Determinants of Foreign Direct Investment Growth: Kenya’s Manufacturing Sector

The FDI indicators in Kenya show a mixed signal and although institutional indexes for Kenya have been worsening over the years, foreign direct investment inflows (FDI) though sluggish has been on the rise. While many theories of FDI have been put forward, mostly ownership, location and internationalization (OLI), the extent to which institutional determinants influence growth of FDI in the Kenyan manufacturing sector has not gotten adequate attention. The combination of institutional determinants and OLI framework in determining flows of FDI has been avoided in this sector. This study using FDI inflows in the Kenyan manufacturing sector and governance indicators data performed a cross-sectional analysis for the period 2009-2013. The findings indicated significant positive relationship between governance and FDI growth which implies that governance determines growth of FDI in the Kenyan manufacturing sector. The evidence presented confirms that a good political climate and good corporate governance are important for foreign investment to flow into a Country. Keywords: foreign direct investment; corporate governance; political risk; manufacturing secto

Regulating the Broadcasting Watershed Period

The broadcasting watershed period is a government policy used to protect minors from the harm and offence that could be caused by exposure to adult programs. It ensures that general exhibition programs i.e. programs suitable for all age groups are aired when children are most likely to be part of the audience. It also ensures that programs that contain adult themes are scheduled for a later time of the night when children are most likely to be asleep. A study conducted to find out the factors that influence compliance with the Watershed period among broadcasters in Kenya measured the level of compliance with the watershed period regulations within the study, respondents were asked if they found the current government regulations effective in protecting children from harmful content in broadcasts. They were also asked whether they were in support of the government regulation of program content through the watershed period or whether they preferred self regulation among broadcasters. Majority of the respondents supported government regulation as opposed to self regulation. Despite this, Kenyan broadcasters have for a long time pushed to adopt self-regulation within the sector. In many instances, audiences have turned to the government regarding inappropriate broadcast programming urging them to rid the airwaves of this content, this fact illustrates the reliance that the audiences have in the government to regulate media content. Many texts point out that the main reason throughout the world for government regulation of programme content is the protection of minors, it is perhaps because of this that citizens, parents lawmakers and regulators, should not relent on the government regulation of broadcasting content and specifically the watershed period within Kenya. The paper argues why the governmen

Effect of Market Structure on Financial Performance of Deposit Taking Microfinance Institutions in Nairobi City County, Kenya

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of market structure on financial performance of Deposit Taking Microfinance Institutions (DTMIs) in Nairobi City County, Kenya. Mixed method of research design was used and data was collected using questionnaires and secondary data collection sheet. Target population was the 12 registered DTMIs in Kenya from which sixty (60) portfolio managers and credit officers were randomly selected to form the sample size. Cronbach test of 0.809 was obtained and validity of the research instruments was ensured through content, criterion and construct validity testing. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics which included correlation analysis, ANOVA and multiple regression analysis. The study established a positive statistically significant relationship between market structure and financial performance. The market structure explained 62.2% of the changes in the financial performance DTMIs in Kenya. It’s recommended that, market share should be strengthened in financial institutions to enable them proactively increase their deposit accounts and number of clients. Keywords: market structure, financial performance, Deposit Taking Microfinance Institutions (DTMIs

Mediating Influence of Information Technology Infrastructure in the Relationship Between Supply Chain Process Integration Capabilities and Supply Chain Performance of Public Universities in Kenya

Research conducted under Research Authorization Permit NACOSTI/P/IT/97613/18539 of 20th September, 2017 issued by National Commission for Science Technology and Innovation, Kenya. The Technical University of Kenya sponsored the PhD Course. Abstract The purpose of the study was to investigate the mediating effect of information technology infrastructure in the relationship between Supply Chain Process Integration Capabilities (SCPIC) and Supply Chain Performance (SCP) of public universities in Kenya. Information technology was hypothesized to have a positive mediation influence on the relationship between supply chain process integration capabilities and supply chain performance of public universities in Kenya. The study was grounded on Resource Dependency Theory and adopted a descriptive survey design.  A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 31 public universities in Kenya. The response rate was 81%. Descriptive statistics, correlation and regression techniques were used to analyze the data. The results of the study show a statistically significant relationship between SCPIC and supply chain performance. The approach for testing the mediation was adopted from Memon, Cheah, Ramayah, Ting, & Chuah, (2018). The results show that the relationship between SCPIC and SCP is mediated by information technology infrastructure. The study contributes to our understanding of the effect of information technology infrastructure in the relationship between supply chain process integration capabilities and supply chain performance of universities. From the study, an integrated information technology infrastructure enables consistent and real-time transfer of information between supply chain management related applications and functions that are distributed across partners. The study recommends that public universities should invest in technology not only in their institutions but also in partnership with stakeholders like suppliers so as to streamline operations in the supply chain for organizational competitiveness. Keywords: Supply chain process integration capabilities, Information technology infrastructure, Supply chain performanc

Relationship between Financial Returns of Investable Capital and Financial Portfolio Diversification of Commercial Sugarcane Farmers in Kenya

The main purpose of this study was to establish the relationship between financial return on investable capital and financial portfolio diversification among sugarcane farmers in Bungoma and Kakamega Counties in Kenya. The study’s specific objective was to assess the relationship between financial returns of investable capital and financial portfolio diversification among commercial sugarcane farmers in Kenya. Descriptive correlation was then used to describe and establish the relationships among the study variables. The target population for this study comprised of all sugarcane farmers around Kakamega and Bungoma Counties. Both primary and secondary data will be used in this study and the positivistic approach to research guided data analysis will be used for the study. Primary data was collected through the use self- administered questionnaire. Secondary data on the other hand, was used to obtain information from already existing literature. The study variables were measured using both the ordinal scale and summated scale (likert-type scale).The questionnaire was pre-tested on pilot respondents who were not be part of the study respondents but knowledgeable in the study aspects in order to ensure their validity and relevance. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was used to measure the reliability of the scale. The study focused on farmers of two counties: Bungoma and Kakamega. The regression results also showed that ROI of investable capital had explanatory power on financial portfolio diversification among commercial sugarcane farmers in that it accounted for 15.7 percent of its variability (R square = 0.157). The study results revealed that there was a statistically significant positive linear relationship between financial return on investment of investable capital and financial portfolio diversification among commercial sugarcane farmers (β= .238, p-value = 0.000). Based on these results, the study concludes that commercial sugarcane farmers in Kenya need to pay more attention on financial return on investment of investable capital because it has been found by this study to have a statistically significant and positive effect on commercial sugarcane farmers in Kenya. The study recommends that the commercial sugarcane farmers in Kenya should therefore strive to improve on their financial return on investable capital because it has been found to have a significant and positive effect on their financial portfolio diversification

Effect of Ease of Access to Information on TECHNOLOGY Usability on Household Food Security Among Smallholder Farmers in Bungoma North Sub-County, Kenya

Smallholder farming is the livelihood of a large proportion of the population in developing countries, and agricultural innovations have the potential of enhancing productivity. In Sub-Saharan Africa, maize is a major staple; however, farmers experience heavy losses in post-harvest operations, especially storage. Hermetic storage technologies can preserve grain in quality and quantity, thus ensuring food availability while maintaining their exchange value. Extracting benefits from technology is premised on their adoption and use by farmers. Technology adoption is a process that starts with the diffusion of information about the existence of innovation. The study examined the effect of ease of access to information on technology usability on household food security in Bungoma North Sub-County, in Kenya. This study employed a cross-sectional design, where 394 households were sampled from across all the six locations of Bungoma North Sub County and questionnaires administered. From the factor analysis, household food security was loaded onto two components: food availability and food consumption, while ease of access to information on technology usability was loaded onto one component. Simple linear regression was used to estimate the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variables. Ease of access to information on technology usability had a positive and significant effect on both food availability and food consumption. This study is important in strategizing for productivity enhancement among smallholder farmers and recommends increased awareness on the availability of agricultural technologies

Exploring Innovativeness Dimension of Corporate Entrepreneurship on Financial Performance of Manufacturing Firms in Kenya

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