Strategic Thinking and Performance of Small and Medium-Sized Dairy Processing Firms in Kenya

The dairy sector plays a crucial role in economic growth and development of Kenya. However, many firms in the sector, especially the small and medium-sized, continue to face performance challenges such as competition from unregulated informal milk market, accessing markets and high industry barriers among others. A review of literature shows that the effect of strategic thinking on the performance of small and medium-sized dairy processing firms remains uncertain. This study sought to determine the effect of strategic thinking and performance of small and medium-sized dairy processing firms in Kenya. The study was anchored on the Leidtka Model. Positivism research philosophy was adopted. Descriptive and explanatory research designs were used. A census survey was conducted on all the small and medium-sized dairy processing firms in Kenya and primary data was collected. Descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviation were used to explain data characteristics, while multiple regression was used to test the effect of the study variables on firm performance. The results showed that strategic thinking has a positive significant effect on the performance of small and medium-sized dairy processing firms in Kenya, thus it was perceived that strategic thinking aids creation of a path for what the firm wants to become through focusing on their intent, systems, timely thinking, intelligent opportunism, and hypothesis-driven research. The study contributes to the body of knowledge by filling contextual, empirical, and conceptual gaps identified earlier in literature and establishing a nexus of strategic thinking and performance of small and medium-sized dairy processing firms in Kenya. The study recommends that strategic thinking should be enhanced particularly by using research to inform their decision-making and practice quick decision-making to mitigate or exploit opportunities while thinking of possible solutions to unexpected challenges

A study of learning and identity production within extracurricular activities set for university students

This thesis is a study of two extracurricular groups – a Dance Group and a Singing Group established for students at a university in the United Kingdom. The study centres on learning facilitated by student group social practices in relation to the production of identities, focusing particularly on gender and the role of the body. A review of the existing literature reveals distinct strands in this area. The first focuses academic success and future employment. A second strand critiques simplistic notions of academic skills and employability. The third analyses a diversity of student identities development within communities of practice in legitimate peripheral participation. This study extends this third strand by investigating the questions: How are student identities constructed in extracurricular dance and singing groups in a UK university? What role do the body and gender play in identity construction?\ud \ud Ethnographic techniques mainly participant observation and general conversations were utilised for collection of empirical data from student groups for one academic year (2007-2008) for ten sessions each term, as well as additional related events.\ud \ud The analysis draws on three bodies of theory: the theory of the body and of corporeal realism (Shilling, 2012), feminist theory and theories of masculinities and femininities (e.g. Connell, 2013); and the community of practice theory of learning (Wenger, 1998; Lave and Wenger, 1991). Analysis suggests that extracurricular groups were used to both achieve an externally-set objective and for engagement in complex social relations that constitute a significant aspect of student life. Furthermore, analysis explores specific ways in which masculine and feminine identities were produced. Gendered norms and relations were variably repeated, challenged or resisted through students’ embodied engagement in group activities. Thus, this contribution enhances existing knowledge through analysis that incorporates the importance of the human body in gendered identity production within extracurricular activities in higher education

Effect of Internal Control Systems on Financial Performance of Public Universities in Kenya

Most public Universities across the world have reported suboptimal financial performance compared to private universities. The poor financial performance can be attributed to financial management practices. The sound financial management practices require the institutions to have robust internal control systems. However, there are limited empirical research findings regarding the relationship between the internal control systems and financial performance in public universities in Kenya. The general objective of the study was to establish the effect of internal control systems on financial performance of public universities in Kenya. The study specific objective was to investigate the effect of detective controls on the financial performance of public universities in Kenya. The study was anchored on agency theory, stewardship theory, systems theory and attribution theory. The study adopted a causal research design. The target population of respondents were the deputy vice chancellors finance, registrar finance and administration, ICT personnel, finance officers and internal auditors in the 37 public universities in Kenya. The target population was 185 respondents. The study worked with a sample of 34 public universities through stratified random sampling, and the other three were used for pilot testing. Primary data was collected from sample population using semi-structured questionnaires. Secondary data was collected through evaluation of reports, organizational journals, publications and review of information from the organizations website. Quantitative data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). All the questionnaires received were referenced and items in the questionnaire coded to facilitate data entry. After data cleaning which entailed checking for errors in entry, descriptive statistics and frequencies were estimated for all the variables and information presented inform of tables, graphs and pie charts. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were used because they enabled the researcher to meaningfully describe distribution of scores or measurements using a few indices. Inferential data analysis was done using Pearson Correlation coefficient and regression analysis. Regression analysis was conducted to empirically determine whether detective controls were significant in determining the financial performance of public universities in Kenya.  Regression results indicated the goodness of fit for the regression between detective controls and financial performance was strong. From the regression model, detective controls and financial performance to a constant zero, financial performance would be 3.132. It was established that a unit increase in detective controls would cause an improvement in financial performance by a factor of 0.237. This clearly showed that there was a positive relationship between detective controls and financial performance. P-value was less than 0.05, which showed that variables covered in the study on detective controls were statistically significant to influence financial performance. The study concluded that detective controls had a positive and significant influence on the financial performance of public universities in Kenya. Keywords: Internal control Systems, Detective Controls, Financial Performance DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/12-16-09 Publication date:August 31st 202

Is there sufficient evidence regarding signage-based stair use interventions?:A sequential meta-analysis

Objective: The proliferation of studies using motivational signs to promote stair use continues unabated, with their oft-cited potential for increasing population-level physical activity participation. This study examined all stair use promotional signage studies since 1980, calculating pre-estimates and post-estimates of stair use. The aim of this project was to conduct a sequential meta-analysis to pool intervention effects, in order to determine when the evidence base was sufficient for population-wide dissemination. Design: Using comparable data from 50 stair-promoting studies (57 unique estimates) we pooled data to assess the effect sizes of such interventions. Results: At baseline, median stair usage across interventions was 8.1%, with an absolute median increase of 2.2% in stair use following signage-based interventions. The overall pooled OR indicated that participants were 52% more likely to use stairs after exposure to promotional signs (adjusted OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.37 to 1.70). Incremental (sequential) meta-analyses using z-score methods identified that sufficient evidence for stair use interventions has existed since 2006, with recent studies providing no further evidence on the effect sizes of such interventions. Conclusions: This analysis has important policy and practice implications. Researchers continue to publish stair use interventions without connection to policymakers' needs, and few stair use interventions are implemented at a population level. Researchers should move away from repeating short-term, small-scale, stair sign interventions, to investigating their scalability, adoption and fidelity. Only such research translation efforts will provide sufficient evidence of external validity to inform their scaling up to influence population physical activity

Mainstreaming emergency contraception in developing countries: A toolkit for policymakers and service providers

In late 2006, the Kenyan Ministry of Health (MOH), the Population Council, and Population Services International (PSI) launched an initiative to mainstream emergency contraception (EC) in Kenya. The initiative included a core set of activities aimed at improving overall awareness of EC across the country and strengthening the quality of EC services in both the public and private sectors. It was intended to serve as a model for other countries interested in improving access to EC, and to generate in-depth knowledge on EC program strategies and utilization characteristics in sub-Saharan Africa. The MOH drew lessons and experiences from the initiative to substantially revise the EC component of the 2010 National Family Planning Guidelines for Health Providers. This toolkit on mainstreaming emergency contraception in developing countries has been developed in response to one of the objectives of the 2006 initiative that sought to generate lessons that could serve as a model for other countries interested in improving access to EC, and to generate in-depth knowledge on EC program strategies and utilization characteristics in sub-Saharan Africa

Policy brief—Mainstreaming emergency contraception in developing countries: A toolkit for policymakers and service providers

Kenyan Ministry of Health (MOH), the Population Council, and Population Services International (PSI) launched an initiative to mainstream emergency contraception (EC) in Kenya. The specific objectives of the initiative were to: increase knowledge, awareness, and use of EC among Kenyan women; increase knowledge and awareness of EC among health providers; and strengthen EC provision in both the private and public sectors. This policy brief describes a toolkit designed for policymakers and service providers which draws on the achievements, lessons learned, and experiences from this project

Substance use literacy: Implications for HIV medication adherence and addiction severity among substance users

This cross sectional study examined the relationship between substance use literacy and HIV medication adherence and whether severity of addiction modified this relationship. 179 HIV infected substance users completed the Questionnaire Assessment of Literacy in Mental Health, Addiction Severity Test, and Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. Most respondents wrongly identified the alcohol use vignette problem as stress (50.3%). Not recognizing that there was a problem was significantly correlated with moderate adherence (P = 0.003). Preference was given to informal sources of help such as a close friend (83.2%, P = 0.050), as well as psychosocial forms of management like physical exercise (79.9%, P = 0.007) rather than professionals such as psychiatrists (58.1%) which was associated with moderate adherence and low addiction severity. Substance use literacy was found to be a significant variable in increasing HIV medication adherence and decreasing addiction severity.Keywords: Substance use literacy, Substance use, HIV medication adherence, Addiction severity modifie

A Comparison of the Socio- Economic Characteristics of Dairy-Crop Integrators versus Non Integrators: A Case Study in Elgeyo-Marakwet County, Kenya

The aim of this study was to compare the different inherent socio economic characteristics amongst the dairy-crop integrators and non integrators in Elgeyo-Marakwet County, Kenya. The study carried out a census of 85 integrators and 85 non integrators. The data were collected with the help of a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics such as means and percentages were used to present the findings. The study found out that Integrators had a higher household size mean unlike the non integrators. The integrators had a lower mean in years of schooling of as compared to that of non integrators who had a higher mean of years of schooling. On the other hand, Integrators had a larger size of land on average as compared to non integrators. The study therefore recommends policy interventions to enhance access to credit, reduce illiteracy levels among rural entrepreneurs through training and extension services. Key words: Integration, Non-integration, Off-farm income, Househol

Pulse oximetry values of neonates admitted for care and receiving routine oxygen therapy at a resource-limited hospital in Kenya.

AIM: There are 2.7 million neonatal deaths annually, 75% of which occur in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Effective treatment of hypoxaemia through tailored oxygen therapy could reduce neonatal mortality and prevent oxygen toxicity. METHODS: We undertook a two-part prospective study of neonates admitted to a neonatal unit in Nairobi, Kenya, between January and December 2015. We determined the prevalence of hypoxaemia and explored associations of clinical risk factors and signs of respiratory distress with hypoxaemia and mortality. After staff training on oxygen saturation (SpO2 ) target ranges, we enrolled a consecutive sample of neonates admitted for oxygen and measured SpO2 at 0, 6, 12, 18 and 24 h post-admission. We estimated the proportion of neonates outside the target range (≥34 weeks: ≥92%; <34 weeks: 89-93%) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: A total of 477 neonates were enrolled. Prevalence of hypoxaemia was 29.2%. Retractions (odds ratio (OR) 2.83, 95% CI 1.47-5.47), nasal flaring (OR 2.68, 95% CI 1.51-4.75), and grunting (OR 2.47, 95% CI 1.27-4.80) were significantly associated with hypoxaemia. Nasal flaring (OR 2.85, 95% CI 1.25-6.54), and hypoxaemia (OR 3.06, 95% CI 1.54-6.07) were significantly associated with mortality; 64% of neonates receiving oxygen were out of range at ≥2 time points and 43% at ≥3 time points. CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence of hypoxaemia at admission and a strong association between hypoxaemia and mortality in this Kenyan neonatal unit. Many neonates had out of range SpO2 values while receiving oxygen. Further research is needed to test strategies aimed at improving the accuracy of oxygen provision in low-resource settings

Promoting Respectful Maternity Care: A training guide for facility-based workshops—Participant\u27s guide

This guide was produced as part of the Respectful Maternity Care (RMC) Resource Package. The Resource Package was designed to support health facility managers, health care providers, and communities in confronting disrespect and abuse (D&A) during facility-based childbirth and to promote respectful maternity care. The Resource Package includes a facilitator’s guide (facility-based workshops), facilitator’s guide (community-based workshops), participant’s guide, community flipchart, tools, and program briefs. Workshop objectives outlined in the Participant’s Guide: Outline current status of maternal and neonatal health in relation to respectful care. Discuss key RMC concepts, terminology, legal and rights-based approaches related to respectful maternity care and the RMC Resource Package. Demonstrate knowledge and use of VCAT theory and practice. Discuss selected evidence-based strategies that reduce D&A. Discuss participants’ role in promoting RMC. Develop action plans to support the implementation of RMC interventions at various levels of health (e.g., policy, program, regional/county, subcounty, facility, and community)