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Effect of Material Handling on Performance of Supply Chain; A Case Study of MAGERWA Ltd
No full textThis study examined the effect of Material handling on performance supply chain. A case study of Magerwa Ltd. The target population was the Magerwa Ltd employees, the population target was 150 employees of Magerwa Ltd while undertaking sample size was 109 of respondents. Study employed descriptive statistics and inferential statistics, both qualitative and quantitative were used to analyse the data with assistance of SPSS software program version 25.0 descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were used to present frequencies tables, percentages, and mean and inferential analysis was employed in order to use Pearson correlation and multiple regression model to test the relationship between the independent variables and the dependent variable. Qualitative and quantitative analysis were used descriptive statistics were employed in order produce frequency tables, percentages and mean. Inferential statistics were used in order to use person correlation and multiple regression model to test and draw relationship between variables both for independent band dependent. The the effect of nature of materials for Material handling on performance of supply chain was analyzed. The overall means of results was 3.74, the effect of facility layout for Material handling on performance of supply chain.was analyzed, The overall means of results was 3.72 the effects of equipment reliability on performance of supply chain was analyzed. The overall means of results was 3.72, the effect of operation system for Material handling on performance of supply was analyzed. The overall means of results was 3.59. The data of performance Supply chain was analyzed, the overall means of results was 3.73 depending on the results, it presents that the performance supply chain was on good grades. The indicated that the relationship material handling and performance supply chain between nature, facility layout, equipment reliability and operation system and performance supply chain was 0.780, 0.864 ,0.847 and 0.843 respectively, and the results presented than the variables were statistically significant with p value=0.000. The results presented the variables of material handling; the Nature was not statistically significant with p value=0.316b, the Facility layout was statistically significant with p value=0.000b, and the Equipment reliability was statistically significant with p value=0.000b. It concluded that there was a significant relationship between material handling and performance supply chain. The study recommended that MINICOM and MINIFRA should sensitize the citizens to be engaged in material handling as part of logistics in order to develop themselves be good citizens in the country
Impact of Warehouse Operations on the Onions Supply Chain Management in Singida Urban District
No full textThe study focused on the assessment of the factors influencing onion’s supply chain in Singida Urban District. The aim was to examine the impact warehousing operations on onions supply chain. A cross-sectional survey design was employed. Data was collected from 100 respondents; whereby farmers, whole sellers and retailers filled the questionnaires. The interviews were conducted to key informant respondents who work with agriculture division of the district and village leaders. The study found that about 66.7% of respondents agreed that there is a small percentage of facilities available for storage of onions harvest while about 70% of respondents agree that the warehouses are very expensive to rent. Results from two-way ANOVA suggested that, high standard procedures and high storage costs are the major factor that influenced variability of supply chain supported by statistical evidence. The study recommended that District management could review and formalize policies and regulations that guide and support supply chain actors in onions business interaction with farmers to avoid price increases, create awareness and fair play in onions supply chain and assuring transparency in the process. Besides, it is imperative that the local government actively invest in research and development initiatives focused on onion production and supply chain optimization. Collaborating with agricultural research institutions and universities, the government can support research projects aimed at developing improved onion varieties with enhanced shelf life and disease resistance. These research efforts should also explore innovative and cost-effective post-harvest technologies to reduce onion losses during storage. By fostering a culture of innovation and research in onion farming practices, the local government can contribute to long-term sustainability and competitiveness in the onion supply chain in the urban district.
Keywords: Warehouse operations, supply chain management, Singida Urban District, Tanzania
 
Effect of Microfinance Services on Financial Performance of Selected Small and Medium Enterprises in Gisagara District, Rwanda
No full textThe general objective of this research was to assess the effect of microfinance services on financial performance of small and medium enterprises in Rwanda. This study had the following specific objectives; to find out effect of financial literacy on financial performance of small medium enterprises in Gisagara District, examine the effect of saving services on financial performance of small and medium enterprises in Gisagara District and determine the effect of access to credit services on financial performance of small and medium enterprises in Gisagara District. For this study 6984 Small and Medium Enterprises as members of SACCOs in Gisagara District made up the study’s population. The sample size determined by the help of Solvin’s formula. Respondents selected from the clusters using a basic random sampling method for the study. As all 378 respondents are members of SACCOs in Gisagara District, random sampling used to choose a representative sample from each division. Each study goal probed with detailed inquiries to guarantee its fruitful conclusion. The study employed descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings indicate the coefficients between financial literacy, saving services, credit services, and financial performance of the respondents. There is significant effect of financial literacy on financial performance of SMEs (β=0.335, p<0.05). There is a significant effect of saving services on financial performance of SMEs (β = 0.273, p < 0.05). This indicates that individuals who utilize saving services tend to have better financial performance in their businesses. There is a significant effect of credit services on financial performance of SMEs (β=0.337, p<0.05). These findings highlight the importance of financial literacy, access to saving and credit services in promoting better financial outcomes for entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprises in Gisagara District. To enhance the financial performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Gisagara District, it is recommended to implement targeted financial literacy programs that address the specific needs of SMEs and collaborate with local stakeholders to ensure widespread adoption of financial best practices
Leverage and Quality of Voluntary Disclosure among Commercial Banks in Kenya
No full textDifferent results have been reported by the existing studies with regards to leverage and quality of voluntary disclosure. Therefore, this research sought to establish the effect of firm leverage on the quality of voluntary disclosure among commercial banks in Kenya. The study was guided by signalling theory. This study adopted positivistic philosophy and explanatory research design. The study period was between the years 2013- 2020 and 38 out of 41 commercial banks in Kenya licensed by the Central Bank of Kenya as at 2020 were selected as the sample using purposive sampling method. The data was extracted and compiled for evaluation from the financial statements using the document review guide. Descriptive and inferential statistics evaluated the data. Pearson correlation analysis was done to show correlation between variables. A panel regression model was used. The study found that leverage has a negative significant influence on quality of voluntary disclosure of commercial banks. The study recommends that banks manage their debt levels carefully to enhance transparency and the quality of their voluntary disclosures. Given that debt holders often access information through alternative channels such as credit ratings, banks should diversify their communication strategies beyond annual reports to include more frequent and detailed disclosures.
Keywords: Leverage, Quality of Voluntary Disclosure & Commercial Bank
Influence of Work Culture on Organizational Performance in Rwanda: A Case of Economic Policy Research Network
No full textWork culture has long been regarded as a significant component of a wide range of organizational processes, personnel, and performance. It has also served as a vital connection to bind diverse corporate cultures in the corporate group structure. This descriptive assessed the influence of work culture on organizational performance, data collected were cross-sectional. The total population was 302 and the sample size was 177 calculated using Yamane formula. Both stratified and purposive sampling techniques were employed. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) was used to analyze quantitative data while qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. With respect to the specific objective of the study, after collecting data, cleaning, and interpreting, the findings indicated that regarding to the influence of ethics-driven work culture on organizational performance. The majority 115 out of 177 or 65% concurred that having certain values as a work-driven culture in an organization influences organizational performance. Respondents supported the findings by saying organizations with values that become a work-driven culture motivate their employees to always take the right decisions. Likewise, 77 out of 177 and represented by 43.5% asserted that setting norms in an organization influences organizational performance. Regarding to the influence of technology-driven work culture on organizational performance. The findings showed about 117 (66.1%), and 113 (63.8%) respectively strongly agreed that automating organizational services and fostering organizational services online significantly contribute to organizational performance. Concerning to the influence of M&E on organizational performance, 53.7% strongly agree that acknowledging the feedback of organization stakeholders influences organizational performance. Above all, the findings demonstrated that a combination of ethics-driven work culture, technology-driven work culture, and M&E-driven work culture contributes up to 72% to organizational performance. Moreover, correlation analysis showed that there is positive relationship between ethics, technology, and M&E-driven work culture with organizational performance. However, technology-driven work culture and M&E-driven work culture are more highly correlated with organizational performance than ethics-driven work culture. The study recommended that ethics-driven work culture, technology-driven work culture, and M&E-driven work culture should be enhanced in organizations since it’s a key factors with regard to performance.
Keywords: Work Culture, Organizational Performance, Economic Policy Research Network Rwanda.
 
Quality Management Practices and Service Delivery: A Case of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa
No full textQuality management practices is the process of managing the activities and resources of the institution so as to achieve goals and prevent nonconformance. In Kenya, the higher education sector has continued to grow steadily as indicated by massive student enrollments over the past few years. However, this growth has not been accompanied by a matching expansion of campus facilities, human resources or space to accommodate these students. The objective of the study was to determine the impact of Quality Management Practices on Service delivery at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa. The research was designed to use quantitative, descriptive and inferential survey design. The target population comprised of employees of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) who were categorized as: senior administrative non-teaching staff, middle level non-teaching staff, academic staff, part time lecturers and support staff giving a total of 550. Stratified sampling was adopted. A sample size of 226 respondents was derived.207 participated in the study was achieved indicating a response rate of 92%. The researcher adopted questionnaires to conduct the study. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS (V. 25). Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics include means, frequencies and standard deviations while inferential statistics included multiple linear regression. The results of the regression model indicate that holding other factors constant, Quality Management Practices had a 43.6% influence on service delivery. The results of the correlation analysis indicated a strong positive correlation between customer focus and service delivery (P=.877). A strong positive correlation was also established between continuous improvement and service delivery (P=.507). The study established a weak significant association between top management commitment and service delivery as indicated by P=-.401;.000 respectively. Finally, the study showed a negative insignificant relationship between employee involvement and service delivery as indicated by P=-.13 and .098 respectively. The study recommends that top management provide more resources towards quality efforts and pay particular attention to implementation of quality policies and plans. Bureaucratic processes in decision-making by top management affects employees in ensuring that policies are implemented. A hybrid management style is therefore recommended whereby top management consult staff on decision making.
Keywords: Quality Management Practices, Service Delivery, Customer Focus, Commitment, Employee Involvement, & Continuous Improvement
Leadership on Project Implementation in Mining Industry of Rwanda: A Case of Exploration of Gemstones Project in Rwanda
No full textDespite advancements in the project management profession, research studies have revealed that many projects fail, emphasizing the significance of the project manager's role as manager. This study looked at the role of leadership in project implementation in Rwanda's mining industry, using the exploration of gemstones project as an example. The study specifically looked at the effects of leadership skills, leadership experience, and leadership style on the implementation of a gemstone exploration project in Rwanda. The study was founded on leadership trait theory, change theory, and stakeholder theory. To collect data from the sample population, the researcher used both quantitative and qualitative approaches, as well as a descriptive design. The study's population of interest was 52 employees from the Exploration of Gemstones project in Rwanda, so a census sampling technique was used. Data was gathered using a questionnaire and the drop-and-pick-later technique. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS, followed by descriptive and inferential statistics. The correlation coefficient was also used by the researcher to determine the relationship between variables while The multiple regression equation demonstrates that regardless of the presence of other factors, project implementation in Rwanda will always be dependent on a constant factor of.088. The other variables explain that every unit increase in leadership style increases project implementation by a factor of.665, unit change by a factor of.665, and leadership experience by a factor of.340. This indicates that proper leadership style practice in the project will improve the most during project implementation. According to the survey results, there is a very strong correlation between leadership experience and project implementation in the Exploration of Gemstones Project. This means that, when other factors influencing project implementation in Rwanda are taken into account, only leadership experience has a statistically significant effect on project implementation in the Exploration of Gemstones Project.
Keywords: Leadership, Leadership Skills, Leadership Experience, Leadership Style Project Implementation
 
Funds Management and Performance of Infrastructural Projects in Canada: A Case Study of Trans-Canada Highway
No full textFunds management is a crucial aspect of infrastructure projects, ensuring that financial resources are effectively allocated and utilized to achieve project goals. It involves the strategic planning, budgeting, and monitoring of funds throughout the project lifecycle. The performance of infrastructural projects is measured through various indicators, including cost management, schedule adherence, quality of deliverables, and overall project outcomes. Effective funds management plays a significant role in project performance, as it helps ensure that funds are allocated optimally and used efficiently. Infrastructure projects often require substantial investments, and funds management helps mitigate financial risks by monitoring expenditures, identifying cost overruns or budget deviations, and implementing corrective measures. It also involves financial forecasting and risk assessment to anticipate and address potential challenges or constraints that may impact project performance. The study used the descriptive research design. The target population was 35 members of Transport Canada. The study did sampling of 25 respondents that were selected from the target population of 35 members of Transport Canada. The collection of data was conducted through stratified random sampling whereby questionnaires were used to gather data. The study concluded that the challenges surrounding funds management, cost control, performance evaluation, environmental considerations, and stakeholder collaboration must be addressed to ensure the optimal utilization of resources and the long-term sustainability of the project. Securing stable and adequate funding sources from national and provincial governments is crucial for the Trans-Canada Highway's continued development and maintenance. The study recommended that both national and provincial governments should establish a long-term funding plan that spans the entire lifecycle of the project. Regular assessments and data collection should be conducted to identify bottlenecks, areas for improvement, and emerging needs.
Keywords: Funds Management, Performance, Infrastructural Projects, Canad
Brand Image and Consumer Decision Making in the Mobile Telecommunication Sector, Case Study of Tecno Mobile Ltd, Rwanda
No full textA consumer's attitude towards a brand determines the behavior that the consumer will portray towards a particular brand and everything related to it. In the dynamic and fiercely competitive telecommunication industry, brand image plays a pivotal role in shaping consumer decision-making processes. This research explored the concept of brand image on consumer decision-making processes and specifically determined the effect of brand association, ascertained the effect of brand loyalty, established the effect of brand quality, and finally examined the effect of brand awareness on consumer decision-making at Tecno Mobile LTD, Rwanda in the context of the telecommunication industry. The study was anchored on various theories and models, such as the uncertainty reduction theory, brand equity model, and consumer decision-making model, which have been employed to understand the mechanisms through which brand image influences consumers' decision-making choices. The study adopted a descriptive research design and cross-section research design. The population of the study encompassed 88 respondents. Probability sampling techniques of simple random sampling and convenient sampling facilitated the census approach since the unit of observation is small. The data collected was analyzed employing both descriptive and inferential statistics. A significant and positive effect of brand association factors on consumer decision-making (β1=0.068, t=0.313; p>0.05) was observed. Correspondingly, brand loyalty factors depicted a significant and positive effect on consumer decision-making (β2=0.088, t=0.773; p>0.05). There was a positive and significant effect of brand quality factors on consumer decision-making (β3=0.730, t=.605; p<0.05). Brand awareness factors also portrayed a significant and positive effect on consumer decision-making (β4=-0.051, t=-0.046; p>0.05). The study found that all variables exhibited a significant and positive relationship with consumer decision-making. Every unit change in the beta values presented a unit change increase in consumer decision-making. This concluded that all the null hypotheses were rejected.
Keywords: Brand Image, Consumer Decision Making, Mobile Telecommunication, Tecno Mobile Ltd, Rwanda
 
Exploring the Cultural and Social Dimensions of School Uniform Policies and Their Effects on Student Conduct in Secondary Schools in the United Kingdom
No full textThe study investigated the cultural and social dimensions of school uniform policies and their effects on student conduct in secondary schools in the United Kingdom. Motivated by the growing debate around the necessity and impact of school uniforms, the study sought to provide empirical evidence to inform policy decisions. A mixed-methods approach was used, combining qualitative interviews with educational professionals and parents, along with a quantitative survey administered to 500 students from five different secondary schools. Interviews focused on the perceptions of school uniforms within the context of culture and social norms, while the survey aimed to quantify the impact of uniforms on student behavior, such as attendance rates, incidences of bullying, and academic performance. The results revealed that 60% of students believed that wearing a uniform reduced instances of bullying, while 55% reported increased focus on academics. Attendance rates improved by 8% in schools with a uniform policy compared to those without. However, 40% of students indicated feeling a loss of personal expression and 25% of parents expressed concerns about the financial burden of purchasing uniforms. In conclusion, the study found that school uniform policies have a largely positive impact on student conduct, reducing bullying and improving attendance. However, issues around personal expression and financial burden cannot be overlooked. The study recommends that the schools should implement a subsidized program for low-income families to alleviate financial stress, and introducing free dress days to allow for personal expression. Furthermore, schools should involve parents, teachers, and students in discussions about any changes to uniform policies to ensure that multiple perspectives are considered.
Keywords: School uniform policies, student conduct, secondary schools, cultural dimensions, social dimension