Impact of Political and Cultural Factors on Online Education in Africa: the Strategies to Build Capabilities

Recently the concept of online education has received considerable attention worldwide; however, its low success rate in Africa warrants further investigation. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of political and cultural factors on online education. For the purpose of the study, the political factor constitutes government support, technological infrastructure and trained instructors, whereas the cultural factor focuses on gender bias, culture bias and language barrier of learners. Drawing on the theory of source-position-performance, we argue that source (i.e., online education) should be promoted in rural areas as usages of mobile technologies and cellphones are more than computers, and that online education leads to competitive advantage. Finally, we propose a couple of strategies to build capability

Effects of Transformational Leadership on Work Stress among Top Managers in State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) in Kenya

Effective managerial leadership at all levels of society is essential for coping with the growing social and economic problems confronting a country. Currently most of the state owned enterprises (SOEs) are making losses or operating below their full potential. This poor performance could be influenced by the inability of top management to perform under stress. Work stress may reduce the productivity of the top management ultimately leading to poor performance. There are various factors that influence work stress among them is leadership styles. Nonetheless, there is a dearth of literature focusing on the effect of leadership styles on work stress in SOEs. This study sought to investigate the role of transformational leadership style on work stress in commercial SOEs in Kenya. Specifically, the study examines the effect of modeling the way, inspiring a shared vision, challenging the process, enabling others to act and encouraging the heart on work stress among the top managers of Kenya SOEs. To achieve these objectives the study targeted 175 top managers of commercial SOEs but collected data from 162 managers representing a response rate of 93 percent. The study used factor analysis to create indices for modeling the way, inspiring a shared vision, challenging the process, enabling others to act, encouraging the heart and work stress. Correlation analysis was used to test the strength of the relationship between work stress and each dimension of transformational leadership. Multiple regression analysis was used to estimate the magnitude and direction of each dimension of transformational leadership on work stress. The study found that model the way positively influence work stress and inspire a shared vision negatively influence work stress while other dimensions of transformational leadership have no significant effect on work stress among top managers of commercial SOEs in Kenya. The study recommends that managers should be trained and retrained in order to incorporate good leadership practices that will reduce work stress and increase productivity of the SOEs in Kenya. Keywords: Work Stress, Transformational Leadership, State Owned Enterprise

Role of Organizational and Personal Factors on Work Stress Among the Managers of State Owned Enterprises in Kenya

The current stagnation of both the public and private enterprise sectors in Kenya’s economy, suggests among other things that, Kenyan managers/leaders may not be performing to their full managerial and leadership potential.  This observation engenders the need for further investigations.  Managerial work stress is a major organizational problem that has not been adequately addressed neither by organizations nor researchers despite concerted attempts. This paper sought to examine how work stress may be impacted by organizational and personal factors in Kenya commercial State Owned Enterprises (SOEs). To achieve this, the paper examined how the organizational and personal factors affect work stress among top managers of commercial SOEs in Kenya. Primary data was collected using questionnaires administered to 175 senior managers of SOEs in Kenya. Using random sampling, the paper collected data from 162 managers representing a response rate of 93 percent. The paper found out that organizational factors significantly influenced work stress while organizational structure and climate were major sources of stress. The paper recommended that organization structures and work environment should be streamlined so as to reduce work stress among top managers of commercial SOEs in Kenya. Keywords: State-owned enterprises, work stress, personal factors, organizational factors

Role of Market Structure on Performance of MICE in Kenya

The purpose of the study was to investigate the role of market structure on performance of Kenya meeting, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) industry. The specific objectives are to examine the direct effect of market structure on performance of the Kenyan M.I.C.E industry and to identify ways in which M.I.C.E industry in Kenya can be improved. The study targeted 324 but sampled 179 MICE stakeholders. Data was collected using a questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential data analysis techniques were used. Additionally, factor analysis and multiple linear regression models were used. The study found that market structure has no effect on performance of the MICE industry in Kenya. The study recommended that government should develop MICE infrastructure, reduce interest rates, stabilise inflation and curb insecurity for the MICE industry to realize its full potential, and also suggested that the MICE stakeholders and the general public should work on their respective inputs to improve the performance of the MICE industry in Kenya

Effect of Idealized Influence and Inspirational Motivation on Staff Performance in State Owned Enterprises in Kenya

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of Idealized Influence and Inspirational Motivation on performance of staff in State Owned Enterprises in Kenya. The study intended to answer the following research questions: does idealized influence affect performance of staff in SOEs in Kenya? and does inspirational motivation affect performance of staff in SOEs in Kenya? Positivism research philosophy and descriptive research design were used in this study. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select a sample of 163 senior managers from the target population of 275 senior managers. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the selected members of top management team in SOEs. The study used factor analysis to reduce data, correlation analysis to establish the relationship between staff performance and transformational leadership, chi square test, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and multiple linear regression model to test the hypotheses. The study found that idealized influence was positively and significantly correlated with staff performance, r(138) = .64, p < .00. Multiple linear regression revealed that idealized influence significantly predicted staff performance, β = .78, t (145) = 2.99, p< .004. Inspirational motivation was positively and significantly related with staff performance, r(140) = .73, p < .00 and significantly predicted staff performance, β = 1.1, t (145) = 4.54, p< .00. The study concluded that Idealized Influence and Inspirational Motivation positively and significantly increased performance of staff in SOEs in Kenya. The study recommended that top management teams in SOEs should work towards encouraging delegation of tasks, career mentoring and coaching, and creation of new learning opportunities alongside a supportive climate for their employees. Keywords: Idealized Influence, Inspirational Motivation, Staff Performance, State Owned Enterprise

Effect of Intellectual Stimulation and Individualized Consideration on Staff Performance in State Owned Enterprises in Kenya

The aim of this study was to examine effect of Intellectual Stimulation and Individualized Consideration on performance of staff in State Owned Enterprises in Kenya. The study intended to answer the following research questions: does intellectual stimulation affect performance of staff in SOEs in Kenya?, and does individualized consideration affect performance of staff in SOEs in Kenya? Positivism research philosophy and descriptive research design were used in this study. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select a sample of 163 senior managers from the target population of 275 senior managers. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the selected members of top management team in SOEs. The study used factor analysis to reduce data, correlation analysis to establish the relationship between staff performance and intellectual stimulation and individualized consideration, chi square test, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and multiple linear regression model to test the hypotheses. The study found that intellectual stimulation was positively and significantly related with staff performance, r(139) = .73, p < .00 and significantly predicted staff performance, β = .78, t (145) = 3.38, p< .001. Individualized consideration was strongly correlated with staff performance r (138) = .75, p < .00 and significantly predicted staff performance, β = 1.07, t (145) = 4.57, p< .00.The study concluded that Intellectual Stimulation and Individualized Consideration positively and significantly increased performance of staff in SOEs in Kenya. The study recommended in order for the SOEs to achieve their objectives, top management should inspire and motivate their followers so as to increase performance. Keywords: Intellectual Stimulation, Individualized Consideration, Staff Performance, State Owned Enterprise

Corporate Governance and Performance of Health Sector Non-Governmental Organizations in Nairobi County

Health sector non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Nairobi County play a pivotal role in providing health care services though questions pertaining to their governance, accountability and sustainability have persisted despite their growth and prominence. Prior research in corporate governance has shown that well-performing governance function coincides with high performing organizations. The study sought to answer the research question what is the relationship between corporate governance attributes (CEO duality, audit committee composition, gender diversity) and performance of health sector Non-Governmental Organizations in Nairobi County” through a self-administered cross-sectional survey using a random sample of 242 CEOs in from NGOs. The study was based on a positivist ontological paradigm and therefore used deductive reasoning and quantitative techniques. Descriptive statistics, correlation and regression analysis techniques were used to analyze the data collected. All the respondent NGOs had a mean board size of eight members with the mean number of female members being three per organization. Further, CEO duality, audit committee composition and gender diversity significantly influenced performance with all corporate governance variables combined accounting for 56.3 percent of the variability in performance. Specifically, whereas CEO duality and gender diversity significantly influence performance in health sectors NGOs in Nairobi County, Audit committee composition had a statistically insignificant influence. These findings suggest that NGOs should reconstitute their boards by merging the roles of the CEOs and chairpersons of the boards, appointing members without financial expertise to the audit committees in order to improve their performance and increasing the number of women board members. Additionally policy makers should consider developing corporate governance guidelines that are specific to NGOs Keywords: Governance, Accountability, Performance, Diversity, Duality, Sustainabilit

Board Composition and Performance of Health Sector Non-Governmental Organizations in Nairobi County

A firm is as good as its corporate board. The health of an organization is mirrored by the composition of its board of directors. Prior research in corporate governance has shown that well-performing boards coincides with high performing organizations. Health sector non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Nairobi County play a pivotal role in providing health care services though questions pertaining to their governance, accountability and sustainability have persisted despite their growth and prominence. The study sought to answer the research question what is the relationship between board composition (CEO duality, board independence and gender diversity) and performance of health sector Non-Governmental Organizations in Nairobi County through a self-administered cross-sectional survey using a random sample of 242 CEOs. Correlation and regression analysis techniques were used to analyze the data collected. Result showed CEO duality and gender diversity significantly influenced performance with all board composition variables jointly accounting for 65.5 percent of the variability in performance. These findings suggest that NGOs should combine the roles of the CEOs and chairpersons of boards, appoint more executive board members and increase the number of women board member in order to improve their performance. Keywords: Board Composition, Performance, Diversity, Independence, Duality, Sustainabilit

Effect of Intellectual Stimulation and Individualized Consideration on Staff Performance in State Owned Enterprises in Kenya

The aim of this study was to examine effect of Intellectual Stimulation and Individualized Consideration on performance of staff in State Owned Enterprises in Kenya. The study intended to answer the following research questions: does intellectual stimulation affect performance of staff in SOEs in Kenya?, and does individualized consideration affect performance of staff in SOEs in Kenya? Positivism research philosophy and descriptive research design were used in this study. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select a sample of 163 senior managers from the target population of 275 senior managers. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the selected members of top management team in SOEs. The study used factor analysis to reduce data, correlation analysis to establish the relationship between staff performance and intellectual stimulation and individualized consideration, chi square test, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and multiple linear regression model to test the hypotheses. The study found that intellectual stimulation was positively and significantly related with staff performance, r(139) = .73, p < .00 and significantly predicted staff performance, β = .78, t (145) = 3.38, p< .001. Individualized consideration was strongly correlated with staff performance r (138) = .75, p < .00 and significantly predicted staff performance, β = 1.07, t (145) = 4.57, p< .00.The study concluded that Intellectual Stimulation and Individualized Consideration positively and significantly increased performance of staff in SOEs in Kenya. The study recommended in order for the SOEs to achieve their objectives, top management should inspire and motivate their followers so as to increase performance. Keywords: Intellectual Stimulation, Individualized Consideration, Staff Performance, State Owned Enterprise

Influence of Knowledge Acquisition on Organizational Performance Based on Return on Equity and Return on Assets of State Owned Commercial Enterprises in Kenya

Purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of knowledge acquisition on organizational performance based on return on equity and return on assets of state owned commercial enterprises in Kenya. This study was based on explanatory and descriptive research designs since they were more appropriate to test the hypotheses. The target population comprised of 275 members of top management team of 55 commercial state-owned enterprises in Kenya, as at 31st October 2016. The study utilized simple random sampling to select a sample of 268 members of top management team in the 55 commercial state-owned enterprises. Response rate of 71% was obtained and analytical tests conducted were Pearson correlation coefficients, One Way ANOVA, and Multiple linear regression. The correlation coefficients for return on equity was (r = -0.052, p = 0.481) and return on asset was (r = 0.075, p = 0.309) on knowledge acquisition respectively. Result for One-Way ANOVA on two segments of state owned commercial enterprises was, F (14, 173) = 3.104, p=0.000. The regression coefficients on return on equity were: unmoderated model; β= -0.957, t (-1.392), p>0.05 and moderated model; β= -4.957, t (-2.567), p<0.05 respectively. While the regression coefficients on return on assets were: unmoderated model; β=0.0002, t (-0.001), p=0.999 and moderated models; β= -0.088, t (-0.118), p=0.906 respectively. The study concludes there is significant influence of knowledge acquisition and organizational performance based on return on equity of state owned commercial enterprises but there is no significant influence of knowledge acquisition on organizational performance based on return on assets of state owned commercial enterprises in Kenya. Keywords: Knowledge acquisition, Return on Assets (ROA), Return on Equity (ROE) DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/11-3-01