Stratford Peer Reviewed Journals and Books
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Project Execution Practices and Success of CDF Construction Projects in Kenya
No full textThe purpose of this study was to examine the project execution practices and their influence on the success of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) construction projects in Kenya. The study was pegged on Theory of Constraints. The target population were the project team implementing construction projects. The Counties were randomly selected from the regional boundaries and a minimum of three constituencies were randomly picked from each County. The unit of analysis under study were the completed and ongoing CDF construction projects and the unit of observation was the project team consisting of CDF staff and CDF committee members as well as project team members. Stratified random sampling was used to sample the CDF projects. Purposive sampling was used to obtain information from the experts. Data was collected using questionnaires. The coefficient of determination revealed that project execution practices explain 39.8% of success of CDF projects. The Beta coefficients results showed that a unit increase in project execution practices leads to an increase of 0.625 in success of CDF Construction Projects. This relationship is significant since p-value is 0.000 which is less than 0.05. Regression of coefficients results after moderation showed that project environment moderates the relationship between project execution practices and success of CDF construction projects in Kenya (p-value<0.05).
Keywords: Project Execution Practices, CDF Construction Projects, Success of CDF Construction Project
Corporate Social Responsibility and Competitive Advantage Perspectives from Employees of Safaricom Kenya Limited
No full textCorporate Social Responsibility (CRS) is considered a significant differentiating factor in determining a company's competitive advantage. This study sought to establish how Safaricom Limited has utilized CSR to achieve its competitive advantage in Kenya's mobile industry. Specifically, the study sought to establish how CRS initiatives adopted by Safaricom Limited influence the company image, customer subscription and financial performance. The study was guided by a cross-sectional descriptive research design. The study population included middle-level managers drawn from Safaricom Ltd headquarters in Nairobi. The study used a combination of stratified and purposeful sampling techniques. From the target population of 92 middle-level managers, a sample size of 45 respondents was determined. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used, and primary data was collected through the use of semi-structured questionnaires. The collected data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences. The study found that all the CSR initiatives adopted by Safaricom Kenya Ltd (environmental protection and management, health provision, education, autism disaster relief, culture and music, empowerment and poverty eradication) had a positive relationship with the company's competitive advantage. The study concluded that there is an overall positive relationship between CSR initiatives and competitive advantage at Safaricom Kenya Ltd. The study recommended that Safaricom Ltd should review the CSR initiatives based on the extent to which they influence the company's competitive advantage and develop a sustainability plan which will help improve efficiency and cut down operational costs in the company. The study suggests further research should be conducted to examine how political interference affects corporate social responsibility in companies.
Keywords: Corporate Social Responsibility, Competitive Advantage Perspectives and Safaricom Kenya Limited.
 
Impact of Assurance and Responsiveness Dimensions on Customer Satisfaction in Higher Education Sector: A Case of Universities in Kenya
No full textUniversities are important vehicles in promoting educational goals in many countries all over the world. They supplement service delivery especially where the public universities would not have managed to cater for the academic needs due to overwhelming numbers of students seeking higher education services. The rapid increase of universities and their satellite branches has further led to competition for the best assurance and responsiveness dimensions on customer satisfaction in the education sector. The aim of this study was to investigate the assurance and responsiveness dimensions on customer satisfaction in higher education sector, taking into consideration the challenges faced by private universities in the country such as lack of funding among others.. The unit of the study was the registered students undertaking undergraduate studies in these universities. The target population comprised of undergraduate students in private universities in Kenya. The private universities considered for this study include Mount Kenya University, Catholic University, Strathmore University, Riara University, KCA University, and United States International University. A probabilistic technique was employed in which simple random sampling was used to identify the respondents. This was considered appropriate, as the numbers of students would be randomly obtained in respective universities. A sample of 384 was used and data was collected through structured questionnaires.
Keywords: Assurance Dimension, Responsiveness Dimension, Customer Satisfaction & Universities in Kenya
Influence of Staff Satisfaction as a Transformational Leadership outcome on the Performance of Microfinance Institutions' Staff in Kenya
No full textTransformational leadership has been related to several outcomes in staff. Transformational leadership outcomes reinforce the desire for staff to continue working in an organization as well as their willingness to be innovative which leads to the company gaining a competitive edge over the peers in a sector. Whilst microfinance has been accepted across the globe as a forum within which poverty can be eradicated and financial inclusion extended, various challenges define microfinance today and present a leadership challenge that needs to be tackled for the sector to improve and deliver its mandate. The study determine the influence staff satisfaction had on performance of microfinance institutions' staff in Kenya. The research employed descriptive research design. The target population was 250 senior managers, 700 middle level managers and 4948 other microfinance staff of 37 microfinance institutions. Primary data was gathered from the respondents whereas secondary data was gotten from AMFI on performance of institutions. Stratified sampling technique was used to obtain sample and sample size determined using the Cochran's formula to be 385 which was large enough to allow generalization. Data analysis was done using SPSS. A simple linear regression model that reflects relationship between staff satisfaction and performance was estimated. Findings revealed that staff satisfaction had a positive and significant relationship with staff performance in microfinance institutions. The study concluded that staff satisfaction as an outcome of transformational leadership had a positive and significant relationship to staff performance in micro-finance institutions in Kenya.
Keywords: Transformation Leadership, Staff Satisfaction, Performance & Microfinance Institution
Leadership: Where Credibility and Authenticity Integrate Organization
No full textIt is evident that credibility and authenticity are integrated and every leader that does what they do begins in their mind, and this will be articulated in their words, which will be translated into their actions. Over time those actions become who they are, determining the credibility they earn and shape the legacy they leave behind (Kouzes & Posner, 2011). Honesty remains the most important leadership attribute. It is evident that this is how leaders earn respect from their employees. Such leaders do what they say and deliver on their commitments and promises. Credible leaders are forward looking and they know how to communicate a clear and convincing vision of how things could and should be done. They are dynamic, inspiring, enthusiastic, optimistic, uplifting and positive (Kouzes & Posner, 2003). Such leaders are equally competent, having a winning track record with the skills and techniques to get the job done.
Key words: Leadership, Credibility & Authenticity
Influence of Cultural Festivals and Custom Artifacts on Tourism Development in Baringo County, Kenya
No full textCulture and tourism have a mutually beneficial relationship which can strengthen the attractiveness and competitiveness of regions and countries. In Kenya, Baringo is a melting pot of cultures and the many communities including the Pokot, Ilchamus, Tugen and a host of other Kenyan communities makes them ideal definition of social and cultural diversity. Although Baringo is known for cultural diversity, there is generally a danger of cultural tourism studies being product-based rather than market-based in the perspective of assessing tourism development. The study sought to establish the influence of cultural festivals and customs & artefacts on tourism development in Baringo County. Exploratory research design utilizing mixed method that is both qualitative and quantitative methods was used. The target unit of analysis was the 7 resort managers, 3 county government officials, 399 Community members and 395 tourists. The sample size used was 804 respondents. Data was collected by administration of questionnaires and interview guide. Data was analyzed using content analysis, descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings indicated that cultural festival was positively and significant related to tourism development (r=0.228, p=0.00). Result also indicated that customs & artefacts was positively and significant related to tourism development (r=0.223, p=0.00). The study recommended that cultural festivals should be prioritized in the tourism sector, so that it can boost tourism as well as conserving the culture. Customs & artefacts should be profiled and documented for easy access by the tourists.
Keywords: Cultural festivals, Customs &artefacts, Tourism development, Culture and Baringo Count
Influence of Public Participation on Policy Implementation in Kenya
No full textThis study sought to influence of public participation on policy implementation in Kenya. The objective of this study was to confirm whether or not the gap between policy and practice is the governance gap. Prior studies on policy implementation problems have dwelt much more on top-down versus bottom-up approaches and paid little attention on the influence of governance on public policy implementation. A descriptive correlation research design was adopted and the target population comprised 20 ministries, 153 parastatals and government agencies. The study adopted a census technique with respect to the unit of analysis which is the public sector. Questionnaires were used as the main data collection instruments and were pretested using a pilot study for validity and reliability. Descriptive and inferential statistics data analysis results were used to reveal the influence of public participation on policy implementation in the public sector in Kenya. The results indicated that Public Participation influences success public policy implementation in the public sector in Kenya. It was concluded that public participation is a major determinants of public policy implementation in public institutions in Kenya.
Keywords: Public participation, policy implementation, Keny
Effects of Commission Payment on Growth of Insurance: The Case of Insurance Firms in Kenya
No full textCommission payment is one of the simplest forms of incentive in the insurance industry. The insurance industry has experienced high competition for market share that has compelled insurance firms to hire more skilled and experienced salespersons to promote their products. Consequently, this has led to the payment of high commission packages and bonuses to the salespersons which have become unsustainable for the growth of insurance firms. The battle for salespersons in search of growth in the crowded market is egging insurance firms to warn of losses given that the bulk of the players is using commission payment as an arsenal for insurance market share growth. The general objective of this study was to determine the effects of commission payment on the growth of insurance firms in Kenya; specific objectives are to determine the effect of straight commission payment on the growth of insurance firms in Kenya. To determine the effect of a retainer plus commission payment on the growth of insurance firms in Kenya, to determine the effect of residual commission payment on the growth of insurance firms in Kenya, and to determine the moderating effect of firm size on the relationship between commission payment and growth of insurance firms in Kenya. A descriptive research design was employed in this study. The study conducted a census of 45 insurance firms regulated by the Insurance Regulatory Authority. The years covered were from 2012-2016. Secondary data was used for analysis. The study employed a dynamic panel data regression model to test the relationship between the variables. Regression results showed that the straight commission rate had a negative coefficient of (-0.002, 0.000), retainer plus commission payment had a positive coefficient of (0.576955, 0.0102), residual commission rate had a negative coefficient of (-0.220136, 0.1650) and firm size had a positive coefficient of (0.676, 0.010). The study concluded that straight commission rate, retainer plus commission, residual commission rate and firm size affect the growth of insurance firms. The study, therefore, recommends that the management of insurance firms should moderate the commission payments in consideration of the firm's ability and individual agent performance. Finally, the study recommends that the management should adopt expansion strategies in the market share as larger insurance firms enjoy economies of scale and are thus able to maintain growth.
Keywords: Commission Payment, Insurance Growth & Insurance Firms in Kenya.
 
Population Dynamics and Characteristics on the Economic Growth in Kenya
No full textThe main purpose of the study was to establish the impact of population dynamics and characteristics on the economic growth of Kenya. An explanatory research design was adopted. An explanatory research design is used to show how variables relate to each other. The study employed Regression estimation technique and using annual time series data for the period 1963 to 2015. The main sources of these data were: Kenya National Bureau of Statistics publications, Government of Kenya Statistical Abstracts and Economic Surveys. Regression of coefficients results showed that Age structure (as a percentage of working age population) and GDP growth are positively and significantly related (β=8.887757, p=0.0093). The results also revealed that fertility rate (number of births per woman), and GDP growth are negatively and significantly related (β= -3.871491, p=0.0500). In addition, the results revealed that Education level of the population (as a % of total population) and GDP growth are positively and significantly related (β =0.206822, p=0.0008). Lastly, the regression results revealed that life expectancy (in years) and GDP growth are positively and significantly related (β=0.438283, p=0.0267). Based on the findings above, the study concluded that age structure, education level, and life expectancy have an important effect on economic growth while fertility rate have a negative and significant effect on the economic growth rate. The study recommends that the government should put measures to ensure that the economy grows at a higher rate than the population growth. This will ensure that the increasing demand of services arising from the population growth is met. Having a larger, healthier, and better-educated workforce will only bear economic fruit if the extra workers can find jobs. Open economies, flexible labor forces, and modern institutions that can gain the confidence of the population and markets alike may help countries reap the potential benefit created by their demographic transition. Openness to trade can be a key driver of economic growth, helping to significantly boost the benefits a country receives from the demographic transition.
Keywords: Population age structure, fertility rate, population level of education, economic growth, Keny
Influence of Democratization on Performance of Governance in County Governments in Kenya
No full textThe main aim of the paper was to determine the influence of democratization on performance of governance in County governments in Kenya. The theories that guided the research study were; democratic theories and the policy guideline model. The study adopted a descriptive research design that also employed the quantitative research design due to its in-depth analysis of the influence of commitment to devolution principles on the performance of governance in county governments in Kenya. Purposive sampling probability and simple random sampling techniques were utilized in drawing a representative sample from a population of 47 counties in Kenya. Structured questionnaires and interview schedule were used in the collection of qualitative and quantitative data. The hypothesis was analyzed using regression model which specified the significance level equal to 0.05 thus rejecting the null hypothesis if the P-value which was less than the significance level. Data was presented using tables, figures, graphs, frequency tables, charts and percentages. This was done by the help of the statistical results package for social science (SPSS) as a tool. The findings revealed that commitment democratization significantly influence the performance of governance in county governments in Kenya. The rule of law is observed in all devolved functions as well as transparency and accountability. As well, the improved performance at the county level is attributed to equitable sharing of national revenue and reliable income generating activities at the county. Consequently, it is important that citizen participation in issues of governance is encouraged and facilitated. Moreover, there should be raised awareness on citizen’s rights in terms of decision making in governance.
Keywords: Democratization, County Governments, Performance, Governance Devolution & Kenya