Analysis and control theory of some cochlear models

The standard 2-dimensional cochlear model consists of a 1-dimensional elastic structure, modeling the basilar membrane, surrounded by an incompressible 2-dimensional fluid within a 2-dimensional cochlear cavity. The dynamics are typically driven by a pressure differential across the basilar membrane transmitted through the round and oval windows (a portion of the boundary of the cochlear). First we describe a model in which the basilar membrane is modeled as an infinite array of oscillators and the fluid is described by Laplace\u27s equation. In this setting, we show that the coupled system is approximately controllable with control acting on an arbitrary open set of the basilar membrane. Second we consider a cochlear model where the basilar membrane has a longitudinal elastic tension. In this case the differential equations describing the dynamics of the system have variable coefficients. We first change the variables and then use the method of multipliers to prove exact controllability result

Procedural Justice Complaints Resolution Strategies and Customer Satisfaction in Kenya’s Insurance Industry

Insurance industry is one of the world’s biggest and growing industries in the world and more so a cushion of the economy. Its stability and growth is therefore paramount to economic performance of countries including Kenya. However, with the increasing competition insurance companies have had to refocus on various strategies aimed at maintaining profitability. Maintaining a loyal customer base has seen insurance firms invest in various marketing strategies among them complaint resolution strategies so as to have an ever satisfied clientele. The purpose of this study therefore was to establish the effect of procedural justice customer complaint resolution strategies on customer satisfaction. The study employed an explanatory survey design and targeted 10 insurance companies based in Nakuru Town operating and licensed by the commission of Insurance in Kenya as at December 2014. The study targeted 186 customers of insurance services from a total population of 2400 customers. A self administered questionnaire was used to collect primary data. Descriptive and inferential tests such as Pearson correlation, Exploratory Factor Analysis and Multiple Regression Analysis were performed using SPSS. Exploratory factor analysis was used to validate and test the indicators of the preconceived complaints resolution variables. The study revealed four dimensions of complaint resolution strategies; Procedural justice strategies (Timing Communication, Decision control, and Effort) accounted for 56 % ( R) of the total variance hence justice theory on complaint resolution is valid in developing countries including Kenya. Results of the Hypothesis testing via multiple regression analysis indicated that procedural justice factors were significant (p<0.05) and accounted for 33.5% ( R2) of customer satisfaction. The study concludes that customer complaints resolution strategies are an important feedback mechanism to establish customer satisfaction levels and insurance firms are therefore advised to invest in them. Further, the study recommends that Timing, Effort, Decision Control and communication related strategies should be pursued by business firms in the insurance industry. A comparative study with special emphasis on managers’ perspectives could as well be undertaken. Keywords: Customer satisfaction, Procedural Justice, Customer complaints resolution strategie

Analysis of Leadership Styles Practiced by Primary School Head Teachers on Teachers Career Commitment in Soin Division, Kericho County

Schools have been under pressure because of poor management and planning and are now faced with serious consequences of low staff morale, poor academic performance and pupils falling rolls. The parents from Soin Division attribute this low work output to head teachers’ and teachers’ laxity in performing school activities and responsibilities well. The purpose of this study was to find out whether head teachers’ leadership styles have influence in teacher career commitment in public primary school in Soin Division, Kericho County.  This study employed a descriptive survey design. The researcher targeted 306 teachers and 44 head teachers in the Division, giving a target population of 350. In selecting the number of schools to be involved in the study, the guidelines given by Kathuri and Pals was used. According to these guidelines, 48 respondents were selected from a population of 55. Using the same guidelines, the number of the respondents were equivalent to 39 head teachers and 266 teachers which translate to 305 respondents. The main tool of data collection for this study was questionnaires, which were administered to head teachers and teachers. A coefficient correlation of the two tests was calculated using Cronbach’s Alpha was used. A reliability coefficient of 0.7685 was found to be reliable for the study. Teacher’s career commitment can lead to children good academic performance, retention of teachers and pupils, staffing and high of teachers’ motivation. Policy makers in education may tap from the knowledge derived from this research. Based on the findings, the study concluded that head teachers’ transformational leadership style positively influenced teacher career commitment. The study recommends that the Ministry of Education need to seek ways to improve career commitment of teachers by improving their working conditions and giving them more opportunities for training. One way of doing this is to encourage teachers to join professional associations and other forums that would enable them solve career-related problems. It is hoped that the findings of the study will equip administrators with knowledge to influence the retention rate of teachers to the benefit the students, the teachers, and the school system. Keywords: Career commitment, Influence, Leadership Style

Board independence, CEO tenure, and private firm performance in Nairobi, Kenya

Governing board members includes a mix of non-executive and executive members who seek the best interests of shareholders. Non-executive board members relay on independence to execute their responsibilities and enables better firms’ performance. The independent board members are vetted in by shareholders to reduce agency problems. The study aims to establish how Chief executive officer tenure influence independent board members on decision making to enhance firm performance. Agency theory and stewardship theory were utilized in the study. The explanatory research design was used 371 private firms were the sample size. Data was collected using structured questionnaires. Hierarchical multiple regression models were used to test for direct effect and moderation effect. According to the findings, board member independence is critical for monitoring the CEO and reducing principal-agent conflict, hence enhancing business performance. The independence of board members is critical for organizations to remain inventive and competitive in order to improve firm performance

E-Ordering and E-Informing on Supply Chain Performance in Retail Marketing Outlets in Kenya

The study purpose is to determine the effect of E-ordering and E-informing on supply chain performance. The study was informed Innovation Diffusion Theory. Explanatory research design was employed in this study. Targeted population was 244 procurement officers from 112 Kenyan Retail outlets. Multiple regression model findings showed that  e-ordering and  e-informing had a positive and significant effect on supply chain performance. The study concludes that e-ordering and e-informing which are elements of e-procurement dimensions increases supply chain performance. There is therefore need for firms to make use of e-ordering and e-informing in the procurement process. There is also need to electronically consult references for product/service quality so as to heighten supply chain performance. Kewords: E-procurement, E –odering, E-infoirming, Supply Chain Performance, Retail Marketing Outlet

Employee Perceived Interference and Professional Ethics on Non-Compliance with Public Procurement Regulations, Evidence from Kenya

Public procurement is one of the governmental key areas which emphasises on the acquisition of goods and services. Governmental organizations across the world tend to spend between 8% and 25% of GDP on goods and services. Owing to the enormous amount of money involved and the fact that the money comes from the public, they demand accountability and transparency. Rules on public procurement have been enacted, however compliance by public procuring entities is still a challenge, hence the study seek to establish the underlying factors that leads to public non-compliance to procurement regulations in the public sector. An explanatory research design was utilized in the study, the target population being procurement officers of government parastatals in Kenya. A sample size of 119 respondents was used, which translated to a response rate of 90.2 %. Descriptive and inferential statistics was used to analyse the data. The study findings revealed that non-compliance is affected by factors relating to; familiarity with public procurement regulations, employee professional ethics, and perceived interference. The correlation statistics also revealed that there was a positive relationship between dependent variable (non-compliance to procurement regulations) and all the dependent variables (employee perceived interference and professional ethics). This study has highlighted several recommendations that will be of use to public procuring entities and their employees to improve compliance with the procurement regulations in place. Finally the respondents in this study are purchasers; future study could include a sample of other respondents other than purchasers, for instance the tender committee members. Keywords: public procurement, non-compliance, employee perceived interference, professional ethics and procurement regulations

E-Banking Technology Characteristics and Performance of Micro and Small Enterprise in Kenya: A Moderated Mediation Model of Adoption and Innovative Behavior

Purpose- The study investigated the indirect effect of innovative behavior on the relationship between e-banking technology characteristics and micro and small enterprises (MSE) performance through e-banking technology adoption in Kenya. Design/methodology: The study employed an explanatory research design and a multistage sampling technique to collect cross-sectional data using a self-administered questionnaire. The sample size of 455 MSEs was drawn from a target population of 5915 in Vihiga County, Kenya. Findings-The study findings showed a complementary mediation of e-banking technology adoption on the relationship between e-banking technology characteristics and MSE performance. Additionally, innovative behavior moderated the association between e-banking technology adoption and MSE performance but did not moderate the relationship between e-banking technology characteristics and e-banking technology adoption. Further, innovative behavior moderates the indirect relationship between e-banking technology characteristics and MSE performance via e-banking technology adoption. This effect was much more substantial, with a higher level of innovative behavior. Practical Implications- These findings underscored the need for policy reviews for government, county, and private sector on e-banking technology adoption and MSE performance in Kenya. Originality/value- The study's findings bring vital knowledge concerning the indirect effect of e-banking technology adoption and innovative behavior on the study variables

Solution of EPD by Fourier Transform Method

We solve the Euler-Poisson-Darboux (EPD) equation using the Fourier transform method. The inverse Fourier transform is found using a convolution with the Heaviside step function in order to obtain the solution. We then extend our results into a generalized hypergeometric form and we also discuss the differentiability of the solution

A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECTS OF SANGUINE PERSONALITY TRAITS ON STUDENTS INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIP IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN KENYA

Sanguine personality is one of the four fundamental personalities that we have. This group of people is believed to be optimistic and social. The other personalities are choleric, phlegmatic and melancholic. The objective of the study was to critically analyze the effects of sanguine personality on student’s interpersonal relationships in secondary schools in Kenya. To understand the personality, there is need to understand who a person is. A person is defined as a living creature like an animal but he or she is different from an animal because an animal acts on instinct whereas a person by nature is intelligent and free. A person learns many things like reading, walking or eating. Personality is defined as the totality of one’s behavior and character. Having understood what a person and personality is, further study was then done to critically analyze the effects of sanguine personality traits on student’s interpersonal relationship in schools. The study therefore would help the teachers to understand sanguine traits properly and if this trait plays any role as far as interpersonal relationship is concerned amongst students in secondary schools. From the solutions got from this study, it was recommended that teachers be trained as psychologist so that they would be in a position of guiding their students in the right direction. The government would then take the initiative to make sure that this course is made available in all the teacher training colleges and in the universities for those contemplating to be teachers in our country