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Innovative Activities Strategies, Dairy Agribusiness Farming Operations Activities and Performance of Farmers in Selected Counties in Central Kenya
No full textDespite intensive knowledge and skill presumably passed on to the dairy farmers, there is a huge outcry from these farm entrepreneurs of high cost of dairy production and low returns on their dairy farming investment. Nevertheless, a small portion of the farmers have gone ahead to venture into dairy farming as business. This study sought to establish the dairy different investment strategies or combination of investment strategies and their resulting performance in the agribusiness farms. The study focused on the dairy agribusiness strategies of dairy farms in Nyeri, Kirinyanga, Murangá and Kiambu Counties of Kenya. Data was collected from 60 dairy agribusiness farms. The sample size was proportionally determined from the total number of active dairy farmers who delivered milk to Milk Associations (processor, Union, Federation, Cooperative (D.F.C.S.) self-help (S.H.G.), Investment Company) data sourced from Kenya Dairy Board 2015. Data was analyzed using the SPSS and STATA computer software, where both descriptive and inferential statistics were derived. Stochastic frontier production function was estimated using the maximum likelihood estimation technique. The study found that innovative activities strategies in dairy agribusiness and dairy agribusiness farming operations activities influence the performance in dairy farming in central Kenya. The study recommends area for further studies to consider other County Governments in Kenya for purpose of making a comparison of the findings with those of the current study.
Keywords: innovative activities strategies, dairy, agribusiness, operations activitie
Influence of work environment and leader behavior on the Performance of Employees in the County Government of Makueni
No full textEmployee performance and productivity is of major concern in any economy worldwide. In Kenya there was establishment of the county government in 2010 after the promulgation of the constitution. This new system of governance in Kenya, devolution, is associated with greater participation in key decisions by members of society; a greater sense of shared vision and mission; an improved societal confidence and support based on greater knowledge and involvement. Although when the government was devolved into Counties most people left their original place of work and sought employment in the County Government, the challenge is that 20% of the jobs in the County Government are basically on contract and 80% are on permanent basis therefore this study tries to study the ways that the County government will have to adopt in order to retain their employees on job and ensure good performance. The study used descriptive research design. The study targeted the management and staff from the ten ministries/ departments in the county government of Makueni who were 220 in number. The study used the convenience sampling technique to select 96 managers who oversee the employees in executing their duties, the staff/ employees will also be sampled in regard to reporting to their managers in the county government of Makueni. The study found out that work environment and leader behavior has a significant effect on employee performance. Some challenges cannot be avoided but can be handled to reassure employees and impact on their performance positively for example unhealthy interaction with peers or leaders must be solved early enough to avoid ugly outcomes that affect work output. The leadership fraternity should ensure the county with a good brand from the community in order to serve them better without unnecessary conflicts. Leaders should be genuine evaluating, implementation and application of the set rules other that pretense. Once the employees loose trust in the leader, it becomes very difficult to be given attention and respect. The County Government to come up with measures on how leaders should account for their performance so as to have them put to task to deliver without fear of favourism.
Keywords: work environment, leader behavior, Performance, Employees, County Government, Makuen
Influence of Boards of Engagement with Parents on the Provision of Quality Education in Kajiado West Sub-County
No full textThe purpose of the study was to establish the influence of Boards of Management’s engagement with parents on the provision of quality education in Kajiado West Sub-County. The study employed a descriptive survey design since the data to be collected required a quantitative and qualitative approach. The study targeted 42 public secondary schools in Kajiado County. Sixteen schools (16) were randomly selected from a pool of 42 schools in Kajiado County. Census technique was used to select 16 principals from selected schools. Further, simple random sampling technique was used to select a sample of 108 BoM from a total of 272 Board of Management members. Result findings showed that engaging parents in the management of school resources influences provision of quality education. Based on research finding was also concluded that BoM engagement with parents in school management influences provision of quality education. It is also recommended that parents are involved when allocating school resources.
Key words: Boards of Engagement, Parents, Quality Education, Kajiado West Sub-County
 
Influence of Student Councils’ Involvement in Implementation of School Rules and Policies among Students on Their Discipline in Public Secondary Schools in Kathonzweni Sub-County
No full textThe purpose of this study was to establish the influence of student councils‟ involvement in implementation of school rules and policies among students on their discipline in public secondary schools in Kathonzweni Sub-County. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The target population was 30 public secondary schools in Kathonzweni Sub-County. Stratified random sampling was used to select a sample size of 108 students, 162 teachers and 28 principals. Questionnaires and interview guides were used to collect primary data. The questionnaires were also subjected to pilot test to ensure that research instruments were reliable. The data collected were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences computer programme version 20.0. The results were presented in form of frequency tables and chi square tests. Chi square tests were used to show the relationship between the variables. The results of the study indicated that schools where a student council were not involved in implementing school rules was characterized by high levels of indiscipline than those that involved students in implementing school rules. It is also concluded that involving student council in implementing school rules influences students‟ discipline. It was recommended that student councils be involved in implementing school rules and policies. This will ensure that school rules and policies are implemented effectively.
Keywords: implementation, school rules, students, discipline, public secondary school
Influence of Inclusive Curriculum Development on Academic Performance of Refugees Children in Public Primary Schools in Ruiru Sub County
No full textThe purpose for this study was to establish influence of inclusive curriculum development on academic performance of refugee children in public primary schools in Ruiru Sub County. The study used exploratory research design. There are thirty (30) public primary schools with refugee children in Ruiru Sub County. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 28 public primary schools. The target population for this study was 536 teachers and 30 head teachers. Simple random sampling technique was used to select a sample of 221 teachers while purpose sampling was used to select 28 head teachers. The findings showed that inclusive curriculum development influence the academic performance of refugee children. Based on research findings, it can be concluded that that inclusive curriculum development influences academic performance of refugees’ children in public primary schools in Ruiru Sub County. The Ministry of Education (MoE) is recommended to include conflict resolution studies in the curriculum. An appropriate curriculum emphasizes deeper understanding student thinking and development of cognitive skills. This will ensure that the refugee children are healed and get integrated to the home place and to the current society.
Key words: curriculum development, academic performance, refugee children, Ruiru Sub Count
Influence of Student Councils Involvement in Student Welfare Activities on Students Discipline in Public Secondary Schools in Kathonzweni Sub-County, Kenya
No full textThe purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of student councils involvement in student welfare activities on students discipline in public secondary schools in Kathonzweni Sub-County, Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The target population was 30 public secondary schools in Kathonzweni Sub-County. Stratified random sampling was used to select a sample size of 108 students, 162 teachers and 28 principals. Questionnaires and interview guides were used to collect primary data. The questionnaires were also subjected to pilot test to ensure that research instruments were reliable. The data collected were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences computer programme version 20.0. The results were presented in form of frequency tables and chi square tests. Chi square tests were used to show the relationship between the variables. The results indicated that a school where a student council are not involved in the deciding over students welfare activities was characterized by high levels of indiscipline than those where student council was involved deciding over students welfare activities. It is recommended that student councils should be involved in deciding the welfare of the other student.
Key words: student welfare, discipline, public secondary school
Effect of Economic and Political Empowerment on Community Wellbeing in Marsabit, Kenya
No full textThe Northern parts of Kenya which has the lowest development indicators and highest poverty incidence amongst all areas in Kenya. Despite the increase in donor funding to government and NGOs towards poverty reduction programs, the state of poverty in Kenya and the Arid and Semi-arid Lands (ASAL) regions in particular has been on the increase. The study investigated the effect of economic and political empowerment on community well-being. Descriptive design was used in the study. The target population of the study was made up of 800 beneficiaries of donor support programmes. A sample of 80 respondents was picked using random sampling and questionnaires given out. Primary data was collected and used. Correlation and multiple regression model was used to establish the relationship between economic, political empowerment and community wellbeing. Findings indicated that economic empowerment and community well-being were positively and significant related. The results further indicated that political empowerment and community well-being were positively and insignificantly related. The study concluded that economic empowerment and political empowerment have a positive effect on the community empowerment. The study recommended for the political leaders to identify, understand, and strengthen the community capacities, which are the primary source of solutions to local problems. Governments with the assistance of NGOs need to commit to a long-term process of local organizational development through good governance through partnership and networking.
Keywords: Economic empowerment, Political Empowerment, Partnership and Community well-bein
Organizational Culture and Employee Performance in the Scripture Union of Kenya
No full textThe aim of this research study was to assess effects of the organizational culture on employee's performance in Scripture Union of Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were to determine the effect of power distance, individualism verses collectivism, uncertainty avoidance; masculinity versus femininity and long verse short term orientation on employee performance in scripture union of Kenya. The study adopted an explanatory and the research design that was employed was a survey, with the target population comprising of a stratified census sample of 130 members of staff of Scripture Union of Kenya. This design was selected due to its suitability in collecting detailed information from a small representative sample. Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 22 was used for data analysis. Data for the study was collected primarily through structured questionnaires. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, specifically Pearson's Product Moment Correlation and multiple regression analysis. The study also revealed a significant negative correlation between power distance and employee performance with a correlation coefficient of -0.618 (p-value=0.000<0.05).The study also established a significant negative relationship between individualism versus collectivism and employee performance with a correlation coefficient of -0.427(p-value=0.002<0.05), significant positive relationship between uncertainty avoidance and employee performance with correlation coefficient of 0.505(p-value=0.004<0.05), negative relationship between masculinity versus Femininity and employee performance with a correlation coefficient of -0.456(p-value=0.007<0.05), and negative relationship between long term orientation and employee performance with a correlation coefficient of 0.543(p-value=0.010<0.05). Regression analysis results that 53.6% of the variation in employee performance can be explained by the variables. The results also indicate that an increase in individualism versus collectivism, masculinity versus femininity and power distance by one unit would decrease employee performance by 0.714, 0.626 and 0.846 units respectively whereas an increase in uncertainty and long term verses short term orientation by one unit would increase employee performance by 0.563 and 0.511 units. Based on the study hypotheses it was concluded that employee performance is significantly affected by organizational culture dimensions namely power distance, individualism versus collectivism, masculinity verses femininity, uncertainty avoidance and long-term verses short term orientation. It is recommended that the Scripture union managers should empower employees, create a high uncertainty avoidance culture and organise team building initiative geared to improve employee performance.
Keywords: Organizational Culture, Employee Performance & The Scripture Union of Kenya
Effects of Risk Assessment and Internal Audit Standards on Financial Performance of State Owned Corporations in Kenya: A Case Study of the Ministry of Labour Social and Security Services
No full textRisk based internal auditing impacts a firm's usage of its own internal audit function to boost risk management and control as well as power which in turn influences accountability and enhances accuracy of financial statements thereby influencing financial performance in institutions of finance. Â Recent corporate collapses and financial scandals have triggered world-wide concern with corporate governance emphasized apparent failures of accountability. State corporations in Kenya have in the recent past experienced a number of corporate failures related to corporate power structures in place. The general objective of this study was to establish the effect of risk based audit on performance of state owned corporations in Kenya. The specific objectives was to establish effect of risk assessment on performance of state owned corporations in Kenya and to investigate the effect of internal audit standards on performance of state owned corporations in Kenya; Descriptive design was used in the study. 160 employees were used from the selected from corporation owned by the state as the population target. This comprised of directors, managers, and administrators of departments from, NITA, National Human Resource Planning and Development National Council for Children, Registrar of Trade Unions, and National Council for Persons with Disability, National Employment Bureau, NSSF and Productivity Centre for Kenya. The study engaged census approach since the population was minor. Primary data was collected by use of structured questionnaires and was studied quantitatively using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). SPSS engendered both descriptive statistics such as frequencies, mean, percentages of the received responses. Inferential statistics included regression and bivariate correlation. The study established that risk assessment and internal audit standard were positively and ominously related to performance of state owned corporations. Built on the results above the study determined that risk based auditing through risk assessment and internal audit standard positively affected the financial performance of state owned corporations in Kenya. The study endorsed that management of parastatals should implement effective risk based audit practices such as risk assessment, internal audit standards, control environment and information system to enhance effective and efficient performance.
Keywords: Risk assessment, Internal audit, Performance and State owned corporations in Keny
Impact of Refugee Influx on Economic Growth in Kenya
No full textKenya has over the years competed well within the global economic market and experienced growth of its economy which is expected to continue, especially with the new constitutional dispensation. However, it still continues to have its share of setbacks, which may be a hindrance to such desired growth. The general objective of this study was to establish the impact of refugee influx on economic growth in Kenya. Specifically, this study sought to; establish the short run impact of refugee influx on economic growth in Kenya, determine the long run impact of refugee influx on economic growth in Kenya and establish the extent to which non-refugee related factors affect economic growth. The study adopted a time series methodology. Based on the findings, the study concluded that there was at least one co-integrating equation in the long run. It was also concluded that the lag GDP (denoting the previous period GDP) affects the current period GDP positively. This implies a higher GDP in the previous period leads to an increase in the current period GDP. Results also indicated that both in the long run and short run the number of refugees had a negative and significant relationship with the long-run GDP. Hence, an increase in the number of refugees resulted to a decrease in GDP. The results indicated that both in the long run and short run, labor had a positive and significant relationship with the long-run GDP. Therefore, an increase in labour resulted to an increase in GDP. The other variables were insignificant both in the short run and long run which implies that change in capital and human capital will have no effect on the short run and long run GDP. The study gave two recommendations based on the findings. First given that the effect of the number of refugees on GDP was negative and significant, it is recommended that Kenya should adopt strategies which aim at minimizing the number of refugees in a bid to increase aggregate economic growth. Second, given that the effect of labour on GDP was positive and significant, it is recommended that Kenya should encourage self-employment, investments and innovation since increase in development, will call for increased labour force resulting in an increase in the aggregate GDP.
Keywords: Refugee Influx, Economic Growth, Human Capital, Non-Human Capital and Labo