Role of Organizational Structures in Supply Chain and Operational Management

To determine the value of having effective organization structures in operation activities in an organization. It is important to understand the context of the application organization structures in operation management. Basically, the role of organizational structures is to enable strategic change and improve business performance in several dimensions. Efficient and effective organization structures helps in rapid delivery of top-quality communication, meeting the mission and vision of organizations, product development, supplier development, supports organizations in meeting high standards in customer care, and it provides the means to compress design and development times in order have the competitive advantage in the market. Good organization structures helps to launch new products more frequently, to explore and enter new markets faster, and to seek new distribution channels. All of these dimensions can give companies a powerful competitive edge. Failure to have effective, well organized structures in operation management the company cannot realize business objectives in today’s competitive, often global environment. To determine the role played by organizational structures like coordination, specialization, control and so on .It is important to first understand the context of the organization structures applications, history and roles. The first part of this chapter provides a review of the evolution of the role and application of organization structures, leading to its role in today’s competitive markets. The second chapter will tackle the roles of organization structures and advantages of effective management in organization’s operations.Keywords: Operation Management, Organizational structures, Formalization, Lean productio

Influence of employer-employee relationships on service quality in the hospitality industry in Nakuru County, Kenya

Employees are the backbone of the hospitality industry, and the people in service are inseparable from the service they provide. This research investigated the influence of employer-employee relationships on service quality in the hospitality industry in Nakuru County, Kenya. Descriptive design was used to gather both quantitative and qualitative data through the use of questionnaires and interview guide as the key informants. The target population was 73 respondents comprising of 55 employees’ operational employees and 18 supervisors at Nuru Palace and the Legacy Hotel in Nakuru County. The findings also reveal that coaching and mentorship as well as mutual trust between employees and their superiors affect service quality positively.  The study recommends that hospitality establishments should facilitate more on job training and provide technical support to their employees. They should also work on establishing trust between the management and the workforce

Role of Lean Manufacturing on Organization Competitiveness

This paper focuses on an empirical and theoretical understanding of lean manufacturing as a general solution to effective operations management in an organization through applications of its elements such as Just-in-time, higher efficiency manufacturing through the principle of 'continuous product flow', Continuous improvement of processes along the entire value chain and setting up of multi-functional and multi-skilled teams at all levels to achieve its goals. The redesign of the production floor such that a product is manufactured progressively from one workstation to another with minimal waiting time and handling operations between stations has been the main objective of many organizations today however lack of proper understanding of lean concept and its application has resulted to redundancy in many organization activities. This paper illustrates the role that lean manufacturing play today in our organizations in facilitating operations and hence production flow, maximizing profit, meeting customers’ expectations and being competitive, with minimal or no waste. Finally implementation of lean manufacturing practices should support the company business strategy and be in line with the corporate vision, mission, values and plans including communication and evaluation plans to build employee buy-in and communicate results. This will eventually improve overall organization performance and cultivate a closer customer relationship. Key words: Lean manufacturing, Just in Time, Value, Continuous improvement, Total Quality Managemen

Determination of Factors Affecting Technical Efficiency in Smallholders’ Dairy Production in Rwanda:Case of Nyanza District

Dairy value chain has an important role in income generation and provision of employment. The latest trends in demand for dairy products is progressively exceeding the supply in the Rwanda and in Nyanza district particularly; this constitute a genesis of discussion and analysis of dairy production situation. Smallholder dairy farming is practiced in Rwanda aiming at generating income and nutrients in households; however, the efficiency in smallholder dairy farming is highly disputed. This study examined factors affecting technical efficiency of smallholder dairy farmers in Nyanza District with estimation of the marginal gross profit of smallholder dairy production.  Stratified random sampling was adopted to determine the respondents. Primary data were drawn from 110 smallholder farmers using structured questionnaires. Non-parametric approach, Gross margin and Stochastic Frontier were employed. The results revealed that socio-economic factors and institutional factors directly affects technical efficiency of smallholder dairy production. The study will help the government and smallholder dairy farmers in organizing themselves in groups for bulk purchases of inputs during high season this will end up reducing unnecessary cost of transporting and price increase of inputs during low season hence increasing milk production Key words: smallholder dairy farming, stochastic frontier, Technical efficiency, Nyanza District, Rwanda DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/12-8-03 Publication date:March 31st 202

Perceptions on the Status of Livelihoods Among Communities in Lower Tana Delta Conservancy in Tana River County Along the Kenyan coast

Human effort towards establishment of conservancies is important for the conservation of biodiversity. Perceptions of the local communities towards the Lower Tana Delta Conservancy (LTDC) effort for livelihoods improvement in Tana River County along the Kenyan coast are not well understood. The key objective of the study was to determine perceptions among the local communities living in Chara, Ozi and Konemansa Locations on LTDC towards their livelihood improvements in Tana River County. The study was conducted through a randomized study design using semi-structured questionnaire, Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussion (FGDs). The research was conducted between December 2015 and February 2016. The participants who were interviewed came from 207 households, 15 key informants who consisted of some conservancy board members, community leaders and elders. R statistical software was used to analyze the categorical data sets. There were significant differences on the participants’ perceptions on LTDC contribution towards institutional governance, benefits of the conservancy to the community. Overall the results showed differential perceptions on contributions of LTDC towards livelihood improvements of local communities in Tana River County and suggest that the establishment of the conservancy as a resource has had accrued benefits to different communities living in the conservancy. Keywords: Lower Tana Delta Conservancy; Community Livelihoods; Institutional governanc

The Impact of Green Schemes on the Livelihood of Communities in the Kavango Region, Namibia

Agricultural production in the dry lands is limited by inadequate rainfall to grow crops but irrigated agriculture increases crop yields for food security and economic benefits to the community. The irrigation projects in Namibia have been termed as Green Schemes as they give a green formation that is different from the surrounding dry vegetation. This study investigated the impacts of the Green Scheme on the livelihood of communities. In particular it sought to ask: are there economic benefits and a change in the diversification of food stuff to people living around the Green Schemes; and what challenges do the people around the Green Schemes experience? A survey was conducted on 30 households in each of the two villages. Purposive and random sampling techniques were used to select Green Schemes and households respectively. Personal interviews were undertaken using structured and unstructured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, frequencies and cross tabulations were used to outline respondents according to the impacts of the Green Scheme. The study revealed that there was no significant association between economic activities of the two village settings (p>0.05). Most variables were the same before and after the scheme for both village settings. Changes in food diversification for people were assessed and results indicated that food items for consumption reduced for Sikondo village and increased in Siyandeya village. The study further highlights community’s assertion that Green Schemes are not adding significant improvements or changes to community livelihoods as no significant developments in the surrounding villages have been attributed to the Green Schemes. The study further highlights that while there are benefits from the Green Schemes; these are minimal and are not worth their continuing challenges of water shortages and sanitation, their losses and expectations for improved livelihood. Significantly this study highlights the need to inculcate a change in attitude so as to encourage collaborative efforts between communities and the Green Schemes management which will impact on the livelihood of people positively. Keywords: Kavango, Green scheme, Government intervention, Communities, Livelihood, Socio-economics, impacts, irrigation project

The Loss of a Clan: Abandoning Ethos of the East African Revival by the Contemporary Kenyan Christian

This study investigated two practises of the East African Revival (EAR) movement; the public testimony of one’s salvation and the public confession of all known sins. The study further sought to know the attitude of the contemporary Christian on the same. The study was qualitative in strategy with a phenomenological design. Criterion based purposive sampling was used to select the participants. The tools for gathering data were In-depth interviews, Focus Group Discussions, and Document Review. Thematic Coding Analysis was used to analyse the data. The EDNA model for practical theology was applied as the theological framework. Findings show that the EAR members held the public testimony and public confession of sin as foundational to their doctrine and practice. The two practices helped them to create a unique identity and cohesiveness, after separating from their familial clans at conversion, hence forming a new spiritual clan of their own. The contemporary Christian on the other hand finds these two tenets of the EAR, intrusive and unacceptable. With no alternative ways of building cohesiveness and a unique identity, the younger believers are left without a clan hence becoming spiritual orphans. Traditional Anglicanism, with its focus on sacraments and liturgy, and African Traditional Religions are among the formations fighting to adopt these spiritual orphans. The study recommends that the church and society revisit these practices and apply them appropriately in the fight against corruption and tribalism, among other ills in Kenyan society

Intersectionality of HIV stigma and masculinity in eastern Uganda:implications for involving men in HIV programmes

Background Stigma is a determinant of social and health inequalities. In addition, some notions of masculinity can disadvantage men in terms of health outcomes. However, few studies have explored the extent to which these two axes of social inequality intersect to influence men's health outcomes. This paper investigates the intersection of HIV stigma and masculinity, and its perceived impact on men's participation in and utilisation of HIV services in Uganda. Methods Interviews and focus group discussions were conducted in Mbale and Jinja districts of Uganda between June and October 2010. Participants were men and women living with HIV (n = 40), their family members (n = 10) and health providers (n = 15). Inductive analysis was used to identify mechanisms through which stigma and masculinity were linked. Results Our findings showed that HIV stigma and masculinity did not exist as isolated variables, but as intersecting phenomena that influenced men's participation in HIV services. Specifically, HIV stigma threatened masculine notions of respectability, independence and emotional control, while it amplified men's risk-taking. As a result, the intersection of masculinity and HIV stigma prevented some men from i) seeking health care and accepting a 'sick role'; ii) fulfilling their economic family responsibilities; iii) safeguarding their reputation and respectability; iv) disclosing their HIV status; and v) participating in peer support groups. Participation in some peer support activities was considered a female trait and it also exacerbated HIV stigma as it implicitly singled out those with HIV. In contrast, inclusion of income-generating activities in peer support groups encouraged men's involvement as it enabled them to provide for their families, cushioned them from HIV stigma, and in the process, provided them with an opportunity to redeem their reputation and respectability. Conclusion To improve men's involvement in HIV services, the intersection between HIV stigma and masculinity should be considered. In particular, better integration of and linkage between gender transformative interventions that support men to reconstruct their male identities and reject signifiers of masculinity that prevent their access to HIV services, and stigma-reduction interventions that target social and structural drivers of stigma is required within HIV programmes

Anti-inflammatory activities of dichloromethane-methanolic leaf and stem bark extracts of Ximenia americana in mice models

Introduction: Ximenia americana is a highly branched shrub mainly found in tropics of Asia, Africa, New Zealand, Central and South America among others. In most parts of Africa, X. americana is used in folklore to treat various disorders such as oedema, pain, fever, helminthiasis, diarrhea and burns among others. There is no published data on anti-inflammatory activities of organic extracts of X. americana. It is against this background that this research was carried out. The study tested for the anti-inflammatory activities of dichloromethane-methanolic (DCM-MeOH) leaf and stem bark extracts of X. americana in rats.Methods: The plant materials were collected from Mbeere North sub-county, Embu county, Kenya. Methanol and dichloromethane in the ratio of 1:1 was used to extract the active compounds. Five to 6 weeks old Swiss Albino mice were employed for the anti-inflammatory studies. Animals were divided into 6 groups of 5 rats each: normal, negative, reference and three experimental groups (50, 100 and 150 mg/kg body weight). Inflammation was induced experimentally using carrageenan. The experimental groups were treated with predetermined dose quantities of prepared extracts. Diclofenac was used as the reference drug. Data was analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).Results: The extracts from the leaves reduced hind paw circumference by between 0.91 and 16.90 while the stem bark extracts reduced hind paw circumference by between 5.84 and 29.00. Diclofenac reduced right hind paw circumference by 1.32-29.60. Qualitative phytochemical screening showed presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, saponins, cardiac glycosides, phenolics and terpenoids in the extract.Conclusion: The study established that the DCM-MeOH leaf and stem bark extracts of X. americana is effective in management of inflammation and therefore it can be explored as a possible bio-resource in the development of herbal medicines

Phytochemical screening and antipyretic activities of dichloromethane-methanolic leaf and stem bark extracts of Ximenia americana in rat models

Introduction: In most parts of Africa, Ximenia americana is used in folklore to treat various disorders such as oedema, pain, fever, helminthiasis, diarrhoea, burns among other diseases. This study tested the antipyretic activities of dichloromethane-methanolic (DCM-MeOH) stem bark and leaf extracts of X. americana in rats. Qualitative phytochemical screening was also done to evaluate the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, saponins, cardiac glycosides, phenolics and terpenoids in the extract.Methods: The plant materials were collected from Mbeere North sub-county, Embu county, Kenya. Methanol and dichloromethane in the ratio of 1:1 was used to extract the active compounds. Two to three months old male Wister rats were employed for the antipyretic studies. Animals were divided into six groups of five rats each: normal, negative, reference and three experimental groups (50, 100 and 150 mg/kg body weight). Pyrexia was induced experimentally using turpentine. The experimental groups were treated with predetermined dose quantities of prepared extracts. Aspirin was used as the reference drug. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).Results: The extracts from the leaves lowered rectal temperature by 0.45 to 2.11 while the stem bark extracts lowered rectal temperature in the range of 0.71 to 2.13. Aspirin lowered the rectal temperature in the range of 0.74 and 1.67. Qualitative phytochemical screening showed presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, saponins, cardiac glycosides, phenolics and terpenoids in the extract.Conclusion: DCM-MeOH leaf and stem bark extracts of X. americana is effective in management of fever and therefore it can be explored as a possible bio-resource in the development of herbal antipyretic medicines