Stratford Peer Reviewed Journals and Books
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Employing Blue Ocean Strategies to Achieve High Organizational Performance: A Descriptive-Analytical Study of the Opinions of a Sample of Individuals at Zain and Asiacell Mobile Telecommunications Companies in Nasiriyah
Get PDFThe study aimed to explore the role of the blue ocean strategy through its four dimensions-elimination, reduction, raising, and innovation-in enhancing high organizational performance. The study sought to create new, uncontested market spaces, thereby facilitating the achievement of targeted objectives. The study adopted both descriptive and analytical methodologies to examine the proposed model and hypotheses and to identify logical relationships among the study variables. The dimensions of the blue ocean strategy were treated as independent variables influencing the enhancement of high organizational performance, which was considered the dependent variable. Two telecommunications companies-Asiacell and Iraq Zain-were selected as the subjects of the study. A sample of 95 managerial leaders across various departments was surveyed. Their perspectives were gathered through a structured questionnaire developed by the researchers as the primary data collection instrument. The study found that level of attention to Blue Ocean Strategy (BOS) components was moderate to high, with the majority of respondents' answers for most items ranging from neutral to agree. This indicates a need for enhanced focus on Blue Ocean Strategies within the two companies under study. Moderate to high attention was accorded to high performance, as the majority of responses from the study sample ranged from neutral to high. This suggests a need to reinforce high performance in the two studied companies. Correlation analysis revealed a strong, positive and statistically significant relationship between Blue Ocean Strategies (BOS) and high performance. This signifies that increased attention to BOS components within Zain and Asia Cell Mobile Communications companies in Dhi Qar is associated with enhanced high performance. A statistically significant impact was found between Blue Ocean Strategies (BOS) and high performance. This explains that increased emphasis on BOS leads to an increase in high performance. The study recommends eliminating unprofitable traditional services. This is done by analyzing existing services and identifying those that no longer attract customers or generate sufficient profits, discontinuing these services, and directing resources to new and innovative services. Also eliminating inefficient processes by reviewing internal processes and identifying those that consume significant time and resources without adding value, and streamlining or outsourcing these processes to implement them more efficiently. Also, it is recommended developing new and innovative services that change the rules of the game in the telecommunications market.
Keywords: Blue Ocean Strategies, Organizational Performance, Zain, Asiacell, Mobile Telecommunications, Nasiriya
Articulating a Personal Philosophy of Leadership to Fit in the Context of 21st Century
No full textLeadership in the 21st century demands agility, innovation, and collaboration. Transformational leaders are needed to help companies reach their goals, solve complex problems, and create positive change. This paper articulates a personal philosophy of leadership in the context of the 21st century, reflecting on theoretical frameworks and experience, and exploring how this philosophy can enable leaders to succeed in the 21st century workplace. The literature review of empirical studies and the theoretical framework provide the background of how leadership is defined before and after taking the course on leadership. The author's leadership philosophy aligns with the 21st century workplace dynamics, emphasizing diversity, collaboration, adaptability, and continuous learning. It acknowledges the evolving nature of work and the importance of multiple perspectives and innovative approaches. By fostering open communication, embracing change, and empowering the team to think creatively and take intelligent risks, the author aims to create an inclusive culture that drives organizational success in today's dynamic environment.
Keywords: Personal Philosophy, Leadership, 21st Centur
Utilizing Organizational Theory Schools of Thought to Address and Navigate Contemporary Organizational Challenges
Get PDFMaintaining alignment between the organisational structure, objectives, and the external environment is essential for the organisation to adapt and achieve its goals. Failure can result in the loss of potential opportunities and the presence of inefficiencies. Applying diverse approaches in organisational theory, such as classical, human relations, contingency, systems, and critical perspectives, offers a thorough framework for tackling intricate organisational issues, guaranteeing flexibility, employee involvement, responsiveness to external factors, and comprehensive problem-solving. The objective of the study is to utilise different schools of thought in organisational theory to effectively address contemporary organisational challenges. The study was based on four theories: classical theory, human relations theory, contingency theory, and systems theory. The study revealed that ensuring congruence between an organization's structure and its objectives and environment is essential for optimising efficiency, facilitating effective decision-making, and enhancing adaptability. It enhances resource efficiency, promotes cooperation, and decreases expenses. Efficient decision-making is promoted, which helps to eliminate obstacles and empower employees. An organisation with an aligned structure is better equipped to adapt to changing market dynamics and can quickly seize opportunities and respond to threats. The study's findings indicate that when an organization's structure is aligned with its objectives and environment, it results in increased operational efficiency, more effective decision-making, and improved adaptability. This alignment ultimately enables organisations to succeed in a rapidly changing business environment.
Keywords: Organizational Theory, Schools of Thought, Navigate, Contemporary Organizational, Challenge
Gen Z in Shaping Today’s Society, Democracy and Politics in East Africa: A Case Study of Kenya
No full textGeneration Z has emerged as a potent disruptor redefining global politics; challenging the traditional political structures and elite dominance through digital activism and leaderless movement, igniting fierce controversies and intergenerational dissonance. This paper sought to investigate the contribution of Gen Z in shaping today's society, democracy and politics in East Africa. More specifically, it examined the contribution of Gen Z culture in shaping the norms and values of Kenyans. Further, it assessed how Gen Z leverages social media activism to foster social justice and political accountability in Kenya. The inquiry utilized a concurrent triangulation research design and sampled a total of 384 respondents drawn from universities in Kenya. A semi-structured questionnaire was utilized to gather data from the Gen Z to understand their role in shaping today's society, democracy and politics; while a focused group discussion was used targeting Gen Z's student leaders and international students in these universities. The research paper used a triangulation technique to analyse both quantitative and qualitative data obtained from the field. The results revealed that social media is the widely used form of communication among the Gen Z and is a focal point for expressing their personal opinions on social, economic and political issues. The findings further noted that Gen Z are more involved in social media activism advocating for social justice issues such as unemployment, cost of living, social justice, criminal justice, transparency and political accountability. The Gen Z culture has significantly influenced our society's ideals on social justice, democracy and political governance.
Keywords: Gen Z, Digital Activists, Leaderless Movements, Political accountability, Transparency & Social Chang
Social Wellness Programs and Operational Staff Performance in Three-to-Five-Star Hotels in Nairobi City County
No full textThis study investigated the contribution of social wellness programs to the performance of operations staff in three to five star hotels in Nairobi City County. Using a mixed methods approach, data were collected from 364 respondents through structured questionnaires and interviews with head chefs and restaurant managers. Quantitative findings revealed that 171 respondents (47.0 percent) reported access to social activities, 134 (36.8 percent) had mental health support, and only 17 (4.7 percent) indicated no wellness initiatives. Access frequency was largely irregular, with 176 respondents (48.4 percent) reporting occasional availability, while only 38 (10.4 percent) experienced continuous access. Gender and age cross tabulations demonstrated disparities, with females reporting higher consistent access (17.1 percent always) compared to males (6.6 percent always) and younger employees showing more frequent participation. Perceived effectiveness was strongly positive, with stress reduction rated at M = 1.62, emotional support at M = 1.77, and ability to handle workplace challenges at M = 1.78. Qualitative evidence confirmed improvements in teamwork, morale, and communication. Guided by Social Exchange Theory and the Job Demands Resources Theory, the study establishes that wellness programs act as essential organizational resources that enhance emotional resilience and performance. The study recommends institutionalizing structured, inclusive, and consistently implemented social wellness programs to strengthen staff well-being and improve service delivery outcomes in the hospitality sector.
Keywords: Social Wellness Programs, Employee Performance, Hospitality Industry, Operations Staff, Workplace Well-Being, Three to Five Star Hotels, Social Exchange Theory, Stress Reduction, Employee Engagemen
Academic Self-Efficacy as A Predictor of Academic Achievement Among Form Two Students in Subukia Subcounty, Nakuru County, Kenya
No full textThe academic achievement is one of the main goals of education and students are likely to be worried if their academic achievement is declining. In Kenya, this is a common phenomenon not only in national exams but also in internal exams particularly among form two students. Several factors have been attributed to decline in academic achievement but less focus has been directed to academic self-efficacy as a predictor of students’ academic achievement. Thus, the paper examined academic self-efficacy as a predictor of academic achievement of form two students in public secondary schools in Subukia Sub County, Nakuru County. The specific objective was to establish the relationship between academic self-efficacy and academic achievement of form two students as moderated by students’ gender. Bandura’s Self-Efficacy Theory of Learning formed the theoretical framework and the correlational design was employed to determine the probable relationship among the study variables. Descriptive statistics including means and standard deviations were used to describe the quantitative data while correlation analysis (r) and regression analysis (R) were used to establish the relationship between the study variables and the predictive value of academic self-efficacy. The results showed that academic self-efficacy was positively correlated to academic achievement (r=0.731, p<0.05). There was also a significant influence of students’ gender in the relationship between academic self-efficacy and academic achievement. The study has highlighted the need for the educational stakeholders to create a favourable learning environment that can promote students’ need to succeed in their academic work. Hence, the findings may help the school administration to design learning environment which promotes students’ academic achievement.
Key words: Academic Achievement, Gender, Academic Self-Efficacy, Form Two Students, Subukia Subcounty, Nakuru County
Assessing the Driving Factors of Deforestation and Afforestation over three Decades (1990-2020) in Ngororero District, Rwanda
No full textDeforestation is a critical environmental issue that has far-reaching impacts on biodiversity, ecosystems, and climate change. Monitoring deforestation and Afforestation processes over time is essential for understanding their drivers, patterns, and consequences, as well as informing sustainable land management strategies. This study aims to assess the driving factors of deforestation and afforestation over three decades (1990-2020) in Ngororero District, Rwanda, between 1990 and 2020, using a combination of remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS) techniques. The results indicated approximately 274.4 km2 (40.45%) of Ngororero District remained unchanged over three decades. Moreover, the findings showed that the district experienced significant deforestation, converting 43.29% of its land to cropland and 8.96% of forested areas to grasslands. This led to a loss of 53.33% of the total land use transformations. Despite this, efforts towards afforestation and reforestation were modest, with only 0.53% of total land use conversions. The study contributed to a deeper understanding of the dynamics of forest cover change in Ngororero District and provide valuable insights for policymakers, land managers, and conservation efforts in Rwanda. The findings inform sustainable land-use planning, forest management strategies, and environmental conservation initiatives aimed at mitigating deforestation and promoting afforestation in the area. By leveraging the capabilities of remote sensing and GIS technologies, this research offers a comprehensive spatiotemporal analysis of deforestation and afforestation patterns, enabling evidence-based decision-making and supporting the sustainable management of forest resources in Ngororero District and potentially other regions of Rwanda.
Keywords: Afforestation, Deforestation, Forest Cover Change, GIS, Remote Sensin
Green Procurement Practices and Supply Chain Performance in County Government of Uasin Gishu in Kenya
No full textGreen procurement has become a vital strategy for organizations seeking to improve sustainability and minimize environmental impact. The main objective of the study was to examine the effect of green procurement practices on the supply chain performance in the Uasin Gishu county government. Specifically, the study aimed to identify the implementation of green procurement practices in Uasin Gishu County government, to establish the impact of green procurement practices on supply chain performance in Uasin Gishu County government and to establish the challenges facing the implementation of the green procurement practices in Uasin Gishu County government. The study was guided by institutional theory, resource dependency theory and transaction cost economic theory. The green procurement practices were operationalized using product and material sustainability, energy and resource efficiency, supplier engagement and waste reduction and supply chain performance was measured using efficiency, inventory turnover and effectiveness. The study used a case study research design, targeting 24 employees working in the procurement and supply chain management in the 12 departments at the Uasin Gishu county government. The study employed primary data with the use of an interview guide. The study used content analysis as the method to analyze data. With 75% response rate, it was established that The Uasin Gishu county government have implemented product and material sustainability, energy and resource efficiency, supplier engagement, and waste reduction. It was revealed that the adoption of these practices significantly enhances overall supply chain efficiency, moderately increases inventory turnover rates, and improves operational effectiveness. The study recommended that Uasin Gishu County government should integrate sustainable procurement policies into their procurement framework. Policy makers and regulatory bodies to develop and enforce policies that support green procurement at a broader level
Invisible Infrastructure & The Law Of Shadow Supply Chains
No full textThis review evaluates Invisible Infrastructure and The Law of Shadow Supply Chains a critical inquiry into the legal, ethical, and regulatory dimensions of hidden supply chain networks. Introducing the concept of "shadow supply chains," the book explores informal and often opaque systems that operate beyond the reach of formal procurement regulations yet remain central to global trade. These infrastructures, while not inherently illegal, exploit regulatory gaps to reduce costs and enhance flexibility—often at the expense of transparency, accountability, and ethical standards. Through case studies across diverse industries, the book analyzes how these shadow systems complicate traditional legal frameworks and pose significant governance challenges for multinational corporations and states alike. The author examines current regulatory efforts, including due diligence requirements, anti-corruption laws, and emerging technologies like blockchain, highlighting both their promise and limitations. The discussion calls for an international legal architecture capable of addressing the transnational nature of shadow supply chains while promoting sustainability and human rights compliance. Ultimately, the book makes a compelling case for a more holistic and proactive approach to supply chain governance—one that encompasses both visible and invisible operations and demands heightened legal, technological, and ethical accountability in an era of complex global trade
Perceived Quality of Electronic Health Records Systems Among Health Workers in Public Health Facilities in Kiambu County, Kenya
No full textHealthcare system is facing an unprecedented high number of patients across the world. Patients increase comes along with increased permanent surge of medical knowledge and techniques available for treatment and diagnosis. This study investigated health worker’s perceptions on quality of electronic health records systems in public hospitals within Kiambu Kenya. This research study employed descriptive cross-sectional study design using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Simple random sampling technique was used where an approximate sample size of 370 participants was used out of the entire population of health workers. Questionnaire self-administered to study participants were used for data collection. Statistical Package for Social Sciences Version 25 (SPSS) was used to process the data. Data was then scrutinized using descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The study revealed that respondents with experience below 10 years (58.8%) perceived that the quality of EHRs was very good. Respondents also perceived that their facilities had good internet connectivity (52.2%,), proper ICT infrastructure (51.6%), proper power backup system (66.5%) and easiness to retrieve patient data at (74.3%). Moreover, the study revealed that managements have availed all resources for use in EHRs (50.6%), while (58.6%) agreed that workflow was not interrupted while using EHRs and there was positive organizational culture towards EHRs (66.8%). In conclusion more than half (54.3%) of the respondents were of the opinion that the overall quality of EHRs in their work station was very good. The study concludes that the perceived quality of EHRs in Kiambu County is generally positive, influenced by socio-demographic, technological, and organizational factors. The study recommends enhancing EHR quality through improved ICT infrastructure, staff training, resource allocation, and further research on private-sector perceptions and patient experiences.
Keywords: Electronic heath record system, usher perception, healthcare systems, public health facility, information technolog