Privacy Relinquishing and Safeguarding: When are Consumers Willing to Disclose or Protect Their Information?

This dissertation explores consumer privacy, an issue that has received substantial attention recently. The first aim of this dissertation is to redefine consumer privacy. Research in marketing has focused primarily on consumer privacy concern but has not explicitly defined consumer privacy itself. Further, research on consumer privacy has resulted in fragmented definitions, which are siloed across disciplines, organizations, ethical and legal realms. This fragmented approach to consumer privacy research has left more gaps than the answers it seeks to provide. A more fitting definition of privacy, conceptualized along a continuum of total exposure to total anonymity, is offered. Actual privacy is defined as an individual’s state or condition concerning the degree to which information about a person is not known by others and ranges on a continuum from total exposure (low privacy) to total anonymity (high privacy).” Further, a differentiation between actual privacy (i.e., an individual’s state of privacy) versus perceived privacy (i.e., an individual’s belief of their privacy state) is also presented. Perceived privacy is defined as the degree to which an individual believes that information about themselves is not known by others and ranges on a continuum from total exposure (low privacy) to total anonymity (high privacy). Also, a framework of consumer’s information privacy levels, consisting of seven levels, is presented. Knowledge of the different levels of consumers’ information privacy provides marketers with a definite approach on how to handle consumers’ information, and what level of privacy is most concerning for consumers. Finally, this dissertation reports the results of an experimental study (n = 631), conducted through Qualtrics. The study contained two parts. Part 1 was a 2 (relationship quality) x 2 (perceived convenience) between subjects design. Part 2 manipulated privacy violation. Data were analyzed using SEM. Results of part 1 show that relationship quality positively influences privacy relinquishing intentions and negatively influences privacy safeguarding intentions. Similarly, perceived convenience has a positive effect on relinquishing and a negative effect on safeguarding. In addition, disposition to value privacy has a moderating effect on the relationship between relationship quality and safeguarding intentions, where respondents in the high disposition to value privacy were less willing to relinquish information. Interestingly, respondents in the high disposition to value privacy reported lower intention to safeguard their privacy. This finding is consistent with the privacy paradox phenomena, which suggests that while consumers may express their concern for privacy, their behaviors are contradicting and do not employ any protective privacy measures. Results of part 2 show that privacy violation caused a positive effect on betrayal, and betrayal led to less privacy relinquishing intentions and high safeguarding intentions. Theoretical and managerial implications are also included

Effect of subsequent storage of tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa L.) bulbs after low temperature pre - treatment improves growth, percent sprouting and cut flower quality

During peak planting time in commercial tuberose cut flower production lack of seed materials occasionally occur. Most producers also source planting materials which have not been adequately stored resulting in poor performance of the crop. For improved productivity in tuberose cut flower value chain, ways of increasing the availability of planting materials and improving the growth performance need attention. This study examined the effects of subsequent warm temperature storage after low temperature treatment of tuberose bulbs on growth, sprouting and flower quality. The experiment was laid in a split plot arrangement in a completely randomized design. Tuberose bulbs were stored in a biotron at 5ºC or 10ºC for 3 months with subsequent temperature storage of 20ºC for 0, 2, 4 or 6 weeks. The main effects were pre‐treatment temperatures at 5 or 10ºC, whilst subsequent temperature storage treatments constituted the sub‐effects. Days to sprouting were significantly earlier ( 14.9) when tuberose bulbs were pretreated at 10ºC followed by 20ºC subsequent temperature storage for 6 weeks compared to 51.1 at 5ºC pretreatment with no subsequent temperature storage. The highest percent sprouting (99.2%) was obtained with 10ºC pretreatment followed by 20ºC thawing for 6 weeks. Pre‐treating tuberose bulbs at either 5ºC or 10ºC then planting directly resulted in 69.3% and 88.3% sprouting, respectively, whilst similar pretreatments resulted in 70.0% and 81.2% flowering. The number of days to flowering were significantly (P<0.05 ) reduced (110.8) at 10ºC pre‐treatment followed by 20ºC subsequent thawing for 6 weeks compared to 143.1 at 5ºC pretreatment with no thawing respectively. Stem length of inflorescences significantly (P<0.05) improved to 106.8 cm at 10ºC with thawing at 20ºC for 6 weeks compared to 98.2 cm at 5ºC pretreatment and no thawing respectively. Number of florets per spike also significantly (P<0.05) increased to 42.4 compared to 34.9 for similar treatments. Storage of tuberose bulbs at low temperatures followed by warm subsequent storage for 2, 4 or 6 weeks besides improving sprouting and quality of flowers could enhance the availability of planting materials for crop production. The planting materials could be bulked with possibility of commercial exploitation.Key words: Flower quality, growth, low temperature storage, sprouting, tuberosebulb

The effects of lake Ol’Bolossat’s sediments application on soil-chemical characteristics and productivity of swiss chard (Beta vulgaris L.)

Sediments dredged from the lakes have emerged as successful soil amendment solutions, especially in alleviating soil fertility problems in poor soils. This study aimed to assess the effect of sediments from lake Ol’Bolossat on soil quality and the growth and yield of Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris L.). A pot experiment was carried out in January-April and July-October 2020 in a polyethylene greenhouse using a completely randomized design at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. To achieve the study's objective, Swiss chard (Ford hook giant variety) was grown in pots, and five treatments were applied; (T1)-sediments from lake depth of 0-30 cm + soil, (T2)-sediments from lake depth of 30-60 cm + soil, (T3)-sediments from lake depth of 60-90 cm + soil, (T4)-inorganic fertilizer (NPK 150 kg/acre) + soil, (T5)-soil with no lake sediments or inorganic fertilizers, which acted as the control experiment. The sediments were mixed with soil at a ratio of 1:4

Characterization of methomyl and carbofuran degrading-bacteria from soils of horticultural farms in Rift Valley and Central Kenya

The use of pesticides is very critical in protecting the farmers’ investment in seeds, fertilizer and labour since they provide a sure cover from damage by pests. The use of pesticides is therefore inevitable and the environmental pollution due to pesticides and their residues will continue to be a challenge. In this study, bacterial strains capable of degrading methomyl (S-methyl-N-[(methylcarbamoyl) oxy]-thioacetimidate) and carbofuran (2, 3-dihydro-2, 2-dimethyl-7-benzofuranyl methylcarbamate) were isolated from soils sampled from horticultural farms with a history of pesticide usage. High pressure liquid chromatography was used to monitor biodegradation of both methomyl and carbofuran using reference standards and acetonitrile and water as mobile phases. Partial 16S rDNA sequence analysis indicated that the carbofuran-degrading strains were closely related to members of the genus Pseudomonas and Alcaligenes while the methomyl degrading strains were closely related to members of the genus Flavobacterium and Alcaligenes. The morphological and biochemical characteristics of the isolates also confirmed the phylogenetic signature. The study established that the activities of the esterase and phosphatase enzymes correlated well with biodegradative capability and recommends possible application of the isolates in the in vivo bioremediation of pesticide contaminated soils.Key words: Pesticides, carbofuran, methomyl, biodegradation, bacteria

Improving Phosphate Rock Use Efficiency In Organic Farming

Between 45 to 81% of the total phosphorus (P) fertilizer applied to soils in sub-Saharan Africa is absorbed in the soil, which among other factors reduce crop yield and contributes to high poverty in the region.  The objective of the study was to assess the effect of different phosphorus rock (PR) management on carrot yields, P recovery and use efficiency.  Different volumes (100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 mLs) of organic (lemon and pineapple) juices and water were used to dissolve 100 g of PR. The available P concentration in the solution was determined using a standard protocol. The solution with the high P concentration as well as powdered PR was each composted with manure and crop residues. Thereafter, a field experiment was set up on Humic andosols and Orthic acrisols to compare the effect of the dissolved PR applied directly with compost, to dissolved PR composted,  powder PR composted, powdered PR applied directly with compost, Triple supper phosphate applied directly with compost, compost and the soil alone (as a control). Our findings showed that lemon juice could release over 65% of the available P from PR and the combined application of the dissolved PR and compost at planting increased P recovery and use efficiency, and carrot yields on both soils as compared to the other treatments

Factors Affecting Effective Adoption of E-Learning in Kenyan Universities: The Case of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

A Project Report Submitted to the Chandaria School of Business in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree of Executive Master of Science in Organizational Development (EMOD)This study aimed to analyse the reasons for the limited success in implementation of eLearning at JKUAT. The study analyzed to what extent individual, organizational and technological or system factors contributed to poor adoption of eLearning by JKUAT faculty. A descriptive and correlational research design were applied to collect and analyze data from a sample 146 faculty at the University’s main campus. A stratified sampling technique was used. The sample was stratified according to the Schools within the main campus proportionately allocated from each of the 7 schools. The main data collection instrument was a questionnaire administered to the faculty. Data analysis was done using both the descriptive (frequency counts, percentages, and means) and inferential statistics (correlation analysis, regression analysis and principal component analysis). The study was undertaken in May / June 2013. The total number of respondents that were registered on the Learning Management System LMS were 39.7%. The highest percentage of registered faculty were found in Institute of Computer Science and Information Technology (ICSIT) (58.3%) followed closely by Agriculture (50.0%). The lowest registration was found in the School of Architecture and Building Sciences (SABS) (16.7%) and the College of Health Sciences (COHES) (33.3%). The attendance of LMS training was 43.2 % showing that the majority of the faculty had not attended a training. On the most limiting factor for using the LMS, access to internet (49.3%), inadequate training (48.0%) and insufficient incentives (50.0%) were rated high (level 4 and 5) by almost half of the respondents. The majority of the respondents accessed internet using their own broadband modem. Among individual factors, computer literacy was significantly correlated to the period of LMS usage, frequency of LMS use and LMS adoption. Computer anxiety and age were found to be significantly negatively correlated with LMS adoption. From the regression analysis, none of the individual factors were significant predictors of LMS adoption. Among the organizational factors, management support, institutional leadership, school and institution wide eLearning strategy, ease of use of the system and ICT infrastructure were rated below average, showing that the faculty had a negative perception about the variables. The school and institution wide eLearning strategy, management support and social influence were found to be significantly correlated to the frequency of LMS use. In the linear regression, management support was the only predictor variable that was significant and therefore explained the variance of the frequency of LMS use. Among technological factors, ICT infrastructure, perceived usefulness, output quality and job relevance were rated above average, showing the faculty had a slightly positive perception about the variables while perceived ease of use was rated low. Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, output quality and job relevance were found to be significantly correlated with the frequency of LMS use. On linear regression, ICT infrastructure, perceived usefulness and job relevance were the only predictor variables that were significant, showing they were significant predictors of behavioral intention. Efforts to improve eLearning adoption should therefore concentrate on improving computer literacy. The faculty had a negative perception of management support, institutional leadership and school and institutional wide eLearning strategy accorded to eLearning. The University therefore requires to undertake measures to enhance management support such as training support, incentives, provision of necessary resources to support use of the system, help desk support, and sufficient time to design and deliver online content. The faculty had a slightly negative perception on the ease of use of the system showing that they were not very comfortable with the system. The university should invest more on ICT infrastructure such as in fast and reliable internet access and provide a dedicated mirrored server for eLearning. The university should also integrate eLearning into the university strategic plan and annual work plans and develop a clear policy and also fund eLearning initiatives

Challenges Facing Marketing of Pharmaceutical Products in Kenya

A Project Report Submitted to the Chandaria School of Business in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree of Masters in Business Administration (MBA)All business firms exist in an open system. This means they impact and are impacted by the internal and external conditions largely beyond their control. This requires managers to look beyond the limits of the firm’s own operations (Pearce and Robinson, 2002). It thus calls for all organizations, regardless of the sector in which they are, to formulate competitive strategies in response to this turbulent environment. This will enable them cope with competition. Several studies revealed the existence of competitive strategies in the firms studied. However, when executing these strategies on the performance of the firms studied, they did not examine the influence of the challenges faced nor did not relate challenges facing marketing to performance (Obado, 2005). This therefore justifies the need for further research in this area. Therefore this research seeks to determine the challenges facing the marketing of pharmaceutical products in Kenya by distributors. Specifically, the study seeks to determine if there are any company specific, regulatory and market challenges affecting the marketing of pharmaceutical products in Kenya. Empirical investigations into those challenges, in order to confirm or refute is important. The descriptive method of research is used to gather information about the present existing condition using questionnaires. To undertake this study, data was collected from both primary and secondary sources. Descriptive research design was used to determine the challenges facing the marketing of pharmaceutical products in Kenya by importers and distributors. Questionnaires were designed and administered to obtain information from both marketing managers and marketers. The Yamane formula of 1967 was employed and a sample size of 28 marketing managers from a total of 30 respondents in the three pharmaceutical distribution companies and 171 marketers from 300 target population in the three selected pharmaceutical distribution companies.Data was analyzed using both quantitative and qualitative methods, these was presented in form of tables and figures. The study targeted a sample size of 199 respondents; with an 82.41% response rate of with 164 filled in and returned the questionnaires. This response rate was satisfactory and representative to make conclusions for the study. According to Mugenda and Mugenda (2003), a response rate of 60% is good, a rate of 50% is adequate and a response rate of 70% and over is excellent for analysis and reporting. Based on this assertion, the response rate the study obtained was considered excellent. The findings showed that the Pharmaceutical distribution companies face lack of adequate product knowledge from the customers and their clients, competition from other marketers with similar products at cheaper prices, company deadlines and commission based salaries therefore a lot of pressure to perform, regulatory hindrances from the aggressive promotion of pharmaceuticals and receipt of funding from the pharmaceutical company to conduct medical education event(s) locally Over the past decades, pharmaceutical distribution have had to navigate a challenging and rapidly changing environment, in which stakeholders such as shareholders, physicians, patients, payers and regulators are creating significant pressures for change. Despite steady demand for its pharmaceutical products, the fundamental dynamics that the industry faces and that are reshaping the pharmaceutical marketplace where demand for medicines is likely to grow most rapidly over the coming years, are highly varied; governments are beginning to focus on prevention rather than treatment; regulators are becoming more risk-averse. There is a real need for the pharmaceutical industry to change its marketing and sales functions in order to sustain future growth and performance. In order to be successful, Pharmaceutical distribution companies will need to stop the aggressive marketing focusing only on the product of the current model and understand the uniqueness of the pharmaceutical industry therefore recognizing the importance and interdependence of the payer, provider and pharmaceutical value chains, therefore benefiting from the complex and interactive process