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Antecedents and Consequences of Work Engagement among Professional Counsellors in Kenyan Institutions of Higher Learning
No full textFULL TEXTPositive occupational health psychology research is rapidly taking center stage in the field of
work and wellness in the 21st century. Consequently, researchers and practitioners are
increasingly gravitating towards positive psychology research. However, person specific workrelated
variables such as work engagement and fulfillment have not received adequate attention
in research within Kenya among professional counselors in the university setting. This paper
explores the antecedents and consequences of work engagement among professional counselors
in Kenyan higher learning. The study utilized cross-sectional survey design with a target
population of 193 mental health providers in 75 higher education institutions in Kenya. Saturated
sampling techniques were used to conduct a census of all respondents. Quantitative data was
obtained using self-response questionnaire. Data analysis utilized both descriptive and inferential
statistics. The study tested all posited hypotheses at 0.05 significant level and analyzed data
using statistical tools with the aid of SPSS - 24. The response rate was 180 (94%). Work
engagement among professional counselors was high (UWES = 4.23; sd = 1.48) and correlated
positively with job satisfaction and fulfillment in life. Engagement was found to predict higher
existential fulfilment (-0.084(p = 0.26 ˃ 0.05) and low job burnout (-0.327(p = 0.00 ˂ 0.05).
Based on these findings, it the study recommended that Kenyan institutions of higher learning
should strengthen established antecedents of work engagement to militate against adverse
consequences at the workplace. These results have significant implications for workplace
psychological health and functioning of professional mental health providers as well as other
staff.National Research Fun
THREE LEVELS OF LEADERSHIP MODEL, ORGANIZATION CLIMATE AND ETHICAL PROCUREMENT IN COUNTY REFERRAL HOSPITALS IN KENYA
No full textFULL TEXTApproximately, about 18.42% of the global gross domestic product is expended through procurement. Procurement malpractices have however been on the rise in Kenya with every passing decade. This trend has been associated with a loss of public funds equivalent to 12% of the GDP. Such hemorrhage of public coffers has given Kenya a dismal ranking on transparency rate being 136 out of 174 of the global economies. This study therefore, seeks to examine the empirically antecedents to resolve persistent ethical lapses in the procurement process. The purpose of this study is to establish the influence of the three levels leadership model and organizational climate on ethical procurement in Level 5 county referral hospitals in Kenya. The specific objectives were to determine the influence of public, private and personal levels of leadership model and organizational climate on ethical procurement. The research relies on empirical review as well as theoretical review based on several theories namely: stakeholder theory, agency theory, stewardship theory and the systems theory. The utilized mixed methods research paradigm. Further, cross sectional survey research design was adopted. This research sought to explore the influence of three levels of leadership model and organisation climate on ethical procurement in county referral hospitals in Kenya and suggest probable areas of the model that can enhance ethical procurement. The target population for this study was procurement officers that execute procurement in level 5 county referral hospitals in Kenya. The unit of analysis was the level 5 county referral hospitals in Kenya. A census was undertaken in all the 12 Level 5 hospitals in Kenya all the 172 procurement employees were targeted as respondents. A pilot study was conducted in Murang‟a county hospital to pretest the data instrument preceding actual data collection. Reliability was tested using crobanch alpha. Constructs and content validity was undertaken prior to the data collection. Primary data was obtained using a questionnaire. Pearson‟s correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between the independent and the dependent variables. Multiple regression analysis were used to test the hypotheses and the findings were presented in tables, pie charts and percentages. For qualitative data, content analysis was done and emergent themes were numerated and presented in pie charts. This research will benefit county referral hospitals and the industry by providing insightful thoughts on application of three levels of leadership model and organisation climate in enhancing ethical procurement. Results show positive relationship between the three levels of leadership model, organisation climate and ethical procurement. Study findings show that public and private level of leadership had a significant effect on ethical procurement. When hypothesis findings were supplemented with findings of the content analysis, personal level of leadership was established to be repressed by organisation climate and hence the relationship though positively correlated was not significant. Organisation climate had significant mediating influence between the three levels leadership model and ethical procurement. This study recommends that county referral hospitals augment public and private level of leadership through capacity building and setting of an example amongst those in positional leadership. As well, this study recommends value of personal leadership level be unlocked through empowerment of individuals, enhancement of work environment and weeding out of interferences to the procurement process both internally and externally
EFFECTS OF BOARD STRUCTURE ON ORGANIZATION PERFORMANCE: A CASE STUDY OF ALL THE LISTED ORGANIZATIONS IN THE NAIROBI SECURITIES EXCHANGE
No full textFULL TEXTThere has been a renewed interest on the role of the boards in the performance of an organization due to various corporate scandals and failures. Corporate governance affects organizations‟ performance as organizations with better corporate governance guarantee increased shareholder wealth and limit the risk of the investment. The study analyzed the effects of board structure on performance of all the listed organizations on Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) in Kenya. The specific objectives were to determine the effects of board size on the organization performance, establish the effects of directors‟ level of education on the organization performance, and establish the influence of board members‟ experience on the organization performance and to determine the effects of board gender on the organization performance. The study employed descriptive research design. The target population was all the listed organizations in the Nairobi Securities Exchange for the period of three years from 2014 to 2016. Secondary data sources was used for the study, where annual financial reports of individual listed firms‟ was extracted and return on asset (ROA) was used as a measure of organizations performance. After data collection, regression analysis was used to estimate the relationship between the variables and the data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The study found that firm performance based on the return on assets in the overall regression model is significant except for education level of directors. This means that the independent variables of board size, experience of the directors and gender of the directors are important predictors of organization performance. The study also revealed a positive correlation between all the four variables and organization performance. The study conclusion make is it clear that board structure diversity is a fundamental corporate governance element. The study recommends that a lot needs to be done to enhance individuals selected as directors in terms of their board size, average period of experience, gender and education level
A Proposed Framework for Implementing Cloud ERP System in a Developing Country Local Government: A Case of Uganda
No full textFULL TEXTIncreased demand for efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery has made the
implementation of information systems and the demand for access to real time information no
longer a requirement unique to private sector or large public sector entities. Local government
entities like municipalities are also challenged to provide services with similar efficiency and
effectiveness. Successful implementation of an ERP system depend on a number of factors, the
framework adopted when implementing the ERP is one of the factors that is critical.
Implementing ERP system in local governments in developing countries should also take into
account the fact that developing countries lack sufficient technological infrastructure, ERP
implementing skills, adequate funds, and have unique political influences unlike developed
countries. Cloud ERP provides a platform where local governments in developing countries
could successfully implement ERP within prevailing constraints. An exploratory methodology
involving focus groups was used to understand the information systems context of municipalities
in a developing country, Uganda. Existing ERP implementing frameworks were reviewed, and a
conceptual framework to successfully implement a cloud ERP system in a developing country
local government is proposed. The understanding of ERP implementing framework/methodology
will enable decision makers and ERP vendors reduce on total or partial failure rate of ERP
implementation in developing country local governments. Existing ERP implementing
frameworks are private sector based,developed countries oriented, based on universal best
practice, and vendor specific. The contribution of this research is to the knowledge of
implementing ERP in the context of public sector in a developing countryNational Research Fun
THE ROLE OF SELECTED MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN FACILITATING STRATEGIC CHANGE IN TELKOM KENYA HEADQUARTERS
No full textFULL TEXTStrategic change management has been gaining ground in organization recently, including technology based firms like Telkom Kenya. The general objective of the study was to the role of selected management practices in facilitating strategic change in Telkom Kenya. This study was undertaken to seek; the function of utilizing incentives as a management practice to facilitate strategic change in the business. The study adopted the following theories; Resource-Based-View Theory, Strategic Grouping Theory, The Dynamic Capability Theory. Further, the study analyzed the way in which top management decision making eases strategic change in Telkom. The analysis employed a case study research design. The target population included the management of Telkom Kenya Limited. The target population of the study was 270 top and middle managers at Telkom Kenya. The study used sampling formula recommended by Nassiuma (2000) to calculate the 32 managers who formed the sample size. The research then randomly picked any 2 top management and 30 middle managers. Data was collected using structured questionnaire designed using Likert Scale. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics, specifically Pearson Correlation and Regression Analysis. The results from the study were beneficial to the management of Telkom Kenya in re-formulating policies in the management of strategic change. Scholars might find it significant as it might boost the body of knowledge within this region. It is estimated that the understanding gained from the analysis could serve as a foundation for preparation and also a point of reference to additional research on the subject of the strategic shift. The study established that two practices, that is managing transition and employees empowerment contributed significantly in facilitate strategic change in Telkom Kenya. The study recommends that Telkom Kenya should review its strategic change plan so as to practically entrench the use of incentives as a catalyst for facilitating strategic change. Second, the study recommends that Telkom Kenya should appraise its communication policy in order to incorporate communication strategies that enable the company handle the right communication that can reduce resistance to change
Physical Proximity and Awareness of Financial Service Access Strategy on Farmers Economic Empowerment in Kenya: A Case of Small Scale Agricultural Tea Farmers in Kisii County
No full textFULL TEXTThe focus of this research was to identify physical access, that is, presence of bank branches that is often considered the most important source of access to finance in developing countries and awareness. Despite the notion of branchless banking and availability of ATM machines, yet easy access to a normal bank branch staffed with people is still very important in the less developed areas. Access to bank branches, develops the habit of banking which leads to increased savings and investment, improved efficiency of allocation of capital, and increase the ability of monetary authorities to stabilize the economy while the amount of saving depends partly on how widespread these facilities are. Stratified and random sampling was used and the sample size was 398 of the respondents. Questionnaires and observations were used to collect data. Data analysis was done by use of SPSS. Objective of the study was to identify physical proximity and awareness of financial service access strategy on economic empowerment among Small Scale Tea Farmers in Kisii county-Kenya. Findings revealed a statistically significant weak positive relationship between physical proximity on access to financial services and economic empowerment(r = 0.428, p < 0.05). It was concluded that, there is inadequate infrastructure development in the rural areas thus affecting financial accessibility among tea farmers. It was recommended that this study be carried on a broader scale in Kenya
A WEB-BASED MODEL TO DETERMINE SECURITY RISK EXPOSURE INDEX AMONG SAVINGS AND CREDIT COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES
No full textFULL TEXTSavings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOs), like other financial institutions, own critical assets that must be protected against attackers even as the threat landscape continue to persist. This study provides a solution to SACCOs by determining security risk exposure index (SREI) based on ISO/ 27001 standards. The objectives of the study were to determine the critical security risks factors affecting Selected SACCOs based on ISO 27001 standards, to design a model for computing their security risk exposure index, to implement a prototype as a web based application for computing security risk exposure index, and to verify and validate the model. The study targeted 55 respondents from 11 deposit-taking SACCOs licensed by Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority (SASRA) to operate within Nakuru County. The response rate of 90.9% was registered and was considered sufficient for the study. The design model was based on six of ISO 27001’s eleven cardinal security control factors that were considered most critical to the security of the SACCOs using reduction analysis of the responses. Relevant Weights for computing SREI were derived and a mathematical model was designed. The model was implemented as a web-based prototype through design science paradigm using PHP as server-side language, CSS3 and JQuery for frontend styling and response, and MYSQL as a database engine. The designed model is significant in the sense that it provides the SACCO management and regulating authorities with useful information about security levels of their organizations when compared with best practices. The model provided appropriate actions necessary to maintain risk exposure to minimum levels
INTERNAL AUDIT FUNCTION AND ITS INFLUENCE ON ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE OF SEMI AUTONOMOUS AGENCIES IN THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY IN NAKURU COUNTY, KENYA
No full textFULL TEXTSemi-autonomous government agencies within the state department of energy are critical to the taxpayer and the government for efficiency in public service delivery. Diverse studies have examined the role of internal audit on the organizational performance but do not link internal audit to organizational performance within semiautonomous state agencies in Energy department. This study sought to fill this gap by targeting semi-autonomous agencies in the State Department of Energy in Nakuru County, Kenya. The study specifically sought to establish the influence of independence of internal audit, professional competencies, internal controls, management support to internal audit functions on organizational performance of semi-autonomous agencies in the state department of energy in Nakuru County, Kenya. The study was guided by agency theory and human capital theory. The study used correlational research design. The target population of the study was 72 individuals who comprised of internal auditors and senior management of the five semi-autonomous agencies in the state department of energy in Nakuru County. This study used census method to study all the population of the study, implying that the sample for the study was 72 respondents. This study used closed ended questionnaires to collect data from the study respondents. To ensure content validity of the research instruments, the researcher constructed the instruments in line with the research objectives of this study. A Cronbach alpha coefficient of a threshold of 0.7 and above was used to imply reliability. The pilot study was carried out in Kenya Power and Lightening Company in Kericho County. Descriptive statistics including frequencies mean and standard deviation were done on the data. For inferential statistics, Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression were used. Findings of the study on independence of internal audit are helpful to various stakeholders including semiautonomous agencies in the state department of energy in Kenya, employers in state department of energy, directors of state corporations, management teams of corporations and academicians and future researchers in related fields. The study established that the observed values of the performance of semi-autonomous agencies in the state department of energy in Nakuru County were strongly related to the predicted values of the same variable as indicated by an R value of 0.826. The study further established that 68.2% of the variation in the performance of semi-autonomous agencies in the state department of energy in Nakuru County was due to the changes that occur in management support, professional competencies, independence and internal controls of the agencies. This is because of a coefficient of determination of 0.682 (R-Square). The influence of independence of internal audit was found to be statistically significant at 5% significance level due to a p<0.05 and t-statistic value of 6.721. The study further found that there is statistically significant influence of internal controls on organizational performance of semi-autonomous agencies in the state department of energy in Nakuru County, Kenya. The study found that there was a statistically significant influence of management support to internal auditing on internal organizational performance of semi-autonomous agencies in the state department of energy in Nakuru County, Kenya. The study faced low response rate due to the nature of work of internal auditors and senior management of semi autonomous agencies in the state department of energy. This was mitigated through drop and pick method of questionnaire administration
INFLUENCE OF STUDENT COUNCILS IN CURBING FREQUENCY OF STUDENT UNRESTS IN PUBLIC BOYS BOARDING SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ELGON SUB-COUNTY, KENYA
No full textFULL TEXTThe Government of Kenya, through the Ministry of Education, established Student Councils in Secondary Schools in 2009 to assist schools to manage student affairs. Yet, student unrests which are manifested in strikes, go-slows, rioting, burning of school property and violent behaviors still continue unabated. During the period 2014-2017, schools in Bungoma County, Kenya, witnessed an unprecedented rise in incidences of student unrests leading to destruction of property and loss of life. The problem this study sought to address was the rising number of student unrests in public boys boarding secondary schools in Elgon Sub-county, Kenya. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the influence of student councils in curbing the frequency of student unrests in public boys boarding secondary schools in Elgon Sub-county, Kenya. The study was based on Social Systems Theory. In the conceptual framework, the frequency of student unrests depends on roles played by student councils namely: decision making, communication, disciplinary and guidance and counseling roles. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. There are only 3 Public Boys Boarding Secondary Schools. Therefore, purposive sampling technique was used to sample the three secondary schools. Proportional sampling technique was used to sample respondents of students and members of student councils. The target population for students was 750 while that of members of student councils was 78. Using Krejcie and Morgan Table of determination of sample size, 254 Students and 66 Student Council members constituted the sample size. Simple random sampling technique was used to sample respondents according to the predetermined sample sizes. The study used Likert type Students' Questionnaire and Questionnaire for Members of Student Councils as research instruments. Descriptive statistics namely, means, frequencies and percentages were computed. Inferential statistics was derived from the data. The instruments were piloted and tested for reliability using test-re-test method. Validation was done by experts. Results were presented in tables and diagrams. The study revealed that there exists a negative, strong and statistically significant relationship between decision making roles played by student councils and the frequency of student unrests (r= 0.809**; p<0.01). The study reported a negative and statistically significant relationship between communication roles played by student councils and the frequency of student unrests (r= -0.848**; p<0.01). Similarly, there existed negative and statistically significant relationship between disciplining roles played by student councils and the frequency of student unrests (r= -0.758**; p<0.01). It was found out that there is a negative and statistically significant relationship between guidance and counseling roles played by student councils and frequency of student unrests (r= -0.646**; p<0.01). Based on the findings of this research study, it is concluded that if student councils participate in decision making, peer guidance and counseling, communicate student problems to school management and assist in disciplining of other students, frequency of student unrests will be curbed in Public Boys Boarding Secondary Schools in Elgon Sub-county. The study recommends that student councils be thoroughly prepared in their roles through seminars, workshops and regular meetings with the principals. Suggestions made by student councils on students’ grievances should be given a lot of weight and importance. The schools under study should carry out continuous benchmarking with schools of excellence who have managed to handle the problem of students’ unrests
Comments On Kenyan National Music Policy: General Ideas For Further Exploration
No full textFULL TEXTNations in Africa are struggling to maintain a respectable presence in the world economy, politics and
culture. Kenya, in particular, has a strong visibility in its tourism and cultural elements that present the
part of the African mien as well as any other continental nation, and music is a significant part of this.
This paper was requested and written concerning a Kenyan governmental policy for music industry,
music ministry and education in light of their contributions to the nation’s tourist industry. The author
spent a U.S. Fulbright grant interviewing in the above vocations, producing, performing and writing
music in collaboration with professional musicians, and teaching students and industry professionals.
The experience provided the basis for this evaluation of current Kenyan music and its context.National Research Fun