Stratford Peer Reviewed Journals and Books
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Students' Time Management Skills on KCSE Academic Performance in Public Secondary Schools, Kiambu Sub-County, Kenya
No full textThis study investigated on the students time management skills on academic performance in KCSE in public secondary schools in Kiambu sub-county, Kenya. Research questions used were; extent to which students are observing time management skills, how students attitude towards time management skills affects academic performance, challenges students face towards time management skills in achieving academic performance, suggestions on how to improve students time management skills for academic performance. Convergent mixed methods design was used in this study. The target population included 13 public secondary schools, 13 principals, 1,759 form 2 students, 52 class teachers. The study used questionnaires and interviews guide for data collection. For the purposes of validity of the instrument of this study the researcher used content validity and to conclude on the reliability of the instrument, the researcher used Cronbach alpha technique, which requires only a single test to determine the internal consistency of the instruments. The study was guided by Pickle Jar Theory. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages while qualitative data was categorized into respective themes and reported in narrative forms. The researcher maintained honesty and accuracy in data collection and analysis. The researcher also guaranteed privacy and confidentiality of information rendered by the participants. The study found that students do not effectively observe and implement time management skills towards their academic performance. The study also found that students encounter some challenges in observing time management skills, however, some suggestions were made for improvement. The study concluded that time management skills knowledge need to be enhanced to benefit all the students. The study recommended that time management skills improvement is a collaborative action between the students, teachers, principals, parents and the government. The role of principals and teachers on students observing time management skills shall be for future study.
Keywords: Students' Time, Management Skills, Academic Performance, Public Secondary Schools, Kiambu,, Kenya
Effect of logistics Outsourcing on the Performance of Dairy Processing Firms in Kenya
No full textThe concept of logistics outsourcing has become increasingly popular in the dairy industry in an attempt to reduce operational costs amongst other benefits that accrue. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of logistics outsourcing on the performance of dairy processors in Kenya. The population of study in this research was 28 dairy processors in Kenya as per KDB (2017) and the study was a census survey of all these firms. The study used primary data which was collected through a structured questionnaire from logistics and operations managers or their equivalents. The response rate was 89.3%. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), and descriptive statistics were generated with the main analysis tools being frequencies, mean and standard deviation to achieve the first objective. Regression analysis was done to achieve the second objective. The results established that the concept of logistics outsourcing has not been fully adopted. The firms opted to outsource services like warehouse management only during high seasons. However, the study established that firms outsource logistics operations to reduce costs such as the cost of vehicle acquisitions and maintenance, fuel costs, and risk cost amongst others. The study also established a high correlation between logistics outsourcing and a firm's performance. Hence, the researchers concluded that logistics outsourcing can enhance a firm's performance if fully adopted. The study recommended that dairy processing firms should fully adopt an outsourcing strategy to cut costs on non-core activities in their logistics functions.
Keywords: Logistics outsourcing, transport management, inventory management, warehouse management, information management, distribution management and firm performance.
 
An Evaluation of Foreign Exchange Risk Management Effects on the Firm Performance of Commercial Banks in the Democratic Republic of Congo
No full textThis study sought to undertake an evaluation of foreign exchange risk management effects on the firm performance of commercial banks in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The study was guided by three specific objectives namely to examine the effect of translation exposure, transaction exposure and economic exposure on the firm performance of commercial Banks in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The study used firm size, growth options, interst rates and previous performance as control varaiables. Relevant theoretical and empirical literature was reviewed to concretize the study. The study employed a longitudinal research design and used a population of 25 commercial banks registered and operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo as at 31st December 2017. A simple random of 8 banks was selected to represent the cross-section of banks and the period 2006 to 2017 to represent the time series sample. Secondary data was collected on the variables under study and the data was analyzed by using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The correlation analysis results showed that of the three measures of foreign exchange risk management, only transaction exposure was significantly and positively correlated with the firm performance. The measure was positively correlated to firm performance at 1% level. The multiple regression results showed that the composite measure of the three exposures had significant association with the firm performance. However, when the measures were entered separately in the model, translation exposure was 0.810, p-value>0.10 was not significant; transaction exposure was 0.136, p-value>0.10 was not significant and economic exposure was 0.585, p-value>0.10 was also not significant. These results suggested that only, the composite measure, a set of the foreign exchange risk management measures was significant at 5%, while the other exposures separately were not significant to the firm performance. Among all the four control variables, only firm size, average interest rate and prior year return on assets were significant at 1%, 5% and 1% respectively to the firm performance. The study concluded that on average foreign exchange risk management does not contribute significantly to firm performance. From the findings the study concludes that there was a significant relationship between the composite measure and firm performance. The study recommended that, despite foreign exchange risk being a critical issue in every firm‟s operations, managing it does not add any significant value to the firm performance. The study recommends that those tasked with managing the risks should thus first understand the risks they are exposed to by developing a risk profile. This requires an examination of both the immediate risks from competition and product market changes as well as the more indirect effects of macro-economic forces. The study further recommends that this study be carried out further and the whole banking industry to be studied under categories of listed and not listed and a proper study on all the Tiers. Policy makers should undertake to understand why Forex trading among commercial banks is not as robust in Democratic Republic of Congo as compared to other developed countries and what should be done to improve capital investments to maximize returns.
Keywords: Foreign Exchange Risk Management, Firm Performance, Commercial Banks, Democratic Republic of Cong
Effect of Tax Holiday on Tax Revenue Collection among Export Processing Zone Companies in Kenya: (A Case Study of Export Processing Zone Athi River)
No full textThe purpose of this study was to examine the effect of tax holiday on tax revenue collection among the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) companies in Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The study covered eight companies in EPZ Athi River. The data was collected from secondary data (tax incentives and revenue collection) sources collected from Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Treasury and Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) for a period of five years from 2009-2013. Descriptive statistics, correlation and panel regression analyses were used in data analysis, where STATA software was utilized in generating the output. Correlation results indicated that there is a positive and significant association between tax holiday and revenue collection among EPZ companies in Kenya (r=0.286*), at 10 percent level of significance. Further, repression results revealed that tax holiday had a positive and significant relationship with tax revenue collection (β=33.32375, p=0.000) at 5 percent level of significance. This implies that a unit increase in tax holiday accounts for 33.32375 unit increase in tax revenue collection among EPZ companies in Kenya. Based on the findings, the study concluded that there was a positive and significant relationship between tax holiday and tax revenue collection. This implied that an increase in tax holiday is expected to boost ax revenue collection among EPZ companies in Kenya. Further, the regression results led to the rejection of the null hypothesis that tax holiday has no significant effect on revenue collection among the EPZ companies in Kenya. The study recommended that there is need for the government to rationalize the tax incentive schemes in the county. It is important to note that this process has now begun, by the government scrapping various tax remission and exemption provisions in the VAT Act 2013 including the program and it is expected that the intended review of the Income Tax Act will also comprehensively address this issue. This will ensure that the tax incentive scheme is both efficient and beneficial to the economy. As mentioned in the introduction of this study, It is important for the government and policy makers to put in place tax reforms that ensure that its tax system achieve the main three objectives of a good tax system which include raising tax revenue for funding government operations without excessive government borrowing.
Keywords: Tax Holiday, Tax Revenue Collection Export Processing Zone Companie
Firm Characteristics and Financial Leverage of Companies Listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange, Kenya
No full textThe Study sought to find out the effect of firm characteristics on financial leverage of Firms listed in Nairobi Securities Exchange, Kenya. This study general objective was to find out, the effect of Firm Characteristics on financial leverage of firms listed in NSE, Kenya. The target Population was all the 65 firms listed in NSE, Kenya. This research was based on the underpinning theories such as trade off theory, pecking order theory as well as Agency theory. The study considered firms that have listed in NSE for the past fifteen years and utilised the secondary data obtained from firms financial statements. The period under consideration was 2003-2017. The sample size used was only 32 firms who are levered firms. The secondary data obtained from firms listed NSE financial statements was used to calculate the ratios which are relevant. Panel regression analysis, correlation analysis and the panel data obtained was analysed using descriptive statistics. The study found that firm size, profitability, tangibility, liquidity, growth had a negative and significant relationship on financial leverage. The study recommends that top management of listed firms should set up strategies of growth and expansion in sizes for example growth in market segments and shares. The study also recommended that firms listed in NSE should check their tangibility level.
Keywords: Firm size, growth, tangibility, liquidity, profitability, financial leverage, Nairobi Securities exchang
Health Trainer Factors That Influence the Implementation of Policy on Management of Childhood Illnesses in Bomet County
No full textThe study aimed at determining the health trainer factors that influence the implementation of Policy on management of childhood illnesses at Bomet County. A descriptive cross sectional study design with both quantitative and qualitative approaches was employed. The study was carried out in Bomet County. The study population was a total of 279 health workers in Bomet County Hospital and Tenwek Hospital. A sample of 164 was arrived at which was selected using stratified and simple random sampling technique. The quantitative data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 22). The study found out that health trainer factors do not significantly influence implementation.The study recommended that the health trainers role in the implementation of the policy on childhood illnesses be reviewed.
Keywords: health trainer factors, implementation, policy on management, childhood illnesse
Combined Effects of Transformational Leadership and Prior Knowledge on Growth of Women-Owned Micro and Small Enterprises in Kasarani Division, Nairobi County, Kenya
No full textThe growth of women-owned enterprises is currently attracting much policy and literal attention. There is debate that transformational leadership and prior knowledge are essential to the growth of micro and small enterprises (MSEs). However, empirical evidence of the role of transformational leadership and prior knowledge on the growth of women-owned enterprises in Kenya is scarce. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of transformational leadership and prior knowledge on the growth of women-owned enterprises in Kasarani Division in Nairobi County. A random sample of 400 women-owned and managed MSEs was surveyed using a structured questionnaire. The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) was used to measure transformational leadership while prior knowledge was measured using educational attainment, networks and experience of women entrepreneurs. Regression models were used to examine the effects of transformational leadership and prior knowledge on enterprise growth. Transformational leadership had a positive and statistically significant relationship with enterprise growth (B= 0.57, P< 0.05). Having parents in business and obtaining business advice were negatively associated with growth. Further, the age of the business and obtaining credit for business operations were positively associated with enterprise growth. These results cast doubt on the role of prior knowledge on enterprise growth. The results of this study suggest that enhancing transformational leadership in women-owned enterprises is a viable policy option. The need to enhance business heritage is recommended.
Key Words: Transformational Leadership, Prior Knowledge, Growth, Women-Owned MSE
Employee Work Ethics and Organization Performance: Reviewing the Relationship in the Kenyan Insurance Industry
No full textFaced with a highly competitive and highly volatile operating atmosphere, insurance companies are forced to seek means and ways to acquire and maintain a competitive advantage. This study considers the ethical values of employees as the important area of interest for insurance managers who are performance oriented. The researcher planned to establish how employees cope with the dynamics of the contemporary customer. More particularly, the study looked at how ethical practices affect employee and the insurance company performance. The study investigated ethical values, ethical guidance and ethical reporting as the major constructs for employee work ethics within the insurance sector in Kenya. The researcher used the employee risk triangle, social exchange and expectancy theories as the basis upon which the study model was founded. The researcher considered the insurance industry as the unit of analysis. The target population was established as the insurance companies and insurance intermediaries operating in the republic of Kenya at the time of the study. Study targeted all the 62 insurance companies in Kenya realizing 65% response rate with primary data being collected using a structured questionnaire in these companies. All the three employee work ethics constructs of ethical values, ethical guidance and ethical reporting were observed to affect the performance of insurance companies in Kenya. The study confirms that employee work ethics affects the performance of insurance companies, and therefore, employee work ethics should be an area of focus for the modern insurance companies, highlighting the value of work ethics in improving job performance, hence contributes to the literature and theoretical models related to ethics in the modern organization.
Keywords: Employee Work Ethics, Ethical Values, Organization Performance, Insurance Secto
The Intervening Effect of Leadership Style on the Relationship between Stakeholder Engagement and Sustainability of Anglican Church Funded Projects in Kenya
No full textChurch funded projects are a powerful global concept which describes those businesses with primarily social and environmental objectives. However, these projects undertaken by the Church have been facing critical challenges in sustainability. The objective of the study was to establish the intervening effect of leadership style in the relationship between stakeholder engagement and sustainability of Anglican Church funded projects in Kenya. The study's theoretical review was based on behavioral theory on leadership. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design aimed at collecting large number of quantitative data to establish patterns of value addition in the church projects. The study used positivism philosophy. The study's respondents was drawn from all the Anglican Churches in Mombasa Region. The unit of analysis was the Anglican churches funded projects while the respondent was the development committee, parochial church council and church members. One development committee member was selected from each of the 11 deaneries while 2 parochial church council members was selected from the 11 deaneries while sampling was done for the church members. Yamane (1967) simplified formula was used to obtain the number of church members from the 11 deaneries. Stratified random sampling was used to select church members while purposive sampling was used to select the church committee members, parochial church council and church members. Primary data was obtained using self-administered questionnaires. The questionnaire was made up of closed questions relating to the study's objectives. Descriptive statistics such as percentages, frequencies, mean and standard deviation was used for the quantitative data. Inferential data analysis was done using Pearson correlation coefficient and regression analysis. The results was presented in form of tables and graphs. The results indicated that there exists a partial mediation effect on the mediating role of leadership style on the relationship between stakeholder engagement and sustainability of projects. The study recommended on introduction of effective controls including processes and procedures, having a clear set of objectives and well defined staff roles and responsibilities, member involvement in project activities and having a means of measuring performance which are all geared towards ensuring effective and efficient utilization of resources and achieving satisfactory progress on sustainability of projects
Keywords: Leadership Style, Stakeholder Engagement, Sustainability, Anglican Church & Kenya
Influence of Strategic Entrepreneurial Orientation on the Growth of Small and Medium Manufacturing Firms in Kenya: A Literature Based Review
No full textSmall and medium enterprises (SMES) forms the vanguard of the modem enterprises sector and present the propelling force of economic modernization and growth of a country. SME sector is the main driving force behind job creation, poverty reduction, wealth creation, income. Small and medium enterprises in manufacturing sector are key for economic development of Kenya. The study sought to establish the influence of strategic entrepreneurial orientation on the growth of small and medium manufacturing firms in Kenya. The study was anchored on Resource Based Theory and dynamic capabilities theory. The paper used a desk study review methodology where relevant empirical literature was reviewed to identify main themes. A critical review of empirical literature was conducted to establish the influence of strategic entrepreneurial orientation on the growth of small and medium manufacturing firms in Kenya. The study concluded that entrepreneurial orientation is a multi-dimensional construct operationalized in terms of several key dimensions such as proactiveness, innovativeness, risky ventures, competitive aggressiveness and market innovations. Entrepreneurial orientation as a firm strategies orientation demonstrates specific entrepreneurial features of decision-making techniques and association. Therefore, the analysis points a positive relationship amongst entrepreneurial orientation and business strategy situations where dynamic environment is integrated. This eventually results in better knowledge of the environment, enhanced decision-making and positive implications on business performance. The study recommends that SME owner-managers should be proactive in seeking new product ideas and customer product information that will in turn enable them generate ideas on designing and manufacturing innovative products. The setting up of SMEs support policies that promote collaborations in research for purposes of sharing information/accessing the diverse knowledge base on new product design, development and production.
Keywords: Strategic Entrepreneurial Orientation, Growth, Small and Medium Manufacturing Firms & Kenya