KABU Repository (Kabarak University)
Not a member yet
1292 research outputs found
Sort by
EFFECT OF ELECTRONIC POINT OF SALE SYSTEM ON OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY OF HOTELS IN NAKURU COUNTY
No full textFULL TEXTThe main aim of this study was to determine the effect of Electronic Point of Sale System on operational efficiency of Hotels within Nakuru County. Specifically, the study determined the effect of electronic Point of Sale System (EPOS) data processing, transactional tracking, transactional security and reporting systems on operational efficiency of hotels in Nakuru County. Descriptive research design was adopted. The target population of the study was 36 Hotels in Nakuru County with one respondent from each hotel who was the Operation Manager. A census survey was used to conduct the study targeting the entire first to fifth Star hotels in Nakuru County. Correlation results showed that a strong positive significant relationship existed between EPoS data processing speed and operational efficiency of Hotels in Nakuru County. Correlation analysis done to determine effect of EPoS transaction tracking speed on operational efficiency of the hotels in Nakuru County showed a significant relationship existed between the two variables. Correlation analysis showed that there was no significant relationship existing between EPoS transaction security and control on operational efficiency of the Hotels in Nakuru County. This result suggested that EPoS transaction security and control was not a priority to the hotels in Nakuru County. Finally, correlation analysis to determine whether EPoS reporting system affects operational efficiency of the hotels in Nakuru County indicated that the relationship is, in fact, significant. The first hypothesis was tested the test results showed that there exists a statistically significant correlation between EPoS data processing speed and operational efficiency. The result leads to the rejection of the null hypothesis, hence a conclusion that there exists a significant effect of EPoS data processing speed on operational efficiency of hotels in Nakuru County. The test results showed that there exists a statistically significant correlation between EPoS transaction tracking speed and operational efficiency. The result leads to the rejection of the null hypothesis, hence a conclusion that there exists a significant effect of EPoS transaction tracking speed on operational efficiency of Hotels in Nakuru County. Test results show that there exists no correlation between EPoS transaction security and control and operational efficiency. This results in the failure to reject the null hypothesis, hence a conclusion that there is no significant effect of EPoS transaction security and control on operational efficiency of the Hotels in Nakuru County. Finally, Hypothesis test results at a significant level 0.05 showed that there exists a statistically significant correlation between EPoS reporting system on operational efficiency. The result leads to the rejection of the null hypothesis, hence a conclusion that there exists a significant effect of EPoS reporting system on operational efficiency of Hotels in Nakuru County. It can therefore be concluded that the hotels have improved storage and processing of their customer data. Moreover, through EPoS storage of their room data have been enhanced. A recommendation can be made that the hotels should maintain improved storage and processing of their customer data. Further research on electronic Point of Sale System on operational efficiency should be carried out to identify other elements that appear to be critical to the success of operational efficiency
STRATEGIC FACTORS INFLUENCING TRANSPORT AND DISTRIBUTION OF PETROLEUM PRODUCTS IN KENYA: A CASE STUDY OF KENYA PIPELINE COMPANY
No full textFULL TEXTThe transport and distribution of the petroleum products by Kenya Pipeline Company is key in the social economic development of the country. Efficiency in the transport and distribution of the petroleum products ensures that the right volumes of the products are delivered, at the right price, and in a sustainable manner. This study sought to examine the strategic factors (infrastructure, information and communication technology, security, and pipeline capacity) on transport and distribution of the petroleum products. The study used the resource-based theory and dynamic capabilities theory. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The target population was sourced from safety, security, maintenance, operations, Information Technology Support, senior management staff at Head Office, and Corporate Social Responsibility Staff. The study therefore used a target population of 234 staff members for the study. The sample size of the study was 148 respondents. The statistical analysis that was undertaken included the frequency distributions, chi square, correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis. The study results concluded that the various variables of the strategic factors that is ICT, Infrastructure, pipeline capacity, and security as well as the transport and distribution of the petroleum products were positively and significantly correlated amongst themselves. This indicated that change in each of the variable was observed to be associated with changes in any other variable in a pair wise manner that was observable in the sample and would be observable in the population. In respect to the relationship between the strategic factors and transport and distribution of petroleum products. The study concluded that strategic factors had a huge influence on transport and distribution of the petroleum products due to a high correlation coefficient and coefficient of determination. In respect to the influence of infrastructure on the transport and distribution of the petroleum products, the study concluded that there was a positive influence of infrastructure on the transport and distribution that would also prevail in the population. The regression coefficient for infrastructure stood at 0.217. Similarly, in respect to the influence of ICT on the transport and distribution of the petroleum products at KPC, the study concluded that there was a positive influence of ICT on transport and distribution of petroleum products at KPC. The regression coefficient of ICT stood at 0. 261.The study had also sought to examine on whether there was statistically significant influence of security on transport and distribution of petroleum products at Kenya Pipeline. The study results revealed that security had a positive influence on the transport and distribution of petroleum products at Kenya Pipeline Company. A regression coefficient of 0.250 was achieved. These results were statistically significant. The study further sought to examine the influence of pipeline capacity on the transport and distribution of the petroleum products at Kenya Pipeline Company. A conclusion was reached that pipeline capacity had a positive and significant influence on the transport and distribution of the petroleum products at Kenya Pipeline Company. This was due to a regression model of 0.193. The study recommended that all the strategic factors that is infrastructure, ICT, security, and pipeline capacity should be emphasized at Kenya Pipeline Company in order to improve on the performance of transport and distribution of the petroleum products. Based on the regression coefficients, the study recommend that the strategic factors should be emphasized in terms of ICT, Security, infrastructure, and pipeline capacity aspects due to their relative strengths on the transport and distribution of the petroleum products. The study further recommends that other factors influencing the transport and distribution of the petroleum products should be examined by other scholars
Constraints to Use of Rainwater Harvesting Technologies as an Adaptation Strategy to Climate Change in Baringo County
No full textFULL TEXTThe main objective of this study was to identify constraints to adoption of rainwater harvesting
technologies (RWHT) as an adaptation strategy to climate change in Baringo County. The study
used a descriptive survey design. Purposeful sampling and stratified proportionate random
sampling procedures were used to obtain the sample. A total of 376 households were selected for
the study. Questionnaire, key informant interview schedule and observations were the main
instruments of data collection. Analysis of data was done using the SPSS. Percentages were used
to analyze constraints to adoption of RWHT. Lack of finance is the main barrier to adoption of
rainwater harvesting technologies in Baringo County. The income levels are generally low in the
area and many households lack diversified sources of income. There is need to diversify income
sources and improve access to formal credit facilities in order to relax households’ financial
constraints. This will promote adoption of the technology.1. National Research Fund
2. Sentimental Energy Lt
AN EVALUATION OF INFLUENCE OF LEADERSHIP ON MANAGEMENT OF STRATEGIC ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE: A CASE STUDY OF NAKURU COUNTY GOVERNMENT, KENYA
No full textFULL TEXTLeadership has the ability to bring a vision into reality by making swift decisions and inspiring others. Leadership is guiding people and the company in the right direction through empowerment and inspiration, objectively enabling people to achieve organizational goals, whereas management is a set of processes that help the company to be reliable and efficient. This study seeks to investigate the influence of leadership on strategic change in Nakuru county government. Four specific objectives guided this study. This included: to establish the influence of leaderships’ communication; to assess the influence of leaderships’ strategic direction; to evaluate the influence of Leaderships’ organization culture and to determine the influence of leaderships’ group dynamics’ management on strategic change in Nakuru county government. The study was anchored on three theories, the systems theory, upper echelons theory and the strategic leadership theory. A descriptive research design was used for this study. The study targeted employees from several cadres in the county totalling to 1266. To come up with a sample of 304 respondents the study made use of proportionate stratified random sampling technique. Primary data was collected using a questionnaire as the main data collection instrument. The study generated both qualitative and quantitative data. Quantitative data was coded and entered into Statistical Packages for Social Scientists (SPSS) and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Qualitative data was analyzed based on the content of the responses. Karl Pearson’s coefficient of correlation and multiple regressions was used to establish the relationship between the independent variables and the dependent variables. The study achieved a correlation coefficient of 0.847 for the study. The correlation coefficient presents the correlation between the independent variables in a cumulative manner against the dependent variable. The regression coefficients are used to show the effect of the unit increase on the independent variable on the dependent variable. In this context, the beta coefficients of communication, strategic direction, organizational culture and dynamics management are 0.236, 0.217, 0.259, and 0.191 respectively. The achieved results for the communication variable were t=10.475, sig=0.000 leading to the conclusion to reject the null hypothesis at 5% level of independence since p value is less than 0.05. The achieved results for the strategic direction variable were t=8.219, sig=0.000 leading to the conclusion that the null hypothesis should be rejected at 5% level of significance since p value is less than 0.05.The achieved results for the organizational culture variable were t=10.526, sig=0.000 leading to the conclusion that the null hypothesis should be rejected at 5% level of significance since p value is less than 0.05.The achieved results for the group dynamics variable were t= 7.858, sig=0.000 leading to the conclusion that the null hypothesis should be rejected at 5% level of significance since p value is less than 0.05.The study recommended that the leadership had an influence on the strategic organizational change of the county government at Nakuru with communication, strategic direction, organizational culture and dynamics management had positive and significant influence on the strategic change individually. The study thus recommended that the county government of Nakuru should put emphasis on the leadership aspects at the country to influence the strategic change. The study recommended that other factors that influence on the strategic change at the county government be examined
Effect of Cooperative Learning Approach on Students’ Academic Motivation in English in co-educational Public Secondary Schools, Nakuru County, Kenya
Get PDFThe purpose of the study was to determine the effect of cooperative learning approach (CLA)
on student’s academic motivation in English in public co-educational secondary schools in
Nakuru, County Kenya. The study adopted quasi experimental design, based on Solomon
Four- group, Non-equivalent Control Group Design. The study involved two Experimental
groups, E
1
and E
2
which were taught through CLA method and two Control groups, C
1
Copyright © 2019 Centre for Democracy, Research and Development (CEDRED), Nairobi, Kenya.
and C
2
which were taught through the Conventional methods. The target populations were students
and teachers from the four co-educational public secondary schools of Nakuru County.
Nakuru County was selected due to its low academic achievement with a mean score of 3.33
in 2015, a mean score of 2.81in 2016 and a mean score of 3.00 in 2017. The study sample size
was 242 Form three students from the four co-educational public secondary schools in Nakuru
County. Students’ Motivation Questionnaire (SMQ) was used to collect quantitative data. The
study found that by teaching English subject using CLA in public co-education secondary
schools in Nakuru County, the students were likely to improve with a margin of 37.0% while
teaching of the subject using the conventional methods would only realize a gain of 7.5%.The
study concluded that there was statistically significant effect of cooperative learning approach
on students’ academic motivation in English in public co-education secondary schools in
Nakuru, County Kenya (F(1,126)=737.625, P<0.05). The study recommended that English
teachers should use cooperative learning approach (CLA) in teaching of English. The study
further recommends teachers to motivate and inspire their learners with regard to positive
virtues’ which enhances students’ motivation to improve and have a desirous drive towards
the learning
HIGH-PERFORMANCE COMPUTING IN MATERIALS SCIENCE
Get PDFComputational modeling in materials science involves the employment of fundamental physical and life sciences as well as computer science to study the properties of matter at the microscopic level. Such studies can be carried out by electronic or atomistic approaches and the outcomes used to complement the applied sciences as well as to guide experimental research work. Over the last decade, affordable computing resources coupled with community developed state-of-the-art codes are available for graduate students and research staff even in the developing world, where there is limited funding. This has been made possible through collaborative research or via initiatives from friendly partners in Europe and America. It is, therefore, possible to engage in quality research for capacity building or the development of products and services. Computational modeling can now predict, independently, outcomes of some materials properties to within accuracies of less than 5% compared with independent experimental techniques. This implies that computational modeling can be used as a decision support tool, enabling tests before production, hence cutting down costs from the previous trial and error approaches. Current problems in science and technology require a multidisciplinary approach such as that being employed in computational modeling and hence its applications in both fundamental and applied sciences. Due to the accessibility of resources to perform research using computational modeling in materials and other applied sciences, additional effort needs to be made to involve more graduate students and faculty in these areas for capacity building. In due course, it is expected that the research capacity realized will be focused to solve current and emerging problems in this country.NRF Keny
Effect of Corporate Governance Practices on Profitability of Commercial Banks in Kenya
No full textFull textWhereas the Kenyan banking sector remained stable in profit during 2015; from Kshs. 3.2
trillion in 2014 to Kshs. 3.5 trillion in 2015, the period 2012 to 2016 registered declining trends
despite the slowdown in global economic growth to 3.1% in 2015 from 3.4% in 2014. This study
sought to analyze the effect of Corporate Governance practices on profitability of Commercial
Banks in Kenya. A survey was conducted on 13 Commercial Banks in Kisumu County. The
findings revealed a positive significant correlation between qualification of board of directors
and bank profitability (r=.270, p=.023), role definition and bank profitability (r=.373, p=.001),
operational ethical control and bank profitability (r=.623, p=.000), board performance&
compensation and bank profitability (r=.335, p=.004) and risk management and bank
profitability (r=.561, p=.000). The study concluded that corporate governance has an effect on
bank profitability. It was recommended that selected corporate governance dimensions be
improved for maximum bank profitability
The moderating influence of Bixa orellana value chain government policy on the relationship between promotion strategy and sales performance
Get PDFIn health conscious countries mostly in Europe and America, Bixa, a natural coloring is in high demand from manufactures of
butter, margarine and cheese. Bixa is also used as pigments and flavoring in confectionery flour and sugar, meat products,
beverages and snacks. Bixa is grown in Kwale, Lamu and Kilifi Counties by small scale farmers and further processed for
export by private companies. Bixa orellana crop was recently scheduled as a cash crop by the Kenyan government and its
marketing has been left to small scale farmers. There is need for appropriate marketing strategies to enhance sales performance
of Bixa crop. Since no studies have been conducted on the influence of promotion strategy on the sales performance of Bixa
orellana, the study addressed the research gap. The main aim of this study was to assess the moderating Influence of Bixa
orellana Value Chain Government Policy on the Relationship between Promotion Strategy and sales performance. The study
is based on the following theories; Resource-Based Theory, Competency Theory, and Distribution Channel Theory. The study
adopted descriptive and exploratory research design mixed method approaches. The target population of the study was 2,419
Bixa farmers registered by the Ministry of Agriculture in Kwale County. A sample size of 106 farmers was drawn using
simple random sampling technique. The study used structured questionnaire to collect the required data from the respondents.
The study used descriptive statistics such as means, standard deviation and percentages and inferential statistics using
Regression Analysis. The study established that promotion strategy influenced the sales performance of small scale Bixa
orellana farmers in Kwale County, Kenya. The interaction of the moderating effect of Government policy on Bixa orellana
value chain did not change the relationship between promotion strategy and sales performance of small scale Bixa orellana
farmers. The findings from the study will be of importance to practice, marketing scholarship and Ministries of Industry, Trade
and Cooperatives and Agriculture on Policy formulation for local and international marketing of Bixa orellana products. The
study recommends that the Government of Kenya puts in place a policy framework now that Bixa orellana is a scheduled crop,
to regulate and promote its production, processing and marketing. Small scale Bixa orellana farmers and marketers have
knowledge from this study which is useful for the design and implementation of effective marketing strategies to increase sales
performance
COMMUNICATION IMPAIRMENTS AND KNOWLEDGE ACQUISITIONS
No full textKnowledge acquisition occurs when the individual interacts with the world (physical and social) Performance on this determines the extend of knowledge acquisition Interaction is through communication Communication is through language and speech skills. Language and speech problems therefore would affect communication and knowledge acquisition. How this happens has not been directly documente
THE ROLE OF FAMILY CONSTELLATIONS ON DEVELOPMENT OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AMONG REGULAR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN NAKURU COUNTY, KENYA
Get PDFThe study sought to assess the influence of Family constellations on psychosocial adjustments of
regular third year undergraduate Students in Nakuru County, Kenya. The specific objective was to
determine the influence of family constellations on emotional intelligence of regular undergraduate
third year Students in Nakuru County, Kenya. The study used a mixed-method research approach
and adopted a cross-sectional survey research design. The target population was 2862 third year
regular undergraduate students from five selected universities. A random sample of 307 students
forming a 90.6 percent response rate participated in the study. Stratified random sampling was used
to distribute the sample in the five selected universities. Primary data was collected using semi structured questionnaire and interview schedule, while secondary data was collected from existing
documents about the topic under study. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics
(frequencies, percentages and means) and inferential statistics (ANOVA and Chi Square tests) with
the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 26.0 for Windows while qualitative data
was analyzed using thematic content analysis. The study findings indicate that majority of the
respondents came from dual (nuclear) parent families. There was no statistically significant
difference in the emotional intelligence of regular third year undergraduate students from different
family structures. The study recommends that there is a need for parents to maintain a unified
family structure in order to encourage holistic psychosocial development and adjustment of their
children in universities. The output of the study would be a tool for learning and professional
development in psychological counselling discipline equipping the mental health service providers,
educators, guidance and counselling committees in our learning institutions with the new
knowledge of family constellations and psychosocial adjustment among ongoing undergraduate
students in the universitie