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KCA University to give students internet bundles for e-learning
No full textThe KCA University will buy internet bundles for its students after adopting remote engagement system to ensure continuity in learning and teaching across all its campuses.
The digital learning programme will be offered in partnership with state telecommunications services provider Telkom Kenya to enable all students at different places in the country access to the internet
Effect Of Corporate Governance Structures On Organizational Performance Of State Corporations In Education Sector In Kenya
No full textCorporate governance structure are the systems and regulations created within an organization,
to help guide the decision making processes. This help in determining the respective roles to
be played by various stakeholders to the organization. Corporate governance has been shown
to have an impact on the performance of state corporations. However, most of these studies
concentrate on the board structures and how they affect the financial performance of the
organization in respect to Return on Equity, Return on Assets and Tobin’s Q. This research
aims to explore the impact of corporate governance structures on performance of State
Corporations in the education sector in Kenya. This area is least studied especially being a
service oriented and largely non-commercial sector. The objectives of the study is to establish
the influence of CEOs attributes on performance, examine the influence of board structure on
performance and find out the impact of the audit committee on performance of state
corporations in Kenya. The study targets 171 respondents across 27 sampled state corporations
under the education sector in Kenya. The respondents are drawn from Senior and middle level
managers, finance and accounts officers and internal audit staff. The 27 state corporations were
selected using a stratified random sampling technique from the target population of 45 state
corporations. The data was be collected for the three objectives with specific questions on
Board diversity, attributes of the CEO, Independence of the Audit Committee. The data
collection tool used a close ended questionnaire, there were 134 questionnaires returned out of
the targeted 162, through a drop and pick method. The data collected was cleaned, coded and
posted to SPSS Ver 23 for analysis. A regression model was be used to analyze the existing
relationship between the variables; independent variables: CEO Attributes, Board Diversity
and Audit Committee effect on the organizational performance being the dependent variable.
Diagnostic tests were conducted to check for normality and multicollinearity. The study found
that CEOs attributes, Board of directors’ diversity and audit committee had significant effect
at α=0.05 and contribute 27.7% of variations of performance in state corporations in education
sector in Kenya. The study therefore recommends that, for enhanced performance of state
corporations in the education sector in Kenya, stakeholders should appoint CEOs with rich
experience, boards with diversity including gender and audit committee members who have
higher qualifications especially, professional qualifications
Effect Of Technological Applications On Service Delivery Among Consumers Of Nairobi City Water And Sewerage Company
No full textIn the highly competitive service industry, the use of technology has been advanced as a source of competitive advantage by its ability to increase productivity, reduce costs of operation through the use of alternative delivery systems like self-service options. The water service provision in Kenya has incorporated technological application and systems to its service delivery in an effort to satisfy the market and its consumers. This study explored some of the technological applications that NCWSC had adopted in an effort to offer excellent and quality service delivery to its customers. The main objective of this research was to determine the effect of technological applications on service delivery among consumers of Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company. The specific objectives covered the technological applications of Maji Voice application, customer management system and Per Pay system and the effect they had on service delivery among the consumers of NCWSC. The study was anchored on the institutional theory, the actor network theory and the SERVQUAL model. The researcher specifically targeted senior management level staff from the following departments IT, Human Resources and Customer care and census was adopted since the 77 members could be access to respond to the research questions. Organized questionnaires were used by the researcher to gather primary data from the sources using a drop-and-pick later procedure. The reliability and validity were measured by examining the used devices for the reliability and effectiveness of the Alpha values. The data was summarized and coded to enhance easy classification, tabulation and interpretation. The data was entered into SPSS version 23.0 for further analysis, descriptive analysis were computed like the measures of central tendencies of mean, standard deviation, percentages and frequencies. Inferential statistics were also conducted through multiple regression to test the strength of the correlation between the variables. The analyzed data was illustrated in charts, figures, and tables so as to enhance easier translation, understanding and explanations. The study established that 47.2% variation in service delivery among consumers of NCWSC is explained by technological applications that are in place, MajiVoice applications had significant effect on the service delivery among consumers of Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company while customer management system and Per Pay system had great but insignificant effect. The study concluded that MajiVoice applications had significant effect on the service delivery among consumers of Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company while customer management system and Per Pay system had insignificant effect. The recommends that the management of Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company should upgrade on the technological applications so as to improve on service delivery among consumers. The management team of Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company should invest a lot of resources in MajiVoice applications so as to improve service delivery among consumers. The customer care managers of Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company should work together with IT managers to improve on customer management system so as significantly contribute towards service delivery among the customers. The ICT managers of Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company overhaul that Per Pay system to ensure that it significantly enhances service delivery among the customers. The study was limited by a small sample size
An Empirical Approach to Mobile Learning on Mobile Ad Hoc Networks
No full textMobile Ad hoc Networks (MANETs) are made up of mobile nodes that
are interconnected wirelessly, while topology changes as mobile nodes join and
leave the network. MANETs do not depend on fixed infrastructure. Due to their
dynamism and low cost (no infrastructure is needed), MANETs have been proposed
as a mechanism suitable for carrying out mobile learning (m-Leaning) in developing
countries. However, systematic literature review indicates that the existing
MANETs-based m-Learning models are disadvantaged because they fail to identify
possible routing protocols able to support such models. As a result, it becomes very
difficult to implement the existing MANET-based m-Learning models. This paper
characterizes MANETs-based m-Learning proposed by [1]. Thereafter, it uses area,
nodes, and data packets information as basic scalar parameters on Zone Routing
Protocol (ZRP) simulated on NS-2 and ZRP code supplemented with positional and
directional information of nodes in the Intrazonal Routing Protocol (IARP) on
OMNET++. According to simulation results, a directional-positional enhanced ZRP
outperforms regular ZRP on packet delivery ratio, delay and overall data packet
throughput. Results from the simulation suggests that a supplemented ZRP is a
feasible routing protocol for supporting m-Learning in a typical university campus
based on the identified basic scalar parameters and characterization of [1]
Further Construction Of Balanced Arrays
No full textThe relation between balanced arrays and two other combinatorial structures, namely, orthogonal arrays and transitive arrays is pointed out. We provide three new and simple but rather stringent methods of constructing balanced arrays of any strength provided that the balanced arrays exist. A theorem that enables one to generate a balanced array from several known balanced arrays has been proved. The existence results of some types of balanced arrays based on the existence of some types of Hadamard matrices have also been proved
Factors Affecting Budget Implementation In The Ministry Of Education Headquarters, Kenya
No full textA budget is the quantitative expression of a proposed plan of action by the management for a specified period and aid to coordination what needs to be done to implement the plan. Budget is a common accounting tool that organizations use for implementing strategies. Despite the introduction of devolution in Kenya, very little attention has been given to the budget implementation and there has been growing a concern on budgets not implemented. There have been cases of money budgeted for development projects being returned to the National treasury at the end of the fiscal year. The Ministry of Education headquarters is faced with series of imbalances in budget implementation despite the availability of the various sources of funds from the government to achieve the desired educational objectives. However, the Ministry of Education headquarters has not been able to achieve these goals. Budgets has been marred with numerous challenges rendering the budget implementation ineffective. The main objective of the study is to investigate the factors affecting budget implementation in the Ministry of Education headquarters, Kenya. The target population was 122 officers from the four (4) state departments in the Ministry of Education headquarters; 20 officers from finance unit, 20 officers from planning unit, 20 officers from accounts unit, 20 officers from supply chain management (procurement) and 42 directors spread across the directorates within the Ministry of Education headquarters who form Sector Working Group (SWG). Primary data was collected from the population using questionnaires which were distributed to the respondents. The data from the study was analyzed using qualitative techniques. The findings are presented using tables and analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). It was found out that planning and departmental constraint affected budget implementation in Ministry of Education headquarters. The research therefore recommended that the Ministry of Education headquarters needs to consider planning in trying to implement budget. The research also recommended that the Ministry of Education headquarters do identify and manage bottlenecks within departments in the ministry in trying to implement the budget. In an effort to accommodate future demand and to meet public expectations, Ministry of Education headquarters must take advantage of the available opportunities to secure supplemental funding. Based on the findings, control and financial constraints had no effect on budget implementation and therefore they were not a critical factor for budget implementation in Ministry of Education headquarters
Effect Of Financial Decisions On Firm Value Of Non- Financial Firms Listed At The Nairobi Securities Exchange
No full textFinancial Managers are tasked with developing and maintaining healthy and prudent financial decisions that suite all the stakeholders in a firm. Research shows that there is extensive failure on the part of management to achieve this pioneering goal as more and more companies continue to fall under the hammer of receivership or closure. It is believed that the financial decisions made by these managers reflect a greater percentage as the cause for corporate failure. The fact that the NSE has had to delist six firms and put into suspension four others within the last decade due to financial duress is proof enough of this. This backdrop exudes the basis of the study as it sought to establish the effect of financial decisions on firm value of non-financial firms listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE). The specific objectives of the study are: to determine the effect of investment decisions on firm value of non-financial entities quoted at the NSE, to establish the effect of working capital decisions on firm value of the listed non-financial firms at NSE, to determine the effect of dividend decisions on firm value of non-financial firms listed at NSE and to examine the effect of financial decisions on firm value of non-financial firms listed at NSE. The research adopted descriptive research approach where a sample of 36 was selected from a population of 45 listed non-financial firms. Secondary data was employed to generate panel data from 2010-2019 which were analyzed using STATA version 13 software. Coefficient of results indicated that investment decisions had a negative and insignificant relationship with firm value measured using Tobin Q. However, investment decisions had a negative and significant relationship with firm value measured using market value added. Leverage decisions had a positive and significant relationship with firm value measured using Tobin Q. However, coefficient of results indicated that financing decisions had a positive and insignificant relationship with firm value measured using market value added. Dividend decisions had a positive and insignificant relationship with firm value measured using Tobin Q. However, dividend decisions had a negative and insignificant relationship with firm value measured using market value added. Working capital management decisions had a negative and insignificant relationship with firm value measured using Tobin Q. Working capital management decisions had a negative and insignificant relationship with firm value measured using market value added. Firm performance significantly mediates the effect of financial decisions on firm value of Non-financial firms listed at Nairobi Securities Exchange as measured using Tobin Q as a measure of firm value. However, firm performance does not mediate the effect of firm performance on the relationship between financial decisions and firm value of non-financial firms listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange measured using market value added. Based on the findings, the study concluded that investment decisions influences market value added of Non-financial firms listed at NSE. It was also concluded that leverage decisions positively influences Tobin Q of the non-financial firms listed at the NSE. The study concluded that firm performance significantly mediates the effect of financial decisions on Tobin Q of Non-financial firms listed at NSE. The study recommends for the implementation of well thought investment decisions based on customer desires, market requirement, expert opinion and business environment. The study recommends that, the management of Non-financial firms listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange to balance between financing a firm using short term debt and long-term debt. The study recommends for the creation of prudent financial decisions including investment, leverage, working capital and dividend decisions that will stimulate firm performance
Psychographic Constructs and Consumer Purchase Intention in Kenyan Context
No full textCompetitiveness in the retail sector calls for an understanding of
psychographic constructs and their potent drive of consumer purchase intention. The
study examined psychographic constructs in terms of the effect of personality on
consumer purchase intention in supermarkets and the effect of lifestyle on consumer
purchase intention in supermarkets in Nairobi, Kenya. The study was grounded on
Freud’s theory of personality and social learning theory of consumer behaviour.
Anchoring on a positivist philosophy, a descriptive cross-sectional survey was employed
in studying 48 supermarkets. Using quota sampling, a final sample of 384 consumers was
drawn from 48 anchor supermarkets under study. Data from the validated questionnaire
was subjected to descriptive statistical analysis and multivariate regression analysis.
Both personality and lifestyle had a positive and significant effect on consumer purchase
intention and therefore the effect of psychographic constructs on consumer purchase
intention was significant and positive. The larger effect size of lifestyle meant
supermarket managers should pay more attention to attributes of consumer lifestyle
Influence Of Contract Fixed Prices On The Financial Performance Of French Beans Farmers In Kirinyaga County
No full textIn the recent past, contract farming has been on the rise. This is because farmers have the fear of the unknown and somehow want to be certain about their future returns. Contract farming therefore, has become the preference for many farmers. Many studies have emerged in regard to this field with little focus on the influence of contract fixed prices on the performance of French Beans farmers in Kirinyaga County. This study was carried out in Kirinyaga County in Kenya. The first objective of the study was to establish the effects of training on the financial performance of French beans farmers in Kirinyaga County. The second objective was to determine the effects of contract transaction costs on the financial performance of French beans farmers in Kirinyaga County. Third was to determine the effects of regulatory framework on the financial performance of French beans farmers in Kirinyaga County. Finally, the fourth objective was to find out the effects technical assistance on the financial performance of French beans farmers in Kirinyaga County. The study used a descriptive design and the target population was a total of 635 French beans farmers who are in contract farming arrangement. Yamane formula was used to determine the sample size. Using the Yamane formula therefore, 245 farmers were used as a sample. Primary data was collected by self-administering of questionnaires by the research assistant. The questions incorporated both open and closed ended questions. The reliability of the research instrument was determined by the use of Cronbach coefficient. Data was collected with the help of a research assistant. Data analysis was done by the use of stata software. The goodness of fit was determined by use of diagnostic test on randomness of errors heteroscedasticity, normality, multi-collinearity and the test for outliers. Mean, Standard deviation, and Regression analysis were calculated. The data collected was analyzed by use of percentages and frequencies and data was presented in form of graphs, tables, charts and figures so as to establish the relationship between the dependent and the independent variables. The dependent variable was the financial performance of French beans farmers whereas the independent variables are; training, transaction costs, regulatory framework and technical assistance. The study found that training French beans farmers on health and hygiene, safety standards such as International Food Safety Standards, proper harvesting and post harvesting produce handling techniques, pest and disease control including chemical use and handling and farm records improve financial performance of French bean farmers in Kirinyaga County. The study also established that technical assistance through proving farmers with seeds, chemicals, seeds, spraying services and credit facility improves financial performance of French bean farmers in Kirinyaga County. The study depicted that training and technical assistance were statistically significant in explaining variation in financial performance of French bean farmers in Kirinyaga County. Transaction cost and regulatory framework awareness were not statistically significant in explaining the variation of financial performance of farmers in Kirinyaga County. Therefore, the study concluded that increased training and technical assistance to farmers increase their financial performance. The study recommended that French beans farmers engaged in fixed price contracts should be trained in addition to being given technical assistance so as to increase their financial performance
A Knowledge-as-a-Service Support Framework for Ambient Learning in Kenya
No full textKnowledge as a Service (KaaS) is a relatively new model, albeit one that is rapidly gaining popularity within cloud
computing environments. Over the recent years, learners have experienced a constant need to access on demand knowledge
that is fully aligned with the paradigm of cloud computing. This need stems from the knowledge that users will be able to
access applications and the information therein on demand, without the restrictions that are usually imposed by time and
space. The KaaS model terms knowledge as the understanding of information based on its relevance to a specific context
and problem area, thus forming a valuable resource for the human decision-making process. As motivated by the global
sustainable development goal of ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education to promote learning opportunities for
all, this research has developed a framework that is hinged on KaaS and utilizes knowledge from ambient learning systems.
The main aim is to provide a platform for disseminating and exploiting the available knowledge to aid the learning process
and, thus, to improve the quality of education on the ambient learning system. The research further explores how
collaborative effort can be used to form a knowledge network that allows access to heterogeneous sources of knowledge.
The research outcomes will benefit knowledge consumers such as the developers of ambient learning systems