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Strategic Planning and Performance of Parishes in the ACK Diocese of Nairobi
No full textThe main objective of this study was to ascertain the extent to which the strategic planning had influenced the organizational performance of the ACK Nairobi Diocese at parish levels. These specific research objectives guided the study: to examine the ways in which the leaders are involved in strategic planning at the parish level; to identify how the resources allocated to achieve the parish goals as per the strategic plan; to evaluate the parish structure in relation to their strategic plans; and lastly to examine the strategic fit adopted by the parishes in their environments. This study may be significant in that, more often than not the parishes have tended to operate on the premises of faith in God without adequate planning, which assists in setting up and aligning budgets and structures that would enhance their service delivery and hence performance. The study was limited to 66 parishes of the ACK Diocese of Nairobi, within Nairobi County. The study assumptions were that: the ACK Parishes in Nairobi Diocese have aligned their operations to the overall diocesan plan; and that the Vicars of ACK Parishes in Nairobi Diocese gave an over view of the general status of strategic plan implementation in relation to performance. The research design was mixed method in nature, which endeavored to evaluate the extent to which the strategic planning has influenced the performance of the ACK Nairobi Diocese at parish levels. The population of interest was all the Parishes in Nairobi Diocese boiling down to their vicars, and top leadership at the parish level. A census method was adopted targeting all the 66 parishes in 11 Archdeaconries of Nairobi ACK Diocese. The main respondents were vicars of the parishes who incorporated the relevant offices in their parishes to answer the questionnaire. The selection of respondents in this study was largely purposive in that it targeted the Vicars and other two officers in the parish executive committee. The study adopted the use of stratified sampling which will involve stratified selection of respondents depending on their positions in the church parishes and are directly responsible for planning and are involved in leadership of the church. To be able to collect data required for this research, the questionnaire was used. A pilot was done to pre- test the data collection tool for reliability. The data was analyzed using social science software, (SPSS) and the findings were presented in form of frequency tables, pie charts and bar graphs. Findings revealed a positive and significant relationship between leader's involvement in strategy planning and parish Performance (B =.183, p=0.000), resources allocated towards strategy planning and parish Performance (B=.284, p=0.000), parish structure and parish Performance (B=.338, p=0.000), strategic fit and parish Performance (B=.120, p=0.015) and between parish culture and parish performance (B =.205 p=0.000).The study concluded that the five independent variables used in this study positively and significantly influenced that performance of the ACK parishes in the diocese of Nairobi. The study recommended based on the findings and conclusions that the managements of the ACK parishes in the dioceses of Nairobi should strive to put in place proper strategy plans so as to improve the performance of their dioceses.
Key Words: Strategic Planning, Leaders Involvement, Resource allocation, Parish structure, Strategic fit, Performanc
Relationship between Selected Critical Factors and Implementation of Donor Funded Projects in Bomet County, Kenya
No full textDespite the fact that donor funding has continued to play an important role in developing countries, especially sub-Sahara Africa, it is ironical to note that after half a century of channeling resources to the third world countries by donors, little development has taken place. It is because of the so many incomplete donor funded projects in the country despite so much money injected into them, that this study sought to establish the relationship between selected critical factors and implementation of donor funded projects in Kenya in Bomet County. The general objective of the study was to establish the relationship between selected critical factors and implementation of donor funded projects in Bomet County, Kenya. The theoretical foundation for this study was informed by Resource-based theory, Organizational Theory, Behavioral theory and Project Management Competency Theory. This study adopted a descriptive survey design. The target population was all the 300 employees in the donor funded projects in Bomet County. The unit of observation was the project managers, project supervisors and the employees. The sampling frame of this study included the project managers, project supervisors and the employees of the 15 ongoing projects in Bomet County. Stratified random sampling was used to obtain the sample size for the employees. Primary data was collected by use of a semi structured questionnaire. SPSS was used to analyze the data. The results indicated that staff competence and project implementation was positively and significantly related. Organizational structure and project implementation was positively and significantly related. Monitoring and evaluation and project implementation was positively but not significant. Resource allocation and project implementation was positively and significantly related. Based on the findings the study concluded that staff competence, organizational structure, monitoring and evaluation and resource mobilization had a significant effect on project implementation. The study recommended that the project members and beneficiary groups should be also be involved in monitoring and evaluation of donor funded projects in order to build their capacity in directing their own development projects. More training needed to be given to the community representatives to enlighten them on the goals the projects were meant to achieve.
Keywords: Critical Factors, Implementation, Donor Funded Projects & Bomet Count
Work-Life Balance and Performance of National Police Service in Kenya
No full textThe objective of the study was to establish the effect of work-life balance on performance of the National police service in Kenya. Hierarchy of Needs theory developed by Abraham Maslow was used to inform the study. The study adopted cross-sectional research design. A census approach was used in data collection. Self-developed questionnaires were used to collect primary data. Respondents of the study were police constables working at the National police service headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. Reliability of the research instrument was determined by Cronbach Alpha threshold while face and content validity was determined using scholars and industry experts. Statistical Package of Social Sciences was used to facilitate quantitative analysis of data. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and simple regression method. The study established there existed a significant relationship between work-life balance and performance of National Police Service. The study concluded that, for effective performance of National Police Service in Kenya, top leadership should emphasize on work-life balance practices. This study recommended that, for effective performance of National Police Service, the government of Kenya should develop policies that promote work-life balance practices such as counseling, delegation, training, time for leisure and flexible working schedules.
Keywords: Work-Life Balance, Performance and National Police Service
Ethical Dilemmas Facing Multinational Companies: An Empirical Review from Brazil
No full textThis research study reviewed literature to establish ethical dilemmas facing multinational companies: An empirical review from Brazil. In a perfect world, companies and their staff members would always do the right thing. In the ethical world, ethical problems are unusual incidents in the office. An ethical dilemma is a case where a person needs to choose between a moral and an unethical act. Employees must handle stress to carry out and also assist the business prosper in addition to manage personal temptations to take the simple escape. Ultimately, employees will likely deal with many predicaments in their occupations; business should provide training and information to help them in making the best decision. Business supervisors are generally anticipated to make the most of the returns of the capitalists while at the same time enhancing a company's reputational resources, circumventing agent-principal problem of rate of interest and abiding by regulative standards. This need to nevertheless, be effected by adhering to the specifications of organization values. The recent economic collapse of such top international firms as Enron, WorldCom, Tyco as well as Parmalat however, suggest non-application of service principles in fixing the ethical concerns encountering them. The ethical issues dealing with these corporations consist of absence of honesty, absence of scams avoidance, non-equitable action to all investors and also non-observance of appropriate money and bookkeeping standards. The effects of unethical practices on company start to tell with time as the line in between right and wrong begin to blur. People within the company that conduct themselves with high criteria really feel helpless and also irritated with the deceitful behavior of their colleagues and also or leaders. The research study wrapped up that, an ethical service society likewise places a high value on fairness, employee legal rights, and equal pay, while additionally preventing deceit, overdue wages, discrimination and disloyalty to the firm, its employees, and its clients. The research study suggested that, in order to develop an ethical business culture, employers need to strive to eliminate double standards and also cultivate count on among the group by being truthful in their communications. This suggests that there should not be plans that supervisors as well as supervisors are allowed to neglect which juniors are called for to comply with or are even reprimanded for not complying with. This allows all workers to put the work ahead of their own passions, despite their specific ranks or roles within the business.
Key Words: Ethics, Dilemma, Issues, Multinational, Companies, Brazi
Relationship between Collective Bargaining and Performance of Public Health Facilities in Imenti North Sub-County, Meru County
No full textMany public health facilities have experienced employee discontent in the recent past contributing to a decline in the delivery of healthcare services. This was due to delayed salaries, poor working climate, insufficient facilities, and lack of engagement on the part of management to communicate with workers. This study analyzed the relationship between collective bargaining and performance of public health facilities in Imenti North Sub-County, Meru County. It adopted a correlational research design. Data was collected through questionnaires. Descriptive and inferential analyses were employed. The correlation results revealed a positive and significant association between collective bargaining and performance of public health facilities (r=0.676**, P=0.000). Regression results (β=0.683, P=0.000) indicated that a positive and significant relationship existed between collective bargaining and organizational performance. According to regression results, the computed significance level, P < 0.05, hence the null hypothesis was rejected and settled that collective bargaining had a significant relationship with organizational performance. The study concluded that collective bargaining has a significant effect organizational performance. This meant that for better employee and general organization performance to improve, employees have to participate fully in the collective bargaining agreements. Based on the findings, the study recommended that the management of health facilities in Imenti North Sub-County should strengthen policies relating to collective bargaining, which is a key strategy for employees to raise their voices. The management should particularly focus on the following policy aspects: discrimination, employee hiring procedures, retention and retrenchment.
Keywords: Collective bargaining, performance, public health facilitie
An Extended AIAC Framework with Tools and Techniques Used in Each Step (RAIAC)
No full textOne of the reason businesses fail to realize intended payoffs from their information technology (IT) investments is the inability of most organizations to effectively manage potential risks. I present a framework to conceive and implement an IT investment's payoffs, by extending the AIAC framework to achieve the payoffs, and measure the actual outcomes. The four items in the AIAC framework are Alignment, Involvement, Analysis and Communication. The study is purely qualitative in nature. In-depth desktop literature review is conducted by extending the AIAC to include risk management. A critical analysis of the past models is established to identify the knowledge gaps.
Keywords: AIAC framework, risk management, IT Implementation, RAIAC framewor
Influence of Emerging Peer To Peer Accommodation on Budget Hotels Competitiveness in Nairobi City County, Kenya
No full textThe specific objectives that guided the study were to identify the customer profile of P2P accommodation and Budget Hotel customers, establish the extent to which customer needs for P2P accommodation and Budget Hotels influence choice of accommodation in Nairobi County, determine the extent to which customer motivation for P2P accommodation and Budget hotels influence choice of accommodation hotels in Nairobi County, estimate the extent to which customer segmentation for P2P accommodation and Budget hotels influence choice of accommodation hotels in Nairobi County and to compare the choice of accommodation factors in Budget hotels and P2P accommodation in Nairobi county. The study was based on Michael Porters five forces framework for analyzing the industry's competitive environment and Clayton Christensens theory of disruptive innovation. The research design that was adopted by this study was the cross-sectional survey design. The targeted population of the study consisted of all the users of Airbnb, all customers of budget hotels, the owners of Airbnb listed properties and the managers of budget hotels in Nairobi County. The data was analyzed using measures of central tendencies, correlation and content analysis and the chi-square test was applied on tests for significance. The study concluded that the majority of the customers in budget hotels were married and the majorities in Airbnb were not married since the married. Also, the study found that a minority of the customers in budget hotels was single and the majorities in Airbnb were single. Likewise, the study concluded there existed an association between customer needs and the choice of accommodation in both budget hotels and Airbnb. The study also concluded that there existed an association between customer motivations and choice of accommodation in both the budget hotels and Airbnb. Moreover, the study concluded there was an association between customer segmentation and choice of accommodation. The study recommended that Regulators of Hospitality and Tourism in Kenya ought to create a model to classify and evaluate the properties offered by P2P accommodation platforms, similar to star rating categories for hotels. The study also recommended that P2P accommodation needs to have a proper taxation scheme based on data obtained from Airbnb to make the industry healthy and promote open entrepreneurship. Further, the study recommended that Local communities should be involved in hotel activities to create authentic and unique experiences for guests.
Keyword: P2P accommodation, Budget Hotel customers, competitiveness, Nairobi County, Keny
Influence of Staff Training on Sales Control in F&B on Financial Performance of Classified Restaurants in Nairobi County, Kenya
No full textThis study was to evaluate the influence of staff training on sales control in food and beverage, on the financial performance of classified restaurants in Nairobi County, Kenya. The study focused on determining the relationship between staff training in sales control in food and beverage, on the financial performance of classified restaurants. The study used a descriptive cross-sectional survey design and adopted stratified, random sampling. The study used Fisher, Laing, and Stoeckel formula in selecting the sample of classified restaurants, while adopted purposive sampling in selecting participants. The overall response rate was 85.94 %( 110 respondents). The research instruments used were questionnaires and interview guides based on the objective and conceptual framework. The respondents comprised of food and beverage controllers, supervisors, cashiers, and managers of classified restaurants. The researcher did Pre-testing in two selected classified restaurants that were not included in the final study. Cronbach’s Alpha formula was applied for the reliability of the instruments, where a coefficient ranging from 0.65 to 1 was adequate for data analysis and reporting. The research was analyzed the collected data and was presented in the descriptive and inferential analysis. The findings of the research were presented in graphs, tables, and pie charts. Pearson correlation analysis and simple regression procedures were used to determine the relationship between independent variables and the dependent variable. The results of a simple regression analysis were used to test the study hypotheses at a 5% level of significance. For Pearson’s correlation analysis, staff training had r = 0.429 (p-value = 0.039). The correlation coefficients were significant since all the p-values were less than 0.05. Results of regression analysis showed that staff training had a significant positive effect on financial performance as a unit change in staff training will increase financial performance by the rate of ? = 0.921, 0.979, and 1.263. The study recommends that policy implementers should use more staff training on the use of automated and manual systems to avert fraud and theft in sales control. For practice, restaurants and the hotel industry should adopt modern technology and authorization systems staff training that minimizes fraudulent practices. Finally, subsequent studies to consider replicating this study in the unclassified restaurants in Kenya to establish the influence of staff training on sales control in food and beverage, on the financial performance of classified restaurants.
Keywords: Staff Training, Sales control, F&B, Financial Performance, Classified, Restaurant, Keny
Prevalence of Anxiety Related Disorders among Girls’ Secondary School Students in Selected Public Schools in Dagoretti North Sub County, Kenya
No full textThe aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of anxiety related disorders among girls’ secondary school students in selected public schools in Dagoretti North sub County, Kenya. Descriptive research design was used. The target population was 1,260 girls studying in the girls’ schools in the Sub County aged between 13-18 years. A sample of 200 participants was selected using simple random sampling technique. The study found that the prevalence of anxiety related disorders in the study were: panic disorder (84%), separation anxiety disorder (82%), GAD (41.5%), social anxiety disorder (35%), and school avoidance (56%). Further, the study found out that the prevalence of moderate depression and low self-esteem among the secondary school students was 11% and 14% respectively though the levels of panic, GAD, separation anxiety, social anxiety and school avoidance were all statistically significant (p<0.05) within the sampled population. The study concluded that though anxiety is a common mental disorder among adolescents, the high prevalence especially among girls is a pointer to a critical gap that needs to be addressed. The study recommended that secondary school students need a professional support to deal with their psychological challenges.
Keywords: Prevalence, Anxiety Related Disorders, Girls’ Secondary School Student
The Prospects, Challenges and Ethical Aspects of Artificial Intelligence in Education
No full textImplication of Artificial intelligence in education brought significant improvement on traditional models of teaching and learning process. This paper was aiming at bringing to the right prospects, challenges and ethical aspects of Artificial Intelligence in Education (AIED). Purposive non probability sampling technique was used to select study participants. Descriptive statistics and thematic approach were used to analyse collected quantitative and qualitative data Effective creation and implementation of AIED various adaptive learning platforms (Liushuo in China, NLP in USA, PAM in Germany, EdTech company Greekie in Brazil and M-shule in Kenya), Advanced data analytic platforms, the introduction of AI as major course in universities, and Investment for AI research were established as prospects of AI at the level of 26.80%, 24.10%, 26%, and 23.10% respectively. Other potential prospects like Multi-source of data analysis and audio-Visio teaching and learning materials were revealed as key prospects of AIED. Fragile technological infrastructure, inadequate government expenditure in education, achievement gap in education, resistance to implement AIED, and unprepared teacher for AIED implementation were found as challenges of AIED at 85%, 75%, 65%, 60%, 40% respectively. In addition, curriculum transition, culture and religion of some countries, resistance to change mindset were suggested as other challenges of AIED. Cultural integration; accountability; fairness, equity and affordability; security, and privacy were found out as the main ethical aspects of AIED at 33.3%, 28.6%, 14.3%, 14.3% 9.5% respectively. Increasingly Humanity, singularity, authentication and profitability, personal interest’s investment, humanitarianism, and solitary were suggested as ethical aspects of AIED. The paper recommends AIED theorists to mitigate carefully the impacts of AI on human kinds.
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence in Education (AIED), Prospects, challenges, ethical aspects, Adaptive learning platform, Algorithm, 21st century skills