Stratford Peer Reviewed Journals and Books
Not a member yet
2323 research outputs found
Sort by
The Relationship Between Reliability of School Water Service and Pupils Carrying Water from Home to School for Hand Washing Practices
No full textThe lack of reliable water services in public primary schools in Kenya, particularly in rural areas like Lurambi sub-County, Kakamega County, significantly hinders students' ability to maintain essential hygiene practices, such as handwashing. Inconsistent water access often forces students to bring water from home, creating an unsustainable burden and impacting hygiene consistency. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the reliability of school water services and pupils' practice of carrying water from home for handwashing. The study was informed by the Socio-ecological Model (SEM), which considers individual behaviours within broader systemic influences. Using a cross-sectional survey design, the study targeted a population of 14,767 students and 12 head teachers, with a sample size of 389 participants. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and key informant interviews, and analysed using descriptive statistics. Findings indicated that schools with reliable water sources experienced a lower need for pupils to carry water from home, whereas unreliable sources led to inconsistent handwashing practices. The study concluded that consistent water services reduce the burden on students and improve hygiene practices. Based on these findings, the study recommended that schools improve their water infrastructure to ensure sustainable access to handwashing facilities.
Keywords: School Water Services, Reliability, Pupils' Practice, Carrying Water from Home, Handwashin
Nexus Between Corporate Governance and Organisational Performance of Faith-Based Hospitals in Kenya
No full textThe overall objective of this paper was to examine the relationship between corporate governance and organizational performance of faith-based hospitals in Kenya. This paper used cross-sectional survey research design utilizing quantitative data from the questionnaires. The study also used a cross-sectional survey study. The units of analysis comprised the 115 Level 4 and 5 Faith-Based Hospitals in Kenya. Primary data was obtained through structured questionnaires. The study findings revealed a statistically significant relationship between corporate governance and organisational performance of faith based hospitals. To guarantee strategic direction, accountability, and moral governance practices, the study advises the organization to strengthen the capability and supervisory responsibilities of hospital boards in faith-based hospitals. The empirical data generated from study findings will be useful to the government and other sectors in formulating policies aimed at improving corporate governance and performance. To guarantee accountability and strategic direction, clearly, faith-based hospitals should define the tasks and responsibilities of the board of directors. To establish credibility and trust, faith-based hospitals should use open and honest decision-making procedures and consistent communication with stakeholders, encourage a company culture built on moral precepts and religious beliefs, and make sure that these values are reflected in every aspect of the business, build the organization's leadership capabilities to lead innovation in healthcare services and overcome obstacles.
Keywords: Corporate Governance, Organisational performance, Faith-based hospital
Factors Influencing Increased Anti-Microbial Resistance and Mitigation Strategies Used Among People Living with HIV Aids Visiting Rwanda Military Hospital
No full textAntimicrobial resistance globally, regionally, and locally in Rwanda has caused hospital resistance, more-acquired infections, and increased morbidity and mortality from tuberculosis, cholera, and dysentery epidemics. Determine the prevalence of biomedical factors and mitigation strategies used against antimicrobial resistance in PLWHs, determine social cultural and beliefs influencing AMR, determine social economic and accessibility factors to comprehensive care clinic (CCC), and evaluate how KAP affects AMR and mitigation strategies in PLWHs visiting RMH. The results of this study inform the government, especially the health sector, about the main causes of anti-microbial resistance and how to mitigate them, especially in HIV/AIDS patients. Research alerts policymakers to make effective supervision of anti-microbial use to minimise drug misuse using mixed research approaches survey (quantitative) and interviews (qualitative) with descriptive study designs, purposive sampling on PLWHs, SPSS Version 27.0 data management, cross-tabulation of descriptive and inferential statistics, and pie charts. MKU School of Postgraduate Studies approved the research project, which will seek ethical clearance from MKU and RMH ethical committees to reduce AMR in Rwandan PLWHS. Antimicrobials were used by 88.2% of respondents for biomedical factors and mitigation strategies to reduce HIV/AIDS-related AMR. Social-cultural and belief factors that increase HIV/AIDS-related antimicrobial resistance Cultural beliefs or practices were reported by 62.6% of Rwanda Military Hospital visitors. Among HIV/AIDS patients visiting Rwanda Military Hospital, 73.6% cited antimicrobial cost as a factor. Lastly, KAP increased HIV/AIDS patients' antimicrobial resistance. Rwanda Military Hospital reported 62.6% unprescribed antimicrobial use. The study found that biomedical, social-cultural, socioeconomic, and knowledge-based factors increase AMR in Rwanda Military Hospital PLWHs. To optimise PLWH opportunistic infection management, the study recommended monitoring and updating treatment guidelines based on local resistance patterns.
Keywords: Anti-Microbial Resistance, Mitigation Strategies, People Living with HIV Aids, Rwanda Military Hospita
Role of Supply Chain Risk Management on Performance of Private Organizations: A Case of MTN Rwanda
No full textThe purpose of this study was to examine the role of supply chain risk management on performance of private organizations (2017-2022). Despite this, the performance of MTN Rwanda as a private company remains critical and ineffective due to inappropriate supply chain risk management through risk identification; risk measurement and assessment; risk mitigation; risk reporting and monitoring. In conducting this research, four objectives were focused on the role of supply chain risk identification on performance of MTN Rwanda, the role of supply chain risk measurement and assessment on performance of MTN Rwanda, the role of supply chain risk mitigation on performance of MTN Rwanda and lastly the role of supply chain risk reporting and monitoring on performance of MTN Rwanda. To achieve these objectives, literature was reviewed on the subject matter including definitions of key concepts, conceptual review, theoretical framework, conceptual framework and research gap analysis, additionally the study population was 300 employees of MTN Rwanda, and out of them a sample size of 171 respondents was purposively selected. Questionnaire, interview guide and documentation were used as tools of data collection. Furthermore, the data was analyzed by using descriptive statistics. Findings indicated that holding all the supply chain risk management on MNT Rwanda’s performance will be -.769 percent, a unit increase in the use of Supply chain risk identification would lead to increase in MTN Rwanda’s performance by 42.3%, a one percent increase in the use of supply chain risk measurement and assessment would lead to an increase MTN Rwanda’s performance by 23.1%, a one percent increase in the use of supply chain risk mitigation would lead to an increase MTN Rwanda’s performance by 103.8%, and lastly a one percentage increase in the use of supply chain risk reporting and monitoring would lead to 3.8% increase of MTN Rwanda’s performance. Overall, the supply chain risk mitigation had the greatest effect on MNT Rwanda’s performance, followed by supply chain risk identification, supply chain risk measurement and assessment and lastly supply chain risk reporting and monitoring. At 5% level of significance and 95% level of confidence, supply chain risk mitigation at 1.038 level of significance; supply chain risk identification had a 0.423 level of significance, supply chain risk measurement and assessment had a 0.231 level of significance, while Supply chain risk reporting and monitoring had a 0.038 level of significance. All the variables were significant (p<0.05). The study concluded that implementing a global supply chain risk management strategy can help companies operate more efficiently, reduce costs, and improve customer service. Therefore, with reference to MTN Rwanda, the study concludes that there is a positive relationship between supply chain risk management and performance of private organizations. The researcher in line with the findings and objectives of the study made the following suggestion that MTN Rwanda should continuously develop supply chain risk management policies and frameworks to enable employees to identify, assess, address, control and evaluate risks faced by the company.
Key words: Supply chain, risk management, performance, private organization, MTN Rwanda
Influence of Portfolio Approach on Purchasing Consortia at the County Referral Hospitals in the Coast Region, Kenya
No full textThe objective of the study was to determine the influence of portfolio approach on purchasing consortium at the County Referral Hospitals in the Coast Region, Kenya. The study further investigated the moderating influence of management information system on the relationship between portfolio approach and purchasing consortia at the county referral hospitals in the coast region, Kenya. The contingency theory was used in the study. The study embraced the descriptive research design. The study population comprised of 212 officials drawn from the county referral hospitals in the coast region of Kenya. The stratified random sampling technique resulted into having 139 units of analysis. The study used primary quantitative data which was collected using questionnaires, whereas data analysis was through the statistical package for social sciences. The hypothesis testing led to the rejection of H01, thus depicting that portfolio approach has a significant positive influence on purchasing consortia at the county referral hospitals in the coast region, Kenya. The hypothesis testing for the moderated relationship model led to the rejection of H02, thus confirming that management information system has a significant moderating effect on the relationship between portfolio approach and purchasing consortia at the county referral hospitals in the coast region of Kenya. The study concludes that portfolio approach has a significant positive influence on the purchasing consortia in County Referral Hospital in the Coast Region, Kenya. The study recommends that county referral hospitals should embrace portfolio approach because it influences the purchasing consortia. The study also recommends that the county referral hospitals should invest in management information system because it has a significant positive moderating effect on the relationship between portfolio approach and purchasing consortia at the county referral hospitals in the coastal region of Kenya. Additionally, it is recommended that these hospitals prioritize continuous training and capacity building for staff on the effective use of portfolio approaches and management information system to maximize the benefits of these strategies.
Keywords: Purchasing consortia, portfolio Approach, Contingency, Management Information System, County Referral Hospitals, Keny
Overcoming Challenges in the Procurement of Construction Materials for the Oil and Gas Industry
No full textThe procurement expediting process in the oil and gas industry plays a critical role in project success, directly impacting project timelines, costs, and overall efficiency. This study provided an overview of the challenges encountered during the material expediting process under procurement for Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) projects in the petroleum and gas sector in the Middle East. The research focused on the difficulties associated with coordination between the vendor, client/consultant, and contractor in arranging approvals for drawings, documents, and technical specifications prior to manufacturing. While previous studies have primarily focused on procurement delays, the objective of this research was to survey the challenges faced by expeditors and prioritize the factors leading to construction delays from their perspective. The study employed the Relative Importance Index (RII) method and Delphi study to provide insights into the challenges faced by expeditors. Hypotheses are formulated based on available data and additional data collected through interviews with existing expeditors in the job market, which are then validated at the end of the research. The findings reveal that unreliable vendors, bureaucratic document approval procedures, and poor vendor selection judgment are the most significant factors contributing to delays in the expediting process. The Delphi study, involving experts and a panel of 30 professionals, further validates that the bureaucratic approval process is a major cause of delays in material procurement. The study recommends that organizations should adopt a proactive approach to address these challenges. This includes involving expeditors in the early stages of the project, implementing specific timelines within purchase orders, investing in advanced technological infrastructure, and fostering a culture of collaboration and communication among all stakeholders. By implementing these recommendations, organizations can significantly improve the efficiency of the expediting process, reduce delays, and enhance overall project performance in the competitive petroleum and gas sector in the Middle East region.
Keywords: Overcoming Challenges, Procurement, Construction Materials, Oil and Gas Industr
Effect of Financial Control on Accountability Performance in Public Institutions in Rwanda. A Case of Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB), Pension Scheme Branch
No full textinstitutions in Rwanda, focusing on the Rwanda Social Security Board's (RSSB) pension scheme branch. The research is guided by the overarching objective of assessing the relationship between financial control measures, such as budgetary control, accounting control, and liquidity, and accountability performance within the Rwandan public sector context. Study Objectives were to assess the effect of budgetary control on accountability performance in RSSB, pension scheme branch, to determine the effect of accounting control on accountability performance in RSSB, pension scheme branch and to analyze the effect of liquidity on accountability performance in RSSB, pension scheme branch. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, integrating quantitative and qualitative methodologies. The quantitative phase utilizes surveys, structured questionnaires, and financial data analysis to quantify variables and examined statistical relationships. This comprehensive approach ensures a nuanced understanding of the dynamics at play. This study conducted on 963 as employees of Rwanda Social Security Board, among whom a sample size of 283 respondents selected, in addition to 15 staff of internal audit Unit, to respectively answer to questionnaire and interview for a descriptive, regression and correlation analysis, with the help of SPSS computer packages. Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient, assessing the reliability of data collection instruments, yielded a score of 0.885, falling within an acceptable range. This ensured the consistency of the research instruments in measuring the intended constructs. The study recommends several measures for Rwanda Social Security Board's Pension Scheme branch based on its findings. It advises the strengthening of budgetary control mechanisms, emphasizing clear plans, monitoring, and timely corrective actions. Additionally, enhancing accounting control practices, including continuous monitoring and compliance enforcement, is suggested. The optimization of liquidity management strategies to ensure compliance and strategic investments is also recommended. To bolster the effectiveness of financial control, investing in staff training and awareness programs is proposed. Lastly, implementing periodic evaluations and continuous improvement systems for financial control mechanisms is advised, allowing RSSB to adapt and enhance accountability practices over time
An Assessment of Adopting Accrual Accounting on the Quality of the Financial Reports in Public Institutions in Rwanda. Case Study of Nyamasheke District
No full textGlobalisation has increased the interconnection of economies and cultures across the globe, which led to the need for uniformity in reporting public finance in the form of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), designed to harmonise accounting practices in the public sector across countries. Even though IPSAS has been ascribed to be beneficial, not all countries have adopted it at the same level. This work study seeks to ascertain the Effect of The Adoption of Accrual Accounting on the Quality of Financial Reports in Public Institutions in Rwanda, particularly in Nyamasheke district, through assessing the effect of revenue recognition, determining the effect of expenses recognition, analysing the effect of liability recognition and assessing the effect of asset recognition, on the quality of financial reports in public institutions, from 2020 to 2023. This study was conducted on a sample size of 51 accountants, budget officer, Director of finance and Director of Administration and Finance who were purposively selected from public institutions locating in the study area, namely hospitals, district headquarter, health centers, boarding schools and sector offices for to answer to a questionnaire for both descriptive and correlative analytical fact, with the help of SPSS version 20. A mixed survey design, being both descriptive and correlative, was used in this study where, in the context of accrual accounting adoption and quality of financial reporting, this study involved gathering and analyzing data to describe the current state of accrual accounting adoption and correlate it with the quality of financial reports. The study revealed that the revenue recognition with (B=0.728; t=3.978, p=.035); Expenses recognition with (B=0.587; t=3.787, p=.036); liability recognition with (B=0.834; t=4.821, p=.014) and asset recognition with (B=0.556; t=2.896, p=.047) were significantly affecting quality of financial report, but at low level as proven by the R-square of 0.106. on the other hand, the study concluded that adoption of accrual accounting had a weak significant positive effect on quality of financial report in public institutions in Rwanda. Therefore, it was recommended for public institutions to invest in comprehensive training and capacity-building programs for staff members involved in financial reporting; working towards standardizing their practices in revenue recognition, liability recognition, expenses recognition, and asset recognition and be actively engaged in the implementation process and ensure that their recognition practices are in accordance with IPSAS guidelines.
Key terms: Revenue Recognition, Expenses Recognition, Liability Recognition, Asset Recognition and Financial Report
Contribution of Digital Financial Services to Financial Inclusion Promotion in Rwanda: A Case of Musanze District
No full textThis study examined the money transfer service, mobile loan service, remittance service and how they contribute to the financial inclusion in Musanze district. The study used a descriptive research design to investigate the relationship between digital financial services and financial inclusion Musanze district, Rwanda. This study adopted a mixed approach, as both quantitative and qualitative techniques were used. The population of the study were adult inhabitants of Musanze District, i.e., those with a national identity card, which is a prerequisite for opening a mobile money account. The primary data were collected using questionnaire and interview guides. The questionnaire findings on the first specific objective gave a mean score was 4.04 (std = 1.069) indicating that the respondents highly agreed that money transfer services contribute to financial inclusion and with very low divergence. On the second objective, the overall mean was 3.94 (std=1.00) showing that there was general agreement among respondents on the fact that mobile loan services contribute to financial inclusion. On the third specific objective, an overall mean of 4.24 (std=0.82) was obtained indicating that most of the respondents agreed that remittance services contribute to financial inclusion. The regression was fairly fit with an R2 = 0.597, implying that digital financial services, namely money transfer services, mobile loan services, and remittance services increase financial inclusion in Rwanda by 59.7%. As per the ANOVA analysis, the regression model (F = 186.821, p = 0.001) was proved to be statistically significant since the p-value was less than the 5% threshold. All the three null hypotheses were rejected at 5% level of significance. This implied that money transfer services, mobile loan services, and remittance services significantly contribute to financial inclusion in Rwanda. From the interview session, the respondents unanimously agreed that digital financial services (DFS) like money transfer, mobile loans, and remittances are the primary drivers of financial inclusion in Musanze District by decentralizing services and creating jobs for agents. Most emphasized the role of mobile money and banking agents in bringing services closer, increasing usage through easy access, although income was cited as a key factor for transacting. Financial literacy and low, seasonal incomes from agriculture were identified as major barriers, with people reluctant to join formal finance due to a cash-at-home mindset and financial inactivity when income is low. The study recommends that mobile financial service providers should enhance the security of their platforms and improve customer support to attract more users. The study also recommends that the regulatory bodies to provide guidelines and rules to be used in the use of telephones as tools for financial services.
Keywords: Contribution, digital, financial services and financial inclusion, Rwand
Revenue Diversification and Financial Performance of Commercial Banks, Kenya
No full textFinancial intermediaries, providers of funds and primary depositors of savings are important to an economy. In Kenya, the banking sector has been facing challenges such as declining profitability since 2015, with a brief uptick in 2019 that was halted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Banks in Kenya proactively set aside funds to cover potentially risky loans in 2020, reevaluating their asset quality due to the unprecedented uncertainty caused by the pandemic, which put the international financial reporting standard (IFRS) 9 for projected credit loss provisioning to the test. The Kenyan banking sector must overcome various challenges, including economic downturns, illiquid stock markets, and other macroeconomic and bank-specific issues, despite demonstrating resilience and stability with robust capital and liquidity ratios in 2022. Thus this research investigated the effect of income diversification on financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya. Specifically, this research assessed the effect of fees and commissions, dividend income, foreign currency trading and transaction fee revenue on the financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya. The research was based on agency theory, portfolio theory and financial intermediation theory. The sample included 38 commercial banks selected from the years 2019 to 2023, and the research used a census sampling method to gather data from the whole population of these banks in Kenya. The study employed an explanatory research design, utilizing descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviation, as well as inferential statistical tools like panel multiple regression analysis and Pearson correlation analysis, while various diagnostic tests, including multicollinearity, normalcy, linearity, homoscedasticity, Houseman test, and autocorrelation tests, were conducted to validate the model's predictions. The study found that fees and commission income had a positive and statistically significant relationship with the return on assets (ROA) of commercial banks in Kenya (β=3.085506, p=0.000), and dividend income also showed a strong and statistically significant correlation with ROA (β=1.939443, p=0.000). The p-value for foreign exchange trading income was 0.0050, indicating that it significantly affects the financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya. Furthermore, the p-value for transaction fee income was 0.0240, suggesting that commercial banks in Kenya heavily rely on cash from transaction fees to fund their operations. In conclusion, the research determined that there is a significant positive relationship between fees and commissions, dividend income, foreign exchange trading income, and transaction fee income on the financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya. The study recommended that commercial banks need to review transaction rates from time to time to ensure that they derive maximum income from loans. Further, banks need to participate in the securities market by trading in shares and other investment vehicles to expand their revenue base. Banks can diversify their investment options and focus on foreign exchange trading income since it improves their performance.
Keywords: Commission fees, Dividend income, foreign exchange income, transaction fees income, financial performance, Commercial Banks, Keny