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Influence of i-Tax System on Performance of Kenya Revenue Authority: A Case of Nairobi County
No full textGovernments around the world are increasingly using information and communications technologies to improve the delivery of public services and the dissemination of public administration to the public. Implementation of innovative revenue collection strategies is supposed to improve its organization structures, training, manpower planning, developing teamwork among management and staff, new approaches to reward management and adaptation of total quality management. Worldwide, taxpayers' resistance, underutilization and reluctance to use electronic filing system remain a great concern and still plague various tax agencies which are embracing electronic tax administration systems. The general objective of this study was to establish the influence of i-tax system on Performance of Kenya Revenue Authority. The specific objectives of this study were; to establish the effect of Automated System Modernization, systems integration, taxpayer education and staff training on performance of Kenya Revenue Authority. The study was informed by open systems theory, resource dependence theory and institutional theory. The study adopted both descriptive statistics and a case study design. The target population of the study was 300 managers at KRA. Stratified random sampling was used to pick a sample of 90 managers. The primary data was collected using the structured questionnaires. The data was analyzed using statistical package of social sciences (SPSS). Descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviation were adopted. The relationship between the dependent variable and the independent variables was tested using linear regression model and correlation analysis. The results were then presented in form of figures, tables and chats. The findings of the study revealed that, Automated System Modernization, Systems integration, Taxpayer education and Staff training were satisfactory variables in explaining Performance of KRA. The findings also indicated that, Automated System Modernization, Systems integration, Taxpayer education, Staff training and Performance were positively and significant related. The study concluded that, the survival of each organization depends on its dynamic interaction with internal and external environment. Based on the findings, the study recommended that, the management of KRA should invest heavily in automation of their System since it has been proven that automation of systems enhances tax collection.
Key Word: Taxation, i-tax, Automation, taxpayer, Modernization, Performanc
Factors Influencing Teenage Pregnancies in Kenyan Public Primary Schools: A Case of Kitui County Kenya
No full textThis research focused on four specific themes; to assess how individual, sex education, poverty and cultural factors influence teenage pregnancies. The study adapted descriptive study design. The targeted population was 352 out of which a sample size of 50 was utilized. Data analysis was done through help of Statistical Package for Social Science. On testing of hypothesis, a factor increase in (X1) individual factors would lead to an increase in teenage pregnancies by 0.04, whereas a unit increase in sex education (X2) would lead to a reduction in teenage pregnancies (Y) by 0.153, consequently, poverty factor (X3) accounted for 30% (0.304) of teenage pregnancies in public schools. X4(Cultural factors) was determined as the highest factor affecting teenage pregnancies accounting for 0.405 (40%). Conclusion was that, X1, X3 and X4 had positive influence on Y. However, X2(Sex education) had a negative effect, thus sex education should be taught to reduce cases of teenage pregnancies (Y).X3 and X4 had significance values higher than 0.05 implying that the metrics were significant in determining factors affecting teenage pregnancies (Y) except for X2 and X1.The significance values for the three factors were less than 0.05 thus statistically significant in determining teenage pregnancies while X2 had a significance value of 0.312 which is above 0.05 indicating that there was strong negative relationship between the factor. Recommendation was that, public primary schools have to teach sex education to decrease cases of adolescent pregnancies. National Government and County Government of Kitui, collaborate with the community in eradicating poverty with focus to supporting needy teenager girls. A replicate of the same with an emphasis in more objectives such as peer pressure and social economic aspect to all Administrative wards in Ikutha Sub County and other Counties in Kenya.
Key Words: Individual Factor, Sex Education Factor, Poverty Factor, Cultural Factor and Teenage Pregnancies
Influence of Gender Mainstreaming on Women Participation in Implementation of Development Projects in Kenya: A Case of Kilifi County
No full textThe role of women in development is very important although their impact in societal development has been ignored ever since. It is therefore worth for a detailed research to be carried out to examine their relevance in development in the 21st century. Therefore, this study was carried with the aim of examining the determinants of gender mainstreaming in development projects implementation in Kenya: a case of Kilifi County. The study was guided by four objectives that included examining the influence of: cultural practices; gender awareness; availability of resources; and organizational procedures on gender mainstreaming in development projects implementation in Kilifi County. This study used a descriptive survey design. The target population was 150 respondents drawn from the NGOs and county governments projects employees. A sample size of 109 respondents as calculated by Yamane formula was used. In relation to data analysis, the fully filled research questionnaires were first subjected to scrutiny to establish whether they met the requirements of the study. The research instruments that were suitable for the study were coded in order to be keyed into the SPSS software. This was carried out by 2 data analysis experts and the analysis was done by use of both inferential and descriptive statistics using SPSS (version 24.0) and presented through percentages, means, standard deviations and frequencies. The data was split down into different aspects of gender mainstreaming in development projects implementation. This offered a systematic and qualitative answer to the study objectives. To help generalize the findings the collected data was grouped using percentages and measures of central tendency. Descriptive and inferential statistics including cross-tabulation, frequencies and percentages, mean and standard deviation was used for comparison. The hypothesis was tested by use of the regression analysis model given as follows: Y=β0+β1X1+ β2X2+ β3x3+β4X4 + e Where: Y = represented the dependent variable i.e. gender mainstreaming in projects implementation, β0⦠β4 are the Regression Coefficient, X1= Cultural practices, X2= Gender awareness, X3 = Resources availability, X4 = Organizational procedures, e = Stochastic term. From the field results 100 questionnaires were dully filled and returned to be used in drawing conclusions. The first objective touched on cultural practices and gender mainstreaming in projects implementation and majority of the respondents strongly agreed to the idea. The hypothesis further confirmed that cultural practices have a significant influence on the implementation of county development projects in Kilifi County (β = 0.459; t = 3.530; p < 0.05). Also, when testing the second objective’s hypothesis, it was noted that gender awareness has a significant influence on the implementation of county development projects (β = 0.491; t = 2.98; p < 0.05). In relation to availability of resources, when testing the hypothesis, it was established that availability of resources has a significant influence on the implementation of county development projects (β = 0.401; t = 2.21; p > 0.05).In relation to the final objective that sought to establish the influence of organizational procedures on the implementation of county development projects, the general trend indicated that majority of the respondents supported the idea. In testing of the hypothesis it was agreed that organizational procedures have a significant influence on the implementation of county development projects (β = 0.440; t = 2.44; p > 0.05).
Keywords: gender mainstreaming, projects implementation, cultural practices, gender awareness, resources availability, organizational procedures
 
Project Management Practices and Performance of County Funded Projects in Kisumu County, Kenya
No full textThe purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of project management practices on performance of county funded projects in Kisumu County, Kenya. Specifically, the study sought to examine the effect of stakeholder involvement; capacity building; top management support and funding on performance of county funded projects in Kisumu County. The study used a descriptive research design and targeted 150 employees that were directly involved in project management in Kisumu County. The study sample size was 75 respondents who were selected using stratified sampling method. Primary data was collected using semi structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings indicated that stakeholder involvement and project performance were positively and significantly related (B=0.297, p=0.002), capacity building and project performance are positively and significantly related (B=0.321, p=0.002), top management support and project performance in Kisumu County had a positive and significant relationship (B=0.228, p=0.016), funding and project performance were positively and significantly related (B =0.326, p=0.004). Based on the results, the research concluded that stakeholder involvement, capacity building, management support and funding influence performance of County funded projects. The study recommends to the county government of Kisumu in conjunction with the national government to take keen interests in monitoring the whole process of project management to completion. The government in conjunction with the county government needs to set clear policies governing the management and accountability of Constituency Development Fund, which should be directed towards serving the citizens rather than being utilized for self-interests. The study also advises constant and periodic improvement of the human resource through the induction and training process for the improvement of the quality of delivery of services. The study also highly supports the aspect of transparency in the utilization of project funds since most of them are utilized trough self-interests of the managers. This could be done by over budgeting the projects in order to include their personal expenditures within the fund. To ensure accountability there is need to ensure transparency of information across all stakeholders.
Keywords: Project Management Practices, Performance, County Funded Projec
Effect of Progress Monitoring and Analytical Thoroughness on the on the Performance of East-Central Africa Division Office of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church
No full textMeeting the needs of high performance is determined by leadership and the decisions made by them in running organizations. Strategic leaders' characteristics are significant in the performance of an organization. The objectives of this study were to establish the effect of progress monitoring and analytical thoroughness on the performance of East-Central Africa Division Office of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Literature review was done considering; strategic leadership, the characteristics of strategic leaders, performance indicators, strategic leadership and performance. The study was anchored on participatory leadership theory. A conceptual framework showing the relationships between the independent and dependent variables of the study was projected with a summary of the operationalization of the variables. The researcher used a quantitative survey design. The target population of the study was forty (40) leaders in various levels of the ECD and it was a census study. The response rate was 100%. Data was collected using a questionnaire which was validated and its reliability tested using the Cronbach alpha. Data was analysed by use of descriptive statistics and hypothesis tested by correlation coefficient and regression analysis. The findings of the study show that analytical thoroughness and monitoring of progress have strong significant effect on performance. The findings will greatly inform future studies on the influence of strategic leaders' characteristics on performance in faith based organizations and finally it will be of great help to the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and many other Christian based institutions policy makers, when they review and come up with their working policies. The study recommended that ECD top leadership should ensure proper structures are put in place to support progress monitoring. The study further recommended on the focus to facilitating analytical thoroughness by putting in place problem-solving tools in the organization. Finally, the organization may consider young people in the leadership various leadership levels.
Keywords: Progress Monitoring, Analytical Thoroughness, Performance & Seventh-Day Adventist
Efficacy of the Eucharist in the Light of Igongona: Towards Agikuyu Sacramental Theology of Inculturation
No full textThe Eucharist is so central to Christianity but due to the lack of understanding of the meaning of the Eucharist and its efficacy among the Agikuyu Christians, they have not taken the Eucharist seriously. Efficacy in this essay means the effectiveness of the Eucharist on a believer. The reasons why believers can experience “delight†in the sacrament according to the researcher is that the believers through the Eucharist poses Christ and all that is his, they have eternal life, security in their position within the kingdom of heaven and forgiveness of sins. This study employs the principle of analogia entis in inculturation as its methodology. This principle is based on the conviction that between God and his creation (i.e. what is good or positive in creation), there is some similarity or correspondence in such a way that one can gain a deeper understanding of the revealed mysteries by examining them in the light of natural knowledge gained from human experience in the world. This study therefore has used Agikuyu igongona to illuminate on the doctrine of the Eucharist specifically its efficacy therefore the efficacy of igongona (which is the existing cultural element that is already understood) has been used shed more light understanding of the Eucharist and its efficacy. The study found that explaining the efficacy Eucharist through Agikuyu Igongona will shed more light to Agikuyu Christians in understanding the meaning of the Eucharist.
Keywords: Efficacy, Eucharist, Igongona, Agĩkũyũ Sacramental Theology of Inculturatio
Influence of Porters Generic Strategies on Performance of Private Chartered Universities in Kenya: A Case of Nairobi County
No full textAs the numbers of private universities continue to grow, competition for market survival has intensified. Competition for survival has been the guiding force for existence and it has been associated with strategic management practices. Porter's Generic Strategies have been an epitome of any organization successful performance. The general objective of the study was to establish the influence of Porter's Generic Strategies have been an epitome of any organization successful performance on performance of private universities in Kenya. The specific objectives were influence of differentiation, market focus and cost leadership strategies on performance of private universities in Kenya. Porter's Generic Competitive Strategies, Theory of Dynamic capabilities and Resource based theories were used to inform the study. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. This study targeted registrars, directors, chairpersons of departments and finance officers of the 13-chartered private universities in Nairobi County. Due to the small population, this study adopted a census method approach. Primary data was collected through the administration of the questionnaires with a Likert scale. Cronbach's Alpha was used for the five point Likert scale items. This study used correlation and regression to link the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. Regression results showed that differentiation strategy (r=0.218, p=0.000), market focus strategy (r=0.094, p=0.006) and cost leadership strategy (r=0.116, p=0.001) were positively and significantly related to performance of private universities in Kenya. The study concluded that differentiation strategies that can be adopted in universities are diverse ranging from quality in terms of qualified lecturers and teaching methods used. Value addition in terms of rand image and adoption of technology in universities; incentive programs in terms of availability of recreational facilities and diverse programs and students experience with reference to duration of learning and formulation of policies that are favorable to students in universities. The study recommended that the management of the private universities have an important role to offer advice, information and intelligence and thereby to think strategically for the future of the whole organization. They are expected to think and act strategically in their own areas of responsibility. This is particularly important if the educational and business environment is different for the departments of the educational institution. The study further recommended for unique higher education marketing strategies that help raise awareness of courses and programs while bringing in new students and resources needed to sustain online programs.
Keywords: Porters Generic, Performance, Private Universities & Nairobi County, Kenya
Influence of Access to Entrepreneurial Finance and Performance of Coffee Smallholders Micro and Small Agribusinesses in Muranga County, Kenya
No full textResearchers remain uncertain on the contribution of the access to entrepreneurial finance on the integral performance regarding micro and small agribusinesses in Kenya. Its also not well documented as to how access to entrepreneurial finance affects coffee smallholder alternative agribusinesses performance. The purpose was to determine influence of access to entrepreneurial finance on performance of micro and small agribusinesses of coffee smallholders in Muranga County. The target population of this study was 146,105 comprising of the coffee smallholders within eight sub counties of Muranga County. Sampling with probability proportionate to size was used to get a sample size of 384 respondents drawn from the eight Sub Counties of the County. For analysis, a regression model was generated to establish the relationship between access to entrepreneurial finance and performance of micro and small agribusinesses.The study established the access to entrepreneurial finance had a positive and significant determination on performance of micro and small agribusiness owned by coffee smallholder agribusinesses in Kenya. The study concluded that that since majority of the coffee smallholder agribusinesses in Kenya do not access entrepreneurial finance they have opted for own savings as a mean of financing their micro and small agribusiness enterprises. The study recommends that owners of the micro and small agribusinesses in Kenya should be trained by stakeholders such as local NGO, county governments and national governments and financial institutions on the importance of seeking external funds to finance their agribusinesses.
Keywords: Smallholder Agribusinesses, Access to Entrepreneurial Financ
Factors Influencing Effective Project Financing: A Case of Financial Institutions in Kenya
No full textAfrica is widely known to have a hybrid of markets that have little or no transparency. The financial institutions have minimal non-stringent disclosure requirements coupled with a public which has scanty levels of financial literacy. Change of interest rate has an effect on distorting the market thereby generating adverse selection. When this happens, the lenders will usually prefer to minimize their risk by offering debt to clients with higher collateral. The effect of this is a situation where financial intermediation is hampered. Throughout the year, the Private sector credit growth has been declining to close at an 8-year low of 4.3% in 2016, compared to 20.6% in 2015, not picking up even after the interest rate was changed. This was below the CBKs recommended 12-15% growth required to support economic growth and stable job creation. Once the change of the interest rates was effected, banks in Kenya have increasingly preferred to provide debt to the public sector more; the lending recorded a 10.9% increase in 2016. This study purposed to examine the factors influencing effective project financing by financial institutions in Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were to establish the impact of credit risk, credit policy, credit management practice and collateral security on the effective project financing by financial institutions in Kenya. The study utilized descriptive survey research approach. The study focused on commercial banks registered in Kenya. The target population was the top-level chief credit executive, mid-level chief credit executives and credit managers of the 44 financial institutions in Kenya which brought to a total of 132. Since the population of this study was small, census approach was used. The response rate was 91.67% representing a total number of 121 respondents out of 132 questionnaires that were distributed. SPSS was used to code and analyze the data. Correlation result of the study revealed that credit risk, credit policy, credit management and collateral security had a positive and significant association with effective project financing. A multivariate regression model was used for purposes of testing the significance of the impact the independent variables had on the dependent variables and therefore credit risk, credit policy, credit management and collateral security related factors were computed into single variables per factor by obtaining the averages of each factor. Results of regression revealed that credit risk had a positive and significant effect on project financing due to interest rate. (B=0.115, p=0.000); credit policy had a positive and significant effect on project financing. (B=0.17, p=0.000); credit management had equally a positive and significant effect on project financing (B=0.073, p=0.025.). Finally, collateral security had a positive and significant effect on project financing (B=0.149, p=0.000). The study concludes that Credit Risk, Credit policy, Credit Management and Collateral Security had a positive and significant effect on effective project financing. The study recommends that commercial banks should adjust their credit policy models which are resulting in declining financial intermediation thus directing their lending in favour of large corporate borrowers and Government thus shunning small and risky borrowers. This will ensure plain playing field for both small and large borrower’s hence smooth running of projects.
Key Words: Credit Risk, Credit Policy, Credit Management, Collateral Security, Project Financin
Effect of Digital Marketing on the Performance of MSMES in Kenya
No full textThe main objective of the study was to examine the effect of digital marketing on the performance of MSMEs in Kenya. The study was guided by positivist research philosophy. It utilized a descriptive survey design. The study population included 8,526 licensed MSMEs in Tharaka-Nithi County. Stratified sampling and random sampling techniques were employed to arrive at the study sample. Data was collected using questionnaires. Quantitative data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The descriptive statistics included frequency distributions, mean and measures of dispersion while the inferential statistics were t-test, multiple regression analysis, Karl-Pearson correlation coefficient and F-test. The findings of this study revealed that digital marketing accounted for 38.8% of the variation in the performance of MSMEs. The study further showed a strong positive correlation between digital marketing and the performance of MSMEs. The descriptive findings on digital marketing and the performance of MSMEs ascertained that a majority of MSMEs owners and managers that utilized digital marketing perceived the performance of their firms to be growing. The bivariate regression findings further revealed that digital marketing had a significant positive effect on the performance of MSMEs. This study recommends that owners/managers of MSMEs in Kenya should embrace digital marketing as a strategy towards improved performance. Embedded in the high mobile phone penetration and improved internet connectivity in Kenya, coupled with vibrant and easy-to-use social media platforms, entrepreneurs in Kenya should position such tools for marketing purposes.
Key Words: Digital Marketing, Performance, MSMEs, Tharaka-Nithi County and Kenya