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Influence of Employee Training on Organisational Performance in Three-Star Rated Hotels in Nakuru County, Kenya
No full textThe hotel industry is considered one of the vibrant and leading sectors in modern Kenyan economy. As such, many luxurious hotels have emerged to provide services in this growing sector. However, the global hotel industry landscape is increasingly becoming complex and unpredictable. For hotels to survive in these unpredictable times, they must be flexible to meet customer requirements. This paper assessed the influence of training methods on organizational performance in three-star rated hotels in Nakuru County Government, Kenya. The paper also assessed the influence of training design on organisational performance in three-star rated hotels in Nakuru County Government, Kenya. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design where from the target population was 422 employees. The sample size for the study was 202 employees. Self-administered questionnaires were used for data collection. Data analyses entailed both descriptive (frequency tables and measures of central tendency) and inferential statistics (multiple regression). The data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software and presented using tables and figures. The study found that training methods positively influences organizational performance in three-star rated hotels (?=2.273, p=0.002). It was also established that training design has a positive and significant relationship with organizational performance in three-star rated hotels (? =3.251, p=0.001). The study concluded that training methods and training design significantly influence performance of three-star rated hotels in Nakuru County. The study recommends the need to vary training methods for employees with aim of enhancing organizational performance in three-star rated hotels. The selction of training methods should also be based on nature of job to be accomplished. Some of the the training methods to be used include interactive training and on-the-job training. The training design to be used should specify the instructional objective, sequencing training material, incorporating learning principles and identifying effective training methods.
Key words: training methods, training design, organisational performance, three-star rated hotels, Nakuru Count
Influence of Service Diversification Strategy on Growth of Registered Hotels in Kitui Town
No full textThe purpose of the study was to find out how service diversification strategies influence organization growth in the hotel industry a survey of registered hotels in Kitui Town Kenya. The literature review was done based on the study objectives while Porter’s five forces Theory, Portfolio Diversification Theory and Resource-Based Theory were used to explain the study. The study employed the descriptive research design. The target population was 385 employees working in 30 registered hotels in Kitui Town. The sample size for the study was 115 respondents and data was collected using questionnaires and interview guide. The result showed that concentric and conglomerate diversifications were found to be significantly correlated with organizational growth (p=0.001 and p=0.000 respectively). Horizontal and geographical diversifications were also found to be significantly correlated with organizational growth (p=0.000 and p=0.000 respectively). The study concluded that concentric, conglomerate, horizontal and geographical diversification positively affects organizational growth. The introduction of new products significantly improves how hotels perform in the country. The study concluded that proportion of an organizations’ investment in horizontal product diversification significantly influence the growth of an organization. The study also concluded that geographical diversification is positively and significantly associated with organizational growth of hotels. The study recommended that hotels should adopt concentric diversification by introducing new services, new products that enable to reach the unique needs of customers. The study also recommended that hotels should be encouraged to adopt product diversification strategy with a view to provide an extensive variety of products and services to their customers as well as high quality services. Further, the study recommended that hotels should broaden in areas where competitive environment is not as fierce, and take use of the freedom to set prices that are profitable. Finally, the hotel regulators and the policy makers in the hotel industry such as Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (KAHC) and the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife should also come up with strategies that encourage services diversification as well as engage in forums to discuss of various opportunities available for promoting diversification.
Keywords: Service diversification, organizational growth, conglomerate diversification, horizontal diversification, concentric diversification, geographical diversification
Sacraments of Confirmation and Mystagogical Catechesis: Perspective from the United States of America
No full textJesus taught us that faith comes to life when it is shared when it is lived in community; faith is not simply taught, it is caught. Full participation in the sacramental life of the Church is essential to sustain the faithful in pursuit of a life of committed discipleship. Since today’s Catholics face a challenge in living an active sacramental life due to the influences of secularism, relativism, a faulty anthropology, and a weakened sacramental worldview, a vibrant and doctrinally sound sacramental catechesis is needed to address confusion about the sacraments and promote an active sacramental life. The Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis contains eight principles of doctrinally sound sacramental catechesis as multiple lenses through which the strengths of sacramental catechesis programs on baptism, confirmation/chrismation, Eucharist, penance and reconciliation, anointing of the sick, matrimony and holy orders should be viewed. The Church’s great liturgical tradition teaches that fruitful participation in the liturgy requires that one be personally conformed to the mystery being celebrated, offering one’s life to God in unity with the sacrifice of Christ for the salvation of the whole world. For this reason, the Synod of Bishops asked that the faithful be helped to make their interior dispositions correspond to their gestures and words. Otherwise, however carefully planned and executed our liturgies may be, they would risk falling into a certain ritualism. Hence the need to provide an education in Eucharistic faith capable of enabling the faithful to live personally what they celebrate. One of the fundamental realities of the Church is that it is a worshipping community responding to God’s initiative of unconditional love and grace. In public worship, individuals, gathered together in community, assemble as a part of the Universal Church, the particular Diocesan Church, the Parish Church and the Domestic Church to praise God, acknowledge total dependence on God, and accept the gifts of divine life that God wishes to share in Jesus, through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Among the six tasks of catechesis listed in The General Directory for Catechesis is liturgical education. Communion with Jesus Christ leads to the celebration of his salvific presence in the sacraments, especially in the Eucharist. The study concludes that the Sacrament of Confirmation helps a person remain faithful to his or her baptismal commitment to witness to Christ and to serve others. The gifts of the Holy Spirit associated with Confirmation are strengths (or virtues) that Christian living requires if it is to be fruitful and complete. Thus wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel, fortitude, piety, and fear of the Lord, are divine aids to Christian living without which fulfilling one’s baptismal calling would be far more difficult, if not impossible.
Keywords: Sacrament, Confirmation Mystagogical, Catechesis, USA
Factors Influencing the Start and Progression of Intimate Partner Violence: The Case of Survivors at the Reuben Centre - Mukuru Kwa Reuben Slum, Nairobi County
No full textIntimate partner violence (IPV) in Kenya is a silent epidemic. It is a serious threat to society as a whole and affects persons of all gender, religious and economic backgrounds. It touches on every facet of an individual’s well-being and affects both physical and mental health. This study explored the factors behind the onset and progression of intimate partner violence in Kenya. The study employed the descriptive research design and targeted adult IPV survivors who are of sound mind and who are either currently in heterosexual intimate relationships, or who have been in such relationships at some point in their lives. The key findings were that marital status, intimacy level of the relationship, duration in the relationship, education level of the abusive partner and the type of abuse all influence the onset and progression of IPV. The t-test showed that respondent’s age, gender, nationality, religion, number of children, occupation of respondent, education level of respondent, marital status of the respondent, respond's duration in an intimate relationship, age of respondent’s abusive partner and education level of respond's abusive partner were all highly statistically significant (p=0.000) in influencing IPV. The study recommends that: psycho-education be given to slum dwellers to reduce IPV in relationships, couples be educated to be assertive in marriages and also be resilient after going through difficult marital situations, and Community Health and Social Workers be motivated to work with slum dwellers to provide affordable counselling services and advise them to engage in economic activities to reduce poverty and also enhance their psychological well-being.
Keywords: Intimate Partner Violence, Start/Onset, Progression, Survivors, Abusive Partners
 
Procurement programs and Supply Chain Management in Switzerland
No full textThe study sought to examine the development in the field of procurement and supply chain management in Switzerland. The study was literature-based. Procurement and supply chain are considered to be the main points when conducting organizational activities. The study's findings showed that Switzerland has many international companies that successfully utilize incorporated supply chains to integrate tax obligation and customized with pure commercial and logistical factors to consider, therefore promoting the business atmosphere and attracting more to the country. The study indicated that procurement is the procedure of getting the goods needed while the supply chain is the framework required to get those items. Supply chain monitoring manages a network of affiliated companies associated with the supreme arrangement of product or service plans needed by end customers. The study concluded that the presence of universities and other tertiary institutions of learning in Switzerland offering supply chain management studies had encouraged the society of procurement and supply chain management in the country. Immediate communication between suppliers and consumers allows for prompt updates of information, excellent framework, availability of certified professionals, adequate support of government agencies, affordable tax rates, and a cosmopolitan setting to foster the business' growth. The research recommended that Switzerland continue with the promotion of tranquillity and security to attract even more individuals to invest in their nation because it is politically stable. E-Supply Chain should be monitored and favourable tax rates need to be initiated in the process. The colleges and institutions need to be supported with money and certified personnel to teach procurement and supply chain management in higher learning institutions.
Keywords: supply chain, management, procurement, Switzerland
 
Financial Deepening and Financial Performance of Commercial Banks in Kenya
No full textThe collapse of some of the commercial banks in Kenya has raised concerns over the financial performance of the banking industry. Due to this challenge, stakeholders including creditors, depositors, employees and investors have incurred huge financial losses. The study sought to determine the effect of financial deepening on financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya. The specific objectives were; to examine the effect of interest rates, government policies, bank deposits and bank credit on financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya. It employed a descriptive research design. The study population comprised of all the 43 commercial banks in Kenya. The findings indicated that coefficient of bank deposits; bank credit and government regulations had a positive and significant effect on financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya. However, the effect of interest rate on financial performance was statistically insignificant. The study concluded that when combined, all the predictor variables except interest rate positively and significantly influence financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya. In particular, government policies were found to be the most significant predictor of financial performance, followed by bank credit, followed by bank deposits and lastly interest rate. The study recommended that commercial banks management should consider lowering the interest rates they charge on credit. This will enable more people to access loans and will also translate into increased financial returns. The Central Bank of Kenya should streamline banking policies in order to enhance performance of the banks. The banks management should develop effective savings mobilization strategies such as product development and marketing strategies. The management of commercial banks should widen their credit base and advance credit to more customers. This will ensure that they make more profits.
Keywords: Financial deepening, financial performance, commercial banks in Keny
The Effect of Domestic Borrowing on Capital Market Development in South America Countries
No full textThe study examined the impacts of domestic public debt on the capital market development in South America countries. The study variables used were domestic public debt, inflation rates and interest rate on capital markets development. In many ways, the capital market is symmetrical to the country’s public debt. In many developing countries, governments have given much attention to domestic debt compared to external indebtedness. Despite the fact that domestic borrowing has many advantages; it also has negative impacts especially when it goes beyond a sustainable amount. Domestic debt affects a country’s inflation rates, interest rates among many other factors. Through this study of how various concepts are affected by domestic borrowing, various governments will clearly understand the effects of domestic borrowing on their capital market development and align their domestic debts from the capital market institutions that will finally promote the development of the capital markets. The study used a descriptive research, which involved the measurement, classification, analysis, This study adopted the descriptive study design. This study used 14 South America Countries capital markets as its population. The countries that include Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Falkland Islands (United Kingdom), French Guiana (France), Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela were chosen as the population since they have similar regulations in relation to domestic public debt. Due to the small population, no sampling was conducted. This data was obtained from various sources that include South America Countries Central Banks, World Bank information, National Treasury Public Debt Department. Regression of coefficients results showed that domestic public debt and capital markets development are positive and significantly related (r=-4.518, p=0.030). The results further indicated that inflation and capital markets development are negatively and not statistically significant (r=-0.093, p=0.116). It was further established that interest rate and capital markets development were positively and significantly related (r=0.345, p=0.003). The study concluded that there is a positive relationship between high domestic public debt and capital market development, an increase in domestic debt causes the capital market development to decrease. When a country borrows more domestic, debt and less external debt it promotes capital markets development in the long run. The regression model used in the study was statistically significant in explaining the effect of domestic public debt on capital markets development in South America Countries. The study further concluded that inflation rate has a negative impact on financial market development this implies that inflation had a negative impact on capital markets development. It also conclude that an increase in interest rate impact positively the capital markets development. The study recommends on continued deepening of the capital markets to lengthen further the maturity profile of domestic debt and diversification of the investor base. The study further recommends on continued implementation of policies to support macroeconomic stability and faster economic growth. This includes restructuring public debt towards external borrowing which is comparably cheaper than domestic debt, and rationalization of recurrent expenditures to contain the widening deficit in the primary balance would be necessary in the medium-term to ensure that public debt remains on a sustainable path to allow for capital markets development
Effects of Loan Loss Provisions on Loans Disbursements Case Study of SACCOs in Kenya
No full textThe study sought to establish the relationship between interest rates and loan provision in SACCOs in Kenya. Descriptive survey research design and stratified random sampling method were used. The sample size used was 84 respondents comprising of three operation managers, four credit officers, three customer service officers and seventy-four registered Sacco’s members. The study was guided by Classical interest, Keynesian Liquidity and Time preference theories. Results indicated that interest rates charged on loans had the least influence on loan provisions. The study recommends that the government through Central Bank and Kenya Bankers Association to advocate for more market-based regulations which would ensure affordable and accessible financing for the small businesses and startups that promotes enabling environments for entrepreneurial activities. The findings contributed to new knowledge to literature and theory.
Keywords: Loan, Loss Provision, Loan Disbursement, Farmers, SACCO
Strategic Management Practices and Service Delivery at Public Hospitals in Kenya: A Case of Kenyatta National Hospital
No full textThe aim of this research was to investigate influence of strategic management practices and service delivery at public hospitals in Kenya: a case of Kenyatta National Hospital. Specifically, the study aimed to investigate the effect of communication and capacity building on service delivery in KNH. The Sustainable Development Goals were adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015 as a call to action to end poverty and protect the environment. The third goal of the Sustainable Development Goals is to promote health and well-being among people of all ages. The aim was to reduce maternal mortality to less than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030. Kenya is, however one of the countries where the target of sustainable development has not been achieved. Among other variables, this was due to service delivery in health facilities. As the largest referral hospital, KNH is also facing service quality problems. The challenges lead to sluggish patient diagnosis and care, unduly long appointments leading to insufficient treatment adherence, and high population expectations for outstretched services. This research used a descriptive style. The Krejcie and Morgan formula was used to generate a sample size of 346 people from a target population of 3,006. To determine the sample size, stratified proportionate sampling was used. A pilot research was conducted to ensure that the instruments were valid. Descriptive and inferential method were used to analyze the results. Students, scholars, and KNH decision-makers should all learn from this research. The study established that there was a statistically significant influence of communication on service delivery at public hospitals in Kenya. The study also revealed that there was a statistically significant effect of capacity building on service delivery at public hospitals in Kenya.
Keywords: Capacity building, Communication, Strategic management practice
Financial Competency and Project Completion of Dam Projects in India
No full textFinancial competency refers to understanding the organization’s financial processes; preparing, justifying and administering the program budget. It also involves overseeing procurement and contracting to achieve desired results; monitoring expenditures and using cost benefit thinking to set priorities. This paper sought to determine the effect of financial competency on performance of construction projects. The study population of this study was 382 ongoing dam projects in India. The study employed descriptive survey design. The results were analyzed using social sciences (SPSS) computer software. Financial competency revealed a positive and significant relationship with performance of construction projects. It was also concluded that financial competency influences the performance of construction projects. Proper financial management skills in terms of resource planning, funding and allocation are critical to the growth of the construction sector. Financial competencies in terms of budget planning, resource allocation is required in the prudent use of financial resources in the construction sector. Proper channeling of resources may help curb resource embezzlement that is rampant in the construction sector.
Keywords: Financial competency, project completion, Dam projects, Indi