Stratford Peer Reviewed Journals and Books
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Influence of Capacity Building in Enhancing Democratic Governance Process in Kenya
No full textCapacity building is the framework adopted by government as organizational development and human resource tools for responding to the dynamic changes in the emerging trends of service delivery and governance. Capacity building enhances the abilities of individuals, organizations and systems to undertake and disseminate high quality research efficiently and effectively. In order to effectively support a country to achieve the democratic governance, understanding of the features and elements of organizational effectiveness is necessary. Enhanced understanding of the components of organizational effectiveness can support capacity building efforts to be effective and targeted. The objective of the study was to establish the influence of capacity building on enhancing democratic governance. The study adopted descriptive and correlation research design. All the forty-seven (47) counties in Kenya were targeted, with five officers per counties forming the sample frame. Regression models were used to examine the influence of the capacity building on democratic governance in Kenya. The study found that there was a positive relationship between capacity building and democratic governance. This study addresses the existing knowledge gap by determining the effect of capacity building on democratic governance process in Kenya. The study recommended on capacity building in governance as it sets the stage for efficiency and effectiveness, and becomes an essential precondition for building public trust, that is, transparency, integrity and professionalism in democratic governance.
Keywords: Capacity Building, Democratic Governance, Kenya
Challenges Facing Integration and Use of ICT in the Management of County Governments in Kenya
No full textKenyan's Vision 2030 identifies ICT as one of the core drivers of Kenya's growth and development strategy to becoming a middle income country by the year 2030. Vision 2030stresses access to ICTs based on its potential to increase productivity and raise the competitiveness of local businesses in a knowledge-based economy. ICT integration has not reached its full potential and utilization in the County governments. This has been brought about by a number of factors. Poor and inadequate ICT facilities, poor levels of computer literacy and ICT skills, poor level of awareness of internet facilities among policy makers, government officials and the ruling class in general and minimum involvement of academic institutions in network building are challenges mitigating against the use of ICTs. The Purpose of this study is to investigate on Challenges Facing Integration and Use of ICT in the management of County Governments in Kenya. The paper used a desk study review methodology where relevant empirical literature was reviewed to identify main themes according to the global and local contexts. From the literature reviewed, the study revealed that it is an area worthy of doing research. The study found out that ICT integration has and continues to be a challenge in many county governments. Its integration is yet to reach its full potential and its utilization is limited. The literature review highlighted several factors that affect ICT integration for service delivery. These challenges include lack of enough ICT infrastructure, lack of staff capacity in terms of trainings, staff attitude towards technology adoption, poor government regulation policies and lack of management commitment. Based on the findings and conclusions, the study recommends that County Government staff should be trained and retrained in application of ICT for improved integration and use of ICT in the management of the County activities. To sustain this, there is a need for rethinking education as a whole to produce the future ICT integration implementers.
Key words: ICT integration, staff capacity, ICT infrastructure, management commitment, County Governmen
The Effect of Forensic Accounting on Corporate Crime Mitigation among Listed Firms in the Nairobi Securities Exchange
No full textIncreased globalization has led to rapid changes in the socio-economic structures, modes of communication and technology. Due to this, there has been a transnational growth of transactions and diversification of economic activities. These developments and changes have therefore led to enormous opportunities for economic and financial crimes, which have gained a global concern. Such events have necessitated the need for forensic interventions hence the reason why forensic auditing and accounting are gaining fast-paced precedence. This harsh global environment has also necessitated for a great impact on the controls and procedures to be established by forensic accountants and auditors in the conduct of the examination to detect, prevent and respond to such crimes with fraud as a crime being at the forefront. Various measures have been put in place to prevent and detect corporate crime in many organizations, but employees and external fraudsters have not been deterred by this from taking part in fraud in organizations. The objective of the study was to establish the effect of forensic accounting on corporate crime mitigation among listed firms in the Nairobi Securities Exchange. The study adopted descriptive research design and used primary data from structured questionnaire. The target respondents were the chief financial officers and audit managers for all 61 firms listed in the NSE. The study concluded that robust internal controls, management override controls and segregation of duties and responsibilities have a based and significant effect on corporate crime mitigation.
Keywords: Forensic Accounting, Corporate Crime & Nairobi Securities Exchang
Effect of Age and Culture Diversity on the Performance of Quality Control Organizations in Nairobi County, Kenya
No full textDiversity and inclusion strategy is essential for companies to be competitive on a global scale, with many crediting diversity and inclusion for assisting them achieve their business objectives. It is critical to organization performance in terms of innovation, creativity in addition to attracting and more importantly retaining key talent. However, cases of discrimination are still prevalent and workforce parity are still existing. The study established the effect of age and culture diversity on the performance of quality control organizations in Nairobi County, Kenya. The target population of the study was 107 quality control organizations located in Nairobi County and a sample size of 128 respondents was selected for the study. These included the assistant human resource manager, departmental supervisors and staff. Questionnaires were used to collect the data that was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The Pearson product movement correlation coefficient (r) was used to determine the strength of the relationship between age, cultural diversity and performance of quality control organizations. A multiple regression model was used to test the significance of the effects of the age and cultural diversity on the performance. Findings indicated that age diversity was positively and significant related with performance. Similarly, cultural diversity was positively and significantly related with performance. The study concluded that age diversity and cultural diversity affected the performance of quality control organizations in Kenya. The study recommended that the implications management should be mindful of in order to build a healthy working environment within the circles of workplace diversity. More so, the research recommended that managers should have a more positive and proper perception regarding the implementation of workplace diversity.
Keywords: Age diversity, Cultural diversity, Performance and Quality control organization
Moderating Role of Firm size on the relationship between Micro Factors and Financial Performance of Manufacturing Firms in Kenya
No full textThe assessment and projections of economic growth of Kenya is pegged on the increase in the contribution of the manufacturing sector to the economy. However, this has not been achieved despite prominence in the government development blueprints such as Vision 2030. In reality, the performance and contribution of the Kenyan manufacturing firms to the economy has been worrying especially in the wake of realizations that other sectors of the economy such as real estate and telecommunications have surpassed it on the contribution to the GDP. In Kenya, Manufacturing share of total Kenyan economic output has stagnated at 10 with a declining contribution to total wage employment. It is this fact that necessitated an enquiry on the role of micro factors on the financial performance of manufacturing firms in Kenya. The specific objective was to determine effect of operations practices and firm financial performance, and to establish the moderating effect of firm size on micro factors on firm's financial performance. The macro economic factors included operational practices, production capacity, management practices. Agency theory is used as the foundational theory, with enforcements from wealth maximization theory and the resources based theory. The research design was descriptive research design. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire, from a population of 180 manufacturing firms in Kenya. The response rate was 95%. Descriptive statistics, correlation and regression techniques were used to analyze the data. The results of the study show a statistically positive and significant direct relationship between micro factors on firm financial performance. The results show that relationship between micro factors and firm financial performance is moderated by firm size. It was further established that firm size and firm financial performance were positively and significantly related. The study further concluded that there is a positive relationship between the moderating effect on micro factors and manufacturing firms’ financial performance. The study recommends and firm size moderates the relationship between micro factors and financial performance of manufacturing firms in Kenya.
Keywords: Firm size, Micro Factors, Financial Performance, Manufacturing Firms, Keny
Influence of Legal Framework in Enhancing Democratic Governance Process in Kenya
No full textThe Kenyan 2010 constitution provides a legal framework with a republic founded upon the idea of all sovereign power belonging to the people of Kenya and the establishment of two levels of government namely; the national government and the County government (Article 1 (4) Constitution of Kenya). The legal framework posits a legal positioning of the county governments to be respected by the national government in a relationship of equals through a moderating national and county government summit and the intergovernmental relations. In order to effectively support a country to achieve democratic governance, understanding of the legal framework effectiveness is necessary. Institutions need to be able to analyze legislation and regulations and advocate for appropriate provisions. They also have to be able to monitor implementation of provisions and take steps to ensure that they are enforced effectively and impartially.The objective of the study was to establish the influence of legal framework on enhancing democratic governance. The study adopted descriptive and correlation research design. All the forty-seven (47) counties in Kenya were targeted, with five officers per counties forming the sample frame. Regression models were used to examine the influence of the legal framework on democratic governance in Kenya. The study found that there was a positive relationship between legal framework and democratic governance. The results provided sufficient statistically significant evidence to signify the relationship. Legal framework provides for the establishment of an administrative and institutional framework at the national and county government to ensure access to national government services in all parts promoting responsiveness to citizens’ needs and aspirations. Institutions need to be able to analyze legislation and regulations and advocate for appropriate provisions.This study addressed the existing knowledge gap by determining the effect of legal framework on democratic governance process in Kenya.
Keywords: Legal Framework, Democratic Governance & Kenya
Determinants of Supply Chain Performance among Non-Governmental Organizations in Mandera County
No full textThe purpose of this study was to assess the determinants of supply chain performance among NGOs in Mandera County. The study used descriptive research design. The target population was 72 respondents' three respondents from all the 24 NGOs in Mandera County. Since the population was small, census approach was adopted. The total respondents were 72 respondents. Primary data was collected and used. Descriptive statistics such as, mean and frequencies and inferential statistics (regression and correlation analysis) were used to perform data analysis. A multiple linear regression analysis model was used to test the hypotheses and link the variables. The findings indicated that the objectives; staff competence, information and communication, risk management process and infrastructural development were positively and significantly correlated with supply chain performance. The findings of this study are useful to the NGOs in Mandera County in their quest to ensure proper supply chain performance and improving the welfare of the residents.
Keywords: Supply Chain Performance, staff competence, infrastructure development, risk management process, information and communication.
 
Effect of Product Innovation and cost leadership Strategy on the Financial Performance of Small and Medium Enterprises
No full textThe success and sustainability of any organization in a competitive environment is determined by its choice of strategy. Most strategies are replicated by competitors and thus a company must position itself in the minds of the consumer in order to remain competitive. The significance of small and medium sized enterprises to world economies and Kenya in particular cannot be over emphasized. SMEs make up the largest business sector in every economy. The lack of proactivity, innovativeness, risk taking and overall poor entrepreneurial orientation have negatively impacted on the SMEs. The study sought to determine whether product innovation and cost leadership strategy were positively associated with business performance of Small and Medium Enterprises in Nairobi County Kenya. Explanatory research design was used in the study. The target population of the study was made up of 7384 SMEs and a sample of 95 SMEs was picked using systematic random. Primary data was collected using a questionnaire with both structured and unstructured questions. Descriptive statistics such as mean and frequencies and inferential statistics such as regression and correlation analysis was used to perform data analysis. The study found out that product innovation and cost leadership strategy were positively and significant related to and financial performance. The study concluded that that product innovation and cost leadership strategy have a positive and significant effect on the financial performance of SMEs. The study recommended that to accomplish the goals of SMEs in the light of growth and profitability, management need to have a positive rethink towards the use of strategic management.
Keywords: Product innovation, Cost leadership strategy, Financial performance and Small and Medium Enterprise
Effect of Differentiation and Focus Strategies on the Financial Performance of Small and Medium Enterprises
No full textStrategy is the key determinant of an organization sustainability in the current competitive business environment. Most strategies are replicated by competitors and thus a company must position itself in the minds of the consumer in order to remain competitive. Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) plays a significant role to the world economies and Kenya in particular. They make up the largest business sector in every economy. Despite the great role which the SMESs play, major benefits have remained a mirage due to lack of proper strategic managements practices by the owners and total failure by the regulatory authorities in properly playing their part. The study endeavored to determine how differentiation and focus strategies affected the performance of SMEs in Nairobi County Kenya. Explanatory research design was used in the study. The target population of the study was made up of 7384 SMEs and a sample of 95 SMEs was picked using systematic random sampling. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data, which was then analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistic. Findings indicated that differentiation strategy and market focus strategy were positively and significantly related to financial performance. The study concluded that that differentiation strategy and market focus strategy had positive and significant effect on the financial performance of SMEs. The study recommended that to accomplish the mission and objectives of SMEs with consideration on growth and profitability, management need to have a positive rethink towards the use of strategic management.
Keywords: Differentiation Strategy, Focus strategy, financial performance and Small and Medium Enterprise
Effect of Production Capacity on the Financial Performance of Manufacturing Firms in Kenya
No full textThe assessment and projections of economic growth of Kenya is pegged on the increase in the contribution of the manufacturing sector to the economy. However, this has not been achieved despite prominence in the government development blueprints such as Vision 2030. In reality, the performance and contribution of the Kenyan manufacturing firms to the economy has been worrying especially in the wake of realizations that other sectors of the economy such as real estate and telecommunications have surpassed it on the contribution to the GDP. In Kenya, Manufacturing share of total Kenyan economic output has stagnated at 10 with a declining contribution to total wage employment. It is this fact that necessitated an enquiry on the role of micro factors on the financial performance of manufacturing firms in Kenya. The specific objectives were; examine the relationship between production capacity and firm financial performance. Wealth Maximization Theory and the resources based theory were used. The research design was descriptive research design. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire, from a population of 180 manufacturing firms in Kenya. The response rate was 95%. Descriptive statistics, correlation and regression techniques were used to analyze the data. Production capacity was found to be satisfactory variables in explaining financial performance of manufacturing firms in Kenya. The results indicate that the model was statistically significant. The results imply that production capacity, are good predictors of financial performance in manufacturing firms. The study concluded that there is a positive relationship between production capacity and manufacturing firms' financial performance. The study recommends capacity building through training to improve manufacturing firms' financial performance.
Keywords: production capacity, financial performance, manufacturing firms, Keny