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Value Addition and Performance of Informal Dairy Enterprises in Kenya: A Product Diversification Perspective
No full textThe informal dairy sector in Kenya has undergone a tremendous transformation
from being an illegal enterprise to its legalization and adoption of “formal” status
as from 2007. Questions have been raised on whether a smallholder dominated
economy can diversify and whether smallholders participate significantly in product
diversification towards high value products. This empirical study sought to answer
this question by investigating the extent to which small scale milk vendors (SSMVs)
in the informal dairy sector diversify their product range through adding value to
milk in Kiambu County, Kenya. It also aimed at comparing the performance of milk
with that of value added dairy products. Cluster sampling and quota sampling were
used to select a sample size 250 dairy enterprises in the county. Questionnaires were
used to collect data and descriptive statistics as well as a t-test were used to analyze
the data and test the hypothesis. Results of the study showed that small scale milk
vendors (SSMVs) have the ability to diversify into high value dairy products which
attract higher profits compared to raw fresh milk. There were more women than men
engaged in SSMV business in the study group and well educated people who had not
been absorbed into formal employment had joined the informal dairy sector. Product
diversification into value added dairy products can therefore help to improve food
security and increase incomes of SSMVs hence reduce poverty. The study adds to the
available limited evidence on the contribution of the informal sector in the growth
and development of developing countries
Role of a 2,3-bis(pyridyl)pyrazinyl chelate bridging ligand in the reactivity of Ru(ii)–Pt(ii) dinuclear complexes on the substitution of chlorides by thiourea nucleophiles – a kinetic study
No full textChloride substitution from [(1,10-phenanthroline)2Ru(II)(μ-2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine)Pt(II)dichloride]2+ (RuPt1), [(1,10-phenanthroline)2Ru(II)(μ-2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)quinoxaline)Pt(II)dichloride]2+ (RuPt2) and [(1,10-phenanthroline)2Ru(II)(μ-2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)benzo[g]quinoxaline)Pt(II)dichloride]2+ (RuPt3) by thiourea (TU), 1,3-dimethyl-2-thioura (DMTU) and 1,1,3,3-tetra methyl-2-thiourea (TMTU) was studied in a methanol medium (I = 0.10 M) under pseudo-first-order conditions. The rate of substitution was investigated as a function of concentration of nucleophile and temperature using the stopped-flow technique. Two consecutive substitution steps were observed. The first and fastest step was ascribed to the simultaneous substitution of the two chloride co-ligands by incoming nucleophiles according to the rate law: k1stobs = k1st2[Nu]. The subsequent step was assigned to the dechelation of the rigid 2,3-bis(pyridyl)pyrazinyl bridging ligand from the Pt(II) centres of the substituted intermediates to give Pt(Nu)42+ and (phen)2Ru(II)(2,3-bis(pyridyl)pyrazinyl) groups as products. The rate law for this step is k2ndobs = k2nd2[Nu] + k2nd−2. The second-order kinetics and large negative entropies for both steps support an associative mechanism of substitution. The rate of chloride substitution was RuPt1 ≪ RuPt2 DMTU > TMTU, in accordance with their steric bulk
Desert hedgehog is a negative regulator of CD44-CD25+ double negative T lymphocytes developmental stage in thymic differentiation
No full textThe process of thymic proliferation and differentiation in mammals is indispensable. The role of hedgehog family of proteins has been extensively studied in the recent past years. Specifically, scientists have carried out substantial amount of work on Sonic hedgehog (Shh) and Indian hedgehog (Ihh) and published on their roles on either T-cell development or peripheral T-cell activation. However, the role of Desert hedgehog (Dhh) the third member of the hedgehog family of proteins, in T-cell development has not been clearly understood. In this work, we aimed to investigate the role of Desert hedgehog in thymic differentiation, particularly in the double negative T cell developmental stages.
Methods: Thymuses of three Dhh-/- mice, three Dhh+/- and three Dhh+/+ were obtained by killing the mice using A prepared suspension of cells was analyzed by a three-color flow Cytometry and the acquired data analyzed using flow jo, a tree star software for flow cytometry data analysis. To establish the statistical significance of the findings, data was subjected to student t-test and significance reported at critical p-value of 0.05.
Results: The total number of thymic cells was found to be higher in Dhh KO mice relative to the WT control. Analysis of thymic subsets using flow cytometry showed that double negative CD4-CD8- thymocytes were found to be relatively higher in Dhh-/- mice compared to Dhh+/+ control. In particular the percentage representation of CD44-CD25+ DN3 thymocytes were significantly higher (p=0.03) in Dhh KO mice relative to the WT controls.
Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that Dhh signal could be a negative regulator during early thymic differentiation. The data shown here is representative of three separate experiments. To get much clearer and replicative findings, these experiments can be repeated with a much larger sample size
Analyzing the Role of Business Linkages on Performance of Small and Medium Enterprises in Kenya
No full textThe globalization era presents small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with both a
challenge and a threat. The threat is the growing competition from overseas while
the challenge lies in the new opportunities. SMEs are major source of employment
and contribute enormously to the GDP of most countries. They require more
sophisticated and professional support strategies to enhance their performance. The
purpose of this study was to determine the role of business linkages on performance
of SMEs under the supply chain of Transnational Corporation in Kenya. The study
involved a comparative study between SMEs linked to TNC and those SMEs not
linked to any TNC. Sampling was done from a population of 85 SME suppliers of
Transnational Corporation and 30 SMEs not linked to any TNC. Data was collected in
May 2010 and was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).
In addition, inferential statistics were used to measure relationship between SMEs
performance and variables influencing business linkages. Linked SMEs performed
better in the three areas of business indicators, with 100 per cent recording good
quality of supplies over time, 97 per cent realizing excellent customer confidence
and 77% recording improved profits over the past 3 years at p-values of 0.001, 0.046
and 0.002 respectively. This is in comparison with non-linked SMEs which recorded
a lower percentage improvement in performance on the three business indicators.
The findings depicted a positive relationship between business linkages and SME
performance. It was therefore recommended that SMEs should establish linkages
with TNC for increased profits and performanc
Indigenization of Knowledge through Research as a Synergy to the Business World; An orientation of the Vision 2030
No full textThe purpose of the study was to analyze the role of indigenous knowledge through
research as a synergy to the business world an orientation of the vision 2030. The
objectives included; to assess the business environment in Baringo County: to
determine the role of indigenous knowledge in enhancing monitoring and evaluation
in the business world and to determine the possible way forward in promoting
entrepreneurship in Baringo County, Kenya.The study utilized an ecclectic approach
with a focus on descriptive survey design. The sample comprised of three sub-counties
in Baringo county Kenya.The study participants coprised of six public administrators,
nine bussiness men and 300 local customers.The study findings revealed that It
is important to incorporate research for a sustainable business world. The study
participants observed that this can be best achieved through Action research. The
public administrator observed that indigenous knowledge (IK) is a significant resource
which couldcontribute to the increased efficiency, effectiveness and a better business
world for sustainable development process, while the customers observed thatIK is
the basis for community-level decision making in areas pertaining to foodsecurity,
human and animal health, education, natural resource management and other
vitaleconomic and social activities. The study stipulated the role of the Indigenous
Knowledge for entrepreneurial Development Programs, described the objectives,
and some of the achievements and the challenges ahead, with an orientation to
the Kenya vision 2030. In conclusion, the study argued that the harnessing of IK
empowers local communitiesand could help improve/aid effectiveness in poverty
reduction. This can be championed by the Higher Education Institutions through
action research in science and Technology, Innovation and Developmen
Innovativeness and Business Competitive Advantage: A Case of Business Firms Operating in Karatina Sub County, Kenya
No full textIn this competitive world of business, the ability of firms to come up with a culture
of staff members who will think of innovation as an essential factor in the business
survival is a plus to any organization. The innovativeness of a business firm is thought
to be a factor of its survival. It is from this belief that this research is based: to find
out what role innovativeness has on the business in creating a competitive advantage
in the market. This study adopted a descriptive study design using a case study of
SMEs found in Karatina sub county of Nyeri Kenya. Purposive sampling was used
to interview 130 respondents out of 2278 SMEs operating in the area for more than
five years. The results showed that businesses that embrace innovativeness as part of
their survival tactics were better placed competitively against their competitors and,
they performed fairly well in all kinds of business they indulged in. Most businesses
which encourages their employees to embrace innovativeness are able to improve
competitiveness by improving their technology, skills and increasing their scale of
innovations so as to be competitive. The conclusion of the study was that there is
a positive link between innovativeness and competitive advantage. Innovativeness
enhanced the need for more competition and product quality improvements, but
there is also need of acknowledging the part played by the innovators .There is need
for motivating and recognizing the workers with better salaries and other incentives
so as to keep their morale high to achieve best result
Making Entrepreneurship Promotion in Post-Conflict Countries Work for University Graduates: Lessons Learnt from Rwanda
No full textFor a post-crisis country, Rwanda’s socio-economic performance is highly appraised.
Its business environ¬ment is greatly apprecia¬ted by diverse local and international
stakeholders. However, it also faces insurmountable challenges. While stakeholders
lament about lack of skilled workforce in all domains, youth unemployment remains
prevalent. Apparently, Universities are not producing the right people for the labour
market. This situation can, to a very large extent, be attributed to the fact that the
country’s educational system, like many other things, is in a transition phase. The
government has responded with an initiative to create entrepreneurship centres
(ECs) in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Alongside ECs, other key elements of
entrepreneurship promotion initiative include: initiation of different entrepreneurship
platforms (trade fairs, study tours, etc.), integration of entrepreneurship education
and training in the curricula of HEIs. In spite of these positive developments, which are
in line with country’s orientation and market demands, there is still a disconnection
between what the HEIs do, and what the labour market wants. From this backdrop,
the paper reflects on what can be done to reconcile the work of ECs and labour
market needs. Using a purposive sampling approach, six incubators – three each from
state-owned HEIs and private HEIs - were selected and analysed. Also, six managers,
and six owner-managers represented the market side. Structured questionnaires
were developed and personal interviews were used to collect data and information.
On the basis of the findings, the paper recommends key strategies for succes
Influence of Talent Retention Practices in Creating a Competitive Advantage for Telecommunication Industry
Get PDFGlobally, talent resourcing processes, planning and retention is becoming significant
in any business in the world today. This is because it is the means by which a firm
sources and acquires its most precious resourceful asset. This relationship can be
realized by the factors that influence the talent practices between human resource
practices and employees retention in a given organization. The research review
identifies elements of HR practices that influence employee retention. In any
organization, the sources of talented employees can be internal or external. The best
way to create a talent pool is the internal sources since the employees already have
the knowledge of how business processes work and can be incorporated directly into
the new position and the morale of workforce uplifted. In communication industries
in Kenya, management has for a long time involved and embraces talent retention by
employing employees with different talents. There is great need to realign the skills of
the employees with the immediate objectives, goals and growth of the organization.
Organizational factors such as organizational policy, management style and levels
of technology may also be crucial in determining the efforts employees put forth
to enhance productivity. A balance should be struck since extremes on either side
may lead to dissatisfaction and result in employee turnover. Therefore, the need to
realign the skills of the employees with the immediate objectives and goals of the
organization is paramount. This study was therefore motivated to interviewing key
informants with knowledge on talent retention, employees from telecommunication
companies: Airtel and Safaricom industry in Kenya. The findings in talent retention in
this regard would enhance the talent retention and development in Kenya
Exploring the Integrated Talent Management Processes on Competitive Advantage of Mobile Phone Operators (Comparative Study on Safaricom and Airtel, Kenya
Get PDFThe success of business strategy execution in a competitive world relies on integrated
talent management processes in the organization and its people, who choose to
analyze the competition and craft a well- aligned business model. Recent studies
indicates that pressures driving integration of talent management process is due
to the increasing competitive landscape forcing faster adaptation and for others
is the ever changing landscape forcing organizations to adopt a long term view of
talent needs. Integrated talent management focuses on linking talent resourcing,
retention, development and compensation processes in order to create the
required synergy in harnessing people capabilities. This capability is at the heart of
organizations performance in competitive markets. In this regard the purpose of
this study is to explore the influence of integrated talent management processes on
competitive advantage of telecommunication industry in Kenya. The study adopted
a descriptive research design since it helps to understand the characteristics of a
group in a given situation and helps to make certain simple decisions. The target
population involved the top management of Safaricom and Airtel service providers.
A stratified random sampling approach was used to collect primary data through
structured questionnaires. Cronbach’s alpha co-efficient was used in the reliability
test and descriptive and inferential statistics used to analyze the gathered data using
a Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) version 21