Response Strategies to Challenges Faced by the Horticultural Firms in Nairobi County of Kenya

The horticultural sector has an immense contribution to the economic development of many countries including Kenya. However, the sector faces numerous challenges that hinder its full contribution to most economies especially in the developing countries. This study was carried out to determine the response strategies that the horticultre firms  in Nairobi County, Kenya can put in place to counter the many challenges it faces. The study made use of primary data, collected from the management and staff of thirty six horticultural fims in the County.The data was analysed using frequencies and measures of central tendcency such as mean, mode and standard deviation. The study is of critical importance to horticulural firms in Kenya and other countries. It is also of great importance since it helps in establishing important strategies that can help in improving perfomance among the firms. The study established that horticultural firms can use several strategies in their operations which can help in eliminating the challenges they face and improve their performance in the sector. The key strategies  include : Turn around strategies- an all-round strategy dealing with competition, product diversification, new market penetration, e-marketing of the company’s products, investing in packaging and product differentiation, target market, out-sourcing of services, differentiating strategies, refocusing the business and enlarged branch network worldwide. It is recommended that the management should device appropriate ways of putting in place strategies that are underutilized in order to deal with the challenges they face for a maximum profitability of the firms. Key words: Response, Strategies, Nairobi County, Keny

The Extent to Which Public Universities in Kenya Experience Managerial and Environmental Challenges

The environment in which organisations operate is continuously changing, thereby posing challenges to the organisations, and higher education institutions are no exception. This study was undertaken to understand the managerial and environmental challenges faced by public universities in Kenya. The study design was descriptive and utilized a cross-sectional survey of all the public universities in Kenya through administration of a structured questionnaire to the top management team. Secondary data were collected from published works and, universities and government documents in public domain in order to corroborate the data collected from the primary sources. Positive responses were received from 63 respondents out of 91, yielding a 69.4 percent response rate. Of the respondents, 76 percent had basic training in the sciences and only 3 percent in business; 79 percent had no training in management and only 8 percent each had training in management at postgraduate diploma and postgraduate degree levels. The universities faced managerial challenges ‘to a greater extent’ than they faced environmental challenges. The control function of management, and competitive and economic macro-economic factors posed the highest challenges. A significant difference (p<0.05) in the managerial and environmental challenges existed between new and old universities, and rural and urban universities, respectively. There was significant difference (p<0.05) and no significant difference (p<0.05) among the three categories of public universities (old, new and university colleges) in managerial and environmental challenges, respectively. The results indicate that the managerial and environmental challenges experienced by public universities in Kenya could be related to lack of training in management. The results further indicate that public universities in Kenya are dependent on the environment in which they operate and, therefore, the study contributes to the environment-dependence theory of organizations. Keywords: Environmental challenge, environment-dependence theory, higher education institutions, Kenya, managerial challenge, public universit

Indigenous Entrepreneurship and Economic Development: The Moderating Effect of Post-Conflict Reconstruction in Turkana County, Kenya

The role of entrepreneurship in post-conflict reconstruction is largely understudied. Micro and Small livestock enterprises play an important economic and socio-cultural role amongst many Kenyan communities. The objective of this study was to establish the moderating effect of post-conflict reconstruction on the relationship between indigenous entrepreneurship and economic development in Turkana County. This study is anchored on institutional theory. Positivism and phenomenology paradigms and a cross sectional research design was adopted. The target population was all micro and small livestock enterprises that are registered members of the Livestock Marketing Association (LMA) in Turkana County; comprising of 598 livestock enterprises. A sample of 339 micro and small livestock enterprises were selected for the study using simple random sampling techniques. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics like mean, standard deviation, cumulative variance, Skewness, Kurtosis, ANOVA and regression analyses. The results revealed that Post-conflict reconstruction has a significant moderating effect on the relationship between indigenous entrepreneurship and economic development in Turkana county, (F=50.22, P=0.000). The study suggests legislation of laws and policies by the national and County governments, prohibiting acquisition of small arms. Policy initiatives should support indigenous livestock enterprises for instance, creation of a suitable environment for these businessesto obtain credit. Itstime both levels of governments enhance their environmental factors to lower uncertainty, raise indigenous livestock entrepreneurs to participate at the global economy, attracting FDI, private sector development, employment, increased exports and finally spur economic development through huge investments in health, education while impacting wealth levels

Contribution of Indigenous Entrepreneurship Among Micro and Small Livestock Enterprises to Economic Development in Turkana County, Kenya

Entrepreneurs are required to have an entrepreneurial mind-set, values, attitudes and behaviour that enables opportunity recognition perceiving entrepreneurial activities as desirable and feasible. Micro and small livestock enterprises play a key role in the agricultural sector being the main economic sector of the IGAD countries. The goal of this study was to determine the contribution of indigenous livestock entrepreneurship to economic development in Turkana County. Endogenous growth, effectuation and entrepreneurial bricolage are anchoring theories. The study adopted positivist and phenomenology paradigms and cross sectional research design. The target population was all micro and small livestock enterprises, registered members of the Livestock Marketing Association in Turkana County; comprising of 598 livestock enterprises out of which a sample size of 339 MSEs was selected through proportionate stratified random sampling and simple random sampling techniques. Secondary and primary data were collected for analysis. The study purposely selected four firms from the survey method for case studies. Pilot was conducted and reliability and validity of the study instrument was evaluated. Descriptive and inferential analyses were done. ANOVA and simple linear regression analyses were evaluated. Significance was tested at 5% level. The overall response rate was 78.2%. The results revealed that indigenous entrepreneurship has a positive and significant effect on economic development in Turkana county, (F=129.4, P=.000). The study concludes that indigenous entrepreneurship is important in determining economic development. The study suggests to business associations, financial institutions, NGOs and development agencies and Turkana County government to facilitate and promote indigenous communities to pursue entrepreneurial activities

The Mediating Effect of Strategy Implementation on the Relationship Between Corporate Governance and Performance of Firms Listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange

The purpose of the study was to establish the effect of strategy implementation on the relationship between corporate governance and performance of firms listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) The study developed a corporate governance index as a proxy for corporate governance based on the seven provisions of the recently revised Capital Markets Authority (CMA) draft code of corporate governance practices for public listed companies in Kenya, namely; board operations and control, rights of shareholders, stakeholder relations, ethics and social responsibilities, accountability, risk management and internal audit, transparency and disclosure and supervision and enforcement. The survey questionnaire was the main tool of data collection and was distributed to 56 CEOs and corporation secretaries. The response rate was 87.5%. The study found that strategy implementation mediates the relationship between corporate governance and non-financial performance of firms listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange. The results have diverse implications for policy, practice and research. Keywords: Corporate Governance, Mediation, CGI_ Score, Strategy Implementation, Firm Performanc

The Effect Of Psychic Distance On Kenyas Export Destinations

Exports can be an important component of the growth strategy for developing countries, and an understanding of export destination choices can help to facilitate that growth. This paper uses the concept of psychic distance to examine Kenyas export pattern to selected markets. Regression analysis indicates that Kenyas total exports are significantly associated with countries that are psychically close (Uganda, Tanzania, and the United Kingdom), but not with countries that are psychically distant (Ethiopia, Egypt, and the United States). Thus, psychic distance explains Kenyas export choices better than geographic distance does. The paper concludes with suggestions about ways that an understanding of psychic distance can help Kenya and other countries that seek to expand their economies through export

The Effect of Human Resource Management Practices on Employee Outcomes: A Study of Firms Listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange

Most empirical research on the link between Human Resource Management Practices (HRMP) and employee outcomes has concentrated on the private sector, yet understanding this relationship in publicly listed firms, in the Developing World context is equally important. The effect of HRMP on employee outcomes - has not been established amongst Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) listed firms, yet theory has demonstrated that HRMP can have an effect on employee outcomes. This study was motivated by the desire to fill this gap in knowledge. The study objective was to assess the relationship between HRMP and employee outcomes. The research design was cross sectional descriptive survey. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire, from a population of 60 NSE listed firms. The response rate was 36(60%). Descriptive statistics, correlation and regression techniques were used to analyze the data. The results indicate that HRMP have a significant effect on employee outcomes. This study confirms the findings of previous studies that have found a significant link between HRMP and employee outcomes. It was recommended that firms have to ensure that they formulate Human Resource Management Practices that will lead to employee outcomes that can enhance employee commitment, competence and empowerment. This will assist the firms towards attainment and sustenance of superior and competitive advantage in their activities. Keywords: Human Resource Management Practices (HRMP); Employee Outcomes; Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE

A STUDY OF DRUGS USE AWARENESS AMONG STUDENTS IN KENYA

The study aims to assess the substance use related literacy among the medical students in government based medical college in the Nairobi, Kenya. The methodology of the study was cross sectional based on survey method. Result states that majority of students reported there is presence of substance abusing youths are existed in their classrooms. Results also shows that there is low level of self-intake substance and increase assertiveness as found among medical students

Diagnostic Control Systems and Overall Firm Performance of Sugar Firms in Western Kenya

Diagnostic control systems are the backbone of traditional management control, designed to ensure predictable goal achievement. Unfortunately, managers typically pay little attention to these feedback systems to improve the implementation of strategic plans and organizational performance. Further, establishing the strategic control-performance relationship has been problematic, suggesting failure by researchers to consider contingent variables. This study used data,  collected during the period November 2008 to May 2009 from 109 senior managers in a census survey of 45 firms in the sugar value-chain in western Kenya, to examine the relationship between diagnostic control systems and overall firm performance.  Descriptive statistics and bi-variate regression analysis were used to analyze data.  The findings revealed diagnostic control systems positively and significantly related to overall firm performance (β = 0.358, p < 0.01).  The results of this study suggest that urgent measures are required by the firms in the study to design diagnostic control systems to cope with the changing business environment.  The study contributes to validation and upgrade of the existing strategic control theory.  For managers, the study sheds light on the design and use of diagnostic control systems and also for public sector managers in guiding the strategic change.  It is recommended that future studies focus on the specific firms in sugar value chain and adopt longitudinal case-study designs to establish causal relationships among variables

THE JOINT EFFECT OF STRATEGIC ALLIANCE, REGIONAL INTEGRATION AND MACRO ENVIRONMENT ON THE PERFORMANCE OF KENYAN MANUFACTURING FIRMS IN THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY MARKET

The study sought to establish the joint effect of strategic alliance, regional integration and macro environment on the performance of Kenyan manufacturing firms in the East African Community market. The study was anchored on resource dependency theory, Resource Based Theory, theory of integration and the Open system theory. The positivism philosophical paradigm and a cross sectional descriptive survey design adopted guided the study. The population of the study was 160 Kenyan manufacturing firms in the EAC market. Primary data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. A response rate of 81% was realized. Secondary data was collected from financial statements of the respective firms. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Hypotheses were tested using both simple and multivariate regression analysis while Baron and Kenny (1986) model of stepwise regression analysis were used to test for moderating effects. The findings indicated that there is a statistically significant positive joint influence of strategic alliance, regional integration and macro environment on the performance of Kenyan manufacturing firms in the East African Community market and the joint effect was greater than the influence of each variable individually. Future research directions include a replication of study in a longitudinal approach while using path analysis or structural equation models and consideration of other sectors, firm characteristics and resource constraints. The results of this study will serve as guide to document that the level and type of alliances used in the Kenyan manufacturing firms in the EAC market will determine their performance