Stratford Peer Reviewed Journals and Books
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Influence of Corporate Leadership on Implementation of Strategic Plans within the County Governments in Western Kenya
No full textThe purpose of this study was to establish influence of corporate leadership on implementation of strategic plans within the county governments of Kenya. The study was based on the sequential thinking, adaptive and holistic theories. It employed descriptive survey research design which targeted 10 county governments, six in former Nyanza province and four in former Western Province. Proportional stratified random sampling technique was used in 10 counties where 240 study subjects was selected by simple random sampling. Further, the study incorporated merits of secondary data and then collect data using semi-structured questionnaires and interview for top managers. To test reliability and validity of the study, the pre-test item analysis was conducted at two different points in the study. The inter-item consistency or lack of it was tested using Cronbach's alpha. The quantitative data was then analyzed using descriptive statistics in form of mean, frequencies and standard deviation with the help of ANOVA, Regression and Correlation while qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis. Data was presented in tables, charts and graphs. The results showed that corporate leadership style was a good predictors of implementation of strategic plans. The study rejected the null hypothesis and adopted the alternative hypothesis that corporate leadership style is statistically and significant related to implementation of strategic plans in county governments of Western Kenya. The study concluded on the alignment of leadership to the strategic objectives is critical in successful implementation of strategic plans. Strategic direction and stewardship needs to be guided an organization's strategic-change champion through strategic management processes and shared values of the organization. Strategic direction and stewardship needs to be guided an organization's strategic-change champion through strategic management processes and shared values of the organization. These management need to carry out a culture assessments that will reveal what strategic culture characteristics exist and they can promote the strengths they find to motivate personnel and identify possibilities for immediate successes in their cultural reshaping endeavors. The study recommended for the management of the county governments that are interested in changing the way the organization focus on the value-based forces underlying the organization's behaviors. The study also recommends that organizational structure of the county governments should be aligned to the strategy being implemented.
Keywords: Corporate Leadership, Strategic Plans, County Governments & Kenya
The Strategic Role of Information Technology on Organization Financial Performance: A Case of XYZ Paper Industry Limited, Kenya
No full textThe digital revolution has given mankind the ability to treat information with mathematical precision, to transmit it at very high accuracy and to manipulate it at will. Information Technology innovations have the potential for changing the competitive game for any organization. This is because it helps to catalyze efficiency in the provision of better procedures resulting in better production and services. This study aimed at determining the strategic role of Information Technology on organization financial performance, a case of XYZ Paper Industry Limited, Kenya. The objectives were to find out the effect of Information Technology on financial performance of XYZ Paper Industry Limited and to assess the challenges facing the embracement of Information Technology XYZ Paper Industry Limited. The study used descriptive research design and used 51 who were drawn from various departments of XYZ Paper Industry Limited. The study made use of both secondary (literature review) and primary data. Primary data was collected by means of questionnaires and analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). It was found that Information Technology plays a strategic role in the company,which results in improved financial performance of the company. A few challenges that affected the adoption of Information Technology were also highlighted such as budget of the company, government regulations, attitude of the staff, changes of Information Technology platform (obsolescence) among other were found to be challenges Information Technology faces. This research concluded that I.T indeed has a stategic role in the improvement of financial performance.
Keywords: Strategic Role of Information Technology, Organization Financial Performance, XYZ Paper Industry Limited, Keny
Influence of Customer Cultural Orientation on Service Quality Expectations among 3-5 Star Hotels in Nairobi County, Kenya
No full textCultural differences and cultural diversity, in todays globalized world, is a challenge faced by individuals and organizations. The shrinkage of cultural boundaries across the world, as an impact of globalization, has made it imperative for global managers to possess the appropriate kind of skills that enables them to function effectively in diverse cross cultural settings. It is important for hotels to realize that customer cultural orientation are not identical all around the world and thus understanding customer cultural orientation is important in enhancing service quality. The study sought to evaluate how customers cultural orientation affects service quality expectations among 3-5 star hotels in Nairobi City County. The target population was 12 managers, 72 supervisors and 1220 customers. Yamane formula was used to calculate sample size of 61 supervisors and 301 customers. Purposive sampling was used to choose 12 hotel managers. Pretest for the questionnaire was undertaken to ascertain the reliability of the tool before embarking for actual data collection. Data analysis involved both descriptive and inferential analyses. Descriptive analysis included frequency, percentages, means and standard deviation whereas inferential analysis involved correlation and regression analysis. Pearson correlation coefficients revealed that that there was a positive and statistically significant correlation between customer cultural orientation and service quality of three to five star hotels in Nairobi City County. The study also found out that there was a positively and significant correlation between management perception and service quality of three to five star hotels in Nairobi City County. Finally, it was established that communication strategies had a positive and significant association with service quality of three to five star hotels in Nairobi City County. The model summary revealed that customer cultural orientation, management perception and communication strategies explains 53.9% of changes in service quality of three to five star hotels in Nairobi City County. Regression results showed that customer cultural orientation had a positive and statistically significant relationship with service quality of three to five star hotels. It was also established that management perception had positive and statistically significant relationship with service quality of three to five star hotels in Nairobi City County. Communication strategies had a positive and significant relationship with service quality of three to five star hotels in Nairobi City County. The study concluded that customer cultural orientation, management perception and communication strategies have a significant influence on the service quality expectations among 3-5 star hotel clients in Nairobi City County, Kenya. It was recommended that for the star hotels to offer quality services, there is need for the staff need to be updated on diversity in cultural orientation among the customers, take time to understand the needs of their customers, help clients to make decisions and learn more to get to know the diverse culture, language, perception, psychology, economy, political and social backgrounds of the clients. The managers and supervisors need to lead from the front by knowing diverse languages, culture and psychology to enable handle clients who may proof hard to handle by the other staff.
Keywords: Customers cultural orientation, management of hospitality, communication strategies, service quality expectations, 3-5 star hotels, challenge
Challenges of Parenting Responsibility and the Competing Priorities
No full textThe current parenting challenges in Kenya make uncertain the future of young people, the family, the church and the stability of our society. The loud outcry for social harmony, integrity justice and peace has been drowned out by corruption and pursuit for wealth and personal happiness, which has also led to high unemployment rates, poverty, drug cartels, and growing and uncontrolled hunger for wealth and uncontrolled desire for pleasure among other competing priorities. These societal ills pose a significant threat to parenting responsibility. Kenyan parents also seem to lack awareness that parenting responsibility is their primary responsibility, irreplaceable and non-transferable, which requires minimal delegation because nothing can replace it. Some coaching will be necessary for parents to paint a picture the type of future they desire for their children; what strategies they need to put in place today in preparation for that future. Parents need to become aware of what they are doing well and what they need to do differently. Awareness of the obstacles of their vision actualization will help them think of the options there is to counteract the obstacles and identify appropriate support system they need to put in place to assist them in the journey towards their vision realization. Raising awareness of what parental availability and presence or absence in the family mean to their children and the whole society is necessary. A clear vision and well reflected goals will assist them in managing family priorities and other priorities, help them develop a plan of action, create an accountability plan. Nevertheless, parenting is a collective societal responsibility. The society too enjoys both its success and shares the consequences of its failures as well. The ideas shared in this paper come from personal experience and reflection and what I have read in the literature.
Key Words: Parenting, Demands, Responsibility, Priorities, Challenge
Strategic Factors Influencing Market Share of Telecommunications in Kenya
No full textThe main aim of the paper was to determine the influence of competitive strategies on the market share in telecommunications firms in Kenya using two samples. The first sample comprised a population of 362 telecommunications employees and the second comprised 150 customers both randomly selected from the respective populations of the selected firms. Structured and open-ended questionnaires were used in the study. Price and product differentiations were highly rated as competitive strategies. Results of this research offered necessary feedback for improving a company's strategy, services and product offerings, thereby achieving customer satisfaction and improving their market share. This research recommends that telecommunications firms should incorporate the views of all stakeholders in setting their strategic direction, therefore, encouraging ownership among internal stakeholders enabling improved service delivery, investing in signal strength aimed at offering reliable network coverage and long-term relationship with customers through customer reward programs to increase their market share.
Keywords: Telecommunications, Firms, Competitive Strategies & Market Share.
 
Effects of E-Procurement Practices on Supply Chain Performance in Kenya
No full textIn today's dynamic global competitive business environment, technology-based service is no longer an afterthought; rather it is a must for public and private organizations. It has become necessary for companies to provide their customers with cost-effective total solutions and better customer satisfaction with innovative ideas and methods. With the emergence of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), companies have been forced to shift their operation from the traditional style to an e-Business, e-Procurement and e- Supply Chain philosophy to sustain themselves. Over the past decade, both private and public sector organizations have been utilizing Information Technology (IT) to streamline and automate their purchasing and other processes. It is due to these backgrounds that this study undertook to assess the effects of e-procurement on supply chain management performance in Kenya. The research adopted a descriptive research design to collect the quantitative and qualitative data that describes the effects of supplier performance and e-procurement strategy. The study concluded that there is an increased tendency towards market structures and thin was interpreted to mean that the market that enabled the supply of the institution's products and services is large enough to accommodate the business. The study concluded that there are secure and low-cost procurement transactions which were interpreted to mean that E-invoicing has a great significance in the company's operation. The ability to reduce payment time, greater security of data, as well as numerous environmental benefits has made E-invoicing to be more applicable to companies operating in the country.
Key Words: e-procurement practices, supply chain management, performance & Kenya.
 
Global Supply Chain Management Future Challenges
No full textOver the past decade, there has been an increasing emphasis on supply chain management as a vehicle through which firms can achieve competitive advantage in markets. The business environment has been continuously responding to the pressures of globalization. In every industry, networks of suppliers, manufacturers, trade intermediaries and customers have spread around the globe as companies strive to lower their costs, increase their profits and improve productivity in a highly competitive global marketplace. Further, the term supply chain management (SCM) has risen to prominence over the past 15 years, becoming such a significant topic. Nonetheless, little is known in the literature concerning the issues and problems currently arising in a global supply chain. This study sought to identify, key drivers of supply chain performance in a complex business environment, and determine barriers which industries faced in the course of implementing new supply chain strategies. The study examined global supply chain management's future challenges. The study used a desk study review methodology where relevant empirical literature was reviewed to identify the main themes. A critical review of empirical literature was conducted to establish the global supply chain management patterns and future challenges. Human collaboration theory was used to inform the study. The study grouped the challenges into four categories namely market dimension technology dimension, resource dimension and time dimension. The study established that the future of supply chain management influences the future of business management since there will be no business that will not be part of a supply chain. The paradigm of business management will soon be converged with the paradigm of supply chain management. This, therefore, leads to recommendations on agility, adaptability and alignment on the future of global supply chain management. The supply chain should be agile enough to respond quickly to the dynamics of demand fluctuations and sudden changes in supply. Agility is a supply chain capability that handles unexpected external disruptions smoothly and cost-effectively. It enables the supply chain to survive the impact of the external dynamics and be able to recover from any initial shocks. The supply chain should have adaptability where it calls for the organization and its supply chain to embark on major strategic changes in technology, market positioning, radical skill upgrading and competence shift.
Keywords: Global Supply Chain Management & Challenges
 
Does Entrepreneurs Behavioral Disposition Affect the Level of Financial Inclusion?
No full textThe main purpose of this study was to examine effects of the three behavioral dispositions/factors (self-control, confidence and social proof) on financial inclusion (FI). The study was grounded on the behavioral finance theories. Cross-sectional survey design was adopted with a target population for the study was the 2,194 licensed ME in Embakasi East Constituency of Nairobi County. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select a sample size of 486 respondents. Primary data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings indicated significant positive effects of the three behavioral dispositions; self-control (SC) (β = .265, ρ=.000), Confidence (C) (β = .241, ρ=.000) and Social proof (SP) (β = .212, ρ=.000) on financial inclusion. The study contributes to the development of finance theory through establishment of relationship between the three behavioral factors and FI. The main contribution of the study was on establishing the pivotal role of behavioral on usage of financial services, with positive disposition being empirically determined to be an enabler of FI. In addition, policy recommendations and areas for further study by finance scholars have been suggested.
Keywords: Behavioral Factors, Confidence, Financial Inclusion, Social Proof, Self-Contro
Effect of Equity Financing on Shareholder Value Creation of Non-Financial Firms Quoted at the Nairobi Securities Exchange
No full textEquity financing involves acquisition of funds by issuing shares of common or preferred stock. Firms usually use equity financing when they are unable to raise satisfactory funds through retained earnings or when they have to raise additional equity capital to offset debt. Shareholder value creation and profit maximizing are among the primary objectives of a firm. Equity financing play an imperative role in general performance of a company and shareholder value creation. There have been a number of firms facing financial crisis among them; Mumias Sugar Ltd, Uchumi Supermarkets Ltd and Kenya Airways Ltd. All these companies are quoted at the Nairobi Securities Exchange. Due to declining performance of these companies, share prices have been dropping and shareholders do not receive dividends. This study investigated the effect of equity financing on shareholder value creation of non-financial firms quoted at the Nairobi Securities Exchange for the period 2008-2014. The study was guided by; Pecking Order Theory and Market Timing Theory. This study used general and empirical models from previous studies as a basis for studying specific models which were modified to suit the current study. The study was guided by the positivism philosophy and employed explanatory design which is non-experimental. Census design was used as the number of non- financial firms at the time of the study was 40 companies. The data was gathered from NSE handbooks and CMA publications comprising of annual financial statements, income statements and accompanying notes. Ordinary Least Square regression analysis was conducted to examine the effect of equity financing decision on shareholder value creation. The results revealed that equity financing had a statistically significant positive effect on EVA. The study further analyzed sector based differences among companies listed at the NSE. The results indicated significant differences among various sectors in respect to the effects of equity financing on shareholder value creation. Feasible generalized least squares were used to estimate the model. Diagnostic tests were conducted to ensure non-violation of the assumptions of Classical Linear Regression Model. Among the tests conducted; includes panel unit root test, Autocorrelation, Homoskedasticity tests. Study model tests showed that, there was non-violation the assumptions and hence the model found fit for further analysis. The study recommends that managers of quoted non-financial companies should strive and practice periodic shareholder value creation analysis for continuous assessment of growth process. The government through the CMA should come up with regulatory framework that guide firm listed in enacted dividend policies. Further it is recommended that shareholder value creation report is enforced as an additional statement published by the firms quoted at the NSE, Kenya.
Keywords: Equity, Financing, Shareholder, Value Creation, Non-financial, Firm
Effect of Relationship Marketing on the Performance of MSMES in Kenya
No full textThe main objective of the study was to examine the effect of relationship marketing on the performance of MSMEs in Kenya. The study was guided by positivism 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 was analyzed using both the descriptive statistics 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 relationship marketing was strongly and positively correlated to performance of MSMEs. From the descriptive findings, it was also evident that MSME owners/managers that adopted relationship marketing perceived their firms performance to be growing. Further, the bivariate regression findings suggested that relationship marketing accounted for 48.2% of the variation in performance of MSMEs. The effect of relationship marketing on performance of MSMEs was also positive and significant. The study recommends that MSME owners in Kenya should embrace relationship marketing as a strategy towards better firm performance. Initiatives such as timely customer feedback, customer involvement and orientation while enhancing firm reliability and accountability towards the customers are sure to culminate to superior performance.
Key Words: Relationship Marketing, Performance, MSMEs, Tharaka-Nithi County and Kenya