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Effect of entrepreneurial orientation on growth of small and medium size enterprises in Narok town.
No full textThe main purpose of this study wasto establish the effectof entrepreneurial orientation ongrowth of small and medium enterprisesin Narok town. Specifically, the study soughtto establish the influence of innovativeness, entrepreneurial pro-activeness, and risk taking on growth of small and medium enterprises.This study is justified on the basis that even though the present body of literature has delved into relationship betweenentrepreneurialorientationand organizational growth, there is limited research on how it affectsgrowth of small and medium enterprises.The study adoptedSchumpeter’s innovation theory, resource-based theory, and theory of business strategy.Methodologically, the study adoptedcorrelationresearch design, where the study targets 1,390 SMEs operating within Narok town.The sample size for this study comprisedof 139 SMEs, which constitute of 10% of the target population.The study usedrandom sampling owing to the homogeneity of the units of study. Data werecollected by means of structured questionnaires.Statistical Packages for Social Sciences version 24 wasused to run both descriptive and inferential statistics.Descriptive statistics wereused to compute frequencies and to derive conclusions and generalizations regarding the population, while inferential statistics; multivariate linear regression analysis wasbeingused to determine the association between the outcome and predictor variables.Valid and reliability tests wereconducted andascertaineddata measures wereable to measure what they are supposed to measure (validity) and if data collection tools consistently measure phenomenon of interest.Data waspresented in form of figures and tables.Analysis of data established existence of a significant (p< .05) and positive relationship between predictor variables (innovativeness, entrepreneurial proactiveness, and risk-taking)on enterprise growth for small and medium enterprises. The study recommends that that SMEs should leverage technological innovation as a basis of enhancing business processes, internal efficiency, and infusing new products and services. Moreover, SMEs should continuously monitor and asses their past and present processes with a view to predicting future trends and patterns in relation to anticipated consumer needs and consumption patterns and even though risk taking an important approach to business growth, there is need to incorporate risk management strategies to mitigate the effect of risks involved in borrowing
Factors Affecting Sustainability Of National Government Constituencies Development Funded Projects In Nyeri Town Constituency
No full textThe main objective of this study was to assess the factors affecting sustainability of national government constituencies development funded projects in Nyeri town constituency. The study objectives were project monitoring, project leadership and project costing. The study was guided by the agency theory, trait theory of leadership, stakeholders’ theory and role systems theory of accountability through the theoretical review, conceptual framework, empirical review and the gaps in research. The study used a descriptive study and targeted all project management committee members among the 63 projects in the implementation phase which was 325 respondents. A sample size of 77 respondents from the target population was used to provide primary data in form of likert scale questionnaires. Collected data was analyzed by use of SPSS to generate results which were analysed using quantitative and qualitative form. A regression analysis was also performed to show the nature and strength of the relationship between study variables. From the findings the study recommended that for CDF projects to be sustainable and give citizens the benefits expected, projects committee need to ensure that, project monitoring is undertaken regularly. The study also recommended that, project inputs should be closely monitored and targets should be set for the representatives to have complete involvement and participation especially from the project representatives. The study also recommended impact assessment on the target community to avoid incomplete and abandoned projects due to lack of factoring possible impacts of these projects. This study established that most of the CDF projects had no political interest and gains neither do they propagate political interests. This study therefore recommended that CDF projects in other constituencies to stand firm in giving quality service delivery to citizen without any political influence or interests. The project managers in these CDF projects should also embrace teamwork as a way of fostering good leadership in project management. The research also recommended proper book keeping, budgeting and documentation of project costing in formulation and implementation of CDF projects. Lack of proper utilization of resources contributes to stalled projects and misappropriation of funds. Therefore, project representatives in CDF committees should be in the fore front in ensuring that there is accountability and responsibility for the resource utilization in this projects. The study also recommended community involvement in undertaking the NG-CDF projects. The general public have a right to information on the budget allocation, amounts spend, project targets and completion rates. Thus, project stakeholders should welcome the opinions of community members to ensure inclusivity in the undertakings of these projects
Relationships Between Outdoor Time, Physical Activity, Sedentary Time, and Body Mass Index in Children: A 12-Country Study
No full textThis study investigated the relationship between outdoor time and physical activity (PA), sedentary time (SED), and body mass index z scores among children from 12 lower-middle-income, upper-middle-income, and high-income countries
Relationship Between Asset Structure And Financial Performance Of Commercial Banks In Kenya
No full textCommercial banks are very important components of any economy globally. When the bank
management are making decision must bear in mind the effect that the decision will have on
the financial performance of the bank. A proper asset allocation and distribution should be
undertaken to ensure optimum and efficient utilization of these assets. Efficient utilization of
assets translates to high income to the banks. This study sought to determine the relationship
that commercial banks assets structure have on the on their financial performance in Kenya.
The study had sought to attain the following specific objectives; examine the relationship of
investments in government securities, loans to customers and investment in fixed assets on
financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya. The theory is based on balance portfolio
theory, efficient structure hypothesis and the black litter man theory. Descriptive study design
was applied in this study. The population target for this study is 42 commercial banks in Kenya
and after census, the result of the study covered 32 commercial banks. The study used secondary
data from each banks published financial statements. The study applied descriptive statistics
analysis, correlation statistical analysis and regression statitstical analysis to analyze the
balanced panel data collected during the period 2008 to 2017. STATA was used to conduct the
analysis. Results were presented in graphs and tables. The study used random effect model
which was found to be appropriate after carrying out hausman test. Various diagnostic test were
done for the study. From the study, correlation analysis results showed that loans to customer
had a positive relationship with financial performance with a coeffiecient estimate of .0631.
There was negative relationship between investment in government securities and fixed assets
as correlation results gave coefficient estimates of -.443 and -.0238 respectively. Various
diagnostic tests were carried out including multicollinearity test, autocorrelation, stationarity
test and heteroscedasticity. The regression model indicated that 18.56% of financial
performance of commercial banks in Kenya is explained by the variables in the study leaving
81.44% as unexplained. The study findings indicated an intercept of .62 for the period under
review which meant that the performance of commercial banks holding all other factors
constant, that is; loans to customers, investments in government securities and fixed assets at
zero, was .62 units.The results found coefficients of the variables where loans to customer had
.28, investment in government securities had -.28 and the fixed asset had a coefficient of -.89.
The study found significant relationship between investment in government securities and fixed
assets and the commercial banks financial performance while the relationship with loans to
customers was inconclusive.The study recommends that managers and decision makers in
banking industry should ensure the assets are properly distributed and efficiently utilized to
ensure they generate revenue to the banks
Factors influencing social-environmental responsibilities disclosures in financial reports of Kenyan listed firms
No full textThe objective of this study is to determine the factors influencing the social-environmental responsibilities disclosures in Annual financial reports of Kenyan listed firms.Social environmental responsibilities disclosures are voluntary therefore disclosed at the discretion of mismanagement has been identified by various studies to improve image, reputation, enhance accountability, legitimacy and help manage stakeholders. Some studies have also shown that financial factors, governance characteristics, ownership characteristics and stakeholders, influence the extent of these disclosures, hence this study examine how the level of social environmental responsibilities disclosures in financial reports of Kenya listed firms is influenced by their size,profitability and leverage.Descriptive research design was used and secondary data was collected from 2009 to 2018 annual reports of 45 out of 48 targeted companies listed prior to 2009. The dependent variable is extent of disclosure is measured on total score from 39 disclosure items each with a rating between ‘0’ to ‘3’based on absence and the degree of specificity or detail. The disclosure items was developed guided by Global Reporting Initiative index.STATAversion 12 software was used to analyze the significance of the factors on level of Social environmental responsibilities disclosures. Exploratory, descriptive, diagnostic analysis were performed and the results showed that factors of firm’s size, leverage were positively significant and profitability is negatively significant in influencing the disclosure of social environmental responsibilities information on financial reports of Kenyan listed firms
Blended Learning in Higher Education: Challenges and Opportunities
No full textOnline and blended instruction offers learners a unique opportunity to learn ubiquitously without being limited to the constraints of time and distance. Additionally, these pedagogies have the potential to open the doors of the university to a wider audience, provide choices for non-traditional students, and extend services to populations that would otherwise not be able to attend the classes on campus. However, complementing traditional teaching with blended learning techniques in a traditional university course presents various challenges. This chapter identify gaps in the factors affecting blended learning in the digital age. Based on the findings, the authors argue that instructors can rely on e-learning technologies to implement blended learning model by redesigning some lectures into new online learning activities, such as tutorials, self-testing exercises, and online group collaborations
KCA University denounces fake letter on caning of students
No full textKCA University has denounced a letter which went viral online at the weekend alleging that the institution has introduced caning of disobedient and disrespectful students.
The said letter claimed that the new measures by the university would take effect from May-August 2019 trimester and that it would involve dispensation of not less than 15 strokes of the cane
Effect Of Corporate Governance On The Relationship Between Service Quality And Customer Satisfaction In Nairobi County Hotels
No full textThe service sector is highly driven by customer satisfaction. Every firm aims at retaining its existing clients rather than losing them. One great contribution of client not returning for the same service could arise when the customer is not satisfied with the quality of the service. This study investigated the effect of corporate governance on the relationship between service quality and customer satisfaction in the hotel industry in Nairobi County. The study specifically addressed how service reliability affects customer’ satisfaction, the relationship between hotel responsiveness and customer satisfaction and how physical environment affected customer satisfaction. Lastly, it sought to find out how corporate governance affected the relationship between service quality and client satisfaction. A predefined statement to formulate hypotheses was formulated from the research objectives as well as research questions were developed to address the key issues on customer satisfaction and service quality. The research employed a cross sectional survey to gather information from 100 stratified randomly selected respondents from the identified hotels in Nairobi county. The study used questionnaire as data collecting tool where the questionnaires were administered personally in the hotels to clients to ensure high authenticity of the information. Descriptive analysis was used to profile the respondents and describe the key constructs in the study. Multiple regression analysis was used to test the research hypotheses and ascertain the predictive power of the service quality dimensions on customer satisfaction. The study established a strong positive relationship between service quality and customer satisfaction. Service quality had three dimensions out of which responsiveness and physical evidence significantly affected customer satisfaction. The moderating effect of corporate governance on the relationship between service quality and client satisfaction was non-significant. The study recommends investing in service quality and formulating policy that will raise hygiene levels in hotels to satisfy customers more
Contributions and Shortcomings of Classical Learning Theories as Applied to E-Learning: A Literature Review
No full textThe design and delivery of e-learning have been informed by the 20th Century
Classical Learning Theories (CLTs) namely: Behaviorism, Cognitivism and
Constructivism. Though each theory has significantly contributed to e-learning; there exist
certain lacunae in their application to the practice. Connectivism is a recent addition which
is described as a learning theory of the digital era. However, although constructivism and
connectivism were especially stipulated to underpin collaborative learning; they fail to
inform what activities and behaviors constitute collaborative learning in the e-learning
context. This paper presents the literature on the contributions and shortcomings of CLTs
as applied to e-learning as well as their pedagogical and technological implications. The
scoping review method was used to locate, analyze, synthesize and present the findings.
The shortcomings identified from this review formed the basis for the ongoing research to
extend connectivism into a collaborative e-learning theory using the Grounded Theory
Methodology
Effect Of Financial Soundness On Firm Value Of Listed Commercial Banks In Kenya
No full textIn any given country, banking sector is a key element in boosting economic
development. A stable and viable banking sector leads to effective performance and
regulates flow of the money hence encouraging economic growth in any given
country. In Kenya, the banking sector is prone to both internal as well as external
risks and uncertainties that threatens its performance and sustainability. Over the last
few years, commercial banks in the country have been recording poor performance
especially in terms of their profitability. Based on this fact, the key aim of this
research study was to examine the impact of financial soundness on firm value of
listed commercial banks in Kenya. This is because, undertaking this study would
provide commercial banks with significant and detailed information on how to sustain
their financial stability based on the competitive environment in which they operate.
Specifically, the current study was guided by the following objectives; to establish the
effect of bank liquidity, capital adequacy, credit risk management and earnings on
firm value of listed commercial banks in Kenya. A descriptive study design was
adopted for the purpose of this study. The study population comprised of the eleven
(11) publicly listed commercial banks at NSE using census. Secondary data obtained
from the CBK as well as other published financial reports of the targeted 11
commercial banks were used. The period which the current study aimed to investigate
was the last ten financial years from 2009 to 2018. Some of the preliminary tests that
were conducted on the data included Shapiro Wilks tests of normality, and Hausman
tests. Diagnostic post estimation tests included test for multicollinearity and
heteroskedasticity tests. From the results of the fixed effects panel data, it was
established that capital adequacy was the only variable that had a statistically
significant influence on a firm value. Asset-quality had the highest positive regression
coefficient of 23.8494. Yet another aspect of financial soundness that had a positive
influence on value included earnings with a coefficient 0.6601, followed by bank
liquidity with a coefficient of 0.5854. Capital adequacy yield and negative coefficient
of - 0.1552, furthermore which was not statistically significant at 5% level. The
findings of the study therefore provide crucial insights regarding various aspects of
financial soundness and more importantly how the associate with the firm value of the
selected organizations