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First-Order Determinants of Capital Structure among Listed Manufacturing Companies in the United States of America
No full textCapital structure plays a critical role which enables manufacturing firms address the dilemma of whether or not an optimal capital structure can be achieved. The capital structure of manufacturing firms is made up of a combination of internal financing and external financing of the firm. The decade since the onset of the global financial crisis has brought about significant structural changes in the manufacturing sector in USA. This study thus sought to assess the first-order determinants of capital structure among listed manufacturing companies in the United States of America through literature based study methodology. The study found that the manufacturing industry in USA is an industry that dominates companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange, it can be seen from the number of companies listed on NYSE increasing every period. The companies not only required to produce products, but also must be able to manage their capital structure. The study established that the first order determinants of capital structure for listed manufacturing firms in USA consist of financial situation, growth opportunities, size of the firm, product uniqueness, business risk, tax shields, dividend Policy. Furthermore, the first order determinants of capital structure consist of firm size, tangibility, growth opportunities, the non-debt tax shield, the bankruptcy risk, profitability and risk. The study concludes that listed manufacturing firms with the highest asset liquidity may increase debt capacity only when the bond covenants impose restrictions on the disposition of assets. The fact that a company possesses fixed assets to a large extent can be considered by its creditors as a guarantee that will allow them to recover their funds in the case of financial distress experienced by the borrower corporation. If a high-risk company is experiencing a decline in sales, the resulting profit will decrease due to the amount of the fixed costs. Because there is a decrease in profits, the company is not available enough funds to pay off the debt and interest so that it threatens the occurrence of bankruptcy.
Keywords: First order determinants, capital structure, listed manufacturing companies, USA
Project Planning and Profitability of Biogas Generating Plants in Malaysia
No full textTo attain renewable energy goals, many developing countries, including Malaysia, acknowledge the adoption of waste-to-renewable energy technologies being the best means. For a considerable amount of time, Malaysia has witnessed an increase in animal husbandry to generate massive feedstock, which can serve as the raw material for the generation of biogas. With the implementation of WTRE technologies, Malaysia is starting to use a suitable method of power generation from the conversion of animal dung to biogas. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of projects planning on profitability of the biogas generating plants in Malaysia. Project planning is at the heart of the project life cycle, and tells everyone involved where you’re going and how you’re going to get there. Biogas generating sector is fairly new in Malaysia and most companies have an amazing concept but dismally fail at execution due to lack of planning. Biogas production in Malaysia dates back to the 1980s but it has been limited to small scale only recently are more studies being done on biogas and their use, which has a sparked a market frenzy. Globally, 52% of the world’s population are using non-renewable energy for cooking and heating, representing a huge market share for biogas plant globally. The projection in growth of profitability is directly attributable to unavailability of cooking fuels especially in developing countries and biogas are mostly preferred due to low emissions. The uptake of biogas in Asia has however been low due to lack of awareness by consumers of clear advantages of the product. The study was a literature based in which a desk top review was conducted to derive themes. The study found a positive and significant relationship between financial resource planning and Profitability; human capital planning and Profitability were positively and significantly related, material requirement planning and profitability were positively and insignificantly related. The study concludes that project planning positively and significantly influences profitability volume in biogas generating plants in Malaysia. The study recommends that the managements of biogas generating plants should strive to implement project planning strategies such as financial resource planning, human capital planning, time management planning and material requirements planning because they have been found to influence Profitability.
Keywords: Project planning, Profitability, Biogas plants, Human capital, Malaysi
The Effect of Procurement Practices on the Operational Performance of Airlines in Rwandair Ltd
No full textThe main objective of this study was to assess the procurement practices and the procurement progress of RwandAir Ltd. The specific objectives were to establish the effect of procurement planning on the operational performance of RwandAir Ltd, the second one was to find out the effect of electronic procurement on the operational performance of RwandAir Ltd and the third one was to identify the effect of procurement evaluation on the operational performance of RwandAir ltd. Agency theory Legitimacy, Institutional theories are the theoretical foundation of this study. Procurement Practices are independent variables and procurement performance was an independent variable. The researcher used a quantitative method approach during analyzing of findings through Descriptive statistics using bivariate analysis. The target population was 44 permanent staff working in different departments. The sample size was all respondents 44 targeted, who were determined by the use of a Census technique. The two data collection methods include a questionnaire survey and a secondary data sheet, which are used for data collection. Primary data was collected by structured questionnaire through a stratified sampling method. The validity of the research instrument determined the use of content validity, while reliability was verified through the test-retest method. Data were analyzed and organized by SPSS version 22. Data analysis was a quantitative data analysis method presented by descriptive and multiple regression statistics methods. The study showed that procurement planning, e-procurement, and procurement evaluation had countless roles towards on the operational performance of RwandAir Ltd. Findings showed that all predictor variables of procurement practices activities included: procurement planning (X1) Electronic procurement function (X2) and Procurement evaluation function (X3) positively and statically signifies operational progress in RwandAir Ltd between 2016 and 2021. This is established by the regression coefficients: (i) β1=.478 with p=.000<.05 at a 5% level of significance that shows that Procurement planning statically signified and positively influences operational progressive β2=.142with p=.002<.05 at a 5% level of significance, which shows that electronic procurement statically signifies and positively affects operational progress. β3=.412 with p=.000<.05 at a 5% level of significance, which shows that procurement evaluation then statically signifies and positively affects operational progress in RwandAir Ltd between 2016 and 2021. The research recommends RwandAir Ltd sustainably implement procurement practices theories that continue to support their operational performance.
Keywords: Procurement Practices, Operational Performance, Rwanda Air, Rwanda
 
Determinants for Utilization of Alcohol Use Screening Tool by Nurses at Mathari Hospital, Nairobi City County, Kenya
No full textThe purpose of this study was to evaluate determinants for utilization of alcohol use screening tools by nurses at Mathari Hospital. The study employed analytical cross sectional study design. Participants were practising nurses deployed at Mathari Hospital. 159 respondents formed the sample size. The study utilised simple random sampling. The average age for most nurses was 42 (10.6) years, had 18 (10.6) years’ experience in nursing profession, had 10 (8.1) years’ experience in mental health and psychiatry nursing. Majority (98.1%, 156) of the nurses had cared for a patient with potentially harmful alcohol use and initiated screening for alcohol use on the patient (56.6%, 90). The findings revealed that majority of the nurses were female (76.1%), Christians (97.5%), diploma holders (47.8%), aged was 42 years, 18 years’ experience in nursing profession, and 10 years’ experience in mental health and psychiatry nursing. In addition, education level of nurses was positively and significantly (r=0.164, p=0.039) related with utilization of SBIRT screening tool. The respondents highlighted the following as key enabling factors: Management support (52.8%), motivation (51.6%), Champion (44.7%) and training (44.7%). Management support was positively and significantly (r=0.322, p=0.000) related with utilization of SBIRT screening tool. Identified barriers to utilization of the SBIRT screening tool were nurses’ own alcohol use (44%), competency gaps (32.7%) and lack of knowledge (49.7%). Nurse’s characteristics had a positive and significant influence on the utilization of alcohol use screening tool (β = 0.612, p= 0.000) at 95% confidence interval. Enabling factors had a positive and significant influence on utilization of alcohol use screening tool (β = 0.226, P= 0.061) at 90% confidence interval. Barriers had a negative and significant influence on utilization of alcohol use screening tool (β = -0.261, P= 0.065) at 95% confidence interval. The adjusted R squared (0.243) revealed that jointly, nurses’ characteristics, enabling factors and barriers explain 24.3% of variations in the utilization of alcohol use screening tool. Enabling factors were observed to have a positive and significant relationship with utilization of alcohol use screening tool (r=0.359, P=0.000) at 99% confidence interval. Barriers have a negative and significant relationship with utilization of alcohol use screening tool (r= -0.132, P=0.097) at 95% confidence interval. The three determinants (nurses’ characteristics, enabling factors, and barriers) only explained eighteen percent of changes in utilization of SBIRT suggesting the existence of other factors that may account for changes in utilization of the screening tool.
Keywords: Screening tool, alcohol use, SBIRT, barriers, enabling factors, nurse’s characteristic
Immunization Coverage among Children Aged Between 12-23 Months in West Pokot County, Kenya
No full textVaccination has been shown to be one of the most cost-effective health interventions worldwide. Despite the efforts made towards global immunization coverage, the number of unvaccinated and under-vaccinated infants is still high. The situation is no different in Kenya. Basic vaccination coverage reduced from 77% in 2008 to 70% in 2017. National basic vaccination coverage of 70% is significantly lower than the global target of 90% by the year 2020. There are gaping regional differences in immunization coverage. The lowest national immunization coverage is documented at 31% in West Pokot County. This study sought to identify the determinants of vaccination coverage among children between 12-23 months of age in West Pokot County. The study used a community-based cross-sectional design where mothers/guardians of children between 12-23 months old were randomly sampled. The objectives of the study were to estimate the immunization coverage, investigate factors influencing immunization coverage and determine the influence of health service utilization on immunization coverage. Binary logistic regression was conducted to determine the influence of the independent variables on the dependent variable. The findings showed that, majority (62.4%) of the mothers/guardians had partially immunized their children, followed by those who had fully immunized their children (36.6%) and lastly 1.1% had not immunized their children. Age of the mother/guardian is significantly associated with immunization coverage (OR = 1.128, p =0.000<0.05). This suggests that the older the mother/guardian, the higher the chances of the child being fully immunized. The distance to nearest health facility was found to have no significant relationship with immunization coverage (p>0.05). Respondents who paid for the services were more likely to have their children fully immunized than those who did not pay for the services (OR = 3.546, p =0.019<0.05). It was also observed that Paternal occupation influences coverage OR = 2.006, P =0.035<0.05), visiting the health facility in last year also influenced immunization (OR = 3.147, P =0.01<0.05). The study concluded that the immunization coverage among children between 12-23 months in West Pokot County is below the set target. It is therefore recommended that the county government should intensify vaccination campaigns and develop policies aimed at economically empowering the residents of West Pokot County.
Keywords: Immunization coverage, children aged between 12-23 months, West Pokot Count
The Moderating Effect of Customer Trust on the Interaction between Strategic Innovation and Business Outcomes of Selected Online Retail Stores in Lagos State, Nigeria
No full textBusiness outcomes are fundamental to business continuity. Given the contributions that online retail stores have made in most developing and developed countries of the world by reducing buyers' stress, saving shoppers' time, and increasing sales and profits faster compared to traditional stores. However, the online retail stores' business outcomes are challenged by low management satisfaction, a decline in market size, market share, reduced competitiveness, and a reduced survival rate, which are probably due to the inadequate application of strategic innovation. Hence this study examined the moderating effect of customer trust on the interaction between strategic innovation and business outcomes of selected online retail stores in Lagos State, Nigeria. Survey research design was adopted. The population was 325 management and technical staff of six selected online retail stores in Lagos State, Nigeria. Total remuneration method was adopted and a sample size of 298 was found usable. A multistage sampling technique was adopted. A structured and validated questionnaire was adopted for data collection. Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficients for the constructs ranged from 0.662 to 0.922. The response rate was 91.6%. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential (multiple and hierarchical regression) statistics. Findings revealed that the effect of strategic innovation on business outcomes of the selected online retail stores in Lagos State, Nigeria was moderated by customer trust (β = -0.504, ΔR2 = 0.003, ΔF = 21.527, p = .000). The study concluded that strategic innovation dimensions affect the business outcome of the selected online retail stores in Lagos State, Nigeria. The study recommended that Online Retail Stores owners and managers should practice strategic innovation as well as promote customer trust so as to ultimately increase their business outcomes and achieve sustained market leadership.
Keywords: Strategic innovation, Technological resources, Process innovation, Customer trust, Business outcomes
Influence of Product Innovation Strategy on Performance of Large Manufacturing Firms in China
No full textProduct innovation is a business growth strategy that aims to create new value by improving existing products and developing new ones. Thus, the study sought to examine the influence of product innovation strategy on the performance of large manufacturing firms in China. The study used a descriptive research design. The targeted population included selected large manufacturing firms in Beijing. The observation unit entailed the managers and those employees in the middle management level, such as supervisors. The collection of the data was done using the questionnaires. Th study findings showed that product innovation strategy is positively and significantly related to performance (β=0.684, p=0.004). It was found that product innovation strategy explains 15.74% of the variations in the performance of manufacturing firms in China. The research concluded a positive relationship exists between product innovation strategy and performance. In ensuring product innovation, the firm enhances the quality of manufacturing in the elements of the existing products. The company likewise develops fresh items with components that vary completely from the existing ones. The study recommended that firms develop an environment that cultivates product innovation. Companies should continually encourage product innovation as this technique provides a framework for developing new products or improving existing items' performance, cost or quality. Manufacturing firms need to execute policies that urge a process innovation culture. Firms devoted to constant innovation and change need to establish a set of standards and processes. The aspect of product innovation should be put as one of the enabling strategies that could drive the performance of the companies and increase their competitive advantage, thus higher performance.
Keywords: Product innovation strategy, performance, large manufacturing firms, Chin
The Effect of Employee Mobility on Skills Retention in Upstream Oil and Gas Companies in Nigeria
No full textThis paper investigated effect of employee mobility on skills retention in upstream oil and gas companies in Nigeria. A review of pertinent conceptual, theoretical, and empirical literature was done and a hypothesis was formulated. Three upstream oil and gas companies were surveyed using proportionate and stratified random sampling techniques. A total population of 9,437 regular and contract employees were investigated with a sample size of 807. The validity of the instrument was determined using content and construct validity while Cronbach Alpha was used to ascertain the reliability of the instrument. Multiple linear regression Analysis was used to analyse the hypothesis with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Science (V26.0). The study found that employee mobility components have positive and significant effect on skills retention of selected upstream oil and gas companies in Nigeria. Findings further revealed that employee buy-in has the highest contribution to skills retention in the selected upstream oil and gas companies in Nigeria. It concluded that employee mobility affects skills retention in selected upstream oil and gas companies in Nigeria. Based on the findings, the study recommends that management of upstream oil and gas companies in Nigeria should keep update on the employee retention policies and strategies to retain talented and skilled employees.
Keywords: Employee Mobility, Knowledge Sharing, Hedge Relationships, Knowledge Transfer, Reward System, Skill Retentio
Effect of Training in Revenue Mobilization on Organizational Performance of Nairobi County Government, in Kenya
No full textRevenue mobilization practices have been adopted globally with the aim of enhancing development at all levels. Despite revenue being collected all the time. Available studies show that not all practices have contributed effectively in mobilizing the available revenues for performance for socio economic development. In Kenya the advent of devolution has implied that counties will have to device appropriate ways of enhancing resource avenues for socio economic development, Instead of over dependence on the exchequer. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of training on organizational performance in Nairobi County. The study was guided by the resource based theory, expenditure theory and the economic theory. The research adopted a descriptive research design. Target population comprised 819.The population of this study comprised chief officers, directors, accountants and revenue officers. A sample size of 382 was used. The study used stratified random sampling and simple random sampling techniques. Data was collected using questionnaires. The validity of the research instrument was verified by researchers’ supervisors. To test internal consistency, Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient of 0.7 and above was used to meet the threshold. The collected data was analyzed by help of SPSS version 22. Descriptive analysis including mean, standard deviation, percentages and frequencies was used while inferential analysis which included Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient and simple regression to test the relationship between independent variables and dependent variables. Data was presented using tables and figures. The findings indicated that training, had a positive and significant effect in Nairobi county organizational performance. The study concluded that training contribute significantly to the organizational performance of Nairobi county in Kenya. From the results, the study recommended that the county management should ensure that they conduct regular trainings on revenue collection.
Key Words: Training, Revenue Mobilization and Organizational Performance
Influence of Strategic Customer Management on Competitive Advantage of Mari Petroleum Company Ltd in Pakistan
No full textCompetitive advantage is an aspect or mix of elements that make a firm more successful than other firms in a competitive environment. The goals of the competitive advantage are to develop a framework that makes others firms in the industry hard to imitate. The study sought to examine the influence of strategic customer management on the competitive advantage of Mari petroleum company ltd in Pakistan. The study was literature based. The findings of the study were based on the findings from the preceding studies. Based on the reviewed literature, it was found that strategic customer management has a positive effect on competitive advantage. Strategic customer management has become a crucial capability that businesses need to develop. A strategic customer represents the target audience for a product and possesses an outstanding reputation. The study noted that for sustained success, it is important for companies to align their customer strategy with the company’s aims and objectives. The profitability of a firm depends on its ability to identify, grow and retain profitable customers. This can be achieved through combining a deep understanding of customer needs, behaviors and values, with the ability to engage specific customers optimally at various touch points. In addition, strategic customer management enables the company to optimize customer satisfaction and develop a relationship of trust with its customers. The study concluded that strategic customer management has a positive effect on the competitive advantage of Mari petroleum company ltd in Pakistan. The study recommended that companies need to emphasize more on ensuring they optimize strategic customer management. Besides, firms need to combine a deep understanding of customer needs, behaviors and values to increase customer relationships.
Keywords: Strategic customer management, competitive advantage, Mari petroleum company ltd, Pakista