IMPACT OF PROJECT INITIATION ON PERFORMANCE OF OUTPUT-BASED FUNDED SABASABA URBAN WATER SUPPLY PROJECT

Sabasaba urban water supply project was undertaken in order to increase the number of people in low-income areas within Murang’a County with access to improved water supply; to enable them to have clean water at their doorstep. In carrying out the project, World Bank employed Output-Based Aid scheme to make sure the project achieves its goals. Output-Based Aid funds predetermined project outputs unlike the conventional way of funding inputs. It serves to ensure prudent utilization of funds by shifting performance risk to the organization mandated to deliver services; it also does so by linking outputs to the ultimate payments; hence transparency during project implementation. The study sought to examine the influence of project initiation, project planning, project implementation, and project monitoring on the project performance of Output-Based Aid funded Sabasaba urban water supply project. The study adopted value chain and resource-based theories. A predictive correlation design was used. The target population was 56 employees drawn from Murang’a South Water and Sewerage Company which is the implementing agency for Sabasaba water supply project. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents. The study results were analysed using SPSS.  The study found that the project initiation had a statistically significant influence on the project performance.  The findings revealed that a unit change in the project initiation would lead to 0.404 changes in the project performance holding the other independent variables constant.  Article visualizations

Testing the relationship between constraints management and capacity utilization of tea processing firms: Evidence from Kenya

AbstractDespite having one of the many studies in constraints management and capacity utilization, there is dearth of the same in the tea processing firms. The purpose of this study was to link constraints management to capacity utilization of tea processing firms by focusing on a Kenyan developing economy. Specifically the study determines the relationship between constraints management and capacity utilization of tea processing firms in Kenya. A multiple linear regression and correlation models were performed on a sample that included 84 firms operating in the Kenyan tea industry for the period 2008–2012. The study established that the relationship between constraints management and the firm’s capacity utilization is significant and positive

The Relationship between Executive Compensation and Financial Performance of Insurance Companies in Kenya

This paper sought to assess the effect of executive compensation on the financial performance of insurance companies in Kenya. The study considered functional form relationship between the level of executive remuneration and key performance ratios by using a regression model that establishes the relationship between pay and financial performance. The results show that there is a non-significant relationship between executive compensation and financial performance, P-Value>0.05. The negative correlation suggests the capping of executive compensation to maximize shareholders returns. This advocates that key performance ratios are not key considerations in determining executive compensation among the insurance companies in Kenya. Hence there is need to sensitize executives to align their payment to accounting performance measures because they are directly linked to shareholder’s wealth maximization. The study’s findings are useful to managers in insurance companies for strategic planning. The arguments of this study are based on the agency theory and review of relevant literature. Keywords: Executive, compensation, financial performance, agency theory, corporate governance, Key ratio

The Relationship between Teacher Characteristics and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Integration in Public Secondary Schools in Nakuru Town Sub-County, Kenya

This study sought to examine the relationship between teacher characteristics and ICT integration in public secondary schools in Nakuru Town Sub-county. The objectives of the study were: To establish the relationship between attitude and ICT integration; to establish the relationship between motivation and ICT integration, and to determine the overall effect of teacher characteristics on ICT integration. This study employed a descriptive analysis. The data was analyzed quantitatively. The study adopted a descriptive research design. Primary data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. The relationship between teacher characteristics and ICT integration was tested statistically using Pearson Moments Correlation. Relationships between teacher characteristics and ICT integration in public secondary schools was determined at the alpha level of p<0.05. To describe the various elements of teacher characteristics on overall ICT integration, descriptive analysis (percentages) was done. Data was presented using tables. The purposive sampling design was used in the study where one Headteacher, one Head of ICT Department and one ICT teacher were purposively sampled from each of the 22 public secondary schools yielding a sample size of 66 teachers.The study established that teachers’ characteristics affect ICT integration positively. The study is beneficial to policy makers when developing teacher programs; it also helps teachers to see that intervention programs can influence their instructional behaviors; and it also provides evidence to researchers that teacher beliefs can be challenged.The study thus recommends that policymakers should incorporate the actual use of ICT when developing teacher programs. Considering the influence of the teacher characteristics on classroom use of ICT, professional teacher development should be aware of the direct impact of these variables, especially the role of teacher ICT motivation. Keywords: Teacher characteristics, ICT integration, Attitude, Motivation

The Effect of Teacher Characteristics on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Integration in Public Secondary Schools in Nakuru Town Sub-County, Kenya

This study sought to examine the effect of teacher characteristics on ICT integration in public secondary schools in Nakuru Town Sub-county, Kenya. The objectives of the study were: To establish the effect of teacher educational beliefs on ICT integration; to establish the effect of self-efficacy on ICT integration. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The effect of teacher characteristics on ICT integration was tested statistically using Pearson Moments Correlation. The effect of teacher characteristics on ICT integration in public secondary schools was determined at the alpha level of p<0.05. To describe the various elements of teacher characteristics on overall ICT integration, descriptive analysis (percentages) was done. Data was presented using tables. Purposive sampling design was used in the study where one Head teacher, one Head of ICT Department and one ICT teacher were purposively sampled from each of the 22 public secondary schools yielding a sample size of 66 teachers.The findings of this study was that teacher characteristics positively affect ICT integration. The study is beneficial to policy makers when developing teacher programs; it also helps teachers to see that intervention programs can influence their instructional behaviors; and it also provides evidence to researchers that teacher beliefs can be challenged.The study thus recommends that policymakers should incorporate the actual use of ICT when developing teacher programs. Considering the influence of the teacher characteristics on classroom use of ICT, professional teacher development should be aware of the direct impact of these variables, especially the role of teacher ICT motivation. Keywords: Teacher characteristics, ICT integration, Educational beliefs, Self-efficacy

The Impact of Outsourcing on Lead-Time and Customer Service in Supermarkets in Nairobi-Kenya

This study explored the impact of Outsourcing on Lead-Time and Customer Service in Supermarkets in the City of Nairobi-Kenya. The study used a descriptive survey design to obtain information on the extent to which supermarkets outsourced services and the impact of outsourcing on lead-time. The population of the study mainly constituted of procurement officers, marketing managers, operation managers or their equivalents in supermarket headquarters within Nairobi city. The population of this study consisted of one hundred and two (102) Supermarkets while the sample consisted of fifty (50) supermarkets within Nairobi. The data collected was analyzed by use of frequency, percentage and correlation analysis. The study findings indicate that supermarkets outsourced advertising and marketing to a very large extent. Consultancy and training, administration of information and systems maintenance, security, facilities maintenance, general maintenance and repair were also outsourced to a large extent. Besides, payroll processing, recruitment/staffing and general accounting were outsourced to no extent. The analysis also revealed that outsourcing and lead time were positively correlated (r =0.66). The study contribute to the outsourcing research area by identifying how the existing processes and methods in the Organization must be adapted to fit the specific conditions of outsourcing. Contributions to the outsourcing research area are made by showing that to ensure effective Customer service, the whole outsourcing process has to be in focus i.e., from before physical transfer decisions to outsource are made until a steady state is reached with a continuous supply from the new source. Key words: Outsourcing, Outsourcing process, Lead-Time, Customer service, Supermarke

Service Quality and Customer Satisfaction at Kenya Airways Ltd

This study explored the key determinants of customer satisfaction for passengers at Kenya Airways. The study used a descriptive survey design to obtain information on key determinants of customer satisfaction for passengers at Kenya Airways. The study mainly adopted a case study approach and the respondents constituted Passengers who had used Kenya airways for a period of six months between Jan- June 2012. The sample of this study consisted of one hundred (100) passengers. Both primary and secondary data sources were used to answer the research questions. Primary data was mainly obtained through administering of questionnaires while secondary sources like past studies and archives were accessed in order to obtain some reliable literature and empirical findings that could be applied in order to have a better understanding of the service quality construct. The data collected was analyzed by use of the means, frequency, percentage and Factor Analysis. The study findings indicate that among the key determinants of customer satisfaction with passengers were luggage security and safety, proper communication with customers to update them on status of their flights, provision of food variety and ability of the airline to communicate to passengers about the weather on arrival destinations. Weather conditions prevailing at the destination, compassion by airline crew toward any disabled persons on-board were particularly noted to increase significantly the level of customer satisfaction. This study contributes to existing theories of service quality and customer satisfaction by confirming or adding value to the relationships that are involved in customer satisfaction and service quality in the Air Transport and other related sectors. It provides results that are useful to managers in business organizations for strategic planning. The arguments of this study are based on the resource based view theory and review of relevant literature. Key words: Service, Quality, Customer service, customer satisfaction, Air transpor

Management Science Letters Constraints management and value chain performance for sustainable development

Managers are ever seeking for better ways of managing their constraints to improve their company's value chain performance and competitiveness. Although previous literature explored constraint management, it was inconclusive as to how constraint management could affect the value chain performance in tea processing chains. The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between constraint management and firm value chain performance of tea processing firms. This study undertook an empirical study using survey questionnaire design to collect data. The respondents were production managers who have experience in production activities. The study applied multiple correlation and regression models to test the hypothesis. The results indicate that constraints management had a significant positive impact on improvement in quality, time, flexibility, cost and resource utilization in tea firms. This study provides a broad analysis of how organizations can improve their value chain performance for sustainable development by managing various constraints in the internal value chain. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first empirical study of the relationship between constraints management and value chain performance using data from tea processing firms operating in Kenya

Constraints management and value chain performance for sustainable development

Managers are ever seeking for better ways of managing their constraints to improve their company’s value chain performance and competitiveness. Although previous literature explored constraint management, it was inconclusive as to how constraint management could affect the value chain performance in tea processing chains. The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between constraint management and firm value chain performance of tea processing firms. This study undertook an empirical study using survey questionnaire design to collect data. The respondents were production managers who have experience in production activities. The study applied multiple correlation and regression models to test the hypothesis. The results indicate that constraints management had a significant positive impact on improvement in quality, time, flexibility, cost and resource utilization in tea firms. This study provides a broad analysis of how organizations can improve their value chain performance for sustainable development by managing various constraints in the internal value chain. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first empirical study of the relationship between constraints management and value chain performance using data from tea processing firms operating in Kenya

Application of Grey-TOPSIS approach to evaluate value chain performance of tea processing chains

This study develops an effective method to measure value chain performance and rank them based on qualitative criteria and to determine the ranking order of the various forms of performance under study. This approach integrates the advantage of grey systems theory and TOPSIS to evaluate and rank value chain performance. Grey-TOPSIS approach has been applied to measure and rank the value chain performance of various firms. The results indicate that the proposed model is useful to facilitate multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) problem under the environment of uncertainty and vagueness. The model also provides an appropriate ranking order based on the available alternatives. The Grey-TOPSIS approach that will be useful to the managers to use for solving the similar type of decision-making problems in their firms in the future has been discussed. Even though, the problem of choosing a suitable performance option is often addressed in practice and research, very few studies are available in the literature of Grey-TOPSIS decision models. Also, Grey-TOPSIS model application in the tea processing firms is non-existence hence this study is the very first to apply this model in evaluating value chain performance in the tea processing firms