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Factors Influencing the Implementation of Strategic Plans in Small Manufacturing Firms in Nairobi County
No full textAn organization’s ability to implement its strategy successfully is a result of its ability to overcome obstacles leading to poor strategy implementation. However, a myriad of factors can potentially affect the process by which strategic plans are turned into organizational action. This study sough to determine the factors influencing the implementation of strategic plans in small manufacturing firms in Nairobi County. Specifically, the study examined the effect of strategic innovation, strategic leadership and organizational culture on implementation of strategic plans in small manufacturing firms in Nairobi County. The study was informed by the Contingency theory. The study adopted a descriptive survey research. The study targeted 50 small manufacturing firms in Nairobi County. Purposive sampling was used to select a manager and supervisor in each of the small manufacturing firms. A sample size of 100 respondents was used. A multiple regression analysis was used to establish the relationship between institutional factors and the implementation of strategic plans. SPSS statistical software was used to analyze the data. The results indicated that strategic innovation and implementation of strategic plans in small manufacturing firms is positively and significantly related. Strategic leadership and implementation of strategic plans in small manufacturing firms is positively and significantly related. Lastly, results showed that organization culture and implementation of strategic plans in small manufacturing firms is positively and significantly related. The study concluded that strategic innovation, strategic leadership and organizational culture significantly influence implementation of strategic plans in small manufacturing firms. The study recommends that the small manufacturing firms’ should understand the role organization culture play in management of organizations. They should be in a position to build a culture that is aligned to the strategic plans that they adopt. The small manufacturing firms’ managers should also develop strategic leadership to coordinate all the other resources to attain the desired goals. Strategic leadership determines success or failure of a strategic plan.
Key words: Strategic Innovation, Strategic Leadership and Organizational Culture, Strategic Plans & Small Manufacturing Firm
Project Risk Management Process and Performance of Mpazi Channel Construction Project in Nyabugogo, Kigali-Rwanda
No full textThe general objective of this research was to assess the risk management process and project performance. The descriptive research design with a mixed qualitative and quantitative approach was used to a sample of 118 respondents selected from 168 target population using stratified sampling technique and Sloven’s formula. SPSS Statistical software was used in the analysis of the collected data into descriptive statistics by the help of mean and standard deviation. The inferential statistics were also analyzed as regression and correlation analysis. The results of this research have shown that project risk identification and performance of Mpazi channel construction project has a highly positive and significant relationship, with a coefficient of correlation of 0.970 and sig=.000, which is less than 0.05 level significance. The correlation results have also revealed r=0.979 and sig=0.00 which is less than 0.05 level of significance, hence proving a highly positive and significant relationship between project risk management strategy and performance of Mpazi channel construction project. The correlation results have also shown an r =0.985 and sig=0.00 which is less than 0.05 proving significant and positive relationship between project risk plan response and Mpazi Channel construction project performance. The research also found that a combination of project risk identification, risk management plan and risk plan response contributed to 97.5 percent (R2= 0.975) of the Mpazi Channel construction project success. Thus, the researcher concluded that the project risk management procedure has an impact on the performance of the Mpazi Channel construction project. Basing on the findings of the study, researcher recommends that a formal and planned project risk management procedure should be implemented throughout project planning to key construction personnel, support staff, and laborers.
Keywords: Project Risk Management Process, Project Performance, Construction, Rwand
Drug Abuse Management Strategies and Reduction of Crime Rate among the Youth in Rwanda. A Case of Gatunda and Karama of Nyagatare District
No full textThe overall objective of the study was to assess drug abuse management strategies and reduction of crime rate among youth in Rwanda. The specific objectives were to assess the demand and supply reduction strategy of drug abuse put in place in Nyagatare District, to examine the rate of crime associated with drug abuse among youth in Nyagatare District, to assess the role of harm reduction strategy of drug abuse on reduction of crime rate among youth in two selected sectors of Nyagatare District and to determine the role of community involvement in drug abuse management in two selected sectors of Nyagatare District. This study used a descriptive research design with both quantitative and qualitative data. The target population comprises the District youth culture and sport officers, social affairs at Sector level, cell executive secretaries and heads of villages. In total they were 225 from whom a sample of 144 was selected. Researcher used a simple random sampling technique and data were collected using questionnaire and interview guide. The analysis of data was done through statistical product of service analysis (SPSS) version 21. Bivarate analysis, mean, standard deviation with 95% of inferences, p-value less than 0.05, simple and multiple logistic regression model were all determined. The study findings showed that 1.672 of mean and 0.617 of standard deviation showed that the application of demand, supply and harm reduction strategies were used to achieve reduction of crime related crime among youth. Findings also showed before putting in place strategies, there were high rate of drug abuse related crime as indicated by the mean of 1.826 and 0.629 of standard deviation. As indicated, the rate of drug abuse was at 4% (confirmed at mean of 1.646 and 0.548 of standard deviation).It also shifted to vary between 4%-8% (mean of 2.007 and 0.705 of standard deviation). Drug abuse related crime shifted up to 16% (as indicated by the mean of 1.639 and 0.696 of standard deviation. The study findings showed that harm reduction strategy played important role as indicated at the mean of 1.535 and standard deviation of 0.566. As indicated, trade restrictions (at mean of 1.957 and 0.830 of standard deviation), involvement of community (at mean of 1.625and standard deviation of 0.553), application of punishments (at mean of 1.772 and 0.674 of standard deviation) were all seen as important in reduction of related crime rate. Thus, the involvement of community measures decision making, taking preventive measures (at mean of 1.806 and 0.519 of standard deviation). As recommendation, there is a need of ongoing awareness campaign of applying different strategies of reducing demand of drug, supply of drug and harm related crime rate.
Keywords: Drug abuse management strategies, Drug abuse, Drug related crime, Reduction of drug related crime
Management Information System and Performance of Governmental Agricultural Projects in Rwanda: A Case of Sustainable Agriculture Productivity and Market Linkage Project (SAPMP)
No full textThe purpose of this study was to assess the effect of management information system and performance of Governmental agricultural project in Rwanda. The study was guided by the following specific objectives: To determine the effect of Management Information System software on the performance of Sustainable Agriculture Productivity and Market Linkage project, to identify the effect of Management Information System usage on the performance of Sustainable Agriculture Productivity and Market Linkage project, to assess the effect of quality information on the performance of Sustainable Agriculture Productivity and Market Linkage project and to examine effect of Management Information System user on the performance of Sustainable Agriculture Productivity and Market Linkage project. This study adopted descriptive design to get results related to the study, the target population as well sample size was 81 employees of Sustainable Agriculture Productivity and Market Linkage Project. Researcher applied census as sampling technique. The source of data was primary and secondary methods. Questionnaires were used to collect primary data and documentary review applied for collecting secondary data. The collected data was analysed using descriptive statistical analysis with use of frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation, and inferential statistics by the use of Pearson correlation (r) and multiple linear regression analysis. The presentation of findings was done using tables, the pilot test was performed to ensure the validity and reliability of instrument used in data collection. The findings have shown that MIS Software and performance of Sustainable Agriculture Productivity and Market Linkage project has strong positive correlation of 0.972 and Sig=0.000 which is less than 0.01 significance level. The results also showed that MIS Usage is correlated with performance of Sustainable Agriculture Productivity and Market Linkage project at 0.986 which is high positive correlation and significance of 0.000 which less than significance level of 0.01. Further, the findings have shown that quality information and performance of Sustainable Agriculture Productivity and Market Linkage project of 0.954 and sig=0.000 which is below of significance level of 0.01. The correlation results have also shown that MIS User contributes to the performance of Sustainable Agriculture Productivity and Market Linkage project at highly positive correlation of 0.933 and significance of 0.000 which less than significance level of 0.01. The study concluded that management information system contributes to the performance of Sustainable Agriculture Productivity and Market Linkage project at 96.9 percent. In recommendation, the study recommended project managers to use MIS in making breakdown structure as the way of allocating resource in appropriate manner as well as enhancing project performance.
Keywords: Management Information System, Management Information System usage, quality information, Management Information System user, Performanc
Concerted Multisectoral Strategic Interventions towards Sustaining SMEs During and Post Covid –19 Disruptions
No full textThe crisis occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting containment measures caused major negative effects on the global economy. For instance, it cut by 3 to 8 percentage points the GDP growth of African economies. This crisis triggered a myriad of interventions from various players to mitigate or avoid the collapse of SMEs. This paper sought to analyse and document some of the strategic interventions adopted and those available for consideration in the quest to sustain SMEs during and post Covid-19 crisis. The paper was anchored on the premise that SMEs can only survive and be sustained by the different players in the business ecosystem taking deliberate measures towards mitigating the absurdities of the crisis. The paper considered more than 100 journal articles and reports by various governments and international agencies. After analysing the various strategies, the paper concluded that each key player, including governments, financial institutions, SMEs and the wider business community, has initiated and implemented strategies to ensure the sustenance of SMEs during and post Covid-19 crisis. Some of the identified strategies by some of the governments include; mobilisation of financial resources, direct funding and support programs, Fiscal stimulus programs, monetary incentives for SMEs, exemption or reductions and some instances deferred tax obligations. Financial institutions on the other hand have introduced rescheduling of repayment plans of existing loans to ensure that SMEs have sustainable liquidity and not overstretched to meet their debt obligations in the short-term. The wider business community have made efforts to strengthen existing symbiotic partnerships to protect and ensure survival of the business ecosystem. Finally, the SMEs are encouraged to embrace technology and innovation, review and realign their distribution channels, ensure new product developments aligned to containment measures, Seek partnerships and Development of new market access approaches. From the reviewed literature, the paper established that most of these strategies have proven to be of profound value. The paper recommends that the different players intensify the deployment of the discussed strategies to ensure that SMEs remain afloat during and post Covid. The paper further recommends that policy makers create an enabling policy framework to enhance the adoption and operationalisation of the discussed strategies to ensure the survival and sustenance of the SMEs during and post the Covid-19 disruptive times.
Keywords: Multisectoral, Strategic Interventions, Post Covid-1
Effect of Innovative Strategies on the Performance of Small and Medium Enterprises in Nairobi County, Kenya
No full textIn a progressively challenging environment, innovation is extensively considered as the most vital source of competitiveness, because it creates a constant improvement that assists the organizations to endure. Innovation also leads to product and process enhancements thus enhancing efficiency. Innovation is often a necessity for organizations with strictly limited funds and resources yet are trying to remain profitable and competitive. Therefore, this study sought to establish the influence innovation strategies on performance of small and medium enterprises in Nairobi City County. The specific objectives were to determine the effect of product innovation, service innovation, marketing innovation and process innovation on organizational performance in SMEs. The study used a descriptive research design. A total of 398 Small and Medium Enterprises was used where the enterprise owners was used as the respondents. Primary data was collected through the administration of the questionnaires. Descriptive and inferential statistics analysis was conducted. A regression model was used to determine the effect of innovation strategies on performance of Small and Medium Enterprises in Nairobi County. The regression of coefficients results show that product innovation and organizational performance of SMEs is positively and significantly related. The results further indicated that service innovation and organizational performance of SMEs is positively and significantly related. The results further indicated that marketing innovation and organizational performance of SMEs is positively and significantly related. Lastly, results showed that process innovation and organizational performance of SMEs is positively and significantly related. The study concluded that innovation strategies positively influences performance of SMEs in Kenya. The study recommends that the SMEs should invest in innovative technology to survive intense competition currently experienced in the SMEs. Further, the study recommends that the SMEs should continuously produce new products and re-engineer existing products to prolong the product life cycle. Further, the study recommends that the SMEs should design an innovative marketing strategy that makes customers feel a part of the enterprise through social responsibility and promotions. The study recommended that the SMEs should invest in benchmarking with the technology in the industry.
Keywords: Product Innovation, Service Innovation, Marketing Innovation, Process Innovation & Small and Medium Enterprises
Stakeholder Involvement and Sustainability of World Bank Funded Project in Rwanda: A Case of Skills Development Project in Gasabo District
No full textThe general objective of this research was to examine the stakeholder involvement and sustainability of World Bank funded project in Rwanda with a case of skills development fund in Gasabo District. The researcher used descriptive research design to the sample of 211 respondents who are drawn from target population of the study, which is 400 people. The respondents were selected to participate in this study using simple random sampling and census as the techniques of sampling. The interview schedule and questionnaire were employed to collect the information from the field and the data collected was analyze as the inferential statistics were analyze using the Pearson correlation and regression analysis, whereas the mean, standard deviation comprised the descriptive statistics. The results of the first objective regarding stakeholder empowerment and sustainability of skills development project revealed that a big number of respondents agreed that stakeholder empowerment promote sustainability of skills development project by the overall mean of 2.009 and the correlation results proving that stakeholder empowerment has a positive and significant relationship with measures of (beneficiary satisfaction has r=0.928, beneficiary ownership has r=0.949, beneficiary continuous progress has r=.961 and sig=0.00) sustainability of skills development project. The results of the second objective regarding stakeholder decision making and sustainability of skills development project showed that stakeholder decision making and beneficiary satisfaction have (r=0.929 and sig=0.00), with beneficiary ownership (r=0.950 and sig=0.00) and with beneficiary continuous progress (r=.962 and sig=0.00) which implies that stakeholder decision making has a positive and significant relationship with sustainability of skills development project. The results of the third objective regarding stakeholder consultation and sustainability of skills development project showed that stakeholder consultation and beneficiary satisfaction have (r=0.930 and sig=0.00), with beneficiary ownership (r=0.951 and sig=0.00), and with beneficiary continuous progress (r=.963 and sig=0.00) which implies that stakeholder consultation has a positive and significant relationship with sustainability of skills development project in Gasabo District, Rwanda. Basing on the results of the study, the researcher would like to recommend that the involvement of stakeholder should not only be limited in consultation and in decision making rather should be also involved in implementation and provision of the support that they can afford to the project such as participating actively in activities that required provision of labor or other contribution in order to develop the spirit of self-reliance and ownership of the project that enhances.
Keywords: Stakeholder involvement, Sustainability of World Bank Funded Project, Skills Development Project, Rwanda
Selected Factors Influencing Financial Sustainability of Women-Owned Manufacturing Small and Medium Enterprises in Westlands Sub County, Nairobi, Kenya
No full textMost women-owned enterprises (WoEs) experience financial sustainability challenges mostly manifested by failure of these enterprises before their third year of operation. This research examined influence of selected factors on financial sustainability of women-owned manufacturing SMEs in Westlands Sub County, Nairobi, Kenya. Access to credit, level of education, competition, and technology were conceived as the independent variables while financial sustainability was the dependent variable. The underpinning theory is the Pecking Order Theory and the Resource-Based View of the firm. A descriptive research design utilizing a quantitative approach was adopted for this study. The target population was 195 WoEs from which a sample size of 131 was reached. Using simple random sampling, the final sample size was 111 respondents indicating a response rate of 84.7%. A structured questionnaire was used to gather information for this research and these was analyzed using SPSS. The study found that access to credit, competition, technology and level of education significantly affected the financial sustainability of these firms. These findings have implications for WoEs management, the government, and development partners.
Keywords: Women-Owned Enterprises, Financial Sustainability, Access to Credit, Technology, Competition and Manufacturin
Employee Motivation and Performance of Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOS). A Case of Umwalimu SACCO, Rwanda
No full textLack of motivation among employees is the main problem which hinder the high performance of Umwalimu SACCO, some of its employees are shifting from Umwalimu SACCO to other financial institutions for examples with high performance and profitability. Therefore, the research aimed at investigating the impact of employee motivation and performance of Saving and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs). The specific objectives were to analyze the effect of employee job satisfaction on performance of Umwalimu SACCO; to examine effect of employee training on performance of Umwalimu SACCO and to establish the effects of employee job security on performance of Umwalimu SACCO. Both qualitative and quantitative research designs were used by this study. The targeted population of the study was 199 selected from different department of Umwalimu SACCO and the research used the census where sample size was 133 respondents. The study employed a structured questionnaires as the data collection tools. The multiple regression and model summary were used to measure the relationship between variables. The findings indicated that the employee job satisfaction increases the performance of Umwalimu SACCO. There was a significant and high positive correlation between employees’ job satisfaction, training, job security and performance of Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs) ( r =.762, p=000; r =.740, p=000; r =.692, p=000) respectively. Moreover, the regression results showed that employees’ job satisfaction, employees’ training and job security are positively and significantly related with Performance (β=.349, p=0.001; β=.234, p=0.000; β=.240, p=0.000) respectively. The study concluded that employee motivation is fundamental element of high performance of many organizations. The study recommended managers or head of institutions have to motivate employees and attempt to increase techniques of motivation to the employees towards their tasks. The financial institutions should give the training opportunities to the employees for acquiring new information, skills, knowledge in relation to their works. The financial institutions management should ensure that its employees are working in good conditions without stressors. Employees should be involved in decision making and the working need to be flexible. The study suggested that the team working spirit and commitment to achieve at organization objective and goals must keep in mind by manager of organizations.
Keywords: Employee motivation, performance, Savings and Credits Cooperatives (SACCOs), Rwanda
Influence of Income Generating Activities and Resource Accessibility on Empowerment of Women in Makueni County
No full textThere is need to establish the role played by NGOs in promoting women empowerment and how this leads to reduction of the socio-economic vulnerability of women. Because of the low participation of women in decision making process, control over ownership and access of resources and wealth, increased poverty levels, increased cases of gender-based violence. This has necessitated the need to establish the role of NGOs in women empowerment in Makueni County. The specific objectives of the study were to establish the effect of income generating activities and the resource availability on women empowerment. The anchor theory for this study is the Women Empowerment Framework by Sara Longwe and the other theory used in the study include Kabeers 3-dimensional model. The study population was 60 women groups in Kalawa ward, Makueni County who have benefited from the NGOs programs. The total number of respondents were 1254 and a sample size of 294 was used. The study found that there was an influence of income generating activities on women empowerment. A unit increase in income generating activities was found to increase women empowerment by 0.323 units. The study also found that there was there was a negative influence of resource accessibility on women empowerment, implying that a unit increase in resource accessibility decreases women empowerment by 0.152 units. The study recommendations are that NGOs, National and County Governments to provide linkage to markets for the products from the income generating activities by women groups. Both Government and NGOs should develop frameworks to engage women in development agenda.
Keywords: Women Empowerment, Income Generating Activities, Resource Availabilit