Collaboration in scientific digital ecosystems: A socio-technical network analysis

This dissertation seeks to understand the formation, operation, organizational (collaboration) and the effect of scientific digital ecosystems that connect several online community networks in a single platform. The formation, mechanism and processes of online networks that influence members output is limited and contradictory. The dissertation is comprised of three papers that are guided by the following research questions: How does online community member’s productivity (or success) depend upon their ‘position’ in the digital networks? What are the network formation mechanism, structures and characteristics of an online community? How do scientific innovations traverse (diffuse) amongst users in online communities? A combination of exploratory, inductive and deductive research designs is applied sequentially but in a non-linear manner to address research question. The dissertation contributes to the literature on scientific collaboration, digital communities of creation, social network modelling and diffusion of innovation. The first paper applies network theory and spatial probit autocorrelative modelling technique to evaluate how member developer’s positioning in digital community correlate with his/her productivity. The second paper looks at the dynamics of developer’s participation in online developers’ network for a period spanning 7-years using exponential random graph models (ERGM). This paper applies theory of network (network science) to model network formation patterns in developer community. The third paper, like the first, applies network theory and to understand user network characteristics and communication channels which influence diffusion of scientific innovations. Bass and spatial probit autocorrelative models are applied for this analysis. Data from this study was mined from developers, authors and user communities of nanoHUB.org cyberinfrastructure platform. NanoHUB.org is a science and engineering online ecosystem comprising self-organized researchers, educators, and professional communities in eight member institutions that collaborate, share resources and solve nanotechnology related problems including development and usage of tools (scientific innovation). Data from collaboration and information sharing activities was used to create the developers, authors and user networks that were used for analysis. Results of the first paper show that the spatial autocorrelation parameter of the spatial probit model is negative and statistically different from zero. The negative spatial spillover effect in the developer network imply that developers that are embedded in the network have a lower probability of getting more output. The structural network characteristics of eigen vector centrality had statistically significant effects on probability of being more productive. Developers who are also authors were found to be more productive than those in one network. The implications of these findings is that developers will benefit from being in multiple network spaces and by associating with more accomplished developers. The autocorrelative and interaction models also reveal various new modelling approach of accounting for network autocorrelation effects to online member. Results of the second paper show that developers form in a manner that follow a pure uniform random distribution. Results also show that developer’s collaborative mechanisms are characterized by low tendencies to reciprocate and form homophiles (tendency of developers to associate with similar peers) but high tendency to form clusters. The implications of network formation mechanism and processes are that developers are forming in a purely random and self-organized manner and minimum efforts should be applied in trying to organize and influence the community organization. The results also reveal that a simple link to link ERGM and stochastic dominance criteria can be combined to characterize the network formation characteristics just like the ERG(p*) model but have an advantage of overcoming degeneracy challenges associated with ERG(p*) models. Results of the third paper show that bass model is a good predictor for diffusion of scientific innovations (tools) in online community setting. Results also show different innovations have varying levels and rates of adoption and these were influenced by both external and internal factors. Results of the micro-based model found degrees and betweeness centrality as some of the internal variables that have positive influence on the adoption of innovation while centrality measures of power or leadership were found to have negative influence of adoption process. The relative time taken to run a simulation (measured as job usage time) was also found to be negatively influencing diffusion. The implication of the study results is that bass model is a good fit for evaluating and forecasting adoption of innovation in online communities. Moreover, network structural characteristics are responsible for adoption of innovation adoption and policy making should consider tool adoption enhancing ones. Additionally, researchers could further explore the network structural characteristics that are driving diffusion of innovation

Utilization of Pesticidal Plants in Pest Management among Smallholder Vegetable Farmers in Bahati Division, Nakuru, Kenya

The use of synthetic pesticides has made impressive impacts on pest control resulting in pest management being synonymous with pesticide use. However, the limitations of synthetic pesticides are evident as pest problems have persisted and also negative effects on human beings and the environment.  The study was conducted in Bahati, Nakuru, Kenya to determine the use of alternatives to synthetic pesticides in pest management among vegetable farmers. The results showed that 58 percent of the respondents were men and 42 percent were women. Kales was the most popular vegetable grown by 87 percent of the farmers followed by tomatoes at 79 percent. Aphids, spider mites and caterpillars were the common insect pests. The farmers depended mostly on synthetic pesticides for pest management. The findings indicated that 62 percent of the farmers had knowledge of pesticidal plants which they viewed as a cheap alternative to synthetic pesticides in pest management.  However farmers explained that the limitation in using pesticidal plants for pest management was lack of specificity in dosages and methods of application. Pesticidal plants were rated at low to moderate effectiveness.  Results indicated need for more research and education on ingredients, methods of preparation and application and target pests. Utilization of pesticidal plants can become a viable pest management option for farmers, after further research and education on preparation and application to improve effectiveness.Key Words: Smallholder farmers, Effectiveness, Pest management, Pesticidal Plants, Vegetable crops, Environmental conservatio

Determinants for Use of Certified Maize Seed and the Relative Importance of Transaction Costs

The rising world prices for major tradable staples such as maize have been a concern for sub- Saharan countries such as Kenya which are maize deficit countries. Maize is a major staple food for over 80 percent of Kenya’s population. Kenya relies on maize for up to 40 percent of its dietary energy supply and is accordingly searching for ways to increase maize productivity. Maize productivity has been rising in the last decade manly as a result of the use of improved germplasm and fertilizer. However, the proportion of farmers using these technologies is low and the aggregate productivity in maize is low compared to other countries and its potential. Previous studies on input adoption have often assumed the existence of perfect supply and product markets, tending to ignore the important but significant role played by institutions as well as the role of transaction costs associated with market exchange. This study makes use of qualitative information from institutions and actors in seed input value chains as well as quantitative information collected from a sample of 150 farmers, in the Moist Transitional Maize Zones of Kenya. A two stage regression model was applied to analyze determinants of adoption and factors affecting degree of adoption of certified improved maize seed. The results show that as farmers adopt certified seeds, they incur higher transaction costs than non adopters, rural infrastructure, social capital such as membership in groups and trust play an important role in the decision of whether or not to use certified seed.Crop Production/Industries,

Confidence in teaching Integrated Pest Management (IPM) concepts, access to and preferred sources of information: A case study of agricultural extension officers in Kenya

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) has assumed a central position in the quest for sustainable agricultural practices. IPM is an analytical and knowledge intensive approach to pest management that requires combining different methods of pest control aimed at reducing dependence on synthetic pesticides. Extension agents as educators on innovations in agriculture are an important focus group in the implementation of IPM practices. The main purpose of the study was to investigate how confident agricultural extension officers in Kenya would be to teach IPM concepts in extension programs. The study also sought to determine the level of access to IPM training and information and preferred sources of information of extension officers. The data were collected using a questionnaire from a census of agricultural extension officers in Kenya. The results showed that extension officers had low to moderate confidence in teaching the IPM concepts, especially at advanced levels. Findings also showed that the extension officers had minimal access to information and training in IPM. Based on the results from this study, there is need to improve the knowledge and skills of the extension officers in IPM through seminars, workshops, and in-service training to enable them to effectively promote IPM practices among farmers. Keywords: Agricultural extension, Integrated Pest Management, extension officers, Kenya, sustainable agriculture.South African Journal of Agricultural Extension Vol. 36 (1) 2007: pp. 203-21

Effect of Regulatory Components on Volatility of Petroleum Pump Prices in Kenya

Volatility of petroleum pump prices in Kenya has continually affected its economic growth. Almost all other sectors of the economy growth rely on the petroleum products and therefore its instability in price leads to poor planning of other sectors. Expected profits by the companies who planned when the prices were favourable becomes affected leading to losses.  Those who do not incur losses results to increasing the prices of goods and services making the costs of living increase and therefore lowering the social economic growth. This paper is an extract from the completed research on drivers of instability in prices of petroleum products in Kenya (Munyua & Ragui, 2013). The main objective is to find out how the regulatory component affects the volatility of petroleum oil prices in Kenya. Keywords: Price regulation, Volatility, Pump prices, Petroleum products

Fiscal Asymmetric Decentralization Conundrum: Influence of County Cash Management on Household Effects in Kenya

This study aims at determining the influence of county cash management on household effects in Kenya. This is a qualitative research that has utilized both primary and secondary data from county governments and the National Treasury respectively. The sample has been developed from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics list of households in Kenya. The result indicates that effective cash management would enhance household welfare, leakages and lack of prioritization among others notwithstanding. The study concludes that there is need to enhance oversight of the treasury management across governments. The capacity of treasury managers should also be improved to secure fiscal discipline

Communication Channels in Adoption of Technology with a Focus on the Use of Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) among Small Scale Maize Farmers in Kenya

Purdue improved storage is a technology that uses plastic bags to achieve hermetic storage of grains. Although Maize is Kenya’s main staple food, it has been plagued by post-harvest losses with small scale farmers representing the most vulnerable populations. These losses have led to frequent food shortages being experienced in Kenya with most of the available storage pest control strategies being unavailable to farmers due to their cost. Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) technology was introduced in Kenya targeting to cut down maize post-harvest losses by 80 percent without use of pesticides. Adoption process of the PICS technology is therefore paramount and must be supported by having effective flow of information from the manufacturers to the small scale maize farmers. With communication channels being key in information dissemination, there is need for implementers of the PICS technology to ensure that these channels are properly utilized for a successful adoption process. Keywords: Adoption process, Agricultural technology,   Communication channels, Extension service, PICS technology

Towards Effective Curriculum Delivery: Examining the Intervening Role of Religion on Students’ Involvement in Sports Betting Among Public Secondary Schools

Habitual sports betting among students is concomitant with numerous psychological, social and health effects whose ramifications may encumber effective curriculum delivery. To this, religion, being the spiritual and moral compass of society should not turn a blind eye. Little research has however, been done to examine the role of religious intervention on mitigating gambling involvement among students. This study investigated the intervening role of religious doctrine and religious commitment on sports betting among secondary school students in Mumias-East sub-county, Kenya. It involved 369 students, obtained by stratified random sampling. Questionnaires were used for data collection. Results were analysed using frequencies and percentages, while hypotheses were tested using Chi Square. The study found that the doctrine of most religious denominations reprehended sports betting. However, there was no significant relationship between religious doctrine and involvement in sports betting. But the study found a significant relationship between students’ commitment to religion and involvement in betting. Students who were ‘Very Committed’ to religion had the least propensity for sports betting. It was thus concluded that religious doctrine per se does not affect an individual’s decision to bet or otherwise. Rather, the level of commitment to the doctrine and practice of one’s faith is what affects their decisions. The study thus recommends that schools should work with religious leaders to institute programs that enhance students’ commitment to their religious faith. It also recommends an inclusion of betting awareness in school curriculum, which could be done by integration of the content into already existing subjects

Fiscal Asymmetric Decentralization and the Influence of County Fiscal Autonomy on Household Effects in Kenya

Fiscal asymmetric decentralization is seen as the panacea in solving persistent income inequalities facing developing economies. Despite efforts to finance County governments, about 42% of Kenyan’s 47.6 million people still live below the poverty level. This study evaluates the influence of County fiscal autonomy on household effects in Kenya. Both primary and secondary data, collected from households in 47 county governments and the Commission on Revenue Allocation, respectively. A Sample of 4,813 households was drawn from 96,251 lists of households developed by Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. Cochran's correction formula was used. The result finds an insignificant negative correlation between county fiscal autonomy and household effects in Kenya. Further studies are recommended with diverse indicators. Findings in this paper are generalizable and a point of reference for policymakers in Kenya

Motivators of Students’ Involvement in Sports Betting in Public Secondary Schools in Mumias East Sub-County, Kenya

The proliferation of sports betting among youths has been a matter of great concern in Kenya and other parts of the world, given that some of these youths are school-going. This study examined the motivation behind students’ involvement in sports betting in public secondary schools in Mumias east sub-county, Kenya. The study adopted a causal-comparative design, with respondents comprising of 369 students, 206 parents and 21 class teachers, who were obtained by stratified random sampling. Data was collected using questionnaires. It was then analysed using frequencies, means and percentages. The study found that money is the main motivation behind student involvement in betting, followed by admiration of those who win. The social environment of students encourages betting involvement. The study also found that most students who bet are aware of the betting regulations and legislations governing betting. Weak or complete absence of enforcement of betting regulations and legislations is a catalyst for augmentation of betting involvement. The study recommends that: the Kenyan government should strengthen enforcement of gambling legislation that bars the under aged from betting; The government in consultation with relevant stakeholders should regulate gambling advertisements to help to reduce allurement of young people into betting; parents and religious leaders should teach young people the value of work, as a more reasonable means of getting money rather than betting; school administrators should dissuade teachers and school workers from betting while in the workplace for the impression and example it creates to students