Stratford Peer Reviewed Journals and Books
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Evaluation of What Would Happen Over A Long Period of Time to Success and Profitability of An Organisation Which Chooses to Do Away with Ethical Standards
No full textThis journal paper examines the importance of ethical standards in organizations and evaluates the long-term effects of disregarding these standards on success and profitability. The paper defines ethical standards in an organizational context and highlights their role in promoting fairness, justice, trust, and reputation. It discusses the potential reasons for abandoning ethical standards, such as cost-cutting measures and short-term profit prioritization, as well as the consequences of doing so. The paper analyses the internal effects, including deterioration of employee morale and motivation, increased turnover, and a decline in teamwork and collaboration. It also examines the external effects, such as damage to reputation, legal and regulatory consequences, and loss of business opportunities and partnerships. The paper provides case studies of organizations, including Enron and Volkswagen, that abandoned ethical standards and suffered severe consequences. It emphasizes the importance of ethical leadership in upholding standards and driving long-term success and profitability. The paper concludes with a call for organizations to prioritize ethical decision-making as a fundamental business practice to ensure sustainable success.
Keywords: Ethical standards, Long-term effects, Organisation, Success, Profitability and Justic
Influence of Employee Engagement on Teacher Performance of Private Primary Schools in Kajiado County, Kenya
No full textThis study examined the influence of employee engagement on teacher performance of private primary schools in Kajiado County, Kenya. Grounded in Kahn's Employee Engagement Theory, the research employed a descriptive survey design targeting 5,937 employees from 521 registered private primary schools in the county. Using Nassiuma's formula, a sample of 217 respondents was selected through stratified random sampling, achieving a response rate of 97.6%. Data was collected using structured questionnaires measuring four dimensions of employee engagement: empowerment, work relationships, responsibilities, and commitment. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 29.0, employing descriptive and inferential statistics. The results indicated that employee engagement had a positive and statistically significant influence on teacher performance (R²=0.290, β=0.493, p<0.05), explaining 29% of the variance in school performance. Correlation analysis revealed a moderate positive relationship between employee engagement and performance (r=.538, p<0.05). Descriptive statistics indicated high levels of employee engagement among teachers with an overall mean score of 4.05, particularly in areas of school pride (µ=4.16) and commitment to long-term success (µ=4.24). The study concluded that employee engagement significantly enhances teacher performance in private primary schools. The research recommends that school management implement comprehensive engagement strategies including teacher empowerment initiatives, structured recognition systems, collaborative work environments, and career development programs to optimize both educator satisfaction and institutional performance outcomes.
Keywords: Employee Engagement, Teacher Performance, Private Primary Schools, Empowerment, Work Relationships, Educational Outcomes, Kajiado Count
Contribution of Green Practices On Consumer Buying Behavior in 4-5 Star Restaurants in Nairobi County, Kenya
No full textThere is an exponential increase in consumer concerns over green practices due to environmental problems occurring. Green practices involves a company engaging in activities or actions that protect the environment from pollution and preserve natural resources by reducing its carbon emissions. Consumer buying behavior refers to the activities and experiences of restaurant guests who engage in purchasing, consuming and disposing of goods and services. The purpose of this study was to examine the contribution of green practices on consumer buying behavior in 4-5- star restaurants in Nairobi County, Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive survey design where a sample size of 19 restaurants were sampled in Nairobi County. Data collection techniques were questionnaires, observation schedules and secondary data sources, which were newspapers, articles, and Tv programmes. Qualitative data was coded, analyzed using content analysis through text search query and word-frequency query analysis using NVIVO. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS with levels of significance established using ANOVA with a cut-off point of p being < or =0.05 at 95% confidence and significance levels. The results show that the study rejected all the null hypotheses and concluded that at 95% confidence level a significant relationship exists between green practices and consumer buying behavior in 4-5-star restaurants in Nairobi City County. The study concluded that consumer-buying behavior has a positive association with green practices.
Key Words: environmental sustainability, green practices, green restaurants, green consumerism, eco-friendly product
The Role of Bank Credit in Assessing Financial Risk and Predicting Financial Failure Using the Z-Score Model: Evidence from Iraqi Commercial Banks
No full textThis paper examined how bank credit can be used to measure financial risk and predict financial failure using the Z-score, drawing on data from Iraqi commercial banks. The research used panel data regression to estimate a sample of banks across the study period, with bank credit (loans) as the primary explanatory variable and total assets and total liabilities as control variables. The experimental findings revealed that bank credit significantly and positively influences financial stability, as indicated by the Z-score (β1 = 0.0100, p = 0.043). In particular, a rise in bank loans will have a quantifiable positive effect on the Z-score, thereby reducing the likelihood of bankruptcy. Total assets also showed a positive and significant correlation with financial stability (2 = 0.01), indicating that larger banks with diversified asset bases are more resilient to financial risk. Conversely, total liabilities have an adverse, statistically significant effect on Z-Score (β3 is negative and p < 0.05), indicating that greater leverage implies greater financial risk and undermines banks' solvency. The general model has strong explanatory power, with the adjusted R2 well above levels deemed acceptable in panel data studies, and the outcomes are also robust across different model specifications. These results confirm that the Z-Score model is effective at forecasting financial failure. That sound credit control is a key factor in improving the financial stability of Iraqi commercial banks. The study recommends calibrate the credit growth in accordance with the internal risk appetite and the macro-financial environment. Set bank-specific ranges of loan growth percentiles, like percentile ranges based on historical volatility, and ensure that executives must approve any variation, and that it is clearly connected to capital planning and liquidity buffers. Increase and strengthen underwriting requirements when cyclical conditions are favourable, thereby eliminating potential weaknesses. Integrate the Z-score into regular risk management, track its patterns on board risk committees, set tolerance limits aligned with stress-test results, and associate violations with automated reactions such as tightening credit conditions, changing charges, or increasing capital.
Keywords: Bank Credit, Financial Risk, Financial Failure, Z-Score, Iraqi Commercial Banks, and Panel Data. 
Influence of Pricing Strategies on Competitive Advantage Among Charter Airline Operators in Nairobi City County, Kenya
No full textThis study examined how pricing strategies influence competitive advantage among charter airline operators in Nairobi City County, Kenya. The study was grounded in strategic management and competitive advantage theory, integrating Porter’s generic strategies, the Resource-Based View (RBV), and the Dynamic Capabilities framework. The study argued that pricing decisions in the charter aviation sector are not merely operational but form a central component of strategic positioning and long-term competitiveness. Drawing upon existing literature and contextual evidence from Kenya’s aviation industry, this study various pricing strategies, penetration pricing, premium pricing, discriminative pricing and psychological pricing tactics.as mechanisms through which charter airlines can achieve superior performance and subsequently competitive advantage. The theoretical analysis highlights how flexible pricing models enhance customer satisfaction, optimize revenue, and enable market differentiation in a volatile and price-sensitive environment. Moreover, organizational firmographics such as ownership structure and geographical scope moderate how pricing strategies translate into sustainable advantages. The paper concludes that pricing strategies, when aligned with technological innovation and marketing capabilities, can strengthen cost efficiency, brand loyalty, and overall competitiveness. The study contributes to the theoretical understanding of strategic pricing in emerging aviation markets and provides insights for governments, airline managers, stakeholders and policymakers aiming to enhance value creation and market resilience in Kenya’s charter airline industry.
Keywords: Pricing Strategies, Competitive Advantage, Charter Airlines, Aviation Management, Kenya, Penetration Pricing, Premium Pricing, Price Discrimination, Psychological Pricing
The Hidden Costs of Public-Private Partnerships: A Critical Analysis of Risk Distribution in Government Contracts
No full textThis review examines "The Hidden Costs of Public-Private Partnerships: A Critical Analysis of Risk Distribution in Government Contracts," which provides a comprehensive analysis of the complexities and challenges inherent in public-private partnerships (PPPs). The book critically evaluates the assumption that PPPs offer superior efficiency compared to traditional government procurement models, revealing how poorly structured contracts often result in significant risks being shifted to public entities.The author examines multiple case studies across jurisdictions, demonstrating how political and economic pressures influence PPP negotiations, often leading to optimistic cost estimates and unrealistic revenue projections. The analysis reveals how the appeal of off-balance-sheet financing frequently motivates governments to prioritize short-term fiscal appearances over long-term sustainability. The book delves into the societal implications of PPPs, particularly their impact on equity and access to essential services. It demonstrates how privatization through PPPs can exacerbate socioeconomic disparities, with user fees and cost-recovery mechanisms disproportionately affecting low-income populations. The author advocates for reforms including enhanced stakeholder engagement, improved contract transparency, and rigorous risk assessment methodologies. The work also explores global trends shaping PPP evolution, examining how international financial institutions influence PPP frameworks, often imposing standardized approaches that fail to consider local contexts. Through comparative studies of PPP frameworks in both developed and developing countries, the book highlights the importance of tailoring PPP policies to specific economic, social, and institutional conditions. The author concludes by proposing innovative solutions, including the use of technology and data analytics for better contract management, and emphasizes the need for international cooperation in improving PPP practices. The book serves as both a critique of current PPP practices and a roadmap for creating more equitable and sustainable approaches to public service delivery
Digital Transformation in Public Procurement: Blockchain Solutions and Legal Frameworks
No full textThis review examines "Digital Transformation in Public Procurement: Blockchain Solutions and Legal Frameworks," which provides a comprehensive analysis of how blockchain technology is revolutionizing public procurement processes. The book explores blockchain's potential to address persistent challenges in public procurement, including corruption, inefficiency, and lack of transparency. The author analyzes various blockchain applications, including smart contracts, supply chain traceability, and tamper-proof auditing systems, demonstrating their capacity to enhance trust and efficiency in procurement processes. Through case studies from multiple jurisdictions, the book showcases successful implementations while acknowledging implementation challenges such as technological adoption barriers and data privacy concerns. The work provides an in-depth examination of the legal implications of blockchain adoption in public procurement, addressing the tension between decentralized technology and traditional centralized regulatory structures. It emphasizes the need for flexible regulatory frameworks that can accommodate technological advancement while maintaining proper oversight. The book critically examines the ethical and social dimensions of blockchain-based procurement systems, arguing that technological solutions alone cannot address systemic issues without accompanying cultural and organizational changes. It highlights the importance of stakeholder engagement and inclusivity in system design, while warning against the potential for blockchain to exacerbate existing inequalities, particularly in developing countries with limited technological infrastructure. The author explores future trends, discussing blockchain's potential integration with other technologies like artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things to create a fully digital procurement ecosystem. The analysis extends to practical considerations of data management, security, and privacy within blockchain-enabled systems, proposing solutions such as permissioned blockchains and advanced cryptographic techniques. The book serves as both a theoretical framework and practical guide for governments, private sector actors, and international organizations seeking to leverage blockchain technology in public procurement, while maintaining a balanced perspective that acknowledges both opportunities and limitations
Knowledge Management Processes Influence on Employee Job Satisfaction in Food Manufacturing Firms in Kenya
No full textThis research aimed at assessing influences of knowledge management processes on employee job satisfaction in selected food manufacturing firms in Nairobi, Kenya; with processes decomposed for investigation into three constructs of knowledge creation, sharing and application. The study adopted post-positivism philosophy to accommodate triangulation of qualitative and quantitative data as well as explanatory research design with stratified proportionate sampling technique for conducting field survey. A sample of 384 respondents from a target population of about 12,643 employees from 56 food manufacturing firms was obtained using Fisher’s (1991) formula. A 5-point Likert scale questionnaire was used to collect quantitative and qualitative primary data, which underwent descriptive and inferential analyses. The study findings revealed that knowledge management processes had positive and significant relationship with job satisfaction as tcal=14.37>tcrit=1.96 at p=0.000. Therefore, null hypothesis that knowledge management processes have no significant influence on job satisfaction was rejected. The regression outcome of β=0.656, p=0.000 indicated that a unit enhancement in knowledge management processes results in job satisfaction enhancement by 0.656 units. The study concluded that knowledge management processes influence job satisfaction. Management of the firms should prioritize continued needs assessment for knowledge management processes, to support knowledge management system for optimization of job satisfaction.
Keywords: Knowledge management; Knowledge management processes, Job satisfaction
Effects of Rapid Urbanization on the Hydrological Process of Nyabarongo River in Rwanda
No full textThe rapid growth of cities, fueled by population growth and economic development activities, has resulted in significant changes in land use within the Nyabarongo River basin. This study measured changes in hydrological parameters, such as river discharge, that can be attributed to urban expansion. The study uses a combination of remote sensing data, meteorological data, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools, an Excel database, and the HEC HMS simulation model to analyze historical land use patterns and correlate them with observed hydrological changes over the last five years. The key findings show that the Nyabarongo River basin has experienced significant land use and land cover (LULC) changes over the last five years, most notably a 6.79% annual decrease in rangeland, which has resulted in an annual increase of 9.1% in agricultural land and 12.73% in built area. This shift, fueled by urbanization, has converted significant rangeland into impervious surfaces, altering hydrological processes by increasing runoff coefficients. In addition, the HEC HMS simulation revealed an average annual peak discharge increase of 1.61%. The linear regression model revealed a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.84 between LULC changes and river discharge, implying that the conversion of natural land and forests in the Nyabarongo catchment into built-up areas (impervious surface) increases Nyaborongo river discharge. This study aimed to contribute to a broader understanding of the environmental impacts of urbanisation in developing countries and provide a baseline for policymakers to establish a framework to balance urban development with ecological preservation.
Keywords: Urbanization, Hydrological Process, Nyabarongo River, Rwand
Community Engagement; An analysis of Performance of Donor Sponsored Projects in Low Resource Countries
No full textDonor-sponsored projects complement government efforts in addressing developmental needs in communities, particularly economic empowerment and employment creation. Despite these interventions, communities in low-resource countries often remain impoverished, with some worse off than before project implementation. The desired outcomes frequently go unrealized, resulting in poor value for donors' investments. A critical but underexplored relationship exists between community participation and project performance, with community engagement serving as a vital component throughout the project cycle. Development stakeholders, including governments and donor consortiums, increasingly emphasize community participation as a prerequisite for project initiation. Western donors have expressed concern about project performance related to their sponsorship. This paper analyzes studies on community participation by different scholars, employing a systematic approach. From 122 articles identified through Google Scholar and Zotero, 25 were synthesized, and five most relevant articles were thoroughly examined. The analysis reveals that community participation is imperative for the success of donor-funded projects in low-resource countries. Participatory techniques positively impact project sustainability, with participatory planning and design influencing implementation effectiveness. The study emphasizes that successful approaches integrate participatory needs assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation. The paper recommends strengthening of community participation in donor-funded projects, right from their inception to project closure and handover. Emphasis should be directed to community members’ commitment as they participate in the project cycle. The adequacy of project inputs, availability of community groups’ formation, capacity building, and level of acceptance, awareness, and resource provision should also be enhanced. Community people or beneficiaries have to be included in all phases of project development. The community also have to be trained on participatory practices in development involvements. Proper communication should be enhanced as a recommendation through the project management cycle as well clear distribution of roles for all stakeholders within water management.
Keywords: Community Engagement, Performance, Donor Sponsored Projects, Low Resource Countrie