Effect of Knowledge Management on Firm Competitiveness: Testing the Mediating Role of Innovation in the Small and Medium Enterprises in Kenya

Knowledge and innovativeness are have been recognized as the main sources of competitive advantages in the economy. Small and medium-sized firms need to increase attention on knowledge management and innovativeness so as to be competitive. The study examined knowledge management, innovativeness and firm competitiveness. The study is conducted on the results based on 252 small and medium manufacturing enterprise managers in Nairobi, Kenya. The data obtained from the questionnaires were analyzed using the SPSS statistical packaged software. The study results showed that knowledge management processes influence innovativeness positively, innovativeness enhances firm competitiveness while innovativeness is a mediator between knowledge management and firm competitiveness. The study demonstrated that knowledge management and innovation should be integrated to enhance firm competitiveness. The viewpoint proposed is that knowledge management is an important element for small and medium enterprises in today's dynamic and competitive environment. Keywords: knowledge management, firm competitiveness, innovativeness, Kenya, SMEs

Enhancing Ethical Orientation through Organizational Rationality: The Case of NAADS Projects in Uganda

This study aimed at analyzing the relationship between Organizational Rationality and Project Managers’ Ethical Orientation on Poverty Eradication Projects in Uganda. A quantitative research design was adopted. Data was collected from 268 project officials and project beneficiaries attached to selected National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) projects in Uganda. Primary data was captured through administering a questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statics, correlation and regression analysis. Results revealed a positive relationship between organizational rationality and project managers’ ethical orientation. Also, each of the four dimensions of organizational rationality, thus, Efficiency, Predictability, Control and Calculability are positively related to Project Managers’ Ethical Orientation.  These findings in part indicate that, within the project organization, if task related inefficiencies are reduced to a minimum and tasks are handled harmoniously towards the project objectives, project managers will accordingly act in accordance with policy regulations and directives with fairness, and they shall always comply with the law and professional standards over and above other considerations which is an indicator of good ethical orientation. Thus, it is advanced that where standards, rules, regulations and control are an essential part of the daily life of the base organization, this leads to improved Project Managers’ Ethical Orientation. Keywords: Organizational Rationality, Project Managers, strategy, Ethical Orientation, Poverty Eradication

The Ethical Decision Making of Bank Managers’ and Corporate Financial Performance in Kenya

Recent allegations of unethical decision making by leaders in prominent business organizations have jeopardized the confidence of stakeholders who regularly call for integrity, transparency and accountability. Therefore, the focus of this paper is to determine the effect of ethical decision making of bank managers’ on their corporate financial performance in Kenya. The measurement of ethical decision making was drawn from Managerial Moral Judgment Test (MMJT) and corporate financial performance from balanced scorecard to Judge a target population of 144 branch managers of various commercial banks in Kenya. The paper findings showed that ethical decision making had positive and significant effect on corporate financial performance. The results have important policy implications on corporate Governance in Kenya. In addition this paper organizes the existing literature pertaining ethical decision making and corporate financial performance highlighting promising directions for future research. Keywords: Moral Judgments, Corporate Governance, Ethics, Ethical Decision Making, Corporate Financial Performanc

Examining the Relationship between Project Managers' Ethical Orientation and Project Performance: The Case of NAADS Projects in Uganda

In capitalistic and poverty stricken countries like Uganda, the Ethical Orientation of Project Managers is fast becoming an issue of paramount concern as Program sponsors and project beneficiaries seek for strategies to attain and sustain effectiveness and efficiency in project performance. This is because those with access to the project resources in such countries tend to satisfy their selfish interests with the limited project resources. This research work examines the relationship between Ethical Orientation of Project Managers and Project Performance on National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) projects in Uganda. The study adopted a cross sectional quantitative survey research approach. This was because of a relatively large sample involved in the study. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation and regression analysis methods. Findings indicated that there is a significant positive relationship between Ethical Orientation of Project Managers and Project Performance. The study thus provides scientific evidence to the fact that Ethical Orientation of Project Managers significantly influences the performance of developmental Projects like NAADS. If unchecked, this single factor can lead to collapse of running projects. Keywords: Ethical Orientation, Project Managers, Project Performance, Project Management, NAAD

Strategy Implementation and Firm Performance among Manufacturing Firms in Kenya

This study was carried out to investigate the relationship between strategy implementation and firm performance among Kenyan manufacturing firms. The study targeted the manufacturing firms which are registered with Kenya Association of Manufacturers. Primary data was collected by use of structured questionnaires that were distributed to the CEOs and Managers. Out of 300 questionnaires that were distributed to the respondents, 264 datasets were returned and were all used for data analysis. Study results indicate that there is a significant relationship between strategy implementation and firm performance of the manufacturing firms. The study therefore concludes that strategy implementation has a greater effect on firm performance in Kenyan manufacturing firms. Keywords: Strategy Implementation, Firm Performanc

Leading from the bottom: The clinical leaders roles in an HIV primary care facility in Eldoret, Kenya.

BackgroundClinical leaders in health systems play critical roles in making decisions that impact patient care and health system performance. Current literature has focused on the importance of clinical leaders' roles in healthcare settings and has not addressed the leadership aspect that clinical leaders engage in day-to-day decision-making in HIV facilities while providing HIV patient care. Therefore, identifying the leadership roles that wclinical leaders perform at HIV primary facilities is of critical importance.PurposeThe study explored the views of healthcare providers working in AMPATH-MTRH HIV facility on what they perceived as the roles of clinical leaders at the HIV primary care facility.MethodsWe conducted a qualitative exploratory study between December 2019 to May 2020, involving in-depth interviews with (n = 22) healthcare providers working in AMPATH-MTRH HIV facility, who were purposively and conveniently sampled to participate in in-depth interviews to explore perceptions regarding the leadership roles of clinical leaders. The collected data were analyzed thematically and Nvivo vs.12 software was used for data management.ResultsThe following themes were identified from the analysis regarding perceived clinical leaders' roles in an HIV primary care facility: 1) Strategic roles: providing direction and guidance, ensuring goals and objectives of the department are achieved within the set timelines, planning, and budgeting for adequate resources to support patient HIV care 2) Interconnecting health systems levels and supervisory oversight roles: a link between management, staff, and patients, solving problems, organizing and attending departmental meetings, facilitate staff training, accountable, collaborating with other departments and leaders, defines and assigns responsibilities, ensure quality patient service, coordination, and management of daily activities 3) Research roles: data collation, analysis, generation, review and reporting to the management.ConclusionClinical leaders in the HIV care system perform leadership roles that are characterized by strategic, middle-level, supervisorial and research which reflects the model of the leadership and management style of the HIV care system. The understanding of these roles contributes valuable insights to HIV leaders and managers to recognize the important contribution of clinical leaders and consider reviewing Standard Operating Procedures to include these leadership roles and strengthen their capacity to maximize clinicians' contribution to improve HIV care and enhance responsive health systems