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Assessing the Role of Capacity Building on Women Leadership in Kenya Political Elective Positions
No full textIn Kenya, there is low inclusion of women in political elective positions. If this trend continues, women will be excluded in decision making in matters of development leading exclusivity of women. This goes against the UN Sustainable Goal 5 on Gender mainstream and Non-Discrimination Policies that seeks to promote inclusion of women and disadvantaged groups in electoral and political processes as envisioned in Kenya vision 2030. It is against this that this study sought to determine the role of capacity building on women leadership in Kenya political elective positions. A mixed method research design was adopted with a positivism philosophy approach. A simple random sampling method was applied to select a representative sample of the study. The target population comprised of 172 women elected in National Assembly and Senate. Primary data was collected through open ended questionnaires and secondary data was collected through published records. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0 was used to facilitate data analysis process. Regression results showed a positive and significant relationship between capacity building and inclusion of women in the elective positions. Capacity building has a positive and significant role on women leadership in Kenya political elective positions. The study concluded that capacity building empowers women in terms of equipping them with the necessary trainings, mentorship and necessary experience which is required to maneuver the difficult political terrain in Kenya to emerge successfully. Majority of the women elected in Kenya had quality education and had previous served in various capacity in appointment positions. Therefore, capacity building enables women to serve in appointments which acts as stepping stone to elective positions. The study recommends that political parties should organize for training on women who are willing to vie for political offices. These trainings should aim to equip women leaders with knowledge and skills which will increase their chances of being elected in elective in positions. The study further recommends that mentorship programs should be carried out by political parties for women seeking elective positions to have same experience just like their men counterpart.
Keywords: Capacity building, women leadership, political elective positions, Keny
Effect of Workplace Security on Employee Performance at Vihiga County Referral Hospital
No full textThe purpose of this study was to establish the effect of workplace security on employee performance at Vihiga County Referral Hospital. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The study targeted employees of Vihiga County Referral Hospital which comprise of administration (15), technical staff (157) and subordinate staff (136). Therefore, the target population was 308 employees. The researcher obtained the sample size using Yamane formulae (1967) to arrive at 174 respondents. The study employed stratified and simple random sampling techniques. A simple random sampling technique was used to select the sample of the other employees. Stratified sampling was used to achieve desired representation from various subgroups in the population. The study used a structured questionnaire to collect the primary data. Data was then analyzed through the use of descriptive and inferential statistics with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24. The presentation of the findings was done by frequency distribution tables and diagrams, pie charts, and bar graphs. The study findings revealed that workplace security has a positive and significant effect on employee performance. Hospital management should involve their employees in staff capacity building training to increase the staff employability and hence increase the feeling of employees feeling secure. Staff are required to wear protective cloth, use equipment and tools provided for their work, and report any contravention of the law by management.
Keywords: Workplace, Security, Employee, Performance, Hospita
An assessment of knowledge, utilization, and perceptions on antenatal care services among women in Nimba County, Liberia
No full textLiberia registers an exponential mortality rate in developing Sub-Saharan countries in Africa. Inadequate utilization of antenatal care is a leading cause of the higher infant mortality rates recorded in Liberia. Thus, this study seeks to assess knowledge and socio-demographic factors that thwart the utilization of ANC services among women between 15 and 49 years in Nimba County, Liberia. The study applied quantitative and qualitative research design. A sample of 167 was selected using a systematic sampling technique. The SPSS Software Version 23.0 was used to analyze the data collected statistically. Results indicated that 54.5 % of the sample were between 15 – 25 years. Socio-demographic characteristics such as age (χ 2= 0.902), df= 3, P= 0.825), were not significant with ANC attendance and the level of knowledge was significant (χ 2=5.653 df =1 P=0.017). Further, 150 women in the sample had adequate knowledge of ANC services. The high level of knowledge among respondents was significant (χ 2=5.653 df =1 P=0.017) with ANC attendance. In addition, 83.8% attended ANC services, and 77.8% delivered their babies at health centres. One of the noticeable challenges cited by respondents in this study was the distance to facilities with 64%. Most people were knowledgeable about ANC services, which affected their decision to utilize ANC services, while demographic factors were not significant. However, the study has established inadequate medication and distance to the nearest facility foiled the utilization of ANC services. Therefore, this study recommends that the government ensures that rural Liberia’s health facilities are equipped with medicines and accessible and aggressively conducts civic education or campaigns to create awareness about the ANC services.
Keywords: Antenatal care, pregnancy, health worker
Labor Related Factors That Contribute to Surgical Site Infections among Post Caesarean Section Mothers in Thika Level 5 Hospital
No full textCaesarean Section is one of the most performed major surgical procedures carried out in obstetrics and constitutes about 15% of all deliveries worldwide, with Latin America being the highest at 29.2%. The study aimed to assess the labor related factors that contribute to surgical site infections among post caesarean section mothers in Thika Level 5 Hospital. The study design was a mixed unmatched case-control study which followed all mothers who had undergone caesarean section in maternity unit at Thika Level 5 Hospital and who had or did not have Surgical Site Infection from delivery up to two weeks post-delivery and nurse in-charges of maternity unit. The findings of the study informed the institution management on the determinants of surgical site infection following caesarean section, and took necessary precautions and surgical site care and management to prevent occurrence of surgical site infection in future. The findings revealed that prevalence of SSI was low among post Caesarean Section mothers at Thika Level 5 Hospital, with only 24.4% of the Caesarean Section mothers at Thika Level 5 Hospital found to have experienced SSI. The study in addition found that labor related factors had significant association with surgical site infections. Cases who had labor more than 8 hours were 3.12[95%CI=1.881 – 9.279, p<0.013] times more likely to have surgical site infections compared to controls. Cases who had ruptured membrane more than 24 hours were 3.85[95%CI=2.810 – 12.027, p=0.000] times more likely to have surgical site infections compared to controls. Finally, Cases whose indication of CS was previous CS scar were 7.41[95%CI=3.88 – 9.56, p=0.022] times more likely to have surgical site infections compared to controls. The study also concluded that most SSIs are preventable as Thika Level five hospital is employing different measures to reduce cases of SSI at the facility. It is thus recommended that the management of Thika Level 5 Hospital should pay a close attention to labor related factors that are likely to cause surgical site infections among post caesarean section mothers being admitted in the facility. The study also recommended that a continuous education program for healthcare workers and young new mothers is necessary and can be feasible and potentially successful, given the interest expressed by healthcare workers in the management of surgical site infections.
Keywords: Labor Related Factors, Surgical Site Infections, Post Caesarean Sectio
Dairy Value Chain and Household Development in Rwanda
No full textThe value chain in terms of dairy can lead to the development of business and households in general. Hence, the aim of the study was to examine the dairy value chain and household development in Rwamagana district in Rwanda. The study employed a descriptive research design to examine the dairy value chain and household development in Rwamagana district in Rwanda. The target population was 11,595 respondents. The sample size was 385 respondents got by using Slovin’s formula. The study used purposive and simple random sampling techniques to determine the sample size. Questionnaire and interview guides were used to collect the data. The validity of the research instrument was maintained by distributing the research instruments to the expert respondents in the area of the study while reliability was maintained by conducting a pilot study that provided reliability of the research instrument. The findings revealed that technical services, dairy inputs availability and profitable market access contributed in household incomes. It was also revealed that animal husbandry techniques by reproduction and artificial insemination promoted cross-breeding, where 50% of respondents confirmed that their cows increased from 1 to 2, and other at 46.9% increased up to 5 cows. The study found that 98.2% of the respondents received trainings on animal health disease management and 97.9% of them practiced what acquired from training, and this improved the animal health and reduced the cows’ death rate. Majority of dairy value chain actors at 88.5% of respondents cultivated fodder to feed their cows and 91.7% of them gained different conservation techniques such as hay making and silage useful in dry and drought seasons to avoid milk shortages and cow death. Besides, 73.2% of respondents of dairy chain actors had different milk equipment to support in keeping good quality and safety, storage and feeding such as milk cans, choppers, sprayers and other testing materials, and 87% of them accessed veterinary pharmacies nearby. Findings revealed that a large number of respondents at 90.9% consumed milk at home level which improved the households’ members livelihood, and the surplus was sold to milk collection centers, milk kiosks, restaurants, hotels, schools. The study recommended that farmers should be mobilized for more house water harvesting strategies and increased measures of fodder conservation by hay making and silage techniques. Government and private sector in partnership with dairy chain actors should put in place a processing plant for products development, diversification, market penetration and market development strategies. There should be mobilizing of private investors or cooperatives in the dairy equipment shops.
Keywords: Dairy, Value change, Household, Household development and dairy value chain, Rwand
Impact of ICT on Supply Chain Management in Flextronics Limited, Singapore
No full textSupply chain management is the regulation of a channel of interconnected businesses engaged in the ultimate provision of goods or services needed by consumers. It manages the flow of goods and services and includes all processes that transform raw materials into final products. Precisely, supply chain management aims to maximize customer value. Hence, the study sought to examine the impact of ICT on supply chain management in the case study of Flextronics Limited in Singapore. The study adopted the descriptive research design. The target population was 593 employees. The study managed to get a sample size of 239 from the targeted population. The collection of the data was done using questionnaires. The basis for choosing the questionnaires to collect the data was because they were considered more reliable and less costly. The analysis of the data was done using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study findings showed that ICT adoption positively and significantly impacts supply chain management in Flextronics Limited, Singapore. The utilization of ICT in supply chain management has resulted in high efficiency, quality and timely sharing of needed business information. Besides, ICT adoption increases collaboration between suppliers and customers. The study concluded that adoption of the ICT has a significant impact on supply chain management. ICT increases communication and partnerships between suppliers and customers. The study recommended that modernized ICT tools should be adopted and implemented by Flextronics Limited, especially stores and production departments. The organization needs to keep advancing based on the changes in technology, given that technology keeps on changing daily. The organization's departments should be sensitized to the essence of ICT in improving the organization's supply chain management.
Keywords: ICT, Supply Chain Management, Flextronics Limited, Singapore
 
Savings Level Determinants and Sustainability of Commercial Banks in Rwanda: A Case of I&M Bank Rwanda
No full textThe purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of savings level determinant on sustainability in I&M Rwanda. The specific objectives were to establish the effect of interest rate, income level and access to credit on the sustainability of I&M Bank. This study implemented a descriptive research design and utilized coefficient of correlation to assess the effect of each specific objective on the sustainability of the Bank. The population comprised of 12,057 including 12,050 customers and 7 staff of finance department of I&M Bank Rwanda. A sample size of 99 was calculated using Yamane (1967) simplified formula. To accomplish this aim, both primary and secondary data are used. The researcher used simple random and purposive sampling techniques. A questionnaire and interview have used to collect data. Quantitative data was obtained using questionnaire while a financial statement of I&M Bank covering 2016-2020 was used as secondary data. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis showing mean, standard deviation, correlation and regression was used statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0 to analyze statistical information while content analysis used to analyze qualitative information. The findings and recommendations for this study addressed to the I & M Bank Rwanda, for decision-making and policies. The study found that interest rates, income level and access to credit have significant positive effect on sustainability of commercial banks in Rwanda at 78%, 90.5% and 92.9% respectively. The relationship among saving level determinants and sustainability of business bank was also determined to be linear with increase in get admission to credit score by means of clients. The researcher concluded that saving degree and get admission to credit volatility had more effect on sustainability of banks. The study endorsed that guideline to be installed vicinity to boom financial institution lending and ensure monitoring the same.
Keywords: Savings Level Determinant, Sustainability, Commercial Banks, I&M Bank, Rwand
An Exploratory Study on the Role of Feasibility Study on Sustainability of Business in Kenya: A Case of Supermarkets in Nairobi County
No full textOrganizational strategic feasibility studies are critical in mitigating uncertainty in the business environment and enhancing growth and performance. This study sought to ascertain the role of feasibility studies in the sustainability of supermarkets in Nairobi County, Kenya. The study's specific objectives were to determine the impact of technical feasibility, economic feasibility, operational feasibility, and legal feasibility on the sustainability of supermarkets in Nairobi County, Kenya. A descriptive research design was used for the study. The study's target population was seven major supermarkets: Naivas, QuickMart, Cleanshelf, The Game Store, Chandarana, Eastmatt, and Carrefour. A questionnaire was used to collect primary data. Findings indicated that technical feasibility is positively and significantly related to the business sustainability of supermarkets in Nairobi County. The findings also revealed that economic feasibility is positively and significantly related to the business sustainability of supermarkets in Nairobi County. The findings revealed a positive and significant relationship between operational feasibility and business sustainability of supermarkets in Nairobi County. Finally, the findings revealed that the legal feasibility and business sustainability of Nairobi County supermarkets are positively and significantly related. The study concluded that technical feasibility, economic feasibility, operational feasibility, and legal feasibility all have a positive impact on supermarket business sustainability. The study recommends that supermarkets should become acquainted with the technical technology that is available on the market and evaluate those that are appropriate for their needs. Managers of Nairobi County supermarkets increase the level of internal and external benchmarking in their supermarkets for economic benefit assessments.
Keywords: Technical Feasibility, Economic Feasibility, Operational Feasibility, Legal Feasibility, Sustainability & Supermarkets
Influence of Accounting Records on Performance of Small and Medium Enterprises in Malaysia
No full textAccounting is crucial to business management. Thus, the study sought to examine the influence of accounting records on the performance of small and medium enterprises in Malaysia. The study adopted the descriptive research design. The target population consisted of SME owners based in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. The target population was 850 participants. The data gathering tools consisted of questionnaires. The study results showed that accounting records was found to be satisfactory in explaining the performance and can explain 40.1% of the variations in the performance of SMEs. It was found that accounting records is positively and significantly related to performance (B=.2154, p=0.008). The study concluded that accounting records positively influence the performance of small and medium enterprises in Malaysia. Accounting records keeping are crucial for decision making and similarly assists in improving business performance and productivity for reliable business performance. Increasing accounting records leads to a considerable benefit that will accrue to an entity as a whole in the long run as it will lead to increased processing power, timely generation of reports and general reduction of associated operating costs. The research recommended that SMEs should ensure they use accounting records regularly. SME owners should ensure that proper and specific organizational documents are kept since they are vital for decision making. SME owners should embrace appropriate accounting records keeping techniques to attain success in their financial performance. It is suggested that the cost of operating a sound accounting system must be reduced to motivate its adoption in businesses. Extra efforts must be allocated to accounting records for the effective performance of businesses.
Keywords: Accounting Records, Performance, Small and Medium Enterprises, Malaysi
The Role of Maturity Gaps and Short-Term Market Interest Rates on Interest Rate Risk Exposure in Commercial Banks in Kenya
No full textCommercial banks engage in maturity transformation and the term premium compensates them for bearing the associated duration risk. They are thus exposed to interest rate risk which is the bank's financial condition to adverse movements in interest rates and represents one of the key forms of risk that banks face as financial intermediaries. The study investigated the role of maturity gaps and short-term market interest rates on interest rate risk exposure in commercial banks in Kenya. This study adopted a panel data research design in methodology to analyze the critical interest rate risk drivers across the banking sector in Kenya. The study period covered 2005-2015. The study was informed by Expectations Hypothesis theory. Correlational research design was used and captured both cross-sectional and longitudinal dimensions of the effects of the variables under investigation that is Maturity gaps ratio (MGRs) and Interest Rate Sensitivity Ratio (IRSRs). The Interest rate risk (IRR) was expressed as a function of maturity gaps, interest rate sensitivity ratio and short-term market interest rates. STATA software was used as the tool for data manipulation. The findings indicated that that a rise in Maturity Gap 2, Maturity Gap 3, Maturity Gap 4, Maturity Gap 5, Interest Rate Sensitivity Ratio 2, Interest Rate Sensitivity Ratio 3, Interest Rate Sensitivity Ratio 4, 91DayTbill and 182DayTbill led to a decrease in the interest rate risk exposure for the commercial banks. However, an increase Maturity Gap 1, Interest Rate Sensitivity Ratio 1, Interest Rate Sensitivity Ratio 5 and 364DayTbill led to an increase in the interest rate risk exposure for the commercial banks. The study recommends that banks should have interest rate risk measurement frameworks that capture all material sources of interest rate risk and that measure the effect of interest rate changes in ways that are consistent with the scope of their activities. The assumptions underlying the system should be clearly understood by risk managers and bank management. Further, banks must establish and enforce operating limits and other practices that maintain exposures within levels consistent with their internal policies. The findings are important in formulation of policies and strategies for enhancing maturity transformation in the banking industry in the country.
Keywords: Maturity Gap Ratio, Interest Rate Risk Sensitivity Ratio, Interest Rate Risk Exposure, Short-Term Market Interest Rates & Commercial Banks