Exploring the Role of Social Capital in the Implementation of Fruit and Vegetable Incentive Programs: A Case Study of the Appalachian Farmacy Program

The study was conducted to explore the role of social capital in the implementation of Fruit and Vegetable Incentive Programs (FVIP) through a case study of the Appalachian Farmacy (AF) program and to fill a gap in literature on social capital utility in the implementation and evaluation of FVIPs. The study was guided by a conceptual model adopted from Berkman et al. (2000) to identify the mechanisms through which social networks can impact health. A qualitative content analysis was conducted retrospectively on secondary data from the evaluation of AF program to identify social capital attributes. In addition, the study conducted two focus groups with AF participants and four interviews with AF program administrators to explore their perceptions on the role of social capital in the implementation of FVIPs using a phenomenological approach. The study utilized both inductive and deductive analysis techniques with the conceptual model as the guide for analysis. The Bengtsson’s four steps for conducting content analysis were used for AF content analysis and Tracy’s (2013) two-level coding was used to analyze the focus groups and interviews. All the findings were triangulated and mapped on the study’s framework to identify the main and emergent themes. The findings revealed the main avenues for social networks were: cooking classes, farmers markets, recruitment sites, and a low-income housing complex. The main social capital 3 mechanisms were: instrumental and informational social support; social participation and engagement; and social influence. The main actors in the networks were the program administrators, market vendors, and other participants. Lastly, the health pathways identified were the changes in perceptions towards diet and health. The emergent themes revealed that barriers to access and individual characteristics were potential moderating themes, and case management by the program administrators was a potential mediating theme to program implementation. The study showed that the model was effective in exploring social capital in FVIPs. It highlighted the role that social networks, program actors and social capital play in implementation of public health interventions. Social capital may play an important role in health promotion and more research is needed to identify the mediating influences of the model

Mediating Effect of Service Quality on the Relationship Between Customer Relationship Management and Satisfaction of Commercial Banks’ Account Holders In Nairobi City County, Kenya

The objective of this study was to establish the mediating effect of service quality on the relationship between CRM and satisfaction of commercial banks account holders in Nairobi City County, Kenya. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design involving descriptive and explanatory research techniques. The target population was 34,649,583 account holders out of which a sample of 400 respondents was selected using mixed sampling techniques. Data was collected using a semi structured questionnaire and analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Simple and multiple linear regression were conducted to assess the relationships between the variables. The study was limited to a few constructs, cross sectional data, localized population and self reporting. The study established that service quality had a statistically significant mediating effect on the relationship between CRM and satisfaction of commercial banks account holders. The study recommends  that commercial banks management should consider service quality dimensions  when developing  strategies because they have a significant effect on  account holder satisfaction with commercial banking services. Commercial banks in Kenya and the central bank can use the findings of this study to formulate CRM related policies that enhance service quality and satisfaction of account holders. To increase the level of generalizability and objectivity, future studies should be carried out in microfinance banks, Savings and Credit Organizations using additional variables and a different methodology. Keywords: Customer relationship management, Service quality, Account holder satisfaction, Commercial banks DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/11-9-07 Publication date:March 31st 201

Effect of Customer Centred Relationship Management Organization on Satisfaction of Commercial Banks’ Account Holders in Nairobi City County, Kenya

The objective of this study was to establish the effect of Customer centred Relationship Management (CRM) organization on satisfaction of commercial banks account holders in Kenya. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design involving descriptive and explanatory research techniques. The target population was 34,649,583 account holders out of which sample of 400 respondents were selected using mixed sampling techniques. Data was collected using a questionnaire and analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Simple linear regression was conducted to assess the relationship between technology CRM and account holder satisfaction. The study established that customer centred CRM organization had a statistically significant effect on satisfaction of commercial banks account holders. The study recommends that commercial banks should consider customer centered CRM organization dimensions when developing  strategies because they have a significant effect on  account holder satisfaction with commercial banking services. Commercial banks in Kenya and the central bank can use the findings of this study to formulate customer centred CRM policies that enhance service delivery and   satisfaction of account holders. To increase the level of generalization and objectivity, future studies should be carried out in other service industries such as insurance, airlines and telecommunication services using additional variables and a different design such as time series. Keywords: account holder; satisfaction, customer centered; commercial bank; customer relationship management DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/11-9-08 Publication date:March 31st 201

Effect of Technology Based Customer Relationship Management on Satisfaction of Commercial Banks’ Account Holders in Nairobi City County, Kenya

The objective of this study was to establish the effect of technology based Customer Relationship Management (CRM) on satisfaction of commercial banks account holders in Kenya. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design involving descriptive and explanatory research techniques. The target population was 34,649,583 account holders out of which a sampleof 400 respondents were selected using mixed sampling techniques. Data was collected using a questionnaire and analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Simple linear regression was conducted to assess the relationship between technology based CRM and account holder satisfaction. The study established that technology based CRM had a statistically significant effect on satisfaction of commercial banks account holders. The study recommends  that commercial banks management should consider technology based CRM dimensions  when developing  strategies because they have a significant effect on  account holder satisfaction with commercial banking services. Commercial banks in Kenya and the central bank can use the findings of this study to formulate technology based CRM policies that enhance service delivery,   customer satisfaction and performance. To increase the level of generalization and objectivity, future studies should be carried out in other service industries such as insurance, airlines and medical services using additional variables and a different design such as time series. Keywords: Technology based customer relationship management, account holder, satisfaction, commercial banks DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/11-9-09 Publication date:March 31st 201

Increasing Fruits and vegetable consumption among SNAP recipients through an innovative prescription program: Appalachian Farmacy

Introduction: Food insecurity prevalence in Washington County, TN is 14.3% yet 61% of SNAP eligible residents are food insecure. Food insecurity is associated with inadequate consumption of fruits and vegetables, as well as increased risk of chronic disease. Tennessee ranks 47th in the Nation with only 6.7% consuming the recommended fruits and vegetable intake. The Farmacy Pilot Program was developed to encourage increased consumption of produce and to reduce food insecurity among SNAP recipients. Methods: This program provided vouchers to SNAP recipients and their families to buy fresh fruits and vegetables at the farmers market and in the grocery store as a monthly prescription. Participants were recruited from a clinic and two community centers in Washington County. Participants were given $28 -$112 a month depending on household size. Participants were required to attend at least two nutrition classes. Baseline and 6-month follow up assessments were done of food intake patterns among 29 participants, and focus groups were held (n= 11) and a total of 22 interviews conducted. Mixed methods approach was used for analysis: survey data was analyzed on SPSS and thematic analysis conducted for the qualitative data. Results: Major themes that emerged were: decreased cost of produce, increased positive perception of fruits and vegetables, improved perception of their personal health after change in diet, and increased utilization of farmers markets. Barriers identified were cultural and language hurdles, market variability in cost and quality of produce, and transportation. Survey findings included increased intake of green vegetables (t= -2.13, p =.042). Other findings lacked statistical power to detect significance yet were of clinical significance: improvements in frequency of produce consumption, produce variety, and a reduction in food insecurity. Discussion: Providing additional funds targeted on fresh produce can increase food security and increased quantity, frequency and variety of fruits and vegetables consumed. Promoting utilization of farmers market offers a promising avenue for increased consumption of fresh produce and improved social connectedness in the community

The Role of Agency Banking in Enhancing Financial Sector Deepening in Emerging Markets: Lessons from the Kenyan Experience

Agency banking has increasingly gained importance in developing countries over the last decade. However the extent to which agency banking can be used as a tool to deepen the financial sector remains largely unknown. Also, the true benefits of the agency banking model to customers, the banks and the bank agents also remains largely unstudied. This study sought to analyze these benefits and provide some insights into the actual performance of agency banking with regard to enhancing access to banking services by the unbanked. The study was conducted among 40 registered outlets with a respondent sample of 400 people. Systematic sampling technique was used to pick the respondents who were requested to fill structured questionnaires. The study incorporated descriptive data analysis tools and the likert scale to determine the weight of the factors. The study concluded that agency banking has played a pivotal role in enhancing the penetration of banking services in unbanked markets. Besides, agency banking also enhances the access of the full range of banking products within a less than formal setting. The study concludes that the agency banking model has not only helped to demystify banking among low income populations but it has also placed beneficiaries on sure path towards become financially secure. The study also found that banking agents also double up as the backbone of electronic money banking since they perform transactions over a bank device, to enable clients to convert cash into electronic money and vice versa. This is an important role in enhancing financial sector deepening. Keywords: Agency Banking, Financial sector deepening, Market segmentation

Transformation and affirmative action in South African sport

This dissertation attempts to delve in to the controversial and complicated world of affirmative action and transformation in South African sport. The history of this country is taken into account as we are still grappling with the legacy of apartheid in sport. Various sports are analysed in detail in tandem with the way these policies are implemented by the government. We look at the progress being made by the various administrators in sport at the provincial and national levels. The research was mainly focused on legislation that has been passed on the above issues and tested against the Constitution. One has to try and determine if affirmative action has a legal basis in the sporting arena and analyse the drawbacks already faced by the implementation of these policies. I have also tried to incorporate the experiences faced in Australia and New Zealand as they have both faced challenges of a similar nature in their sporting environments. It is important to acknowledge that there will never be an overnight solution to the challenges we face in sport. The road we have embarked on is a long and winding one and patience is indeed a key component as we strive to move from our bitter past. This has always been a sensitive issue in South Africa and great lengths have been taken to be as objective and as sensitive as possible in the work.Dissertation (LLM)--University of Pretoria, 2011.Procedural Lawunrestricte

The Influence of Customer Loyalty on Celebrity Endorser Choice Decision Making: An Exploratory Survey of Customers of Selected Celebrity Endorsed Products in Kenya.

Previous scholars have extensively explored customer loyalty as one of the fundamental objectives of marketers. By and large, most of researchers have viewed this mono-directionally in respect to customers vis-à-vis products where customer loyalty has been construed to signify loyalty towards consumer products. However, in the context of celebrity endorsement, the researchers in this paper explore customer loyalty in bi-dimensional perspective, that is, convectional customer loyalty towards a product and customer loyalty toward a celebrity. The configuration of the two dimensions is considered to determine the subsequent effects resulting from the extent of the two aspects.   The researchers introduce a Celebrity-Product Loyalty Congruency (CPLC) model as an instrument to aid in celebrity endorser choice for product advertising. Existing literature on the study area has been reviewed in an effort to identify areas of concurrency/parity and points-of difference serving as research gaps in the reviewed literature. The paper is expected to fill the gaps identified regarding not only the perception of customer loyalty but also to help circumvent the difficulty of celebrity endorser choice. Exploratory research design was used in this study targeting customers of selected celebrity endorsed brands in Kenya. Questionnaire was used as an instrument for data collection. Data collected was analyzed using SPSS as the ideal statistical analysis tool. The analyzed data reveal that customers would be more inclined to buy products to which they possess high degree of loyalty than to celebrities in Kenya. Key words: Celebrity Endorsement, Brand Loyalty, Celebrity Attributes

Visual Impact Evaluation of Wind Farms: a Case Study of Choshi City, Japan

Visual impact is considered as one of the main impacts of wind farms, and a leading cause of public opposition. In Japan, attention has been paid to wind farms’ visual impact in high scenic value areas such as National Parks, but no attention paid to local levels. There is also lack of integrated visual impact evaluation method at both city and community levels. To solve these problems, this study focused on local areas and proposed a GIS-based integrated methodology for visual impact evaluation of wind farms at both city and community levels. At the city level, we carried out an evaluation by quantifying change of wind turbine visible area (Zone of Visual Influence) of wind farms using GIS Viewshed Analysis. At the community level, we evaluated the visual impact of wind farms using the Spanish Method, combined with a questionnaire survey. Although wind energy is developing at a quick pace in some Asia countries, visual impact related research has been lacking. In Japan, Wind energy may become a popular energy source for local use in the coming few decades and play a vital role in the post-earthquake reconstruction. For this reason, we verified the above methodology with Choshi City in Japan as the case study, thus providing empirical evidence of applying the Spanish Method in an Asian country. This methodology facilitates understanding of the visibility conditions of wind farms’ infrastructure to planners, investors, and policy makers, hoping to contribute to expansion of knowledge on visual impact evaluation of wind power facilities that might become important in the future cities. Keywords: Visual impact evaluation, GIS, viewshed analysis, wind farm, Japan

Impact of Enrollment on the Quality of Learning in Primary Schools in Imenti Central District, Kenya

To promote participation and access to education, the government introduced free primary education. The introduction of FSE has resulted into increased enrolment at all levels which has been blamed for the poor performance of pupils in public primary school of Imenti Central District. The current study sought to determine the impact of enrollment on the quality of learning in primary schools in Imenti Central District. The study employed the descriptive survey research design. Purposive sampling was used to select 2 QASO officers in charge of Imenti Central district; giving a sample size of 382 participants. Questionnaires and interview schedules were used as tools for data collection. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics. The results of data analysis were presented using frequency distribution tables and bar graphs. The study established that high enrolment trends in primary schools led to overworking the staff members, inadequate teaching and learning facilities, poor sanitation facilities and inadequate classroom. The increased enrolment impacted to a great extent on the quality of learning in public primary schools. Based on the findings of the study, it is recommended that the government puts measures in place to avail facilities that match the pupils’ enrolment. Key Words: Enrolment, Quality of Learnin