as expected regarding the application of information literacy skills? Therefore, the study sought to investigate the impact of information literacy programs on utilization of library resources at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Mombasa Campus. The specific objectives of the study were to: find out the levels of information literacy skills among students; identify the role of libraries in the integration of information literacy programs; establish the methods used in the provision of an information literacy programs; and to find out the students' perceptions on information literacy programs. The study adopted the seven ways or faces of information literacy model by Bruce (1997). This study employed the descriptive and explanatory research designs. The study employed both non probability and probability sampling techniques. The study sample was stratified according to the level of education of the respondents and convenience sampling was used in administering the questionnaires. The study sample comprised 335 users and 2 librarians who were selected using purposive sampling.Data was analyzed descriptively using SPSS 23 and presented in form of tables and figures. The findings of the study showed that the majority of the respondents understood the meaning of information literacy, they used the OPAC system and E-resources to locate, access, retrieve and effectively use the information acquit ed. The methods employed in the teaching information literacy skills included carrying out annual orientation programs for new students, organizing library workshops and demonstrations. However, it was evident that majority of library users lacked information searching and retrieval skills and this was due to the fact that they did not undergo a well-organized information literacy program, and that university students rely heavily on the internet for their academic work or research. The study concluded that although there have been efforts to ensure information literacy among university students, there is need to build on these efforts through collaborative efforts between librarians and faculty members particularly through joint curriculum design and implementation. There are some forms of information literacy training in the institution, however the training offered was not adequate to promote lifelong learning due to lack of standardized information literacy programs and lack of information literacy policies. The fmdings of the study will be significant to the policy makers by helping them to make sound policies that will enhance the development of information literacy skills among university students. Various methods should be used for teaching and assessing the information literacy skills of the students, which includes: one-on-one instruction, interactive classes, online tutorials, as well as building assignments around research situations. Lecturers should also be encouraged to use e-library resources and computers as well as the Internet and online searching skills as part of the students' assignments
Generic strategies adopted towards creation of competitive advantage among supermarkets in Kenya
No full textThis study sought to establish and• present the generic strategies and their relationship towards competitive advantage among Tier one supermarkets in Kenya based on Neven and Reardon, 2004 in Kenya namely Nakumatt, Tuskys and Uchumi. A firm may achieve competitive advantage over rivals by incorporating lower, best cost, broad differentiation, focused differentiation and focused low cost strategies helping a business secure a superior market position, paramount skills, quality and adequate resources. Although Uchumi and Nakumatt supermarkets remain well known brands within East Africa and remain common over the region, it is evident that there is a manifest growing financial crisis facing two of the oldest chains in the country as evidenced by the continued branch closures, constant staff retrenchments, labor strikes, staff turnovers, regular management shakeups, and declaration of financial losses. However and unlike the competitor Tuskys, small and medium supermarkets and the evolution of the giant e-commerce platforms who continue to create footprint in and beyond Kenya as well as entry of international retail giants such as Carrefoure, Choppies, LC Waikiki amongst others. The objective was to establish the relationship between generic strategies adopted and the performance of Supermarkets in Kenya with the respondents being marketing managers purposively selected from the supermarkets under study. a census sampling technique adopted. A descriptive research design and a historical research design were used in the implementation of the research and analysis of the acquired data. The data was analyzed using IBM-SPSS and interpreted using both descriptive and inferential statistics such as mode to ascertain patterns that emerged from the data. Inferential statistics techniques such as frequency distribution and percentages that were established from the responses of the sample allowed the researcher to make clear inference on the trends and occurrences on strategies used by supermarkets in Kenya. The results were presented using self-explanatory tables. From the research, differentiation was ranked as a major generic strategy influencing competitive advantage; high level differentiation on brand, operations, packaging, advertisement, security systems, supply and out bound logistics. It was established out that Broad Differentiation and Focused Differentiation especially along Niche markets were Nakumatt's and Tusky's favorable generic strategies whereas maintaining Low level of differentiation was practiced at Uchumi's which gave key interest in lowering cost amid business crisis. The findings of this study cannot be used to generalize the practice in-the-entire retail industry though it will help to develop.concepts and theories that will help the management of the retail stores, students and researchers to understand the social and business world aiding to organizational strategic analysis and planning. Outsourcing technological aspects is a practice recommendable to supermarkets since it significantly improves organization performance. The results also showed that 42.3% of the variations in competitive advantage are explained by the variables in the model (generic strategies). The rest 57. 7% of the variations in competitive advantage are explained by other factors not in this model hence a further research can be conducted to uncover these strategies
Effects of plant population and different levels of phosphorus on seed yield of spider plant (Cleome Gynandra) in Vihiga County.
Get PDFS 587 .M36 2016Cleome gynandra has common names as African cabbage, spider flower, spider wisp, cat's whiskers which is an erect herbaceous biannual herb with hairy, often stems colour ranging from purple to cream and many branches growing to a height of about one meter. It is propagated by seed through sowing directly and thinning done four weeks after planting. It's an African leafy vegetable that is used as a vegetable and as a medicinal plant. It's known to play a key role in providing necessary nutrients such as iron, calcium, zinc, potassium, iodine and Magnesium for human development. It requires well drained loamy soils with an average rainfall of 1700 mm per year; the mean monthly maximum and minimum temperature requirement are 23.8°C and 12.4°C respectively. Farmers producing it, are often .faced with the challenge of which is the favorable spacing and fertilizer use, coupled with land fragmentation and declining soil fertility have resulted to spider plant persistently remaining low thus compromising food security and nutrition. Various recommendation of spacing have been given for the same crop by various extension service providers thus farmers planting ranging from conventional way to various recommendations given by various service providers, thus being prompted to study the effects of spacing / P levels on seed yield of spider plant in Vihiga County. Experimental design used was randomized complete block design with 3 replicates. Three plant spacing of 45 cm x 15 cm, 30 cm x 15 cm and broadcasting were used, subjected to five different levels of P20s ( 0, 20kg/ha, 30kg/ha, 40Kg/ha, 50Kg/ha). Ten plants per plot were randomly selected and tagged for data collection. The collected data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOV A) tests using SPSS software. Means were compared using the least significant difference (LSD) test at 5% level of significance. Results indicated that plant height; number of branches, number of pods and seed yield were significantly affected by spacing and phosphorus levels. The wider spacing and highest level of P had significant effects on growth of plants and seed yield. The spacing 45 cm x 15 cm had a more positive effect on growth parameters and seeds weight as compared to other spacing (S1 = broadcasting, S2 = 30 cm x 15 cm). The phosphorus levels of F5 = 50kgs/ha, Fa = 40kgs/ha, F3 = 30kgs/ha and F2 = 20kg/ha had higher effect on growth and seed yield than the control (F1) by F5 registering much effects than the rest. Spacing of 45 cm x 15 cm with phosphorous level 50 kg/ha are recommended for optimal results in spider plant seed production
A case of Homabay County, Kenya.
Get PDFAvailability of health care services does not guarantee that patients will optimally use them. In Homabay County, lack of access to health services is among the top reasons for low service utilization. This study focused on service delivery pillar and in particular the utilization of essential health packages (EHP), which include infectious diseases, maternal and newborn health, nutritional deficiencies and common injuries. According to Kenya Demographic Health Survey 2014, the health care utilization rate is 77% for those who are sick in Kenya. Among those who are ill and do not seek care, 44% and 18% were hindered by cost and distance respectively. The Health Sector Statistics Report also suggests that the overall child mortality rate is 121 per 1,000 live births. In Homabay County, child mortality rate is 91 per 1,000 live births, and maternal mortality rate is 583 per 100,000, compared to the national average of 488 per 100,000. The study assessed health systems factors influencing the utilization of EHP in public hospitals in Homabay County. Specifically, the study assessed how human resources for health, availability of drug, the role of health infrastructure, and organizational practices influence the utilization of EHP. The study adopted cross-sectional research design. Two hospitals were conveniently sampled (Homa-bay County Hospital and Mbita Sub-County Hospital) due to their large volume of patients. Yamane's formula was used determine the respondents' sample size. The study used stratified and simple random sampling methods to sample 138 health workers (Pharmacists 5, Clinicians 13, Health Management Information System Officers 8, Nurses 104, and Hospital Managers 8), and simple random sampling to sample 186 patients. Structured questionnaire and key interview guide (with 8 hospital heads) were used to collect data. Findings revealed that, all the health workers 138 (100%) said that Homabay County has shortage of health workers, the hospitals have inadequate drugs and patients are referred elsewhere due to lack of medical equipment. Majority 115 (83.3%) health workers say hospitals lack operational ambulances. Majority 153 (82.3%) and 135 (72.6%) of patients are hindered by cost and distance respectively to access health care. Among organizational factors, majority 159 (85.5%) patients do not always find all services they wanted and had ever failed to seek care because of the long waiting time. The regression model revealed at least 0.06 coefficients, indicating that a positive change in the independent variables (human resources for health, availability of drugs and supplies, health infrastructure, and organizational practices) results in a positive change in the dependent variable, utilization of EHP. Positive Pearson's correlation of 0.11 showed a close relationship between the variables. Conclusively, Homabay County lacks adequate health workers, drugs and hospital infrastructure, in addition to poor organizational practices leading to low utilization of EHP. The study recommends that the county employs more health workers, improves the procurement system, invests on health infrastructure including medical equipment, emergency ambulances, and buildings and should review costs of services to improve utilization of EHP in Homabay County
A case of Kenyatta national hospital.
Get PDFScaling-up quality referral processes strengthens the health system. Referral refers to any process in which healthcare providers at lower levels of the health system seek the assistance of providers who are better equipped or specially trained to guide them in managing or to take over responsibility for a particular episode of a clinical condition in a patient. Quality in health care falls under Service delivery, which is one of the six key health system strengthening building blocks. The main objective of the study was to find out the factors influencing the scaling up quality of referral processes at Kenyatta National Hospital and the specific objectives of the study were to; establish how the management of referrals can scale up the quality of referral processes at Kenyatta National Hospital, determine how the pre-referral communication processes scale-up the quality of referral processes, and establish how referral staff can scale up quality of referral process. The Research design was a descriptive cross-sectional and retrospective study, data was collected using a questionnaire and check list. A check list was used and 384 referrals entered, a total of 100 self-administered questionnaires were completed by staffs working at Kenyatta National Hospital and returned. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 21 and presented in tables, bar graphs and pie charts, reliability was done to establish regression co-efficient at (95%) confidence interval. The findings revealed that majority of the respondents 80(79.8%) indicated the referring institutions do not understand the referral policy, guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures, 12(13.5%) showing that they know and 6(6.7%) indicating that they don't know, majority of patients, 75(75%) came with referral letters which were incomplete, 13(13.7%) lab results and 12(12%) coming with X-ray results. The findings indicates that 51(56%) of the referred patients came with nurse, 40(44%) relative with none being escorted by doctor. According to the findings 63(67%) of the referring hospitals did not call prior to referring the patient, only 31(33%) called before transferring the patient to KNH. In conclusion, the findings showed that there was significance relationship between referral policy and staff knowledge on referrals at P< 0.05 with chi square test of 0.004. Scaling up the referral processes ensures quality of referral services. The study recommends that the management of Kenyatta National Hospital needs to ensure that dissemination, sensitazation and awareness of the referral policy, guidelines and SOPs is done for the staffs both in the referring and receiving hospitals, referral tools, forms and registers be distributed at all levels of the health system for standardised information in the referral letters, laboratory and radiological investigations. Employ adequate human resource in the hospital
Factors affecting investment decisions in portfolio management
No full textHG 4529.5 .M36 2016ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors affecting investment decisions in portfolio management for the listed companies and market participants in Nairobi securities exchange. Sixty four companies were listed at the NSE and 19 market participant in NSE. The most striking problem faced by NSE is it operation on trading decision for the securities with insufficient desirable characteristics of stock exchange market. These securities are faced by liquidity problem, non-availability of information which led to market anomalies. However, this led to high price sensitivity to new market information, price fluctuation and narrow price spread. The theoretical anchors for the study were traditional and behavioural finance theories which include modem portfolio theory, market hypothesis theory, Frame Dependency Utility Theory and prospect theory. The theories helped to understand investment decisions in portfolio management based on following variables which include risk tolerance, investors' prospect, market information and tax exposure. The theories helped to understand investment decisions in portfolio management, based on the amount of risk and other issues in which individual is willing to take. Relevant literature was identified and organized in themes of the study variables to make questionnaires which were used to conduct the investigation. Random sampling technique and purposive technique were used to obtain a sample of 62 (out of 83) investment advisers and managers to be used in this study. These techniques were considered most powerful tools that gave the required investment advisers and managers of the listed companies and market participants an equal chance at the NSE. A logistic regression was used and hypotheses were tested at significance level of 95%. The data was collected and analysed using descriptive design technique to give a vivid explanation for various factors influencing decision in portfolio management. The results obtained indicate that many people were receptive about risk. The more risk taken is warranted with corresponding gain and the reverse is true. Also investor prospect significantly affect decisions because many people may prepare short term investment due to the pressure to meet immediate demand. It was considered as a reasonable assurance from these knowledgeable advisers who had financial market information through share price analysis, future financial security valuation, and recommendations from stock brokers in such that security managers should concentrate on a well balanced portfolio creation to caution investors from losses. After high profit realization, it is paramount for investors to take time to compute risk analysis before embarking on investments. Investing in the shares should be done under a guidance of highly qualified stock managers. Finally, similar research should be carried out in areas far away from Nairobi Securities Exchange in order to observe investor disposition effect and risk attitude. Conducting the same research for Non¬listed companies in which their shares are not traded publicly, can also give foresight about investors' behaviours in unregulated market
A case of Kakamega County.
Get PDFQuality is a key principle in health service delivery a pillar in health systems strengthening. The Kenya Quality Model of health was initiated across all health facilities to guide the implementation of quality standards. The Kenya quality guidelines are guidelines for defining, measuring and improving performance of health services across different care facilities that targets organizations and clinical leaders. Despite having, guidelines there are disparities in the quality of services delivered at Kakamega County. The objectives of the study were to determine the comprehensiveness of quality guidelines implementation in Kakamega County, to establish the institutional factors of quality guidelines implementation, to establish the human resource for health factors of quality guidelines and to establish management practises of quality guidelines implementation. In a cross-sectional design, 127 clinical managers in 6 public health facilities were selected using random sampling of public health facilities, stratified and proportionate sampling of clinical managers. Data collection was through interviewer administered closed ended questionnaires and key informants schedule. SPSS version 22 was used to analyze data in frequency distributions and percentages. To determine the profile of respondents and quality guidelines implementation, institutional factors and human resource factors were analyzed using means scores, standard deviations and Anova one way. Clarity of quality guidelines had a mean score of 3.3 and objectives a mean score of 2.2. Most respondents indicated that guidelines were unavailable since most of them were kept on shelves (48%), the services that implemented the guidelines included HIV services with mean 3.7, medical services 3.6, nursing services 3.3 and pharmacy 3. The human regource for health factors that affected implementation of guidelines were awareness of guideline contents 3.7 and motivation 3. The management practices used to implement guidelines were steps in quality management with mean 3.8, planning 3.3 and use of data 3. Monitoring and evaluation was done by health workers 40 (36%) using check lists 48(40%). The findings on quality guidelines comprehensives had P-Value of 0.231 indicating no significant relationship between comprehensiveness of quality guidelines and improved health services. For institutional factors the P-value was 0.32 indicating a relationship between institutional factors and improved health services, human resource for health P-value there was 0.033 which indicated a relationship between human resource for health and improved services. Management practices P-value was 0.042 indicating a significant relationship with improved quality of health services. The study recommended formulating a policy that can be used to train human resource before implementing guidelines, sensitizing all services to implement quality guidelines and establishing strong quality teams and developing quality implementation monitoring tools. The study further recommends development of customer satisfaction feedback form to daily monitor quality of health service
Determinants of market access by small holder cereal farmers in Buuri Sub-county,Meru County
No full textAccess to markets by smallholder farmers is key to improvement of the livelihoods of Kenyans and also a great pillar to the realization of Vision 2030. Access to markets is a vital requirement for the smallholder farmers if they are to reap any benefits associated with farming. Access to markets could be beneficially looked into three perspectives that are from the market structure, physical access and the farmers need for information how organized they are as well as their skills or lack off. Remoteness from markets and inaccessibility of roads is a major concern for communities in the rural areas in the developing countries. It weakens the capability of the farmers to sell their produce as well as buy inputs which may lead to increased cost of transportation. Therefore this study sought to determine the factors that affect market access by smallholder cereal farmers. In order to achieve this, the study focused on market access as the dependent variable and market information, legal policies, product characteristics and infrastructure as the independent variables. The study was underpinned by consumer theory, transaction cost theory, infrastructure development-led theory, institutional theory, characteristics demand theory and structure-conduct-performance framework. Descriptive research design was adopted for this study on determinants of cereal market access by smallholder cereal farmers. The study targeted smallholder cereal farmers in Buuri Sub-County which has 36,830 smallholder farmers of which 380 formed the sample size. The study used data collected from 380 smallholder cereal farmers across Buuri. Data was analyzed with SPSS while• an analysis on logistic regression was performed at 5% confidence level to explain the determinants of market access by smallholder cereal farmers. The analysis revealed the market information and policies were not significant in affecting access for markets while product characteristics and infrastructure were significant. Poor transportation infrastructure and long distances to market places were a limiting factor to market access which led farmers to sell their farm produce to middlemen who were also the main source of market information. The study recommends sensitization on the use of formal agricultural information as well as awareness of the policies that affect marketing of cereals and improvement of infrastructure within the Sub-
County