Stratford Peer Reviewed Journals and Books
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Effect of Project Planning on Performance of Construction Project in Rwanda; A Case Study of Sesam Cube Ltd (2017-2022)
No full textThe general objective of this study was to assess the effect of project planning on performance of construction project. The specific objectives of the study was to establish the effect of defining project objectives on performance of construction project in SESAM Cube Ltd; to examine the effect of setting milestones on performance of construction project in SESAM Cube Ltd; to assess the effect of creating a work breakdown on performance of construction project in SESAM Cube Ltd; and to establish the effect of allocating resources on performance of construction project in SESAM Cube Ltd. The study used inferential analysis research design. The target population for this study was 32 employees working in SESAM Cube Ltd. A statistical package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0 used to analyze the data collected throughout a questionnaire. For testing H01, the results revealed that defining project objectives was (β1=0.113, p=0.005, <0.05 level of significance) showed a statistically significant relationship between defining project objectives and performance of construction project in SESAM Cube Ltd. There H01 was rejected. The statistical results revealed that setting milestones was (β=0.316, p=0.002, <0.05 level of significance). Therefore we rejected H02. The statistical results revealed that creating a work breakdown was (β= -0.004, p=.015, <0.05 level of significance) showed a statistically significant relationship between creating a work breakdown and performance of construction project in SESAM Cube Ltd. Therefore we rejected H03 hence the regression model predicting significant relationship between creating a work breakdown and performance of construction project. The statistical results also revealed that allocating resources was (β=0.605, t=3.418, p=0.002, <0.05 level of significance) showed a statistically significant relationship between allocating resources and performance of construction project in SESAM Cube Ltd. Therefore, we rejected H04. Based on the findings of this study, the study recommends that construction companies especially SESAM Cube Ltd should proper channel of resource mobilization for projects and a proper funding schedule to facilitate the completion of project.
Keywords: project planning, defining project objectives, setting milestones, creating a work breakdown, allocating resources and performance of construction project
Monitoring and Evaluation Practices and Urban Water Sustainability Project in Rwanda: A Case of WASAC Project in Kigali City
No full textIn Rwanda, projects failure is caused by lack of Monitoring and Evaluation staff trainings, technical expertise, design/approach, low level stakeholder involvement, lack of proper planning, lack of supportive supervision, insufficient financial management and poor leadership on feasibility and sustainability project. The general objective of the study is to assess monitoring and evaluation practices and urban water sustainability project in Rwanda. A case of WASAC project in Kigali city and the specific objectives of the study were to assess the influence of project monitoring and evaluation planning on urban water sustainability project in Rwanda, to assess the influence of monitoring and evaluation stakeholders involvement on urban water sustainability project in Rwanda and to determine the effect of monitoring and evaluation trainings on urban water sustainability project in Rwanda. The study was based on two theories such as theory of change and theory of constraints. In this study, a descriptive research design was used and the targeted population includes project management team, project monitoring and evaluation officials, project analysts and engineers. In total they were184 from whom a sample size of 126 was selected as representative of total population. Therefore, a simple sampling technique will be used and data will be collected using questionnaire, interview and documentation. The analysis of data will be done through SPSS version 21. The study findings showed that stakeholders’ involvement is essential in achieving urban water sustainability in the way that M&E planning contribution is at the mean of 3.908 and standard deviation of 0.755, stakeholders involvement contributed to urban water sustainability at the mean of 3.275 and standard deviation of 0.642 while M&E trainings has contributed to urban water sustainability at the mean of4.505 and standard deviation of 0.720 The study found that there are continuous M&E trainings and development of the project staff to acquire skills to implement the project. The study recommended that effective project planning need to be put in place by the project team and managers. Project team should ensure their monitoring and evaluation control plan align with M&E plan. The study recommends a sound stakeholders’ involvement at each phase of the project from initial phase to execution.
Keywords: Monitoring and Evaluation, Urban Water Sustainability, WASAC, Project Management, Kigali City Infrastructur
The Effect of Funds Management on Project Performance; A Case of Rwanda Dairy Development Project (RDDP) in Kayonza District, Rwanda
No full textPoor fund management and cost overruns entrains delays during project implementation. This study entitled the effect of funds management on project performance in Rwanda. The general objective of this research is to assess the effect of funds management on RDDP performance in Kayonza district, Rwanda. Specific objectives were to analyze relationship between budget estimate and project performance; to assess the impact of funds allocation of RDDP performance in Rwanda, and to examine the effects of funds monitoring and control on the performance of Dairy Development project in Kayonza district, Rwanda. This research was a descriptive-correlational design and used both qualitative and quantitative research approaches. A Sample size of 180 respondents determined using Slovin’s formula, was randomly extracted from 328 employees and beneficiaries of RDDP in Kayonza district. Descriptive statistics were used to determine frequencies and percentages of respondents, while regression analysis and Pearson correlation coefficient were used to establish relationship between variables under study. The Statistical Packaging for Social Sciences version 28 was used in this study. The researcher found that there is a positive relationship between funds allocation and project performance in Rwanda, there is a positive relationship between funds control and project performance in Rwanda, there is a positive relationship between budget estimate and project performance in Rwanda. The study also found that the regression analysis equation is projects performance (Y) = .465+ .601* budget estimate + .332* funds allocation + .515* funds monitoring &control. This implies that the transition from managing projects requires more focus on budgeting, funds allocation and funds monitoring & control. Based on the discussion, it is concluded that, budget estimate, funds allocation and funds monitoring & control plays a big role towards performance of the project. The techniques used during this process of budgeting are supposed to make sure that effective management of funds is done. The management of the project should always make sure that, budgets systems, funds control, funds allocation are clear and following the principles of project management to avoid audit queries all the time which may affect the implementation of the project activities.
Key words: Fund Management, Project Performance and RDD
Influence of Entrepreneurial Green Process Marketing On Innovation Performance of Manufacturing SMEs in Nairobi, Kenya
No full textThe study aimed at determining the influence of entrepreneurial green process marketing on innovation performance of Manufacturing SMEs in Nairobi. The study used a descriptive design targeting a population of 172 SMEs in the manufacturing sector in Nairobi County, using management personnel of the firms under study. Stratified random sampling technique was utilized to sample 120 owner managers. Gathering of primary data was done through questionnaires and interview guides and secondary data sourced from existing literature. Pilot study was carried out to ensure that the instruments were reliable while validity was tested through consultations with the supervisors and experts. Quantitative data analysis was done using both descriptive and inferential statistics and the association of independent and dependent variables verified using multiple regression models. The aggregate mean responses on statements about entrepreneurial green process marketing and innovation performance of Manufacturing SMEs sector is 3.75, an indication that majority of the respondents agreed that entrepreneurial green process marketing affect innovation performance of manufacturing SMEs. The aggregate standard deviation of 1.38 is an indication that the response by respondents were clustered around the mean. The study recommends that SMEs in Kenya to adopt green process marketing practices since they lead to enhanced innovation performance. The practices should include changes in techniques, reduced carbon emission processes and green disposal. This can be adopted using diverse productive manufacturing processes to optimize performance in the market, to appeal to the consumers and hence be competitive in the market sustainably.
Keywords: Entrepreneurial green process marketing, innovation performance, Manufacturing SME
Influence of Innovativeness On Performance of Kenyan Owned Airline Enterprises
No full textThis study sought to investigate the influence of innovativeness on the performance of Kenyan airlines. The study adopted a descriptive design. The research focused on a population of 47 Kenyan owned airlines, both passenger and cargo, from whom a sample of 42 firms was selected through simple random sampling method. In the 42 airlines, the researcher accessed two subjects, a chief executive officer and a senior level manager giving a total sample size of 84. The study employed structured questionnaires to collect primary data. Both descriptive statistics and inferential statistics was generated. From this data, a regression model was used to show the relationship between the independent variables to the dependent variable. The results indicate that there is a relatively strong but significantly positive association between innovativeness and Kenyan owned airlines’ performance (R=.483). The coefficient of determination R2 =.233 implies that innovation explains 23.3% of the Kenyan owned airlines’ performance. The study recommends that Kenyan owned airlines to continuously adopt entrepreneurial innovativeness since this leads to improved performance. The practices should include all scientific, technological, organizational, financial and commercial steps which actually, or are intended to, lead to the implementation of innovations.
Keywords: Innovativeness, performance, Kenyan owned airlines
Growth of Horticultural Export Market: The implication of Post-harvest Handling Practices among Small Scale Farmers in South Rift, Kenya
No full textThe inclusion of rural smallholder farmers in the export of horticultural products has two major implications: increased household income through access to a promising global market and enhanced productivity, cumulatively contributing to the growth of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and foreign exchange. Currently, there are an estimated 2,500 smallholder farmers participating in horticultural exports South Rift of Kenya. Consequently, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between post-harvest handling practices by smallholder farmers and the growth of the horticultural export market. Quantitative data were collected using a structured questionnaire from a sample of 334 small-scale horticultural farmers, randomly selected for the study. Validity and reliability tests were conducted prior to the main study. Descriptive statistics and simple linear regression were employed to analyze the data. Post-harvest handling practices were assessed through the utilization of packaging materials, storage facilities, energy supply, hygiene, and transportation facilities. The findings indicated a statistically significant relationship between post-harvest handling practices and the growth of horticultural export markets. However, deficiencies were observed among small-scale farmers in South Rift, Kenya, in managing horticultural products after harvest. The study recommended for strategic interventions for the adoption of modern technologies in every stage of the supply chain and establishes collaborations with key stakeholders in order to minimize cost of investment per farmer and ultimately enhancing market standards compliance and competitiveness in the fruit and vegetable export market.
Keywords: Post harvest, storage, packaging, Hygiene, Export, Market
Meaning Shifts of Culture-Specific Expressions: A Case Study of Facebook
No full textThis research aimed to examine the effects of meaning shifts in culture-specific content on Facebook. Specifically, it sought to explore the linguistic, cultural, and grammatical similarities between English and Kiswahili, while highlighting the significant mismatches between these two languages. The study used the theory of Principle of Cultural Translation to provide the theoretical relevance. The target population comprised Facebook pages with a significant following and a focus on CSIs posted within the context of conversations on those pages. The study aimed to examine CSIs posted on Facebook pages based in Kenya on foods, fashion and cultural architecture where English-Kiswahili translations were assessed for errors. The study employed purposive sampling to select a sample of 11 Facebook pages for content analysis. Primary data was gathered through the content analysis method, which involved the systematic preparation, organization, and reporting of the data collected. The study found that lexical, rhetorical, and grammatical mis-matches contributed to misunderstandings and misrepresentations in a variety of domains, including food, fashion, and cultural architecture. Based on the analysis, 80% of the Facebook sources revealed food items like "ugali" and "Nyama Choma" were often reduced to overly simplified translations like "cornmeal" and "grilled meat," failing to capture their rich cultural significance. With regards of fashion, the study found that 70% of the Facebook pages mistranslated the garments such as "kanga" led to a loss of their deeper meanings, contributing to cultural appropriation. Similarly, architectural terms suffered from meaning shifts; 55% of the sources depicted that terms describing unique Kenyan architectural styles were reduced to words like "huts," ignoring the cultural and historical narratives they encapsulate. The study concludes that the meaning shifts of culture-specific expressions related to food, fashion, and architecture in Kenya on Facebook have various negative implications as it leads to misunderstandings that go beyond mere words. The study thus recommends that stickers that contain only the most basic information should be made more useful by scaling them down or making them smaller while figurative language, such as idioms, should be used to describe complex ideas.
Keywords: Culture-specific expressions, Meaning shifts, Mistranslation, Lexical mismatches, Facebook conten
Analyzing Facebook's Use of Natural Equivalents to Preserve Cultural Integrity and Reduce Meaning Shifts in Expressions
No full textThis study sought to examine the extent to which Facebook has used natural equivalents to avoid meaning shifts of culture-specific expressions.The main challenge in development and implementation natural language processing technologies by Facebook has been the preservation of cultural integrity and reduction of meaning shifts when translating or interpreting expressions across different languages and cultures. The target population comprised Facebook pages with a significant following and a focus on CSIs posted within the context of conversations on those pages. This studyused purposivesamplingto select a sampleof11 Facebook cites whosecontents were analyzed. This study collected primary data using content analysis method. This study conducted content analysis that involved preparing, organizing and reporting data.The study found that most of theFacebooksourcesrevealedfooditemslike "ugali"and"NyamaChoma"wereoftenreducedtooverlysimplifiedtranslationslike"cornmeal" and "grilled meat," failing to capture their rich cultural significance. With regards of fashion, the study found that majority of the Facebook pages mistranslated the garments such as "kanga" led to a lossoftheirdeepermeanings,contributingtoculturalappropriation.Similarly,architecturalterms also suffered from meaning shifts; more than a half of the sources depicted that terms describing unique Kenyanarchitecturalstyleswerereducedtowordslike"huts,"ignoringtheculturalandhistorical narratives they encapsulate. Thestudyconcludesthatthe meaning shifts of culture-specific expressions related to food, fashion, and architecture in Kenya on Facebook have various negative implications as it leads to misunderstandings that go beyond mere words. The study thus recommends that stickers that contain only the most basic information should be made more useful by scaling them down or making them smaller while figurativelanguage,suchasidioms,shouldbeusedtodescribecomplexideas.
Keywords: Natural Equivalents, Cultural Integrity, Meaning Shifts, Digital Communication, Facebook NLP Strategie
Relationship between Millinery Curriculum Content and Millinery Skills Acquired by Higher National Diploma Fashion Design Students
No full textMillinery art enormously contributes to the performance of Fashion Design graduates in the fashion industry. Competency-based training in Ghanaian Technical Universities demands a special focus on the various courses of study to determine the effectiveness of the skills acquired. The study's objectives were to examine millinery curriculum content used to train students in millinery art and determine the relationship between curriculum content and millinery skills acquired by HND fashion design students. The study hypothesis determined the significant relationship between the content of the millinery art curriculum and the millinery skills HND Fashion Design students acquired. Multi-stage sampling and systematic random sampling techniques were used to select five Technical Universities and students in the five regions of Ghana. Proportion random and stratified sampling were used to select 249 students from a population of 662. A total of 28 industry supervisors were purposively selected. The study adopted a cross-sectional descriptive survey to collect quantitative and qualitative data. MANOVA analysis on the hypothesis was tested at p ˂ 0.05 alpha index, and it was rejected due to statistically significant differences between curriculum content and millinery art skills acquired. Multiple linear regression was used to determine the strength of the relationship between curriculum content and millinery skills acquired. The result was accepted at R2 = .301, (5, 243) =17.391, p = .535 ˃ 0.05 with weak correlation of 30.1%. The study concludes that there is a direct relationship between the millinery curriculum content in Technical Universities and the millinery art skills acquired by Higher National Diploma Fashion Design students in Ghana, with curriculum content having a moderate effect of 30.1% on skill acquisition. The study recommends that the Fashion Design departments of the TUs review the millinery accessory curriculum using the CIPP model. It further recommends that TUs strengthen partnerships with the fashion industry to create more meaningful internship opportunities that do not financially burden students. The study suggests investing in improved instructional resources and facilities for millinery art education, including upgraded equipment and a wider range of materials. Additionally, it recommends implementing a more robust assessment system that regularly evaluates the effectiveness of the millinery curriculum in terms of skill acquisition and industry readiness. Lastly, the study advises fostering creativity and innovation in millinery design within the curriculum to better prepare students for the competitive fashion industry.
Keywords: Millinery Curriculum, Skills Acquired, Fashion Design Student
Exploring the Effects of Development of Policy Alternatives by the Public on Policy Formulation in Kericho County
No full textPublic participation in Kenya has not been achieved especially at county level in which Kericho County is one of them. This study sought to explore the effects of development of policy alternatives by the public on policy formulation in Kericho County. This study was guided by public participation and policy formulation theory and adopted descriptive research design. The study targeted 30 ward administrators, 30 members of the county assembly, 85 village elders, and local residents of Kericho County. Using simple random sampling technique, the study obtained a sample size of 196 respondents who participated in the study. Primary data for the study was gathered through the use of an interview guide and a questionnaire. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used in the analysis of the quantitative data obtained through the use of a questionnaire and SPSS version 25. Frequency and percentage were the precise descriptive statistics that were employed, and regression analysis and correlation were the inferential statistics. The study found that development of policy alternatives by the public had positive and significant effect on policy formulation (β = 0.465, p = 0.000). The study concludes that the government, citizens, special interest groups, the media, and the private sector all have a role to play in the policy-making process. Thus, policy makers should consider the input of these stakeholders when making decisions, as their actions can have a large impact on the implementation of policies. In view of the findings, the study recommended that policy makers should ensure that policies are reflective of the opinions of all stakeholders in order to ensure their successful implementation.
Keywords: Public Participation, Policy Formulation, Community Engagement, Governance, Kericho Count