The Influence of Package Graphics and Colour Attributes On Consumers’ Buying Behaviour In Kenya

Understanding consumer buying behaviour and their preference to product attributes has become a key success factor in contemporary competitive and rapid changing business environment. Consumer are now more discerning and individualistic requiring marketers to gain insights into their buying behaviour especially the attitude they have towards product innovation especially packaging. The general objective of the study was to determine the effect of packaging attributes on consumer’s buying behaviour of packaged foods in Kenya. This paper discusses the research findings on the influence of packaged food graphics and colour attributes on consumers’ buying behaviour in Kenya. The study was supported by the Theory of Reasoned Action, the Howard-Sheth Model and Kano’s Theory of Attractive Quality. Descriptive and explanatory research designs were used and a sample of 385 shoppers from three supermarkets in Nairobi was selected randomly while data was collected using structured questionnaires. The selection of supermarkets was based on judgmental sampling in which location and foot traffic was considered. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics in the form of mean, percentages and standard deviations, and inferential statistics in the form of correlation tests and regression analysis. The study found a statistically significant relationship between the attributes of graphics and colour and consumer’s buying behaviour. The study recommends that food manufacturers understand consumer response to their packages, and integrate the inputs into designing the best packaging styles. This can be achieved by involving consumers in the process of packaging so that the right decisions are made without making any assumption regarding the final packaging of food products. This study is beneficial to new and existing food product manufacturers in coming up with strategies and in development of product packaging. Keywords: Package Graphics, Colour Attributes, Consumers’ Buying Behaviou

COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY AND COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE OF SELECTED MEDIA HOUSES IN KENYA

Purpose: The main objective of the study was to establish the influence of computer technology on the competitive advantage of selected media houses in Kenya.Methodology: The study adopted a descriptive research design.  Findings: Results revealed that adoption of computer technology influenced the competitive advantage of selected media houses in Kenya. Therefore, the study concluded that computer technology influenced the competitive advantage of selected media houses in Kenya. The conclusion was informed by the realization that computerized software adoption, online mobile application and use of internet influenced the competitive advantage of selected media houses in Kenya. The study also concluded that staff training had a moderating effect on the relationship between technology and competitive advantage of selected media houses in Kenya.Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study would be of value to the media industry in Kenya. This is due to the fact that the media industry has experienced increased competition from new media such as the internet and social media making the competition stiffer and survival harder. The study would therefore provide relevant information to these media houses on how computer technology affects their competitive advantage. Hence, this information can give the media houses insight on which strategies to adopt so as to ensure competitiveness. Consumers of media would benefit from this study as the study creates awareness that use of new media is cheaper. This would also assist to increase the adoption of technology in Kenya. The findings of this study would also be significant to academicians in that it will add to the body of knowledge of the researchers in this field of study

Evaluating the efficacy of flashing lights in deterring livestock attacks by predators: a case study of Meibae Community Conservancy, Northern Kenya

Pastoralists living in the arid and semi-arid areas of Africa have for centuries coexisted with wildlife. They frequently share the same environmental resources with wildlife, are exposed to common risks including disease and drought, and in some cases, and are antagonistic to one another, particularly when competing for limited resources. In recent years, negative interactions between wildlife and humans have increased due to the decline of wildlife habitat, which has led to greater conflict. In the Meibae Community Conservancy, there has been a concern in recent years over increased human-wildlife conflict. Retaliatory killings raised concerns for the conservation of carnivore species. This study evaluated the effectiveness of non-lethal mitigation measures, in particular the use of predator deterrent lights, in reducing night attacks on livestock by large carnivores in Meibae Community Conservancy. The study assessed the effectiveness of the technique by determining the number of predator visits using tracks and sightings both at homesteads fitted with light units, and those without deterrents. The findings indicate that homesteads fitted with flashing deterrent lights recorded a lower number of visits by predators (2.4 visits/homestead) compared to those without lights (3.4 visits/homestead). Despite finding no significant difference (p>0.05) in the number of visits for homesteads with lights and those without lights, this study concluded that flashing deterrent lights have the potential in reducing cases of successful livestock attacks at bomas even though predators remained inquisitive. Flashing lights can contribute to the conservation of large carnivores by reducing conflicts between predators and livestock owners

NFLUENCE OF INTER-FUNCTIONAL COORDINATION ON PERFORMANCE OF INSURANCE ORGANIZATIONS IN KENYA

Purpose: Inter-functional coordination is one aspect that most of the modern day organizations are focusing on as a way of promoting their competitiveness through internal consistency. This involves the harmonization of the firm\u27s operations to create a one uni-operative system. Through the inter-functional coordination, organizations are able to unify their operations and thus enhance better problem solving. The main purpose of the study was to establish the influence of inter-functional coordination on performance of insurance organizations in Kenya Methodology: The philosophical foundation of the study was positivism, and descriptive cross-sectional survey research design was adopted. The target population for the study comprised all the 50 insurance firms while a sample of 384 employees was selected using stratified random sampling. Primary data was collected using questionnaires which were pretested for reliability and validity to determine it suitability for use in the study. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics and results presented using charts and tables while content analysis was used for qualitative data. Inferential statistics, corelation, multiple regression analysis were used establish the nature and magnitude of the relationships between the variables and to test the hypothesized relationships. Results: The study findings indicated that inter-functional coordination was statistically significant in explaining organization performance of insurance firms. The study concluded that insurance firms were market oriented through inter-functional coordination and are adopting all measures of marketing orientation to enhance performance. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study, therefore, recommends that the insurance firms should ensure that there is a clear and effective organizational structure to enhance smooth flow of operations, ease of communication and sharing of information

Marketing Information Systems and Sustainable Consumption

Sustainable consumption is an emerging issue in many economies and this had been evidenced by grouping such as United Nations which has embarked on sustainability programs to ensure effective production and development of individual well-being in the society. Previously, main concern of firms was in satisfaction of needs and wants with less concern of its effect both to the consumers and the business environment. Global conferences have emphasized the need to manage excessive demands and unsustainable lifestyles and redistribution of resources from the developed to developing states globally as to progress regional sustainability both in production and consumption.  Among other factors, sustainable consumption in firms can be ensured through measurement of operations and activities as well as information flow from the market to the firm and vice versa. The study focused on the marketing information systems. The main objectives of the study include: to review extant theoretical literature on the constructs of marketing information systems and sustainable consumption; to review extant empirical literature on the constructs of marketing information systems and sustainable consumption; to identify emerging theoretical and empirical gaps that forms the basis of future research on marketing information systems and sustainable consumption and to propose a conceptual model to respond to the gaps identified in the study. The literature reviewed suggested existence of relationship between MkIS and sustainable consumption. Even though various models and theories identify with the relationship, there is need for a unified model that explains the relationship. Further, from the empirical review, it emerged that the key elements that determine the effectiveness of a marketing information system is the information, the infrastructure of the MkIS, and the marketing orientation where the product offers are of superior value than that of competitors.The main empirical gap identified was that firms that practiced sustainable consumption possessed sustainable consumption models, however the models did not translate to firm market performance and hence the need to establish impact of MkIS on sustainable consumption. Further, firms that practiced non sustainable consumption were viewed to be more profitable while those that practiced sustainable consumption cited the processes to be costly and unprofitable.  The study developed a conceptual model should future researchers opt to conduct an empirical review to validate the study

Delivery Practices and Associated Factors among Mothers Seeking Child Welfare Services in Selected Health Facilities in Nyandarua South District, Kenya

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A measure of the proportion of deliveries assisted by skilled attendants is one of the indicators of progress towards achieving Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 5, which aims at improving maternal health. This study aimed at establishing delivery practices and associated factors among mothers seeking child welfare services at selected health facilities in Nyandarua South district, Kenya to determine whether mothers were receiving appropriate delivery care.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A hospital-based cross-sectional survey among women who had recently delivered while in the study area was carried out between August and October 2009. Binary Logistic regression was used to identify factors that predicted mothers' delivery practice.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Among the 409 mothers who participated in the study, 1170 deliveries were reported. Of all the deliveries reported, 51.8% were attended by unskilled birth attendants. Among the deliveries attended by unskilled birth attendants, 38.6% (452/1170) were by neighbors and/or relatives. Traditional Birth Attendants attended 1.5% (17/1170) of the deliveries while in 11.7% (137/1170) of the deliveries were self administered. Mothers who had unskilled birth attendance were more likely to have <3 years of education (Adjusted Odds ratio [AOR] 19.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.7 - 212.8) and with more than three deliveries in a life time (AOR 3.8, 95% CI 2.3 - 6.4). Mothers with perceived similarity in delivery attendance among skilled and unskilled delivery attendants were associated with unsafe delivery practice (AOR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1 - 3.4). Mother's with lower knowledge score on safe delivery (%) were more likely to have unskilled delivery attendance (AOR 36.5, 95% CI 4.3 - 309.3).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Among the mothers interviewed, utilization of skilled delivery attendance services was still low with a high number of deliveries being attended by unqualified lay persons. There is need to implement cost effective and sustainable measures to improve the quality of maternal health services with an aim of promoting safe delivery and hence reducing maternal mortality.</p

Strategic Positioning and Competitive Advantage of Commercial Banks in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

Strategic positioning has been identified as an important weapon to manage the competition in the business environment. However, despite the use of strategic positions, many banks in the country are facing challenges from the competition destabilizing the position they hold. Thus, the sole reason of the project was to establish how strategic positioning affects competitive advantage of banks in Uasin Gishu County Kenya. The specific objectives were; to examine the effects of mono-segment positioning, multi-segment positioning, standby positioning, adaptive positioning  and defensive positioning on competitive advantage of commercial banks in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. The study was guided by Resource-Based-View, The Game Theory, Market Based View Theory and Open Systems Theory. Explanatory research design was used in this study. The unit of analysis was commercial banks in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya and the unit of observation was 748 employees in 25 banks. A stratified random sample was used as a significant blend of categorization and randomization. A sample of 173 employees was selected. Questionnaires were used in collection of data. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis were used to analyse data. The study established a positive and significant relationship between mono-segment positioning, multi-segment positioning, standby positioning, adaptive positioning and defensive positioning on organizational competitive advantage. The study concludes that through mono-segment Commercial banks are free to devote all of their resources to attracting a single, narrowly defined type of customer with a specific need it can fulfill better than other companies. Through multi segment Commercial banks can analyze various customer groups and targeting specific products to meet their demands. Through standby positioning, commercial banks can base their strategy completely on a new segment which increases its focus and profitability. Through adaptive the brand loyalty of commercial banks definitely increases and also market segmentation increases competitiveness of a firm from a holistic view and defensive positioning leads to customer retention throughout customer life cycle. The study recommends that commercial banks in Uasin Gishu County implementing mono segment should concentrate all their efforts in a single segment with a single marketing mix so as to avoid confrontation with financial institutions. On multi segment, commercial banks should categorize their customers along demographic, geographic, behavioral, or psychographic lines or a combination of them. This will enable them offer products and services effectively by understanding distinctive needs of the groups. On standby positioning strategy, commercial banks should only opt execute a mono-segment positioning strategy only during unavoidable situations. To minimize response time, the banks should prepares a standby plan that specify the product(s) and their attributes as well as details of the marketing program(s) that would be used to position the new product. On adaptive positioning, commercial banks should aim at changing or reforming a bank’s marketing mix to suit to the particular geography in which the bank is operating. This will enable the banks to effectively tailor their products and service in rapid and unparalleled ways to meet their customers’ interests and needs. On defensive positioning, commercial banks should resort to position defense to ensure a new bank’s market entry does not impact or weaken their brand. They may also opt to preempt competitive strategies by introducing an additional brand in a similar position for the same segment.&#x0D; This is an open-access article published and distributed under the terms and conditions of the  Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License of United States unless otherwise stated. Access, citation and distribution of this article is allowed with full recognition of the authors and the source. </jats:p

Strategy Implementation Practices and Performance of Insurance Companies in Kenya

Organizational performance has transformed into a hypothesis which relies on various facets within the company such as its top management and how strategies are implemented. It is however worth noting that what sets organizations apart depends upon their share in the market, corporate image, level of customer satisfaction and profit margins. Firms within developed and developing nations have encountered challenges in implementing their strategies. This has particularly been experienced by insurance companies in Kenya, through a decline in their performance. The study therefore aimed at investigating effects of strategies implementations methods on effectiveness of insurance firms in Kenya. The precise goals for the research were to: to determine the impact of resource allocation, staff training, organisation communication and organisation culture on performance of insurance firms in Kenya. Open systems theory and Transformative theory were used in the study together with Holistic strategy implementation theory. The survey was conducted using a descriptive research methodology. Forty one (41) insurance organizations in Kenya formed the target population with 123 respondents out of which a sample of 94 respondents was chosen at employing Israel’s formula. Structured questionnaires were the major data collection method for obtaining primary data. The findings revealed that resource allocation, staff training, organisation communication and organisation culture all had substantial impact on performance of Kenyan insurance companies. The survey indicates that strategies implementations methods have substantial impact on performance. This survey suggests that the finance managers of the insurance firms in Kenya must set aside sufficient funds to finance implementation of strategies.  The human resource managers working in the insurance firms in Kenya should organize regular on-the-job and off-the-job training programs to enhance the skills of employees so that they can be able to implement formulated strategies. The communication managers and public relations officers working in the insurance firms in Kenya should work to improve on the existing communication channels to enhance the flow of information among employees as they implement strategies. Departmental heads working among insurance firms in Kenya should strengthening the corporate culture by communicating the organizations values to employees.</jats:p

Marketing Communication Tool on Consumer Buying Behaviour in Selected Supermarkets in Nairobi City County, Kenya

Consumer purchasing habits have remained a challenge for marketers to grasp, and studies have suggested that the construct can be best grasped through marketing communication stimulus that is planned and implemented in the organization. However, empirical research into consumer purchasing behavior in retail supermarkets has been limited and anecdotal, particularly in Kenya, where several stores have gone bankrupt and others are trying to stay afloat. In light of this, the purpose of this study was to look at how marketing communication tools affect consumer purchasing behavior in selected supermarkets within Nairobi City County, Kenya. The tools in marketing communication adopted included; sales promotion, personal selling, direct and digital marketing. Descriptive together with the explanatory research design were applied. Customers were the study's population, with a sample size of 370 customers established using the Yamane method. The respondents for the study were chosen using the convenience sample method. Questionnaire were used in obtaining the study’s primary data. The instruments’ validity and reliability were evaluated to identify the acceptability and adequacy of the research items. The collected information was analyzed utilizing descriptive and inferential analytical methods. The data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. At the 0.05 level of significance, the multiple regression approach was employed to examine the significant influence of the hypotheses formulated in this study. Research results have shown that in a sample of Nairobi City County supermarkets, consumer purchasing behavior has been significantly influenced by the integrated development of advertising communication technologies. Personal sales, direct marketing, and digital marketing, according to the findings, have had a substantial impact on consumer shopping behavior at selected supermarkets in Nairobi City County, Kenya. Advertising and sales promotions, on the other hand, were shown to have no effect on consumer behavior in a few supermarkets. Although the lack of a link between advertising and sales promotion and consumer buying behavior is indicated by the findings of insignificant effects, marketing firms may still need to focus their efforts on increasing advertisements and promotion in sales as instruments in attracting customers' desires on what is offered in the market. It is recommended that Kenyan supermarket managers use the findings to better understand people's perceptions of market offerings and information exchange on what defines public behavior.</jats:p