Firms’ Contribution to Regional Economic Development: Unravelling Some Explanatory and Moderating Variables

Drawing on entrepreneurial orientation (EO), family business, strategic decision-making (SDM) and social capital (SC) theories, we investigated whether the family and non-family firms contribute differently to regional economic development (RED) and the moderating role of family involvement in firms. Using survey research design and data from 307 Kenyan firms, the findings of the study showed that: a) Firms’ EO positively influences RED, but the effect of family firms’ EO on RED is twice that of nonfamily firms; b) the relationship between strategic decision-making and RED is negative and this is more pronounced in family firms than nonfamily firms; c) Bridging social capital’s (BSC) influence on firms’ contributions to RED is positive, but nonfamily firms’ BSC effect is twice that of family firms; d) family involvement moderates the effects of firms’ contribution to RED. The overall conclusion of this study is that better understanding of firms’ effect on RED can be achieved by using a range of theories in combination, as such use would help to unpack the underlying mechanisms through which firms influence RED. Finally, theoretical and practical implications are discussed

Exploring the Effects of the Strategic Behaviours of Family and Non-family Businesses on Regional Development: Evidence from Kenya

Family business theories describe the differences between family and nonfamily businesses but do not fully explain the firm-level strategic behaviours that contribute to their differences, particularly on their regional impact. Scholars acknowledge that family businesses are a unique set of economic actors because of the intersection between family and business logics thus they can alter regional development dimensions differently compared to their counterparts. Drawing on a multidimensional approach regarding perspectives of firm-level entrepreneurship, this study examined how the strategic behaviours differed between family and non-family businesses and to what extent they predict their differentiated contribution to regional development. The study employed a quantitative survey approach using structural equation modelling to analyse data collected from 307 privately held businesses operating in Kenya, which is an under-researched context. The analysis established significant relationships between firm-level strategic behaviours and regional development dimensions. Therefore, the findings confirmed that a multidimensional approach is best suited to explain how the two types of firms differ in their strategic behaviours and contribution to regional development. The study contributes to theory in threefold: First, the study extends our understanding of the effects of entrepreneurial behaviours within family and nonfamily firms. Despite nonfamily businesses exhibiting statistically stronger relationships between firm entrepreneurial orientation, firm performance and involvement in industrial clusters, family businesses are likely to contribute more to regional development, Secondly, contrary to the suggestions that family participation in decision-making would positively enhance firms contribution to regional development, the study established that they inhibited firm contribution to regional development as the effects were pronounced compared to nonfamily businesses. Thirdly, the study established that although both firms established strong bridging social capital that positively enhanced their regional impact, family firms tended to focus more on developing their internal social capital. Thus, the level of family involvement in the firm moderates the relationship between firm-level strategic behaviours and regional development outcomes. Further, the study contributes to the family business theory by developing and testing a multi-dimensional approach in exploring firm-level strategic behavioural influences on regional development. Empirically, it was the first multi-level study to provide quantitative evidence demonstrating the extent and limits of strategic behaviours on regional development, focused on a developing economy. Finally, the study offers a few practical and policy implications for consideration

Comparing Family and Nonfamily Firms’ Strategic Effects on Regional Development: Evidence from Kenya

Family firms, by being major economic and social actors, contribute to employment, revenue, gross domestic products and socially oriented activities worldwide. Scholars argue that family firms outperform nonfamily firms, but little is known on how and why family firms contribute differently to regional development in comparison to non-family firms. This chapter addresses this knowledge gap by examining two interrelated questions: 1) Do family and nonfamily firms contribute differently to regional development? 2) What are the firm underlying strategic behaviours which help explain the differentiated contribution by both set of firms? The empirical evidence is drawn from the quantitative analysis of survey data from 307 firms operating in Kenya. The findings of the study showed that the strategic behaviours (entrepreneurial orientation, decision making process and social network use) are different in both types of firms. These differences in their strategic behaviour explain the extent to which these firms contribute to regional development and the moderating role of family involvement. The chapter discusses the theoretical and practical implications of the findings as well as the study limitations

THE AVAILABILITY OF INTERPRETATION MEDIA AND TOURISTS’ SATISFACTION WITH MOVIE INDUCED TOURISM IN KENYA

Purpose: This paper is anchored on the findings of a study that sought to assess the availability of interpretation media in movie induced tourism and its effect on tourists’ satisfaction in Kenya. Methodology: The study adopted explanatory and descriptive research designs. The study targeted 1,318 tourists from Karen Blixen Museum where the movie “Out of Africa” was filmed and Samburu County where the movie “The White Maasai” was filmed. In addition, a total of 658 bloggers airing their views on the filming locations were targeted. Simple random sampling and convenience sampling techniques were used to sample 345tourists and 221 bloggers, respectively. Structured closed-ended questionnaires were employed in collecting data. Main Findings: Findings from regression model showed that interpretation services had a positive and significant effect on tourists satisfaction (β = 0.647, p< 0.000).Based on the study findings and subsequent discussions, this paper concludes that the availability of interpretation media is effective in enhancing tourists’ understanding and appreciation of the destination being visited. Specifically, availability of guards in Karen Blixen Museum and Samburu and other interpretation media enhanced tourist experience and a majority were satisfied.  Implications: The findings can be used to improve practice by encouraging tour guides to have a clear knowledge of a destination to be able to guide tourist and facilitate the offering of quality products. It is therefore important to have interpretation services since they contribute to tourist satisfaction. Novelty: The study contributes to the creation of additional knowledge to the field of movie-induced tourism thus enhancing the understanding of the nature and characteristics of movie-induced tourism

The incidence of non-tuberculous mycobacteria in Infants in Kenya

There is inadequate understanding of the epidemiology of Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) among infants in high tuberculosis burden countries. The objective of this study was to document the incidence and diversity of NTM disease or colonisation in sputum specimens from infants with presumptive TB, the risk factors, and clinical characteristics, in a high TB and HIV burden setting in Western Kenya. A cohort of 2900 newborns was followed for 1-2 years to assess TB incidence. TB investigations included collection of induced sputa and gastric aspirates for culture and speciation by HAIN®, Tuberculin Skin Testing (TST), HIV testing, and chest radiography. The American Thoracic Society Criteria (ATS) were applied to identify NTM disease. Among 927 (32% of 2900) with presumptive TB, 742 (80%) were investigated. NTM were isolated from 19/742 (2.6%) infants. M. fortuitum was most frequently speciated (32%). Total person-time was 3330 years. NTM incidence was 5.7/1,000 person-years, 95% CI (3.5, 8.7). Infants diagnosed with TB were more likely to have NTM isolation (odds ratio 11.5; 95% CI 3.25, 41.0). None of the infants with NTM isolated met the criteria for NTM disease. The incidence of NTM isolation was comparable to similar studies in Africa. NTM isolation did not meet ATS criteria for disease and could represent colonisation. TB disease appears to be structural lung disease predisposing to NTM colonisation

Multi-spectral kernel sorting to reduce aflatoxins and fumonisins in Kenyan maize

Maize, a staple food in many African countries including Kenya, is often contaminated by toxic and carcinogenic fungal secondary metabolites such as aflatoxins and fumonisins. This study evaluated the potential use of a low-cost, multi-spectral sorter in identification and removal of aflatoxin- and fumonisin-contaminated single kernels from a bulk of mature maize kernels. The machine was calibrated by building a mathematical model relating reflectance at nine distinct wavelengths (470–1550\ua0nm) to mycotoxin levels of single kernels collected from small-scale maize traders in open-air markets and from inoculated maize field trials in Eastern Kenya. Due to the expected skewed distribution of mycotoxin contamination, visual assessment of putative risk factors such as discoloration, moldiness, breakage, and fluorescence under ultra-violet light (365\ua0nm), was used to enrich for mycotoxin-positive kernels used for calibration. Discriminant analysis calibration using both infrared and visible spectra achieved 77% sensitivity and 83% specificity to identify kernels with aflatoxin >10\ua0ng\ua0g and fumonisin >1000\ua0ng\ua0g, respectively (measured by ELISA or UHPLC). In subsequent sorting of 46 market maize samples previously tested for mycotoxins, 0–25% of sample mass was rejected from samples that previously tested toxin-positive and 0–1% was rejected for previously toxin-negative samples. In most cases where mycotoxins were detected in sorted maize streams, accepted maize had lower mycotoxin levels than the rejected maize (21/25 accepted maize streams had lower aflatoxin than rejected streams, 25/27 accepted maize streams had lower fumonisin than rejected streams). Reduction was statistically significant (p\ua

Governing multisectoral action for health in low- and middle-income countries

Kumanan Rasanathan and colleagues argue that the potential of multisectoral collaboration for improving health remains untapped in many low- and middle-income countries

Dynamics of Family Businesses and their Implications on Creation of Social Value: Evidence from Kenya a sub-Saharan Africa Country

Purpose: The relationship between family businesses and communities is becoming significant, especially with the current scholarly interests on the role of family businesses in regional development. This paper examines how family businesses in the ICT sector navigate the complex African institutional context using the prisms of ‘familiness’ and socio-cultural institutions to create socio-economic development in Kenya. Design/methodology/approach: This paper draws on four business cases and anecdotal evidence from the Kenyan context to explore the overlap between family businesses and country specific culture ‘Harambee’ and how this influences firms’ social value creation. Findings: The study develops an organising framework that can be used to study how the familial- cultural nexus act as a substitute for weak institutional environment and market uncertainties to enhance contribution of family firms to socio-economic development. Research limitations/implications: The study focused on a single context within the wider economic context using a limited number of businesses cases which influences the interpretations of the findings. Practical implications: Family-owned or family controlled enterprises that are rooted in the local geographic and contextual space compels them to stay where they belong even during times of external crises (e.g. economic and financial). Hence this increases the resilience of the businesses and communities helping them to overcome the challenges during periods of economic turmoil. Social implications: The embeddedness of family firms in socio-cultural context enhance their ability to draw to influence the local communities. This enables family businesses to thrive and grow because of their access to social and cultural resources. Originality/value The study unveils the hidden potential emerging from entrepreneurial family businesses within the ICT sector that have become key agents of socio-economic development within sub-Saharan Africa

Exploring the Intersection of Entrepreneurial Activities and Socio-Cultural Institutions: How Technology Entrepreneurs (Firms) Create Social Value in Kenya

This paper examines how entrepreneurs (and firms) navigate the complex institutional African context using the prisms of ‘sociocultural institutions’ to create social value that promote socioeconomic development. It is an established fact that businesses thrive and grow because of their access to financial, social and cultural resources. Therefore, enterprises that are embedded in the local geographic space, are compelled to stay where they belong even during times of external crises (e.g. economic and financial). Therefore, we draw on three case studies and anecdotal evidences to explore the intersection between ‘entrepreneurial activities’ and country specific culture ‘Harambee’ and the influence of this overlap on firm growth and social value creation. The findings reveal that there are variations in the extent to which entrepreneurs draw on formal and informal resources to create social value. The study contributes to our understanding of how social-cultural institutions shape entrepreneurial activities, firm behaviours and performance in developing economies. The study contributes to how entrepreneurial practices generate social value and the tensions between formal and informal logics. It also provides insight into how entrepreneurship-cultural nexus act as a substitute for weak institutional environment and market uncertainties to enhance contribution of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial firms to socioeconomic development

DOES FAMILY INVOLVEMENT AND SIZE OF THE FIRM MATTER?

The study investigates the effects of strategic behavioural differences on firm contribution to regional development related to the characteristics of family and nonfamily firms. The study questions whether there might be an association between the firm strategic behaviours, the performance of firms and the development of the regional economies that are shaped by localised institutional influences. Family businesses that are characterised by family ownership, managerial influence and governance, are a common business entity in both developed and developing economies. Despite their predominance, there is a dearth of academic literature examining how the presence and performance of family businesses might explain the development of regional economies. Furthermore, several studies have argued that specific spatial characteristics (e.g. location, size, age and industry) can indeed explain the family firms’ strategic decision-making and behaviours. We contribute to theoretical development by developing and testing a multilevel model exploring ways family firms’ strategic behaviours and their performance have explanatory power over regional development. The study established that there exist strategic differences between family and non family businesses, which influence their differentiated contribution to regional development outcomes. The study concludes with implications for practice and policy