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The Relationship between Transformational Leadership Style and Performance of Chartered Universities in Kenya
No full textUniversity education plays a critical role in promoting technological advancements and improving the country's ability to capitalize economically. The main objective of the study was to establish the relationship between Transformational leadership style on performance of chartered universities in Kenya. Positivistic philosophy approach was adopted with a cross-sectional survey research design. The target populations for this study were 49 chartered universities in Kenya. Respondents comprised of university teaching staff, and non-teaching staff in Kenyan chartered universities. Teaching staff who participated in the study comprised of professors, Associate Professors, Senior Lecturers, Lecturers, Assistant Lectures, and Tutorial Fellows. For non-teaching staff that was selected for the study are top management levels, middle level, and lower-level staff. For a comparative analysis, each University was targeted, and the sample was drawn from each participating institution. The study adopted 10% due to fact that 10 percent presented adequate sample and therefore final sample size of 3851 was recalculated using Yamane formula to arrive at the suitable sample population that adopted for the final study. The study sample size was 362 that included all the 49-chartered universities. The questionnaires were distributed equally in all participating institution. The researcher utilized questionnaire as the essential instrument for information gathering. Questionnaires were formatted to contain sections reflecting the study variables. Quantitative data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The results showed that when transformational leadership style through idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation and individualized consideration, is held constant, performance of chartered Universities will remain at 2.120. At the same time, an increase in idealized influence by one unit leads to an increase in performance of chartered universities by 0.100 units with a p-value of 0.000<0.05 while an increase in one unit of inspirational motivation and selection leads to an increase in performance of chartered universities by 0.090 with a p-value of 0.000<0.05. When intellectual stimulation increases by one unit, performance of chartered universities increases by 0.080 with a p-value of 0.001<0.05. Lastly, an increase in individualized consideration by one unit leads to an increase in performance of chartered universities by 0.101 units with a p-value of 0.000<0.05. The study thus, rejected the null hypothesis. The study concluded that there is a positive significant relationship between leadership style and performance of chartered Universities in Kenya and a unit increase in leadership style index lead to an increase in performance index. Therefore, the study recommends that university management board should embrace transformational leaders to manage and run the universities. This is due to the fact that the practices of transformation leadership influence the organizational performance and no organization can elude the confrontation of change. Therefore, effective leadership is vital to redressing spasmodic business environment while sustaining the firm's competitive position in the marketplace.
Keywords: Transformational Leadership Style, Performance, Chartered Universities & Keny
Determinants of Participation in Employee Share Ownership Plans in the Banking Sector: A Case of Listed Commercial Banks in Kenya
No full textThe purpose of the study was to examine determinants of participation in Employee Share Ownership Plans (ESOPs) of commercial banks listed at Nairobi Securities Exchange in Kenya. The specific objectives for the study was to determine the influence of company performance, demographic factors and financial orientation on employee participation in ESOPs. The study adopted qualitative research type and adopted descriptive research design. The target population are three commercial banks with an estimated total number of employee of 7469 as of 2018. The sample size for the study was 365 respondents. This was achieved through purposive sampling technique. The primary data was collected by questionnaires through drop and pick technique to those listed commercial banks in Nairobi County at their head offices and branches. Descriptive statistical tools were used to summarize, organize, interpret and present data. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software was used to analyze data. Data presented using figures, charts and tables. The regression model was used to establish relationship between the study dependent and independent variables. The study found that there was a positive correlation between employee participation in ESOP and company performance, financial orientation, ESOP design and demographic factors. Furthermore, the study also established that demographic factors contribute most to employee's participation in ESOP followed by financial orientation and ESOPs design while company performance contributed least to employee's participation in ESOP. The study recommended that companies planning to introduce ESOPs should consider demographic factors, financial orientation, ESOP design and company performance in that order. The study also recommended that a public policy should be formulated by the Government of Kenya to promote introduction of ESOPs in private and public companies in order to embrace sharing capitalism. Finally, employees should grasp the opportunity to invest in their company's ESOPs cautiously as it provides them with passive income with high risk and limited involvement in the company decision making.
Keywords: Determinants, Employee Share Ownership Plans, banking sector and commercial banks
The Realities Associated with Authentic Leadership and the Significance of Authenticity in Developing a Successful Leadership Practice
No full textIn the face of globalization and turbulent times, many organizations are looking for leaders who are men and women of exemplary character, leaders who uphold their values and are able to instill the same to their followers. Successful organizations require leaders of high uprightness and committed to building lasting organizations. Authentic leaders have an unfathomable sense of purpose and right to its most intrinsic values, audacity to develop their businesses to meet the need of all stakeholders and are able to identify the significance of their role for society. Based on empirical literature, self-awareness among leaders enables individuals to understand the significance of authentic leadership in contemporary society. Mainly, leaders are expected to be motivated by values, emotions, identity and goals. The second contributing factor is the mechanical aspect which includes internalized regulation, processing of information. Authentic leaders are said to be genuine, honest, real, optimistic, compassionate and passionate about their work. They also have a strong sense of self-efficacy and are emotionally intelligent. Authentic leaders have one unique feature in that their main focus is on follower's development and this can be said to be a successful leadership practice.
Keywords: Authentic Leadership, Successful Leadership Practice, Organization
Effect of Strategic Alliances on the Growth of Market Share of Commercial Banks Malaysia
No full textThe Malaysia banking sector has been facing stiff competition as a result of globalization where other players have joined the sector with differentiated innovative products and services. Alliances are becoming an alternative business strategy and hence the formulation of strategic alliances in the banking industry because of the development of worldwide patterns, for example, heightened rivalry, taking off cost of capital, including the cost of innovative work and the regularly developing interest for new advances. The study sought to determine effect of strategic alliances on the growth of market share for commercial banks in Malaysia. The specific objectives were determining the effects of sharing financial risk, knowledge sharing, markets access and gaining capabilities on the growth of market share for commercial banks in Malaysia. The study was anchored on four theories namely Resource Based View, Open System Theory, Game Theory and Dynamic Capabilities Theory. The study used a case study research design of Hong Leong Bank. The target population of the study comprised of the 182 directors and senior managers who are involved in the daily management of the alliances top management employees from the Hong Leong Bank. Data was collected through the use of closed ended questionnaires. The questionnaires were administered to the senior and middle level management for data collection. A pre-test on the research instrument was done to ensure it fits the requirements of the research. Data collected was analysed by use of inferential statistics. The findings suggest that strategic alliances had a positive significant relationship with market share. The findings of this study showed that strategic alliance formation has a significant effect on the growth of market share at Hong Leong Bank. The entire null hypotheses was rejected. It is recommended that firms seek appropriate kinds of partnerships and alliances that will help enhance their own market share and growth. It is further recommended that firms should reconsider reasons for engaging in strategic alliances and understand whether they will gain capabilities, knowledge, and find it easier to access new markets.
Keywords: Strategic Alliances, Growth, Market Share, Commercial Banks
Project Implementation Success Factors by Non-Government Organizations: Perspective from North America
No full textThe purpose of the study was to evaluate project implementation success factors in non-government organizations with a perspective from North America. Many International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) in various North America countries are grappling with challenges of unsuccessful implementation of their projects in their quest to give value for money and make positive impact in communities where they serve. There is evidence that NGOs attempt to resist donor efforts to structure their information systems and behavior. Some of the resistance strategies include: the symbolic generation of information, a bias towards sharing product (rather than process) information with funders, and the use of professional staff to legitimate their work in terms that funders are likely to accept. Ironically, it is precisely through such efforts to resist funder control that NGOs can end up perpetuating or reproducing tensions with funders. The research was a literature based. The findings indicated that feasibility of a project comprises tests for technological, commercial and financial practicality; technological researches as well as financial investment appraisal plans are made. Assessment consists of application for funds, specifying dangers, options and TCQ criteria. Authorization consists of funds authorizations, allows, conditions and task technique. Execution consists of development layout, procurement, manufacture, installment and appointing. Conclusion includes performance examinations, hand-over to client and message task evaluation. Operation includes revenue earning period, manufacturing and maintenance. Project discontinuation includes close-down as well as decommissioning and also disposal. Tasks are frequently launched in the context of a rough, uncertain and dynamic atmosphere. Numerous jobs, as a result, are normally bedeviled by obstacles, restraints as well as threats as they are implementation with completion. Subsequently, in spite of the significant input of human as well as financial resources, numerous disappoint expectation. Lots of stopped working to satisfy the top priority demands of target recipients, costs intensified, mentioned results were not attained or if attained were not continual, application days slipped by or damaging results were not prepared for.
Key Words: Project, implementation, success factors, NGOs & North Americ
Financial Knowledge and Entrepreneurial Success Among the Youth-Led Micro Enterprise in the Informal Enterprises in Homabay Town Sub-County
No full textThe study examined the influence of financial knowledge on entrepreneurial success among the youth-led enterprises in the informal sector in Homa Bay Town Sub-County, Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were to examine the influence of debit management knowledge, credit management knowledge, budgeting knowledge and maintaining books of account on entrepreneurial success. . The study employed both descriptive and explanatory research design. The researcher included all the 1,050 registered and licensed youth-led micro enterprise in the informal enterprises in the Homabay town sub-county. The researcher used only those youth-led micro enterprises registered between January 2015 and December 2019. The respondents included youth leaders/managers of the micro enterprises. The sample size was 290 respondents. Stratified random sampling technique was used in the study. The data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The descriptive statistics was presented in mean, standard deviation and frequencies while the inferential statistics included correlation analysis and regression analysis. The study found that debit management knowledge, credit management knowledge, budget management knowledge and maintaining books of account were satisfactory in explaining entrepreneurial success. The study concluded that debit management knowledge was positively and significantly related to entrepreneurial success (β=.127, p=0.014). Credit management knowledge and entrepreneurial success were also positively and significantly related (β=.189, p=0.003). Further, budget management knowledge was positively and significantly related to entrepreneurial success (β=.641, p=0.000). Finally, maintaining books of account and entrepreneurial success was positively and significantly related (β=.293, p=0.000). The study recommended that youth-led micro enterprise in the informal enterprises in HomaBay Town Sub County should usually perform a regular credit check for the debtors, tighten the credit terms for selective customers, send the invoices electronically to the debtors, use the debt collection agency and also make priorities of debt collection. The study also recommended that youth-led micro enterprises should pay their bills on time, create a monthly bill payment calendar and develop priority in the payment of the debts. The enterprises should also be tracking the incoming and outgoing incomes, set up a saving plan, review and update projections regularly. Further, the enterprises should maintain the cash book to examine the inflow and outflow of the cash, maintain the cash receipt a and also maintain the income statement.
Keywords: Financial Knowledge, Entrepreneurial Success, Youth-Led Enterprises, Informal Sector, Homa Bay Town Sub-County, Keny
Social-Cultural Determinants Influencing the Performance of Community Based Projects in Kenya: A Case of Kilifi County
No full textCommunity-based projects are catalysts for development in any society. They are designed to enhance quality of life for the more vulnerable members of society. The fact that most of the community-based projects in parts of the country including Kilifi County have failed to perform as expected. There is suspicion, as to the influential role of socio-cultural factors on their performance. The study therefore examined the influence of social-cultural factors on the performance of community-based projects in Kilifi County in Kenya. The study established the influence of cultural belief, social division, community governance, and community resources on the performance of community-based projects in Kilifi County. This study was supported by the general systems theory, stakeholder’s theory, and expectancy theory. The study adopted the descriptive survey design where 285 community-based projects in Kaloleni Ward which has population of 50,050 were examined. The sample size was 100 respondents that was obtained through Yamane formula. Data was collected through questionnaires. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The qualitative data from the open-ended questions was analyzed using conceptual content analysis and presented in prose. Inferential data analysis was done using regression analysis. The study found that belief system influenced the performance of community-based projects in Kilifi county Kenya to a great extent. The research found that registered unemployment rate in the project area; religion division; age division and composition; ethnic/tribal profiling in project area; disparity in infrastructure; and gender division influenced the performance of Community-based projects in Kilifi County to a great extent. The study also found that power politics in the community influence the performance of Community-based projects to a moderate extent. Further, the research found that human capital influences the performance of Community-based project to a moderate extent. The study concluded that organizational cultural belief strategy had the greatest effect on performance of community-based projects followed by community governance strategy then social division strategy while community resources strategy had the least effect on the performance of community-based projects. The study recommended that system belief, social division, community governance and community resources on performance of projects in Kenya, needed to be studied in other counties with similarities as Kilifi County. Civic education should be emphasized in order to enlighten the communities on projects.
Keywords: Cultural beliefs, social division, community governance, community resources, performance, Kilifi County, Keny
Determinants of community participation in the implementation of development projects in Kenya, A case of Kwale County
No full textPoverty, illiteracy and inadequate infrastructure remains to be a great challenge experienced in the area. Despite various actors channeling their resources and efforts in addressing such pertinent issues through the establishment of those development projects, local community participation is seen to be a key impediment that derails the implementation of these projects thus affecting its intended objectives/goals. This formed the basis of conducting the current study to examine the determinants of community participation in the implementation of development projects in Kwale County. . The study was guided by the following objectives: To establish the extent to which leadership, culture, commitment and level of literacy determines community participation in the implementation of development projects. The survey used a descriptive research design. The target population was 1194 drawn from residents of Kasemeni location in Kinango sub-county. A sample size of 300 were obtained by applying Yamane (1967) formula. Questionnaires were used as instruments of data collection. Data was analyzed through the use of SPSS and presented through frequency and percentage tables accordingly. The findings revealed there was a positive correlation between leadership, culture, community support, level of literacy and community participation in the implementation of development projects in Kwale County. The research concluded that leadership influence community participation in the implementation of development projects in Kwale County. It was also concluded that cultural values, norms, belief, patriarchy and traditional practices of the community need to be addressed when undertaking such mega development projects in the area. Besides, it was noted that community support contributes to community participation in the implementation of development projects in Kwale County. Further, the study concluded that many residents in the area are illiterate or semi-illiterate, hence they lack requisite skills and knowledge to participate in the development projects in the area. The study recommended there should be a good rapport between local Leadership and project implementers/developers. It is also recommended that project implementers need to understand and observe the community culture. Moreover, the study recommended project implementers should establish good collaboration and relationship with the community before, during and after the project.
Keywords: Leadership, Culture, Community support, Literacy level and Community participatio
Revisiting Co-Creation: Necessary Success Factors for Crowdsourcing Ideas in a Consumer Business Setting
No full textCompanies in the business-to-consumer sector are constantly searching for innovative ways to improve their processes and offerings. Traditionally, corporations have already been implementing new ideas and product developments internally, but in recent years the concept of co-creation has been gaining increasing attention as a new method for innovation. Co-creation, in the form of crowdsourcing ideas and integrating stakeholders in the corporate development processes, not only promises to strengthen the relationship between the firm and consumers but also to help enhance product value, foster innovation and improve product-market fit. Convincing in theory, in the practical business setting co-creation has often proven not a trivial task. However, existing literature has not sufficiently addressed these challenges yet. The paper at hand aims to contribute to closing this research gap, revisiting the concept of co-creation with a specific focus on identifying the issues of and success factors needed for the successful crowdsourcing of ideas in a consumer business setting. For this purpose, successful co-creation strategies of major global brands, including Oreo, DHL and LEGO, with a view of characterizing relevant elements driving the effectiveness of their co-innovation approaches, shall be analyzed. These cases will then be contrasted to an empirical case project of a co-creation campaign of a medium-sized enterprise to highlight both effective and non-effective approaches to co-creation. As a result, some of the key challenges and main points of difficulty in particular for smaller companies in the context of co-creation initiatives will be identified.
Keywords: co-creation, consumer business, crowdsourcing, success factors, co-innovation, stakeholder involvement, innovation management, product development
 
The Role of Youtube in the Preservation and Dissemination of Initiation Songs of the Bukusu of Bungoma
No full textThe paper examined the role of YouTube in the preservation and dissemination of initiation songs of the Bukusu of Bungoma. The paper used a qualitative research design employing the method of document analysis and used random sampling technique to select seven initiation songs on YouTube site. The study was further guided by functionalism theory. The findings of the study showed that YouTube has created accessibility to Bukusu initiation ceremony to all its members spread across different parts of the world. The study concluded that YouTube was found to be effective in the preservation and dissemination of initiation songs of the Bukusu of Bungoma. YouTube videos give relevant knowledge on the philosophies of Bukusu initiation ritual and keep the originality of Babukusu initiation ceremony. The study also concluded that initiation songs contain a lot of wisdom in-so-far as virtues related to humanity are concerned. The study recommended that the Ministry of Culture, Gender and Sports should encourage and support the preservation and dissemination of traditionally or culturally loaded practices by documenting them for future reference and posterity. Besides, scholars and researchers must pay attention to oral tradition and social media with a focus on YouTube as a mode of preservation and dissemination of initiation songs. Researchers must engage in the study of YouTube as a mode of preservation and dissemination of initiation songs to investigate the many responsibilities that YouTube offers to a global audience. Researchers need to engage in the study of YouTube as a mode of preservation and dissemination of initiation songs to investigate the many responsibilities that YouTube offers to a global audience. Further, the study recommended that since these initiation songs contain a lot of wisdom in-so-far as virtues related to humanity are concerned, they should be preserved and widely disseminated for the attainment and moral standards within a community.
Keywords: YouTube, Preservation, Dissemination, Initiation songs, Bukusu