Influence of Core Resources on Performance of Cultural Heritage Tourism in Kenya

Competition among tourism destinations has become more severe in the modern global world, in terms of attracting new visitors who hopefully get emotionally attached and their repeat visit create and sustain a high competitive advantage. This study sought to establish the Influence of Core Resources on Performance of Cultural Heritage Tourism in Western Kenya. Descriptive embedded case design and survey design was adopted for the study. The target population consisted of 6 selected sites, 18 Focus Group Discussion for respondents, 16 Key informants and 8,014 members of households living within the selected Cultural Heritage sites in Western Kenya. The selected heritage sites were: Kit Mikayi, Crying stone, Sikele Sia Mulia, Thimlich Ohinga, Obama Kogelo Cultural Heritage and Kisumu Museum. A sample size of 357 respondents from 6 heritage sites was sampled for the study using purposive for heritage sites and household heads, stratified random sampling for respondents from household heads, and saturated sampling for key informants under the study. Validity was tested by making clear statements and by use of expert judgement by university lecturers. Reliability of the instruments was ascertained through a pilot study of two sites and 15 respondents that did not participate in the final study. Internal consistency was obtained by computing Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient, which was valued at 0.858. Primary data was collected by use of Questionnaires, Focus Group Discussions and Interview Schedule. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. Statistical tests, Pearson product-moment of correlation were used to investigate the relationship between independent and dependent variables. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic framework. Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20 was used to analyze data. Hypothesis was tested at 95% confidence level (α = 0.05). A two tailed test was carried out to test if there was significant relationship between the independent and dependent variables.  The findings of the present study indicate a positive correlation between Core Resources and Cultural Heritage Tourism. For instance Core Resources had a significant influence at r= 0.752. However, tangible resource had a higher correlation (r=0.763) than intangible core resource (r=0.724).  Western Kenya was endowed with adequate tangible and intangible Core resources. Historical icon and monuments were the highest tourist attractor. Most of the cultural heritage sites in the study revealed poor performance due to poor image of the core resources in most of the sites. Study recommended upgrading the core resources in all heritage sites in western Kenya to make them more competitive. The study recommended development of a Cultural Heritage Gallery as depository for cultural artifacts and exhibition of the narrative documentation of the mythology and entrenchment of Cultural Heritage tourism policy in Kenyan Tourism Act . Keywords: Core resources, Cultural Heritage, Tourism, Western Kenya, Performanc

Influence of Marketing Strategies on Performance of Cultural Heritage Tourism in Kenya

Adequate information about tourist products and services in a destination can attract tourists and influence performance of tourism business. This study sought to determine the Influence of Marketing Strategies on Performance of Cultural Heritage Tourism in Western Kenya. Descriptive embedded case design and Cross-sectional survey design was adopted for the study. The target population consisted of 6 sites, 18 Focus Group Discussion for respondents, 16 Key informants and 8,014 members of households living within the selected Cultural Heritage sites in Western Kenya. The selected heritage sites were: Kit Mikayi, Crying stone, Sikele Sia Mulia, Thimlich Ohinga, Obama Kogelo Cultural Heritage and Kisumu Museum. A sample size of 357 respondents from 6 heritage sites was sampled for the study using purposive for heritage sites, stratified random sampling for respondents from household heads, and saturated sampling for key informants under the study. Primary data was collected by use of Questionnaires, Focus Group Discussions and Interview Schedule. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. Statistical tests, Pearson product-moment of correlation were used to investigate the relationship between independent and dependent variables. Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20 was used to analyze data. Hypothesis was tested at 95% confidence level (α = 0.05). Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic framework.  The findings of the present study indicated that marketing strategies improved social economic performance of Cultural Heritage Tourism in Western Kenya. Marketing strategies have not been fully exploited in Cultural Heritage sites in Western Kenya. Traditional Marketing Strategies were frequently used than non-traditional marketing strategies to attract potential tourists. The study recommended that both traditional and non-traditional marketing strategies should be employed to reach potential tourists in order to make Cultural Heritage sites in Western Kenya more competitive locally and globally. The Cultural heritage sites should be rebranded and upgraded to make them more attractive and competitive. The Kenya Tourism Board in collaboration with other stakeholders should aggressively market cultural heritage tourism. Keywords: Marketing strategies, Cultural Heritage Tourism, Performance, Tourist products and services, Destination, Western Keny

INFLUENCE OF IDEALIZED BEHAVIOUR ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CDF CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN KISUMU COUNTY, KENYA

Idealized behavior is an aspect of transformational leadership which defines the need for change, developing a vision for the future, and mobilizing followers for commitment to achieve results beyond what is expected. This study explored the Influence of Idealized behavior on projects implementation. A case study is that of constituency Development Fund construction projects in public secondary schools in Kisumu County, Kenya. The objective of this study is to examine how idealized behavior influences the implementation of CDF construction projects. The study used Expost facto design and it was anchored on three theories: the transformational leadership theory, contingency theory, and systems theory. Hypotheses was formulated and subsequently tested in the study in order to establish the influence of conflict resolution thereof. In hypothesis H1, (H0: The strength of the relationship between idealized behavior and the implementation of CDF projects does not depend on conflict resolution), it was concluded that the strength of the relationship between idealized behavior and the implementation of CDF projects depends on conflict resolution (P=0.013˂P=0.05)

INFLUENCE OF IDEALIZED BEHAVIOUR ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CDF CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN KISUMU COUNTY, KENYA

Idealized behavior is an aspect of transformational leadership which defines the need for change, developing a vision for the future, and mobilizing followers for commitment to achieve results beyond what is expected. This study explored the Influence of Idealized behavior on projects implementation. A case study is that of constituency Development Fund construction projects in public secondary schools in Kisumu County, Kenya. The objective of this study is to examine how idealized behavior influences the implementation of CDF construction projects. The study used Expost facto design and it was anchored on three theories: the transformational leadership theory, contingency theory, and systems theory. Hypotheses was formulated and subsequently tested in the study in order to establish the influence of conflict resolution thereof. In hypothesis H1, (H0: The strength of the relationship between idealized behavior and the implementation of CDF projects does not depend on conflict resolution), it was concluded that the strength of the relationship between idealized behavior and the implementation of CDF projects depends on conflict resolution (P=0.013˂P=0.05)

Community Currency and Economic Dynamics of Traders in Informal Urban Settlements

Majority of world population live in poverty and struggle to fulfil the most basic needs like health, education, access to water and sanitation. Past studies indicate resources deprivation among residents in informal settlements. In Africa, 43% of individuals are living in destitution in urban territories a proportion which compares with 59% of people living in poverty in rural areas. Due to high rate of poverty the traders in urban informal settlements are unable to access financial services to unlock their business potential. This study focused on the influence of community currency on economic dynamics of community groups and networks among traders in the informal settlement in Kenya. This study was guided by Social Capital theory and SCALERS Model. The study results indicated a high correlation between community currency indicators and growth of small scale business among traders in urban informal settlements (R = .871a). The variation in growth of business of traders in informal settlement is explained upto 75.8% by community currency (R2 = .758).  further, the interaction between Community currency and entrepreneurial network  on growth of businesses of  traders in informal urban settlements reveal that the moderating effect of entrepreneurial network caused 77.0% of the variance in growth of small-scale business of traders in informal urban settlements (R2 = .770).  This shows that entrepreneurial network has a positive and significant moderating effect on growth of business of traders in the informal settlement. Keywords: Community Currency, Informal Settlements, Traders, Growth DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/13-22-07 Publication date: November 30th 202

Organizational Cultural Factors Hindering Women Ascending to Top Management Positions in Public Universities in Kenya: A Case of Moi University

It is observed that the major setback to economic development in Kenya is stagnation in industrial development.  To overcome these, Kenya plans to be a middle level income nation by the year 2030. These plans are to be realized through “Vision 2030”. To achieve these goals, Kenya requires gender mainstreamed team of highly skilled workers with competency in administration and strategic management. Kenya has to prepare at least twice as many women graduates with administration and management background to  match the male counterparts even in the stipulated 1/3 ratio.  Globally, women experience many challenges in ascending to top management positions especially in institutions of higher learning. This is despite endless calls and legislations to push for gender equity in appointments to both junior and top management positions in all departments of our institutions.  This study aimed to determine the influence of organizational culture on women ascending to top management positions, to determine the effects of social factors on women ascending to top management positions and the effects of demographic factors on women ascending to top management positions. The target population was of 114 out of whom 34 was sampled.  Semi structured questionnaires were used to collect primary data.  Secondary data was collected from document reviews. The primary data collected was analyzed using computer supported software and presented using descriptive statistics.  The Computer aided program was used (SPSS Version 22.0 for analyzing quantitative data.   The study findings established that organizational culture hindered women ascending to top management position.  It was concluded that the University Management should adopt policies that will ensure gender equality and equity in the appointments and promotions in leadership positions be considered. In addition, the study concluded that gender discrimination hindered women ascending to top leadership roles. The study recommended that University should develop and implement policies that are harnessing gender equity in the appointments and promotion of staff. Keywords: Gender balance, Organizational culture, Equal opportunitie

A New Class of Inhibitors of the AraC Family Virulence Regulator Vibrio Cholerae ToxT

Vibrio cholerae is responsible for the diarrheal disease cholera that infects millions of people worldwide. While vaccines protecting against cholera exist, and oral rehydration therapy is an effective treatment method, the disease will remain a global health threat until long-term solutions such as improved sanitation and access to clean water become widely available. Because of this, there is a pressing need for potent therapeutics that can either mitigate cholera symptoms, or act prophylactically to prevent the virulent effects of a cholera infection. Here we report the design, synthesis, and characterization of a set of compounds that bind and inhibit ToxT, the transcription factor that directly regulates the two primary V. cholerae virulence factors. Using the folded structure of the monounsaturated fatty acid observed in the X-ray structure of ToxT as a template, we designed ten novel compounds that inhibit the virulence cascade to a greater degree than any known inhibitor. Our findings provide a structural and functional basis for the development of viable antivirulence therapeutics that combat cholera and, potentially, other forms of bacterial pathogenic disease

Spatio-temporal distribution of Spiroplasma infections in the tsetse fly (Glossina fuscipes fuscipes) in northern Uganda

Copyright: © 2019 Schneider et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Tsetse flies (Glossina spp.) are vectors of parasitic trypanosomes, which cause human (HAT) and animal African trypanosomiasis (AAT) in sub-Saharan Africa. In Uganda, Glossina fuscipes fuscipes (Gff) is the main vector of HAT, where it transmits Gambiense disease in the northwest and Rhodesiense disease in central, southeast and western regions. Endosymbionts can influence transmission efficiency of parasites through their insect vectors via conferring a protective effect against the parasite. It is known that the bacterium Spiroplasma is capable of protecting its Drosophila host from infection with a parasitic nematode. This endosymbiont can also impact its host\u27s population structure via altering host reproductive traits. Here, we used field collections across 26 different Gff sampling sites in northern and western Uganda to investigate the association of Spiroplasma with geographic origin, seasonal conditions, Gff genetic background and sex, and trypanosome infection status. We also investigated the influence of Spiroplasma on Gff vector competence to trypanosome infections under laboratory conditions. Generalized linear models (GLM) showed that Spiroplasma probability was correlated with the geographic origin of Gff host and with the season of collection, with higher prevalence found in flies within the Albert Nile (0.42 vs 0.16) and Achwa River (0.36 vs 0.08) watersheds and with higher prevalence detected in flies collected in the intermediate than wet season. In contrast, there was no significant correlation of Spiroplasma prevalence with Gff host genetic background or sex once geographic origin was accounted for in generalized linear models. Additionally, we found a potential negative correlation of Spiroplasma with trypanosome infection, with only 2% of Spiroplasma infected flies harboring trypanosome co-infections. We also found that in a laboratory line of Gff, parasitic trypanosomes are less likely to colonize the midgut in individuals that harbor Spiroplasma infection. These results indicate that Spiroplasma infections in tsetse may be maintained by not only maternal but also via horizontal transmission routes, and Spiroplasma infections may also have important effects on trypanosome transmission efficiency of the host tsetse. Potential functional effects of Spiroplasma infection in Gff could have impacts on vector control approaches to reduce trypanosome infections

Preliminary Ground-Based Observation for the Soil Moisture Measurement Validation of ADEOS II-AMSR/AMSR-E

研究概要:AMSR-E(2002年3月打ち上げ予定)とAMSR (2002年11月打ち上げ予定)の土壌水分測定アルゴリズムの検証のために、モンゴル高原で地上検証用試験地の設定と検証のための準備観測(モニタリングと集中土壌水分・植物水分移動観測)を行った。試験地内の降雨分布および土壌水分と植物水分の分布には地域的な差異があることが分かると共に変化幅も検証に値するものであることが分かった