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Effect of Agricultural Extension Services and Development on Productivity among Small Scale Farmers in India
No full textSince the history of mankind, agriculture evolved round the basic food needs of man and developed principles and practices in crop production including field management. With changing situation, technological development have shifted the traditional agriculture from mere crop production to mixed farming involving allied activities like animal husbandry, sericulture, pisciculture etc. Need for technological development in agriculture. Extension services have become the gold standard for agricultural development programs to spur farm productivity and enhance farmers’ livelihood. Scholars from distinct strands of research have contested the virtues of these programs as systematic reviews failed to disentangle the different causal paths. Despite a wide range of reform initiatives in agricultural extension in India in the past decades, the coverage of, access to, and quality of information provided to marginalized and poor farmers is uneven. While the call for demand-driven agricultural extension has existed in India for several decades now, new modes of reaching out to farmers could have significant impact in India, as they might better reflect the local information needs of farmers. This study therefore sought to find out through literature review the effect of agricultural extension services and development on productivity among small scale farmers in India. Using information provision and access as the basis for analysis, the paper reviewed some of the major agricultural extension programs in India by considering their ability to provide information and facilitate information sharing and use in small scale farming communities in India. The study established that access to information from any source increased with larger farm size in India. Most farmers sought information on seed for cultivation, followed by veterminary care in animal husbandry, and then management and marketing in fisheries.
Keywords: Extension services, agricultural development, productivity, small scale farmer
Information System Development Approaches and Organizational Competitive Advantage of Business Organizations in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
No full textThe aim of every business organization is to survive amid the competition and the turbulent nature of business environment. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between information system development approaches and organizational competitive advantage of business organizations in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. The study adopted the explanatory and quantitative method, hence correlational research design is employed to investigate the correlation between the study variables with target population of 45 respondents as the study population. Krejcie and Morgan determination table was used to derived the study sample size of (40) participants. The closed ended structured 4 points Likert scale Questionnaire was constructed for use in data gathering. Collected data were coded into a format and analysed with the aid of Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient Statistics and presented using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software package for ease of interpretations. The findings showed low and moderate significant relationship between the first dimension of information system development approaches -Waterfall approach and the two measures of organizational competitive advantage – customers’ requirement and business performance. The second dimension of information system development approaches – Agile Management Approach significantly correlates with the two measures of organizational competitive advantage – customers’ requirements and business performance. Therefore, we recommended that, when developing information system for business organizations, the aims and objectives should determine the recommended approach to be used by system developers.
Keywords: Information System Development Approaches, Waterfall Approach, Agile Management Approach, Organizational Competitive Advantage  
The Church as the “People of God”
No full textThe Church as “People of God” is a term that has gained prominence since the Vatican II Council although the term has been in use since the times of the Old Testament (OT). In the OT the Israelites were referred to as People of Yahweh, In Exodus Moses conducts a covenant between the “People of God” and God himself; “You shall be my people and I will be your God” (Deut 32:9). Today we have some theologians who argue that all humankind is indeed the “People of God” (Osei-Bonsu) since they were created by the same God who is our Father. Others think that the term “People of God” refers to all Christians in the NT context where it involves the community of believers (1 Peter 2:9) “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a people set apart to sing God’s Praises.” The limitations of the image “Populi Dei” (or People of God) arises in two ways; first, that of understanding the unity that is demanded by core concepts such as ‘Body of Christ,” and secondly, the more sociological meaning that risks the mystery aspect of Christ’s mission in the world. In comparing the Catholic and evangelical conceptualization about the image of the Church, the evangelicals often tend to focus more on the virtual or spiritual unity, while the Catholic understanding refers to both physical and spiritual unity of the Church. Therefore, the term “People of God” is greatly accepted among evangelicals than Corpus Christ that is often more popular in the Catholic circles. Lumen Gentium (Vat. II) used the term “People of God” in direct reference to the Church as an image hence giving it a deeper meaning. The second chapter of Lumen Gentium bears the title ““People of God”.” This title does not refer to the laity in contra-distinction to the “hierarchy,” but rather it applies to all members of the Church. First it was used to refer to the Church as a body of the New covenant in Christ’s blood and in the sense of Koinonia or communion of the Christ’s faithful. Therefore the “People of God” refers to the Corpus Christi (i.e., Body of Christ) that is united in one faith and one love and moving towards the soteriological calling by Christ their head. The aim of this paper is to shed light on the Populi Dei concept that underscores the practical implications of the term Populi Dei in continuous self-awareness of the Church in the increasing roles to be taken up by the lay faithful.
Keywords: Church, People of God, Lumen Gentium, Body of Chris
Strategic Alliances and Firm Competitiveness: A Survey of Supermarkets in Nairobi-Kenya
No full textThis study sought to examine the effect of strategic alliances on competitiveness of supermarkets in Nairobi. The study’s objectives were to establish the effects of innovation, financing, and distribution strategic alliances on the competitiveness of supermarkets in Nairobi. The study used case study research design. The population of the study was 95 branch managers of the 7 major supermarkets in Nairobi. Both stratified and simple random sampling were used to pick a sample of 77 branch managers. Questionnaire was used to collect data. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation and multiple regression analyses. Diagnostic tests were also used to test reliability of regression model. The study found that innovation alliances (B = 0.790, p < 0.05); distribution alliance (B= 0.009, p < 0.05) and financing strategic alliances (B = 0.920, p < 0.01) had a significant effect on the competitiveness of supermarkets. However, challenges such as lack of top management commitment derailed competitiveness. The study concluded that innovation strategy had a positive significant relationship with the competitiveness of the supermarkets. It concludes that, by entering into financing strategy, an increase in the competitiveness of the supermarkets was realized. Furthermore, it concluded that distribution strategic alliance had a positive significant relationship with the competitiveness of the supermarkets. The study concludes that despite formation of strategic alliances, various supermarkets were still exposed to a myriad of top management challenges. The study recommends that the supermarkets should ensure that innovation strategy with various partners is improved. This can be achieved through engagement with partners that have embraced modern technologies such as ‘electronic point of sale’ (EPOS). It is suggested that financing alliances should also be improved by engaging with partners that have stable capital. Through formation of financial strategic alliance with firms with good financial muscles, exposure to financial risks can be minimized. This research proposes that all the supermarkets should ensure that measures are put in place to improve distribution strategic alliances to minimize business differences with partners. Measures such as, knowing how partners operate, how they make certain distribution decisions, and how they allocate resources during distribution could go a long way in enhancing product distribution. Finally, it recommends that the top management should be able to offer timely financial and administrative support to realize the dream of engaging in strategic alliances. The organizations should also be able to streamline legal and regulatory operational policies with partners so as to benefit from the formed strategic alliances.
Keywords: Innovation Strategic Alliances, Financing Strategic Alliances, Distribution Strategic Alliances, Top Management Support & Competitivenes
Influence of Stakeholder Involvement on Performance of Large Manufacturing Firms in Kenya
No full textLarge Manufacturing firms are critical to the economic development of a nation and the wellbeing of its citizens. However, most large manufacturing firms in Kenya have recently recorded a decline in performance. Thus, the study sought to examine the influence of stakeholder involvement on the performance of large manufacturing firms in Kenya. The specific objectives were to examine the influence of commitment, staff participation in the CER process and attendance in CER & implementation forums on the performance of large manufacturing firms in Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive and explanatory research designs. The target population for the study was 499. A sample size of 336 was obtained using the Yamane formula. The study used questionnaires to collect the data. The results and discussion included the reliability results, factor analyses, correlation, hypotheses testing and regression analysis. The findings of the study showed that staff participation in the CER process and attendance at CER & implementation forums explain 20.7% of the variations in the performance of large manufacturing firms in Kenya. The commitment and performance of large manufacturing firms in Kenya are positively and significantly related. Staff participation in the CER process and the performance of large manufacturing firms in Kenya are positively and significantly related. Similarly, attendance at CER & implementation forums are positively and significantly related to the performance of large manufacturing firms in Kenya. The study recommended that large manufacturing firms in Kenya should support environmental innovation such as collaborating and networking to enhance performance. It is recommended that the firms need to allocate resources to fund corporate environmental responsibilities. The top management in the firms needs to be highly committed to supporting the initiatives that safeguard the environment.
Keywords: Commitment, staff participation in CER process, attendance in CER & implementation forums, performance, large manufacturing firms, Keny
Impact of Technological Innovation on Performance of Manufacturing Firms in Switzerland
No full textInnovation is using knowledge to develop something with new economic value. Technological innovation is vital for firms to drive their growth, create value for the firm and its clients, and develop a competitive advantage. Thus, the study sought to examine the impact of technological innovation on the performance of manufacturing firms in Switzerland. The study adopted the descriptive research design. The target population was 658 respondents from Eastman Chemical International GmbH Zoug. The sample size was 249, which was determined using the Yamane formula. The study used questionnaires to collect the data. The analysis of the data was done using inferential statistics. The study found that technological innovation is positively and significantly related to performance (β=0.684, p=0.005). The research concluded that technological innovations influence the performance of Eastman Chemical International GmbH Zoug. Technological innovation brings benefits. It increases productivity and brings better goods and services that improve the overall standard of the goods and services produced by an organization. The power of service innovation in helping the firm to keep and expand its competitive position is indisputable. It is noted that technological innovation technique is vital for firms to drive their growth, create value for the firm and its clients, and develop a competitive advantage. The research recommends that for the firms to realize higher performance, they should adopt technologically innovative strategies. Firms should aim to ensure service range expansion, replacement, enhancement, repositioning and new service introduction to enable the firm to be much more effective, grow quicker, invest more and gain more competitiveness. The aspect of technological innovation should be given an upper hand in any organization if higher performance is to be achieved.
Keywords: Technological innovation, performance, manufacturing firms, Switzerlan
Influence of Monitoring and Evaluation on Performance of Auto-Garages in Nairobi, Kenya
No full textThe preference and competitiveness of auto-garages is mostly dependent on their ability to perform well in dimensions such as quality of service delivery, cost, time taken to service a car, innovation and flexibility to adapt to variations in the environment. This study was motivated by the need to establish the influenced of monitoring and evaluation on performance of auto-garages in Nairobi, Kenya. The study was guided by the research questions aimed at examining how monitoring and evaluation influence the performance of auto-garages in Nairobi, Kenya. The study was anchored on Goal-setting theory. The study population was the registered auto-garages in Nairobi, Kenya. The target population was 410 employees in 82 registered auto-garages in Nairobi, Kenya. A simple random sampling technique was used to sample 202 auto-garage workers for quantitative data; purposive sampling to sample 7 managers, 7 supervisors of mechanics and 1 county official and simple random sampling for 5 clients for triangulation purposes yielding to a sample size of 222. The study achieved a response rate of 92.79% equivalent to 206 employees. The study used primary data for quantitative and qualitative data which was collected using structured and unstructured interviews. Qualitative data was analysed thematically according to the research questions in a narrative form. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics for frequencies and Pearson Correlation using Statistical Package for Social Sciences at 5% level of significance. The research also adopted the regression model to test and assess the correlation among variables to predict the performance of registered auto-garages in Nairobi, Kenya. Analysed data was presented using figures, tabulations and charts to display the information. The research found out that with the use of monitoring and evaluation, there is always better performance of auto garages. The study recommended that garages should have modern diagnostic tools and digital platforms, as well as better monitoring and evaluation programs and systems in place to track progress.
Keywords: Performance, Monitoring, Evaluation. Auto-Garages, Nairob
Effect of Staff Competence on Project Implementation of Government Funded Projects in USA
No full textStaff competence is fundamental in ensuring the performance of a particular project. Competency among staff is expected to induce high-performance project results and optimistic business outcomes. Competencies such as management skills lead to the enhancement of the likelihood of project success. Thus, the study examined the effect of staff competence on project implementation of government-funded projects in the USA. The study was literature based. The study discovered that staff competence has a significant impact on project implementation. Staff competence includes the combination of observable and measurable knowledge, skills, abilities and personal attributes that contribute to enhanced employee performance and ultimately result in organizational success. To understand competencies, it is important to define the various components of competencies. Employee competencies are a list of skills and behaviors that are specific and well-defined and are used to lay out an organization's performance. Identifying the level of competence of project supervisors is required to promote effective project implementation. The study concluded that staff competence influences the effective implementation of projects. The study recommended that much consideration be implemented to support staff competency. Organizations need to set aside resources that can be used for the capacity building of the employees. The organization's employees should be tested to examine their competency level. Creating a project group with the requisite competencies to conduct their functions is important. There is a need for regular staff training to improve the competency needed in the implementation of projects. The workers should have the required skills to perform the activities adequately and attain the objectives. Creating a project group with the requisite competencies to conduct project implementation functions is necessary.
Keywords: Staff competence, project implementation, US
Project Design and Child Welfare and Safety in Rwanda: A Case of Keeping Children Safety Project in Gasabo District
No full textThis study examined the role of project design on child welfare and safety in Rwanda with reference to Keeping Children Safety Project in Gasabo. Specifically, the study investigated the effect of scope design, the effect of budget and the effect of risk design on child welfare and safety. The study used descriptive design with quantitative and qualitative approaches. The theory of change, system theory and the execution theory were used. A sample of 279 participants was selected among 904 beneficiaries of Keeping Children Safety Project implemented by Plan International in Gasabo District. The sampled population was chosen using simple random and purposive sampling techniques. Questionnaires and interview guide were used for data collection. Descriptive statistics were used to give frequencies, percentage, mean and standard deviation while inferential statistics were used to establish the correlation and regression effect between variables. The results show that defining course of activities is significantly correlated with children welfare and safety (B=0.129, p-value=0.033). Sequencing activities was insignificantly correlated with children welfare and safety (B=0.026, p-value=0.660). Estimation time of activities was significantly correlated with children welfare and safety (B=0.134, p-value=0.026). Results also showed that a unit of change in cost estimation leads to reduction of malnutrition in grade obtained limited by a factor of 0.23. Results to the third objective revealed that a unit of change in risk identification reduces children malnutrition limited by a factor of 0.97. The study concluded that scope design, budget design and risk design positively and significantly contributes to children welfare and to Keeping Children Safety Project in Gasabo District. The study recommends that cost estimation ought to be based on project scope and be associated with project plan. Project managers should encourage collaboration between variation in capabilities and in keeping children safe. Project team members and beneficiaries should understand that effective project design is capable of facilitating project performance.
Keywords: Project design, child welfare, keeping children safe, time schedules, sequencing of actions and pertinent risks
Parents Participation in Education and English-Speaking Skill Improvement in Rwandan Primary Schools in Musanze District
No full textThe study aimed to assess the parents’ participation and English-speaking skill improvement in Rwandan primary schools in Musanze District. The specific objectives were to assess the influence of encourage reading at home on English speaking skills improvement, to identify the effect of home learning on English speaking skills improvement and to examine the impact of parents’ participation on English speaking skill improvement in Rwandan primary schools in Musanze district. The target population included 210 and was made of teachers and parents. A sample size of 138 respondents was drawn from the target population. The simple random sampling was used. Parents were sampled using a purposive sampling technique. The study adopted a survey research design and correlation research design. The structured questionnaire and guided interview were used as instruments of data collection. SPSS version 21 was used for data analysis. The study revealed the majority of the students agreed their parents finance them to succeed in English, as the mean score was 3.05 with a standard deviation of 1.41. Moreover, the majority of the teachers confirmed that they sensitize the parents to help their children at home as the mean score value was 3.44 with a standard deviation of 1.47. On objective two, the study found a mean score of 3.09 and a standard deviation of 1.42, corresponding with 52.2%; thus, most of the students agreed that they have fluent speaking skills and effective communication. Regarding teachers, the mean score value was 3.54 with a standard deviation of 1.41 and this confirmed majority of the teachers agreed they have personnel improvement related to the success and having speaking skills. On objective three, the study revealed that 91.2% of parental involvement could affect the level of English-speaking skills improvement in primary schools as indicated by the R square =.912. This implied that the remaining 8.8% of English-speaking skills improvement in primary schools which can be affected by other factors. On the other hand, the findings also revealed that there was a statistically significance high degree of relationship between parents’ participation and English-speaking skills improvement thus P-value = .000 which is less than .01 as the level of significance and Pearson coefficient of correlation r = .955. The study recommended that Ministry of Education should provide regularly the professional trainings associated within language as a language of instruction in order to keep maintaining level of teaching environment.
Keywords: Parental involvement, English speaking, skill mastery, Primary schools, Rwand