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The Influence of Employee Organizational Identification on Employee Performance in the Motor Vehicle Industry in Kenya
No full textThe purpose of this study was to establish the influence of employee organizational identification on employee performance in the motor vehicle industry in Kenya. Recent surveys done in the motor vehicle industry in Kenya have shown presence of employee divided loyalty challenges and sabotage that were likely to impact on employee performance. A cross sectional descriptive survey was used to analyze this relationship. A sample of 332 respondents was picked through simple random sampling method from the population on an equitable distribution ratio from 10 organizations in the industry. Data was collected by use of structured questionnaires that were measured on 5 point Likert scale format. Analysis of data was done by SPSS. Descriptive and inferential results were presented in tables and figures. The findings of the study indicated that employee organizational identification significantly influenced employee performance. The study recommended that organizations in the motor vehicle industry should review their policies and practices to include factors that enhance employee loyalty, value similarity and belongingness that the objective of this study have identified, thereby improving employee performance. The limitations of this study were occasioned by use of single variable, adoption of cross sectional survey method for a behavioral study and studying a segment of an industry that has many horizontal players. Future studies should address these limitations by analyzing additional variables that would cover the gaps, considering a longitudinal research design to explain consistency in behavior and expanding the context of the study to cover the entire industry.
Key words: Employee Organizational Identification, Employee Performanc
Performance Appraisal and Service Delivery in Huduma Centres in Nairobi County
No full textPerformance appraisal is a formal management system by which the job performance of an employee is examined and evaluated, with the intent of identifying their strengths and weaknesses for improvement in future. In today’s difficult economic context, one of the main challenges for managers is to execute an effective human capital strategy to increase general performance. The aim of this study was to establish the effect of performance appraisal on service delivery in Huduma Centres in Nairobi County. The specific objectives were to determine the effect of appraisal feedback, performance rewards and appraisal method on service delivery in Huduma Centres in Nairobi County. Appraisal Theory, Performance Feedback Theory and Expectancy Theory informed this study. The study carried was out at 5 Huduma Centers in Nairobi County as they serve the highest number of citizens in the country and also because this is the total number of Huduma Centres within Nairobi County. The study adopted a descriptive approach on the 5 Huduma Centres; Huduma GPO, Huduma City Square, Huduma Eastleigh, Huduma Kibra and Huduma Makadara. The sample size was 250 staff members. The study used quantitative methods and the data collection tool was a questionnaire. The data was then analyzed using descriptive and inferential analysis. The descriptive statistics included the frequencies and the means. The regression of coefficient results show that appraisal feedback and service delivery is positively and significantly related. The results further indicated that performance rewards and service delivery is positively and significantly related. Lastly, results showed that appraisal method and service delivery is positively and significantly related. The study recommends that supervisors should provide regular and timely feedback to staff. The supervisors should ensure that appraisal feedback is free from errors based on personal bias such as stereotyping to have positive effect on staff delivery. The study recommends that rewards systems used should be regularly reviewed with the changing times. Remuneration of the staff should be reviewed according to human resources policy.
Keywords: Appraisal feedback, performance rewards, appraisal method & service deliver
Employee Diversity and Organizational Performance; A Case study of Sharp Manufacturing Firm in France
No full textDiversity is the co-existence of individuals from numerous socio-cultural backgrounds within the organization. The study sought to determine the effect of employee diversity on organizational performance in the case of Sharp Manufacturing Firm in France. The study adopted the descriptive research design. The collection of the data was done in a sharp manufacturing firm in France. The study included 358 as the sample size. The collection of the data was done using questionnaires. The analysis of the data was done using descriptive and inferential statistics. The descriptive statistics entailed the description of the study data while the inferential statistics incorporated the computation of the correlation and regression analyses. The study findings showed that employee diversity has a positive and significant impact on organizational performance. The study concluded that employee diversity is essential for improving performance among organizations. Valuing the differences of others is what ultimately brings us all together and can be the secret to a successful, thriving workplace and a fair work culture. Employee diversity allows for more ideas and procedures hence increasing the organization's output. Diversity in the workplace increases employee morale and instills a desire to be more effective and work more efficiently. The study recommended organizations need to concentrate on the diversity of the employees. Diversity has the capacity of producing better efficiency and competitive advantages. There is a need for companies to employ individuals from different historical grounds, ages, gender, education, culture, geographical location, ethnic culture, races and religious beliefs; for them to acquire wide perspectives regarding customer choices of different cultures and regions. Organizations need to acknowledge the strengths of each employee and the potential they bring.
Keywords: Employee diversity, organizational performance, sharp manufacturing firm, Franc
Effect of Human Capital Management Practices on Employee Retention in Large Manufacturing Companies in Kenya
No full textEmployee retention is vital as it brings implications for organizational competitiveness in an increasingly global landscape. Retaining key employee is a vital source of competitive advantage for any organization. The general objective of this study was to establish the effect of human capital management practices on employee retention in manufacturing companies in Kenya. The study specific objectives was to determine the influence recruitment on employee retention, training, job design and compensation on employee retention in manufacturing companies in Kenya. The theories informing the study were Resource-based theory and Job characteristics theory. The population was 181 large manufacturing firms and the sample size of 124. A Human Resource Manager was purposively selected from each of the 124 manufacturing firms. The study adopted a descriptive research design. Primary data was collected using questionnaire. The data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. A regression model was used to test the effect of human capital management practices on employee retention performance of manufacturing firms. The results indicated that recruitment and employee retention is positively and significantly related. The results further indicated that training and employee retention is positively and significantly related. The results further indicated that job design and employee retention is positively and significantly related. Lastly, results showed that compensation and employee retention is positively and significantly related. The study concluded that human capital management practices on employee retention in large manufacturing companies in Kenya. The study recommends that HR managers should endeavor that their recruitment, selection and retention process always focuses businesses objectives. The study recommends that HR managers should design specific training programmes that target this group of employee with the aim of enhancing their readiness in taking up tasks and accepting changes in the sector. Remuneration of employees who have upgraded should be reviewed according to human resources policy
Keywords: Recruitment, Training, Job Design, Compensation &Employee Retentio
Brand Development and Marketing Strategies in USA: A Case of Apple Inc.
No full textApple Inc. is a world-renowned name of innovation and breakthrough in the consumer electronics and computer industry. Apple is known to be one of the greatest marketers of all time because they understand that marketing is one of the most crucial aspects of a business venture which greatly determines its success in the consumer’s realm. The use of narratives in marketing has become widely used over the past years as other forms of marketing became redundant and ineffective. Narratives evoke a feeling in the audience and are a more effective method than previous ads and marketing tools. Apple uses its narrative in all the advertisements that it does. It researches its consumers’ needs and past purchasing behavior and uses that information to develop strategies that influence the purchasing behavior of targeted consumers. Apple’s marketing is so effective, that it has become a benchmark for other companies who want to achieve the same global popularity, revenue growth and staying power. This paper presents Apple Inc. brand development and marketing strategies.
Keywords: Brand Development, Marketing Strategies & Apple Inc.
 
A Variationist Sociolinguistics Study of Ewe Kente at Agortime Traditional Area in the Volta Region
No full textThe proud kente cloth has knowledge and cultural heritage which has ceremonial, symbolic and authority about the wearer that is best known and mostly widely recognized of all textiles in Africa. Its unique features are wide and invokes powerful emotions as well as symbolizes the fundamental nonverbal codes ever imagined in Ghana which cuts across religion, ethnicity and instill national pride. The purpose of the study was to establish the unique message kente possesses and communicates to society as well as its status. Most of the existing writers center on textile weaving, tools and techniques in textile weaving and the aesthetic nature of kente. Though these writings are important contributions to kente, its nonverbal communicative codes have not been well documented. The adoption of the kente among Agortime-Kpetoe weavers was primarily influenced by sensory experience, fit, and interpersonal impact, which serves as an example of how several parts of the kente clothing are interconnected. The sociolinguistic theory is used as a theoretical lens in this work as well. The study made use of qualitative data for its purpose. 15 people were chosen to take part in the study using purposive sampling methods. Participants included kente cloth consumers and weavers. Data for the study was collected using an interviewing guide. Present the study’s findings before you conclude. The study finds that the Agotime Kente mostly use non-verbal codes to communicate. The study's conclusions showed that while most modern kente cloths do not communicate, certain distinctive ones do, particularly those that are currently being woven. These include clothes that express concepts of religion, rivalry, position, authority, and royalty to the user. This supports the belief of the Agotime society that non-verbal codes are more reliable and plausible for expressing royalty, authority, status, and communication between people.
Keywords: Ewe kente, Symbols, Sociolinguistics, Communication, Agortime-Kpeto
E-Learning Instructional Strategies and Students’ Academic Performance in Public Secondary Schools in Rwanda
No full textEffective usage of instructional strategies through e-learning plays a significant role in improving students’ academic performance though requiring teachers to have ICT skills. Therefore, the purpose of this paper was to evaluate the effect of E-learning instructional strategies on students’ academic performance in public secondary schools in Kicukiro district. This paper employed comparative research design. The target population included 755 people, out of which 262 formed the sample size that was obtained using the Yamane formula. Questionnaires were used to collect the data. The analysis was done with the help of Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16. The findings revealed that majority of students who managed to participate in E-learning were total passive in lessons. Another significant number of students indicated they did not have chance of participating in E-learning as their colleagues. It was generally revealed that a big number of students who studies through e-learning increased their performance compared to how they performed in face to face lessons. But there were also students who indicated that their academic performance was not affected by E-leaning in any way. The study concluded that E-leaning teaching and learning system affect performance of some students positively and others negatively. The study recommended that the ministry of education in partnership with school administrations should train teacher on how to teach using E-learning to equip them with techniques and methods that will help them to which will help them to involve all learners in E-learning lessons. Teachers should be more creative and must do deep research to make sure that they are equipped with enough content and appropriate methods which they use in teaching students in E-leaning classes. Further, students should create a sense of responsibility in them to avoid distractions during E-leaning classes because this will help them to follow well the explanation and other instructions given by teachers for them to understand what they are learning.
Keywords: E-learning, Instructional strategies and students’ academic performance  
Prevalence of Sleep Hygiene Awareness, Practices and Quality among Elementary School Students in Canada
No full textStudents should get the proper amount of sleep at night to help stay focused, improve concentration, and improve academic performance. Children and adolescents who do not get enough sleep have a higher risk for many health problems, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, poor mental health, and injuries. Students need for sleep has been estimated as much as 9.2 h per day. Poor sleep has actually been noted to lead to poor diet regimen, excessive weight, stunted growth, psychological health concerns, as well as chemical abuse. Studies have shown that high quality sleep is necessary for young professional athletes for making sure much better performance in psychomotor as well as cognitive activities, and for minimizing the chances of creating challenging factors for musculoskeletal discomfort. The purpose of the research study was to assess the prevalence of sleep hygiene awareness, practices and quality among elementary schools students in Canada. The study was a literature based and the findings revealed that adequate sleep contributes to a student’s overall health and well-being and that students should get the proper amount of sleep at night to help stay focused, improve concentration, and improve academic performance. The study also discovered that a regular every night routine aids the body recognize that it is going to bed; this could consist of taking warm shower or bathroom, checking out a publication, or light stretches. Based on the finding, the research study concluded that the daily substances that students take, the medicines one takes, how long they sleep in a day and exactly how they choose to invest their nights can considerably influence their quality of sleep. The study suggested that teenagers must reserve no more than eight hrs. For sleep given that the suggested quantity of sleep for a healthy grownup goes to least 7 hrs.
Keywords: Sleep Hygiene, Awareness, Sleep Quality, Sleep Disorder, Student
Effect of E-Learning on Academic Performance of Undergraduate Students at Nankai University, China
No full textThe purpose of the study was to examine the effect of e-learning on the academic performance of undergraduate students at Nankai University in China. The study adopted the descriptive research design. Descriptive research design is a type of research design that aims to systematically obtain information to describe a phenomenon, situation, or population. The sample size was 361 students and they were purposively picked. The collection of the data was done using questionnaires. Descriptive and inferential were used to analyze the data. It was found that e-learning is positively and significantly related to academic performance. E-learning is among the expanding areas, particularly in tertiary education. Educational institutions are different in growing nations than in developed nations, like poor quality of education and low chances of attending learning institutions in the local areas because of long distances. E-Learning enhances accessibility to effective learning and therefore boosts the performance of learners. It is easy since learners watch a video documentary in the lecture room. In an E-learning system, learners can interact anytime and from anywhere with various educational materials like messages, audio, pictures, video and more via the internet. The study concluded that e-learning is positively and significantly related to academic performance. The study recommended that both the lecturers and the learners are required to develop a personal interest in the usage of ICT. The use of ICT in schools needs to be made mandatory in tertiary institutions and the lecturers should be provided with good training on the effective use of ICT. There is a need to have a steady power supply to use ICT effectively. It is also recommended that tertiary institutions' management make a consorted initiative to give e-learning environments that will improve learner performances in tertiary institutions and facilitate their self-development initiatives.
Keywords: E-Learning, academic performance, Undergraduate Students, Nankai University, Chin
Education Support Programs and University Student Social Competence: An Impact Assessment of Generation Rwanda Program From 2004-2012
No full textThis study sought to point out how education support programs were successful in the creation of competences in students at higher learning institutions/ university level in Rwanda. Using the Generation Rwanda Program as a case study, the study aimed to show that to achieve student competence, it requires more than paying tuition fees and sending a child to school. The specific objectives of the study were; to establish success stories from Generation Rwanda scholarship beneficiaries; to assess challenges faced by the Generation Rwanda scholarship beneficiaries; and to establish the employer satisfaction with GR graduates at work. In the study, questionnaires and oral interviews were used for data collection. The study also referred to other written literature such as text books, journals, newspapers, reports and other sources on the internet relating to the topic of this research. The study was designed that both quantitative and qualitative data were collected by the use of the questionnaire and interview to generate respectively quantitative and qualitative data to respond to the study objectives. The target population was 404 from teaching staff, employers, NGOs involved in Higher learning, Government agencies in Higher education, Current GR beneficiaries, and Graduates from GR. The sample population was 92. Data analysis was done by the use of SPSS software for quantitative data and content analysis for qualitative data to analyze opinions, perceptions and views. Forty percent of the respondents confirmed the role of their organizations in pursuing further studies. The findings presented in where 65% agreed and 35% ascertained that working experience was also reached. All these translated success stories of the GR scholarship beneficiaries. Along with academic life, GR beneficiaries encountered some challenges as per Table 4.18, the scarcity of teaching staff was strongly highlighted 46.5% of the respondents. Lack of technology in education was another challenge as in in which 23.2% strongly emphasized. In spite of challenges, employers were satisfied with graduates employed in their respective institutions. Henceforth, motivation was one point of the areas of satisfaction as per where 79.3% replied that GR graduates were well motivated. The graduates presented positive image in team work as indicated strongly in by 51.7% respondents. Recommendations were therefore made to various stakeholders including the Government of Rwanda through the Ministry of Education, Higher Learning Institutions and Stakeholders in education sector to especially focus on how quality education programs can be sustainably established and managed.
Keywords: Education Support Programs, Social Competence, Impact assessment, Rwanda progra