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TPC 102: Technical and Communication Style
No full textTPC 102: Technical and Communication StyleDaystar Universit
Examining Instructional Approaches to Foster Soft Skills among Information Technology Undergraduates in Nairobi Metropolitan Area, Kenya
No full textJournal ArticleThis study examines the pedagogical methods meant to improve soft skill acquisition and development in information technology undergraduates in the Nairobi Metropolitan Area. Utilizing a sequential mixed-methods design, the research adopted a two-stage cluster sampling where 10 universities were selected from a total of 31 within the region, representing 5 private and 5public institutions. Thereafter, 1,143 undergraduate IT students were randomly sampled from an overall population of 3,814 enrolled students, while professors and IT technicians were purposively selected for qualitative interviews. Quantitative data in this respectwere collected by using semi-structured questionnaires, capturing the points of view of stakeholders on perceived improvement in soft skills. Although the modern-day job markets require graduates with soft and non-cognitive skills, employers have nonetheless complained about the lack of such competencies among university graduates concerningaspects such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership. This study was based on Vygotsky's social constructivism theory and investigated the development of soft skills among students taking a Bachelor of Information Technology at selected universities within the Nairobi Metropolitan Area. The results have indicated that modern learning methods support the development and acquisition of soft skills aptly. The programs for soft-skill are adequate and frequent training which impacts performance in other disciplines. Signs wereproving that there was significant enhancement regarding interpersonal and cognitive competencies of the students as a result of collaborative projects, problem-solving in real life, and reflective practices. It also stresses that educational institutions need to orient themselves more toward interactive and practical teaching methods to better prepare IT graduates for the challenges of a modern workforce
Assessment of Marital Stress and Resilience Among Married Christian Women in Selected Mainstream Churches in Nairobi County Kenya.
No full textMASTER OF ARTS in Counseling PsychologyThis study examined marital stress and resilience among married Christian women in selected mainstream churches in Nairobi County. Specifically, it sought to determine the prevalence of marital stress, assess resilience levels, and examine factors contributing to marital stress. Using family system theory and stress and coping theory, the study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional method. A sample of 316 married women from selected mainstream churches was drawn using the Yamane formula, and data were collected via structured questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS version 27. Key findings indicated that 41.2% of women experienced high marital stress, 39.7% reported moderate stress, and 19.1% reported low stress. Full-time employed women, primarily aged 36-45, had the lowest stress levels, while 96.3% of self-employed women aged 46 and above reported high stress. Unemployment also contributed to moderate and high stress, particularly among younger women. Marital stress was significantly associated with age but not with years in marriage. Resilience levels were generally high, with 34.8% of participants displaying very high resilience, while factors like poor communication, financial disagreements, and work demands were identified as major sources of marital stress. The findings underscore the importance of targeted interventions to manage marital stress and promote resilience among married women in Nairobi County. The study recommended that churches should implement ongoing marital counseling programs tailored to address common stressors identified in the study, such as financial disagreements, communication issues, and time management. Churches and religious leaders should provide spiritual guidance and practical support to enhance resilience in women who experience high levels of marital stress. Religious leaders can offer workshops and one-on-one counseling, helping women develop emotional regulation and problem-solving skills, especially for those in the 46 and above age group who reported high stress levels. Employers should take practical steps to reduce stress in women employed full-time by promoting work-life balance initiatives, such as flexible working hours and mental health support
Parental Response to Perinatal Loss: Psychological Effects, Coping Strategies and Cultural Influences
No full textJournal ArticlePerinatal loss (PNL) causes profound grief to parents. In more than half the cases of PNL, parents go on to experience complicated grief. This persists longer than ordinary grief and is characterized by depressive symptoms, anxiety as well as symptoms of trauma. The aim of the study is to add insight on the profound effects of PNL on parental wellbeing, by shedding light on how grief and emotional struggles interact with cultural beliefs and practices when parents experience PNL. This research also aims to highlight the need for culturally sensitive emotional psychotherapeutic support, to ease the grieving process, promote healing and encourage resilience in the face of PNL. Through a review of existing literature this study examines the psychological effects of PNL on parents and the various coping strategies they use to overcome the effects of the loss. It also looks into select cultural beliefs and practices related to PNL, and their influence on the experience and coping strategies parents use to cope with PNL. This study emphasizes the importance of providing emotional support to parents experiencing PNL. Additionally, it recommends that those that provide such support be culturally sensitive and aware, educating themselves on the cultural underpinnings of the PNL experience for the family, in order to provide appropriate and effective care to each family that experiences PN
PSY 312A: Christian Guidance and Counseling
No full textPSY 312A: Christian Guidance and CounselingDaystar Universit
The Participation of Women in Track One Peace Processes: A Case of Kenya’s 2008 Mediation
No full textMaster of Arts in Diplomacy, Development, and International SecurityThe acknowledgement that women bear the harsh consequences of war informed the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325) on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) on 30th October 2000. UNSCR 1325 called on member states of the United Nations (UN) to take measures to ensure full and effective participation of women in all levels of the peace process particularly decision-making with regards to peace. However, nearly twenty-five years after the passage of the resolution, women still comprise a small minority of participants at peace talks. This study sought to examine the participation of women in T1PPs using the KNDR as a case study. It achieved this by analyzing three objectives. The first objective examined the ways in which women participate in T1PPs; the second objective analyzed the challenges women face in participating in T1PPs and the third objective explored the strategies that women can use to mitigate the challenges they face in participating in T1PPs. This research was underpinned by the standpoint feminist theory (FST). The research study employed a Qualitative case study research design. This research was conducted in Nairobi and the relevant population consisted of all individuals working in the area of peace and conflict resolution, peace-building and those championing women’s rights and equality. The method of data collection comprised of face-face interviews using a semi-structured interview schedule to collect the data. The data collected was analyzed through thematic data analysis. The findings of this study revealed that though T1PPs are dominated by men due to their positions of power in leadership and governance, there has been a rise of women’s participation through various channels. Greater awareness and advocacy invoking the normative framework has increased women’s participation in T1PPs. The findings further reveal that women who participate formally or informally face challenges such as patriarchy, gender stereotypes, culture and traditional norms that either restrict or limit their participation. The research further identified strategies women can use to increase their participation by mitigating the challenges they face. These include building strong networks, implementing gender quotas, changing mindsets and increasing advocacy and education on the normative frameworks that exist to increase their participation. The findings are significant to women in government since it creates awareness on the resolution and the implementation of the NAPs. The findings are also of importance to the WPS agenda because as the findings reveal; implementing the agenda at the local level comes with its challenges. Therefore, understanding these challenges enables efficient context specific strategies be put in place that would increase women’s participation in T1PPs.Daystar University, School of Arts and Social Science
The Effect of Youtube Influencer Marketing on Consumer-Based-Brand Equity
No full textMASTER OF ARTS in CommunicationThe study investigates the underutilization of YouTube as a strategic communication channel by PR and brand marketing practitioners, who often limit its use to showcasing company events, buying advertisements, and addressing customer complaints, rather than engaging in long-term partnerships with influencers. This research focused on understanding the impact of YouTube influencer marketing on consumer-based brand equity, in Kenya. The objectives were threefold - examining the effects of demographics (age and gender) on YouTube influencer marketing, comparing the impact of influencer marketing to YouTube advertising, and assessing the efficacy of influencer marketing on consumer-based brand equity. Employing multi-step and social influence theories, this research utilized a descriptive design to target 312,640 middle-class Kenyans aged 18 and above who consume YouTube content in Nairobi. The findings indicate that age, more so than gender, significantly influences consumer engagement with YouTube influencers; and while influencer marketing shapes consumer decisions, paid advertisements seem to be more effective in driving spending and decision-making amongst consumers. However, no significant correlation between influencer marketing and consumer-based brand equity was found. The study recommends choosing influencers whose values align with the brand and target demographics, granting them creative freedom to produce authentic content, utilizing data analytics to optimize campaigns. This research enhances the understanding of corporate communication strategies and their impact on consumer-based brand equity, offering valuable insights for both academic and practical applications. While this study provides significant insights into YouTube influencer marketing, further research by other authors is recommended to validate and extend these findings across different contexts and populationsDaystar University, School of Communicatio
Organizational Strategies and The Performance of Selected Startups in Kenya.
No full textMASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION in Strategic Management.Startups make up a significant portion of industries in the Kenyan economy, but despite their growing numbers, they also experience many failures. The lack of well-defined strategies hinders their ability to drive innovation, capture and grow market share, and engage employees effectively, contributing to the high failure rate among these companies. This study explores how adopting strategic approaches can improve these key performance areas, enhancing startup sustainability and performance. The study aimed to assess the relationship between organizational strategies and the performance of selected startups in Kenya. The study's specific objectives were to establish the relationship between corporate-level, business-level, and functional-level strategies and the performance of the selected startups. The Resource-Based View (RBV), Dynamic Capability theories, and Porter’s Five Forces Model guided the study. The study employed an explanatory survey research design. The study’s population was 1157 respondents with a target population of 204 managers across the four startups: Jumia Group Kenya, Flutterwave, Twiga Foods and Mara. Nassuma’s formula was used to determine an appropriate sample size of 156 managers. The study used a self-constructed structured questionnaire to collect data. The data collection instrument was pretested at Sky Garden among 15 managers. The internal Reliability of the research instrument was tested using Cronbach’s alpha, which had a reliability value of .716. Data was analyzed with the aid of SPSS Version 27. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the data using means, frequencies, and standard deviation. Inferential statistics using simple and multiple regression were used to establish the relationships between business strategies and the performance of the selected startups. Pearson correlation was used to test the strength of the relationship between study variables. The results showed that corporate-level strategy (p = 0.093) had a weak positive correlation to the performance of the selected startups. Business-level (p = 0.010) and functional-level (p = 0.079) strategies strongly affect the selected startups' performance. In conclusion, the study showed that where the three levels of organizational strategy were present, there was an increase in the startup's performance. It is recommended that startups should first diversify their strategies to enhance performance by integrating new business ideas and partnerships. Second, management should focus on innovation and market differentiation to improve the effectiveness of the business-level strategy. Finally, having clear functional-level policies aimed at efficiency, teamwork, and talent development can significantly boost organizational performance. These recommendations can significantly reduce the failure rates of startups, allowing them to become a thriving part of the economy and contributing to employment rates