Stratford Peer Reviewed Journals and Books
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Competence Based Learning and Skills Acquisition in Secondary Schools of Rwanda
No full textOver a long period, the Rwandan curriculum was Knowledge Based. This means that the education in this country was delivered only through transmission of knowledge than competence. In the year 2016, the Rwandan Ministry of Education transited the curriculum from Knowledge Based to Competence Based Curriculum. The study was comparative designed to assess the effects of competence based curriculum on learners’ skills acquisition. The research was conducted within six months approximately two academic terms with sample size of 172 respondents including 150 secondary students sample size of respondents chosen as; the participants of the study who were students from public secondary schools was chosen as; 17 teachers, 3 head teachers and 2 sector educational officers of 3 sectors of Bugesera District. The competences based learning acquired were learning by doing, teacher’s guidance, group work, problem solving, individual learner’s participation, learners ‘cooperation, peacemaking, commitment, competition, trustworthiness, freedom of expression, persuasive, integrity, partnership, pragmatism, innovation. Data on skills acquisition was collected and analyzed utilizing SPSS to descriptive statistics and through Carl Pearson Coefficient of Correlation which was used to measure the relationship between competences based learning and skills acquisition which was 0.89 level of confidence. Two tell Test determined the skills acquired by students in secondary schools which were attitudes change, debating skills, innovation, discovery, self-perfection, teamwork, communication, leadership skills, problem solving, stamina, organizational skills, critical thinking, initiative, resilience, enthusiasm, stamina, and self-discipline. Post Hoc differences analysis indicated that group discussion. The competence based learning hypothesis had significant impact to skills acquired in secondary schools.
Keywords: Pragmatism, self-discipline, teamwork, problem solving, communication, discovery
Mediating Effect of Organization Resources on the Relationship between Strategy Implementation and Performance of Devolved Ministries among Selected Counties in Northern Kenya
No full textThe study investigated the mediating effect of organization resources on the relationship between strategy implementation and performance of devolved ministries among selected counties in Northern Kenya. A descriptive research design was adopted in this study. The population was the county ministries in both Marsabit and Isiolo Counties. There are a total of 56 departments in all the 10 ministries of Marsabit County, while in Isiolo County; there are a total of 32 departments in all the 6 ministries. Therefore, the study targeted 88 departments in both counties. A survey was conducted since the population was small. Therefore, 88 department heads were surveyed. Primary data was collected through closed-ended questionnaires. Descriptive statistics including frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations were used. Further, inferential statistics including correlation and regression analysis were also used to test the relationship between independent and dependent variables. Linear regression models were used to link relationship between dependent and independent variables. The study findings indicated that strategy implementation and performance of devolved ministries related significantly. However, organisational resources did not relate significantly to neither strategy implementation nor performance of devolved ministries. Therefore, the study established no mediation effect of organisational resources on the relationship between strategy implementation and performance of devolved ministries. Further observations indicate that organisational resources augmented the effect of strategy implementation on performance of devolved ministries. This was contrary to the envisaged diminishing effect of organisational resources as a mediator. The study therefore recommends that further research should consider organisational as a moderator rather than a mediating variable. Based on the findings, the study recommends that devolved ministries in Marsabit and Isiolo Counties need to improve their strategy implementation aspects as this was significantly related to their performance. The study provides valuable contributions in the devolved ministries and may inform policy formulation on strategy implementation in institutions.
Keywords: Organization Resources, Strategy Implementation, Performance, Devolved Ministries
Strategies Adopted in Adventure Tourism Product Diversification in Sustainable Tourism Development in Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya
No full textTourism as a sector of the economy is used by most countries in the advocacy of economic development. Most of the adventure tourists/visitors travel to rural areas to experience natural wonders of the world which are prominently features such as great waterfalls, volcanic phenomena, and geological phenomena like caves or spectacular views. This study investigated the strategies adopted in adventure tourism product diversification for sustainable tourism development in Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya. The study employed descriptive research design in which the target population included 2 County government officials, 1 national government representative, 1 Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA) official, 1,250 Athletes (High Altitude camp), 3 hotel managers, 4,876 tourists, 3 private investors and 24,450 community members. The sample size for each category was determined and distributed proportionately as follows: Community Members were 316, tourists 63 and athletes 16. Census approach was used for County Government Officials, National Government official (Tourism Regulatory Officer), KVDA (tourism officer), hotel managers and private investors since they were few in number. Therefore, the total sample size was 405 respondents. Purposive sampling strategy was utilized to choose the respondents for every one of the Community Members, tourists and athletes. Questionnaires and interview guides were used to collect the data. Data analysis was done using descriptive and inferential statistics techniques. Results revealed that adventure products influenced tourism diversification in Elgeyo Marakwet County. Some of the prominent adventure products included paragliding sports on the escarpments of Elgeyo Marakwet County, cycling, trekking, camping (Rimoi National reserve) caves (Kiplachoch cave in Kapyego Marakwet East Sub county), Torok falls situated at high cliff, Teren rapids with pot like shapes, Kipkabus dam, Chebloch George, Kipteber hills, hanging valley and birds migratory. It was recommended that there was need to focus on new adventure products should be encouraged in order to increase tourism diversity. Policies on adventure tourism should be formulated and implemented to increase the diversification of tourism.
Keywords: Strategies adopted, Adventure products, Tourism diversification, Tourism development and Elgeyo Marakwet Count
Contamination from Organochlorine Pesticides (OCPs) and other Pesticides in Agricultural Soils of Buuri, Imenti South and Imenti North Sub counties, Meru County Agroecosystem in Kenya
No full textThe presence and distribution of organochlorine (OCPs) and the residues of other pesticides in Buuri, Imenti South and Imenti North Sub Counties, Meru County agroecosystem in Kenya was examined in the current research. Pesticide residue analysis was done with gas chromatograph mass spectroscopy. Twenty soil samples sampled randomly from each sub county were collected for the multi residue and Quecher's method analysis of OCP sand other pesticides such as organophospahates, carbamates, fungicides, pyrethroids and neonicotinoids respectively. Seventeen OCP residues with notable concentrations were observed from the study area. Alpha-HCH, beta-HCH, gamma-HCH, delta-HCH, heptachlor, aldrin, heptachlor epoxide, endosulfan I, dieldrin, p,p'-DDT, endosulfan II, p,p'-DDD, Endrin aldehyde, p,p'-DDE, endosulfan sulfate, heptachlor epoxide and methoxychlor were obtained at concentrations ranging from BDL-85.83±1.98, with methoxychlor giving the highest mean concentration. Endrin was not detected. Other pesticides detected included carbendazin (conc range) metalaxyl (range conc) and chlorpyrifos (range of conc). All organochlorine pesticides detected from the three sub counties in Meru County are in the list of priority pollutants of US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Results indicate that persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and other pesticides exist in agricultural soils in Meru and recent illegal use in sampled area for some of the OCPs should and be monitored and regulated. Increased soil monitoring is recommended to detect persistency and changes in target environment. Some of these OCPs and other pesticides had been reported to be in use by farmers in the three sub-counties, although presence of other OCPs which have been banned could be due to environmental cycling and persistence.
Key Words: Organochlorine, Pesticides, Contamination, Agricultural soils, Agroecosyste
Influence of E-Procurement Practices on Supply Chain Performance: A Case Study of Kenya Airways
No full textKenya Airways PLC being an international airline is currently facing massive competition in both the local and the international routes. The supply chain section within the company handles large volumes of goods purchases including purchases from overseas suppliers as well as those local suppliers. Adopting an effective and efficient supply chain is of the essence to the company during these hard times. It's therefore important to continuously carry out supply chain performance measurements as well as identify the challenges involved. The study establishes the influence of e-procurement practices on supply chain performance at Kenya airways. The paper employed a desk study review methodology. Past studies on e-procurement were critically and thoughtfully studied and the results related to the airline industry. A critical review of the empirical literature is conducted to identify the main thematic concepts of the paper. From empirical studies, it was established that e-procurement practices are fundamental to the performance of supply chain management. The adoption of e-procurement practices is vital because procurement is one of the most critical functions of the supply chain. Any firm must ensure that efficiencies are built within the procurement process to ensure competitive advantage and profitability. Likewise, Kenya Airways may attempt to modernize its procurement services by integrating e-procurement into the supply chain systems. The recommendations of the study focus on the subject of the study which is Kenya Airways. The study recommends that Kenya Airways should pay attention to developing an e-procurement platform to enhance supply chain performance. E-procurement practices have a very strong influence on supply chain performance. E-order processing, information sharing and E- supplier appraisal strongly influence supply chain performance. The airline firm should embrace e-procurement practices to enhance the firm's supply chain performance which consequently leads to profit maximization.
Keywords: e-procurement practices, supply chain performance & Kenya Airways.
 
Influence of Strategic Procurement Policies on Supply Chain Performance of County Governments in Kenya; A case of Nairobi County
No full textStrategic procurement is the process of creating alignment and consistency of action that establishes the long-range objectives and overall strategy by which the procurement function fulfils its mission. Strategic procurement entails the transformation of an organization's mission, goals, and objectives into measurable activities to be used to plan, budget and manage the procurement function. As county governments respond to demands to become more efficient and effective, procurement professionals are expected to focus primarily on the strategic aspects of procurement and less on routine transactions. A company procurement strategy can be defined by its sourcing concepts, portfolio approaches, process approaches and task-focus. It crafts sourcing procedures for goods and services at right price, time, the right source, the right quality and quantity for the enhancement of business growth. The structured procedures for strategic procurement consult the market for the purchase of goods and services to guarantee the widest possible participation of economic operators, ensure the transparency of operations, and obtain the desired quality of services, supplies and work at the best possible price. In Kenya, County governments have been losing a lot of public funds through poor procurement practices which are a result of the failure of the county governments to comply with the procurement policies in place (AG, 2018). This has resulted in a poor performance recorded by the counties since 2013. The study was guided by three objectives; to establish the effect of adherence to strategic procurement policy on the performance of County governments in Kenya, to establish the influence of strategic acquisition procedures on the performance of County governments in Kenya and to recommend the best strategic procurement practices to the County governments in Kenya. The study was informed by institutional theory and game theory. The paper used a desk study review methodology where relevant empirical literature was reviewed to identify the main themes. The study concluded that strict adherence to procurement policies results in improved performance. The study recommended that to boost the performance of the supply chains of County governments in Kenya, there is a need to invest in various strategies.
Keywords: Strategic, Procurement, Policy, Acquisition & Performance.
 
Influence of Dividend per Share on Idiosyncratic Volatility of Stock Returns among Listed Firms in Kenya
No full textIdiosyncratic volatility has always been ignored in asset pricing, this is due to capital asset pricing model suggestion that idiosyncratic volatility is diversified away since investors hold a proportion of the well diversified market portfolio. In reality however, this is not always the case. Studies have shown that investors do not always hold well diversified portfolios and idiosyncratic risk is priced to compensate investors for their inability to hold the market portfolio, therefore the main objective of the study was to establish the effect of financial statement information on idiosyncratic volatility of stocks return among listed firms in Kenya. Idiosyncratic volatility was the dependent variable while independent variable was dividend per share (DPS). Correlational and descriptive research design were used, the study also used census technique and target all 39 listed companies that existed and their shares were actively traded at the Nairobi securities exchange (NSE) from the year 1998 to 2017. Descriptive as well as inferential statistics were generated using STATA. The study employed a dynamic panel data regression model, the analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to reveal the overall model significance, the calculated F-statistic was compared with the tabulated F-statistic and a critical p-value of 0.05 was used to determine whether the overall model is significant. The null hypotheses was rejected. Based on the findings, the study concluded that, dividend per share has a significant relationship with Idiosyncratic Volatility of stock returns among listed firms in Kenya. The study recommended for management in the listed firms to focus dividend per share on their strategic decision-making. This indicator will further guide in expanding the interpretation of the financial dynamics in the listed firms at the NSE and other related firms.
Keywords: Dividend per Share, Idiosyncratic Volatility, Stock Returns, NSE & Keny
Mobile Banking Innovation and Financial Performance of Selected Commercial Banks in Kenya
No full textThe decline in the profitability of the banks is a great source of worry. This is a problem because the financial industry in Kenya is largely commanded by commercial banks who are the main contributors to the economy. Therefore, in such a scenario the collapse of the banking sector can ultimately lead to that of the economy as a whole. The inconsistency in profitability of commercial banks has been attributed to dynamic changes financial technology including mobile banking. In order to minimize on their operational costs, commercial banks have had to invest on technology working hand in hand with mobile service providers to come up with mobile banking. Mobile banking is a service offered by a bank or a financial institution that allows clients access account remotely by using a mobile device or tablet, and may use a software or Unstructured Supplementary Services Data. It allows the clients to access financial services with less hustle as well as assisting the banks and financial institutions reduce their overhead costs. The purpose of this study was to determine the mobile banking innovations and financial performance of selected commercial banks in Kenya. The study objectives were to; establish the influence of m-banking charges, establish the influence of new m-banking products, determine the influence of m-banking costs and determine the influence of m-banking efficiency on financial performance of selected commercial banks in Kenya. The study also sought to establish the moderating effects of CBK rules and regulations and m-banking on the financial performance of selected commercial banks in Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The target population comprised of 42 commercial banks. Data were collected using structured questionnaires. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Correlation result findings revealed that m-banking charges and financial performance are positively and significantly related. Regression of coefficients results showed that mobile banking charges, mobile banking products, m-banking efficiency and financial performance of selected commercial banks are positively and significantly related. Regression results also showed that mobile banking cost is negatively and significantly related with financial performance. During test for moderation, it was found that CBK rules and regulations moderate m-banking and financial performance of selected commercial banks in Kenya. The R2 before moderation was 53.9% but after moderation the R2 improved to 54.0%. This implies that compliance with CBK rules and regulations improves the performance of commercial banks. The study concluded that m-banking charges, m-banking products, m-banking costs and m-banking efficiency influences financial performance of selected commercial banks in Kenya. The study also concluded that CBK rules and regulations moderate the relationship between m-banking and financial performance of selected commercial banks in Kenya. The study recommends mobile banking efficiency be a driving goal for all commercial banks. Mobile banking efficiency is a necessary ingredient for performance.
Keywords: Mobile banking innovation, financial performance, commercial banks, Keny
Does Firm Innovation have an effect on Financial Performance? Evidence from Insurance Firms in Kenya
No full textThe purpose of this study was to examine the effect of firm innovation on financial performance of insurance firms in Kenya. The study was informed by balanced score card theory and stakeholder theory. The study employed explanatory research design. The study population comprised of 5273 employees drawn from 49 Kenyan insurance firms who are members of Insurance Regulatory Authority. A sample size of 372 employees was drawn using Yamane formula. Data for this study was collected using a survey questionnaire. Reliability of data collection ensured through pre-testing of the instruments and statistically, the Cronbach alpha was adopted to assess the level of reliability of the instrument. Findings from multiple regression models and Pearson correlation analysis indicated that innovation had significant and positive effect on performance of insurance firms. A firm innovation always led to the financial performance insurance firms.
Keywords: financial performance, Insurance firms, firm innovatio
Effects of Procurement Law on Procurement Performance: A Case of Kenya National Highway Authority
No full textIn many countries today, public procurement has become an issue of public attention and debate and has been subjected to reforms, restructuring, laws and regulations. Public bodies have the characteristic of dealing with huge budgets; public procurement represents 18.42% of the world's GDP. The procurement law was developed as a reference guide to complying with the implementation of the national Procurement Law and Regulations and contains standards, procedures and guidance on all aspects of public procurement. Despite the numerous efforts by the governments of developing countries like Kenya to improve the performance of the procurement function, public procurement is still characterized by shoddy jobs and poor quality goods and services. Failure to implement or delayed implementation of recommended procurement laws has resulted in unnecessarily high operation costs, uncoordinated business activities, and failure to attract and retain experienced and skilled personnel in procurement positions, thus affecting the function’s performance. The specific objectives of the study were; to establish the effect of procurement law implementation on the procurement performance of Kenya National Highway Authority, and to establish the challenges facing the implementation of procurement laws by Kenya National Highway Authority. The study used a desk study review methodology where relevant empirical literature was reviewed to identify the main themes. The study results indicated a positive relationship between procurement law implementation and procurement performance. The study concluded that Procurement policy implementation has a positive influence on the performance of procurement functions. The study recommended that Kenya National Highway Authority should appoint a procurement oversight committee to oversee the implementation of the procurement law and government policies on procurement.
Keywords: Procurement law, Implementation, Procurement Performance.