Influence of Project Planning on Implementation of Affordable Housing Project in Rwanda: A Case of Karama Model Village

ABSTRACT Government of Rwanda is strongly dedicated when it comes to implementation of affordable housing projects in the country especially in the capital city and all the housing projects implemented should meet standards. However, these project’s success requires strategic approaches that help in proper use of resources available in implementation of those projects. The study is aiming at investigating planning factors influencing implementation of Karama Model Village affordable housing projects in Kigali, Rwanda. This study was conducted at Karama Model Village and examined the influence of stakeholders on implementation of affordable housing projects. The study was guided by objective of assessing influence of stakeholder involvement on implementation of affordable housing projects in Kigali, Rwanda. The study used descriptive research design, one hundred fifty (150) staff members as the target population, sixty (60) as the sample size and random sampling method was used. Questionnaire was the method of data collect, descriptive statistics of frequency distribution, figures and tables were used to analyze data collected. The study used inferential statistics of coefficient of correlation, coefficient of determination to determine relationship between independent variables and dependent variables. R-square determined was 0.55 and this shows that the independent variable is justified by 55% of the influencer of implementation of affordable housing projects. Adjusted R-square indicates that independent variable of the study influences the implementation of affordable housing at 63.6%. All variables of the study significantly influence planning and implementation of affordable housing projects. ?1=0.020 designates an increase in stakeholder involvement will increase an equal of 0.020. The study concluded involved stakeholders never all participated in planning and implementation of the Karama Model village project. The study recommends Rwandan government to always allow all stakeholders take part in all stages of decision making and share their point of view before implementation of any housing project. In additon, the Rwandan government should be awared that projects need collaborative behaviors and participation of all stakeholders and projects cannot be completed as desired without success of stakeholder’s involvement and technical planning but completion of project management can facilitate the project completion. To achieve this, the Rwandan government should set clear and strong relationships between the beneficiary and the entire project management team so as to successfully complete the project and achieve the set objectives. Finally, the study suggested other studies to do research on Rwanda as a country to come up with general results and conclusions, studies should be done to assess the role of government participation in housing affordability in Rwanda as a whole and further studies should be done to assess other factors affecting implementation of affordable housing projects in Rwanda. &nbsp

Effect of Strategy Structure Fit on Financial Performance of Commercial Banks in Kigali, Rwanda

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to to investigate the effect of strategy-structure fit on organizational performance of commercial Bank in Rwanda. Methodology: A crossectional research design was used and a quantitative approach was employed for data collection. The study population comprised departmental heads, departmental supervisors, branch managers and branch supervisors categorized as senior management, middle level management, and lower-level management consisting of 86 respondents. The sample size of 71 respondents was determined using the Slovin formula. Findings: First, the findings indicate a significant relationship between strategic structure and financial outcomes, with 84% of respondents noting a positive alignment between strategy and organizational structure, which supported strategic goals and innovation, enhancing overall financial performance. Secondly, 90% of respondents agreed that aligning strategy with organizational structure positively affects financial results, especially for cost leadership and differentiation strategies, as banks benefitted from decentralized and flexible structures suited to these strategies. Lastly, 85% of respondents emphasized the importance of continuous evaluation and control, citing improved profitability and alignment with strategic objectives as crucial for sustained financial success. Key informant interviews echoed these insights, highlighting the importance of structured evaluations and controls in maintaining financial stability and fostering sustainable growth within banks. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study recommends that commercial banks in Rwanda actively involve employees in setting clear goals and aligning strategies to improve financial performance, while enhancing strategy structure through cost leadership, product differentiation, and targeting niche markets to boost turnover. Additionally, it advises that banks in Kigali prioritize resource allocation and top management commitment to achieving financial targets, expanding product offerings to serve broader society, and maintaining effective strategic planning for long-term goals

Customer Retention Strategies and Performance of Commercial Banks in Rwanda: A Case Study of Equity Bank Rwanda Public Limited Company (PLC)

The main objective of research was to examine the influence of consumer retention strategies on the performance of Commercial Banks in Rwanda; taking Equity Bank Rwanda PLC as the case study. More specifically the study sought to; examine how consumer retention strategies affect the performance of Equity Bank Rwanda PLC; to determine the performance level of Equity Bank Rwanda PLC; and to establish the relationship between consumer retention strategies and the performance of Equity Bank Rwanda PLC. The study adopted three theories; relationship commitment model, customer bonding theory and disconfirmation of customer satisfaction. The study used descriptive case study research design. The study’s target population was 134 staff members. Slovin’s formula was used to calculate the sample size n=100. Purposive technique of sampling was used dependent on the analyst\u27s judgment that the selected sample matched the study’s objectives. The researcher collected primary data from the respondents using survey questionnaires. Secondary data was sourced from open access libraries and peer reviewed journals relevant to the study. Questionnaires that were accurately completed were assigned with codes and entered into the SPSS computer software for analysis. Data was presented using frequencies, rates, and means, standard deviations, and exhibited as tables. Person correlations and regression examinations were utilized to decide and clarify the connection between study variables. Respondents strongly agreed that products and services presented by the bank meet the needs of the customers (mean 4.54); agreed that; services given by the bank coordinate the requirements of the customers (mean 4.42); accuracy was assured in all bank transactions (mean 4.24); bank officials made follow-ups to ensure that complaints were handled effectively and consumers were satisfied (mean 4.25); and customer complaints were handled immediately (mean 4.08). Respondents strongly agreed that the bank has memorable advertisements that capture significant data with respect to their products and services (mean 4.59); agreed that the bank offered novel and particular items (mean 4.46); the bank used latest technology that had diversified its ability to offer services to customers (mean 4.17); and the adoption of Mobile banking and the frequency of transactions using Money Transfer technologies ‘EazzyPay” had increased the bank’s profitability (mean 4.13). A regression analysis was conducted to determine the influence of consumer retention strategies on bank performance when the dependent variables were regressed against the independent variables. The findings suggested a 65.3% variance of customer retention rates, 75.5% variance of customer growth, and 53.5% variance of Banking operational costs as accounted for by the model, in this case, consumer perceived pricing, service quality delivery, and product diversification. ANOVA results suggested consumer retention rates (p=.006), customer growth (p = .024), Banking operational costs (.003) indicating that the models were significant in predicting the influence of consumer retention strategies on bank performance given that the p values were <0.05 or < 0.01. Conclusions made by the study suggested that Equity bank had adopted customer retention strategies that contribute towards improving its market share. Service quality consumer retention strategies adopted by the bank had contributed towards increment in the quantity of consumers seeking products and services. Product diversity retention strategies had led to high satisfaction rates among consumers. The study recommended that banks should strengthen consumer analysis in order to ensure that it foresees changing needs for more quality products and services

Monitoring and Evaluation Practices and Performance of the Energy Projects in Rwanda: A Case of Electricity Access Rollout Programme (EARP)

Purpose: This research aims to appraise contribution of M&E practices to energy projects performance, especially in the Electricity Access Rollout Programme Rwanda (EARP).It examined especially the contribution of planning for M&E, project baseline Surveys implementation, and Monitoring and Evaluation information system usage to EARP performance. The research involved the Program theory, Result-based theory, and the theory of change. Methodology: For the research design, a descriptive survey helped, and the target population was 15 project staff of the completed EARP in the project management unit. During this study, the researcher used a census, the entire population was considered as a sample since its number was limited. Qualitative and quantitative approaches were applied to gather data, and through interview guide and questionnaire, the researcher gathered primary data while secondary data were gathered from various official reports. After collecting data, the researcher used SPSS V.23 for their process and analysis. The content analysis techniques served to analyze data from interviews, and reports. The frequencies, percentages, standard deviation, and means known as descriptive statistics helped the researcher in defining the data, Pearson correlational and regression statistics were used to set up relationships concerning the variables and the significance levels. The research results were finally represented using graphs and tables. Findings: According to the research findings, the majority of participants agreed that M&E planning contributed to the performance of EARP (mean=4.31, Std =0.78). Furthermore, they indicated that M&E planning and EARP performance were positively correlated with a Pearson correlation coefficient of r=0.632, and p-value= 0.01 <0.05 significance level. Also, a great number of participants agreed that baseline implementation contributed to EARP performance (mean=4.37, Std =0.813), and a strong positive correlation was established between baseline implementation and EARP performance, the Pearson correlation coefficient was r=0.832 and the p-value=0.00<0.05 the significance level. Lastly the mean and the standard deviation for the M&E Information System were (mean= 4.08, and Std= 1.04) respectively, most participants agree that M&E IS contributed to EARP performance. Nevertheless, the standard deviation was greater than one implying a large spread of responses from the mean, thus no consensus among respondents. The Pearson coefficient was r=0.170 with a p-value =0.544>005 and this value implied that no significant correlation existed between the M&E Information System usage and EARP performance as it was greater than the significance level. A regression model of the predictors against the performance of EARP yielded R-square value of 0.731, hence the three components under study could explain 73.1% of variation in EARP project performance with F=9.128, p-value=0.003<0.05. M&E Planning (β=0.228, P value= 0.04), Baseline Survey Implementation (β=0.437, P value= 0.020), M&E Information System Usage (β=-0.54, P value= 0.74) respectively. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The researcher recommends those involved in project management especially energy projects or programs to adopt a robust, comprehensive, and user-friendliness M&E information system and promote M&E practices. This research may benefit different project management teams as it may provide them with the fundamental information to effectively track and measure projects. Furthermore, it may benefit several energy sector stakeholders to optimize the process of project development and promote performance for energy projects

EFFECT OF WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT ON THE PERFORMANCE OF COMMERCIAL BANKS EMPLOYEES IN NAKURU TOWN

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of workplace environment on the performance of Bank employees in Nakuru Town. More specifically, the study sought to establish the extent to which physical workplace factors, psychosocial factors and the work life balance factors affect performance of Bank employees in Nakuru Town. The population of the study was 736 non-managerial staff from which a sample of 173 respondents was drawn using stratified random sampling and proportionate was used to determine sample size for each Bank. To achieve the objectives of the study, a survey design was employed. The study relied principally on primary data which was collected using questionnaires containing mainly closed ended questions for ease of analysis. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics with the aid of Statistical Analysis System (SAS), version 9.4 computer software. The study findings indicated that the physical aspects were found not to have a significant effect (β1 =0.097; p value = 0.237), while the psychosocial and work life balance factors were significant (β2 =0.279; p value = 0.001) and (β3 = -0.203; p value = 0.012) respectively. The results indicate that when physical workplace factors, psychosocial factors and work life balance factors are combined, the multiple linear regression model could explain for approximately 28% of the variation in employee performance of the Commercial Banks. From the findings it can be concluded that psychosocial aspects were an important factor in boosting the performance of employees than the other two variables; (Physical aspects and work life balance aspects), in Commercial Banks in Nakuru Town. The researcher recommends further investigation should be conducted to collect data from other financial sectors such to see whether workplace environments are the same and could therefore benefit from this study. The study also recommends that the bank management should continue using enhanced work environments as a tool for increasing the efficiency and productivity of employees’ through improved and sustained performanc

Implementation of Value Chain and Cooperative Performance: A Case of Twongere Umusaruro Wa Kawa Cooperative Kayonza District, Rwanda

Purpose: In this study, the Twongere umusaruro wa kawa cooperative\u27s value chain implementation and cooperative performance were analyzed. The general purpose of the research study was to evaluate the relationship between the value chain implementation on cooperative performance in the Twongere umusaruro wa kawa cooperative. The study based on value chain and human capital theories. Methodology: The study used a descriptive cross-sectional survey to learn about value chain operations, investigate value chain marketing activities, learn about value chain service, and discover the extent to which these activities affect cooperative performance in Rwanda\u27s Kayonza District. The total population consisted of 170 value chain actors, all of whom were farmers and members of the cooperative.  A sample of 119 surveys based on the Slovenian formula used. In this study, the proportional random sampling was used as the sampling method. A questionnaire based on moderately structured interviews used to collect the primary data. The results of the survey were compiled, codified, tabulated, and analyzed. Made a change to improve data accuracy for encoding. The encoded data then entered in Statistical package for Social Sciences version 25. The statistically apparent relationship between factors and cooperative performance was examined with the Qui Square independence test. . Findings: Based on the study results, it was found a meaningful relationship between gender and cooperative performance, service and cooperative performance because  p-values associated with gender and service, respectively, were p=0.03 and p=0.00 and did not exceed the 5% significance level. The findings also exposed no significant relation between operations and cooperative performance and marketing and cooperative performance. The findings indicated that the level of significance was above 5% for the operations and marketing-related p=0.462 and p=0.122, respectively. According to the study, value chain operators in cooperatives should pay closer attention to service and gender because of their strong associations with cooperative performance. Value chain developers in operations and marketing should be committed to overcoming any obstacles that hinder the cooperative\u27s performance and should collaborate closely with members and partners to strengthen operations and marketing efforts for the cooperative\u27s sustainability. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Further studies should conduct a thorough analysis in this area by taking into account many independent factors in different districts of the country or the region to clearly show how value chain activities affect cooperative performance and to examine the impact of such changes, research should also invest in collecting data from several cooperatives and various cooperative types

Effect of Communication on Performance of World Bank Funded Informal Settlements Improvement Projects in Nakuru West Sub-County

Despite the substantial investment and resources allocated to the World Bank-funded informal settlements projects, there is an observable variation in their outcomes, with some projects failing to achieve their intended goals of improving living conditions and infrastructure therefore the study sought to assess the effect of communication on performance of world bank funded informal settlements improvement projects in Nakuru West Sub-County.  A descriptive research design was adopted for the study. The total target population was 155 project representatives. Since the study population was manageable, a census was adopted to incorporate all the targeted respondents. The study collected primary data. A questionnaire was utilized to gather the primary data necessary for the study. A pilot test was conducted in Eldoret City for the World Bank funded KISIP projects. The content validity of this study was enhanced by seeking the views of experts in the field of study, especially the research supervisor. Reliability in this study was improved by pre-testing the questionnaire with a selected sample that was not included in the main study. An internal consistency technique was adopted through the utilization of Cronbach’s Alpha. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Descriptive statistics involved the use of measures of central tendencies (mean) and measures of dispersion (standard deviation). Inferential statistics involved the use of Pearson correlation analysis to establish the nature of the affiliation amongst variables. After analysis, data was presented in the form of tables. From the findings, the study established that there exists a strong positive and significant relationship between communication (r=0.897, p=0.018) on the performance of World Bank Funded Informal Settlements Improvement Projects in Nakuru West Sub-County.  The study concluded that effective communication was a fundamental factor in influencing project performance by ensuring inclusivity among stakeholders and improving project efficiency. It also concluded that the use of diverse communication platforms, a clear communication plan, and frequent updates fostered stakeholder engagement, role clarity, and accountability. From the findings and conclusions, the study recommended that the communication team of the World Bank Funded Informal Settlements Improvement Projects in Nakuru West Sub-County should diversify and enhance communication platforms to ensure inclusivity and stakeholder engagement

HOTEL INDUSTRY COMPETITIVENESS IN COVID 19 PANDEMIC ENVIRONMENT IN KENYA: HOW TECHNOLOGICALLY READY ARE THE HOTELS?

Since December 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on te totel industry leading to deep losses among industry players and forcing some to shut down altogether. For those that would survive the crisis, their competitiveness could be at risk unless they demonstrate strategic readiness. The competitiveness found in modern organizations is, however, increasingly determined by the strategic readiness or capability of it assets, notably technology. However, the strategic readiness of the hotel industry needed to be established. Therefore, this paper explores the strategic teachnology readiness of the star-rated hotels in Kenya for competitiveness in the Covid 19 pandemic environment. The paper is guided by the Chamberlain's theory of strategy. A descriptive cross sectional survey design targeting 138 star-rated hotels in the country selected through systematic random sampling. Data was collected using questionnaires and interview schedules. Qualitative data was analyzed using content anaysis with the aid of Nvivo software while quantitative data was analyzed using both ddescriptive and inferential statistical analysis with the aid of SPSS version 24.0. Specifically, the study used the bivariate regression model to assess the relationship between the variables. The study found that technology readiness significantly influenced the competitiveness of star-rated hotels in the Covid 19 pandemic environment in Kenya. There is need for the hotels to adopt a more proacticve approach in setting their technological systems for any eventualities as this will be less expensive and enable their users to be more acquainted with the systems in advance. Article visualizations

Influence of Strategic Resourcing as Strategic Position on the Performance of Manufacturing Companies in Kenya, A Case of Textile and Apparel Companies in Kenya

This study sought to explore the influence of strategic positioning on the performance of manufacturing companies in Kenya, taking a case of textile and apparel companies in Kenya. The study employed descriptive research design targeting 63 companies in textile and apparel manufacturing sub sector. Data was collected targeting the senior managers/operation managers in the selected firm using a questionnaire. Email method was used to distribute the questionnaires. The data collected was analyzed in SPSS and presented using charts and tables. Data collected was crosschecked for completeness before entering in SPSS for analysis. Both descriptive and inferential statistics. The study found strategic resourcing, research and development, and marketing strategies had statistically significant effect on the performance of apparel and textile firms in Kenya. The study concludes that strategic positioning is an effective approach in sustaining the performance of manufacturing firms in Kenya. Keywords: Strategic positioning, Strategic resourcing, Performance DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/12-30-06 Publication date:October 31st 202

THE ROLE OF LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE ON INNOVATION AND RESEARCH IN KABARAK UNIVERSITY

progression and success of any institution adapt to the diverse changes from changing expectations of the institutions, through research is required. urge for institutions to embrace creativity, been necessitated by economic dynamics, enhances empowerment through leadership central or strongly related to some economic challenges. Economic growth development since good leadership Institution management is the focal point notion holds true while focusing on quality contributes significantly to institutional succes