Film Productivity and Matching Frictions in the Labor Markets: Is This Unending Curse to Employers?

Firm productivity behavior is heavily influenced by labor market frictions in both emerging and established countries. Kenya keeps pushing for more effective measures to raise productivity, but the significance of friction in the labor market remains unclear. This study uses cross-sectional data from the Skills Toward Employment Productivity (STEP) Household Survey 2016–2017 for Kenya, sourced from the World Bank database, to examine the impact of market friction on firm productivity. Market friction is defined in terms of overeducation, undereducation, education, and skills mismatch. The findings, which were derived from an estimate of the endogenous switching regression (ESR) using the Full specification of the Maximum Likelihood model, demonstrated that undereducation and skills mismatch considerably lower firm production, whereas the effect of overeducation was negligible. In addition, the marginal treatment effect that is crucial for policymaking revealed that overeducation was substantially linked to higher levels of firm productivity, whereas the education and skills mismatch was linked to lower levels of firm productivity. Implications for policy highlight the need of matching graduates with jobs that are well-suited to their degree and experience levels

Firm Productivity and Matching Frictions in th Labor Markets: Is This an Unending Curse to Employers?

The productivity behavior of firms is significantly influenced by labor market frictions in both emerging and established economies. Kenya persistently advocates for enhanced strategies to bolster productivity. The precise impact of labor market friction remains ambiguous. This paper focuses on assessing the influence of qualification and skills mismatch on firm productivity within the context of Kenya. The study utilized secondary crosssectional data obtained from the World Bank database, specifically from the 2016-2017 Skills Toward Employment Productivity (STEP) Household Survey conducted in Kenya. The full specification of the maximum likelihood model under the endogenous switching regression (ESR) was estimated. The results of the study indicate that insufficient education and a mismatch between skills and job requirements have a significantly negative impact on firm productivity. The impact of excessive education on firm production was found to be minimal. The essential finding regarding the marginal treatment effect, which holds significant implications for policymaking, indicates a strong positive association between over-education and firm productivity. A negative association is observed between education and skills mismatch and firm productivity. The policy implications underscore the necessity of aligning graduates with employment opportunities that correspond to their educational background and level of expertise

Film Productivity and Matching Frictions in the Labor Markets: Is This Unending Curse to Employers?

Firm productivity behavior is heavily influenced by labor market frictions in both emerging and established countries. Kenya keeps pushing for more effective measures to raise productivity, but the significance of friction in the labor market remains unclear. This study uses cross-sectional data from the Skills Toward Employment Productivity (STEP) Household Survey 2016–2017 for Kenya, sourced from the World Bank database, to examine the impact of market friction on firm productivity. Market friction is defined in terms of overeducation, undereducation, education, and skills mismatch. The findings, which were derived from an estimate of the endogenous switching regression (ESR) using the Full specification of the Maximum Likelihood model, demonstrated that undereducation and skills mismatch considerably lower firm production, whereas the effect of overeducation was negligible. In addition, the marginal treatment effect that is crucial for policymaking revealed that overeducation was substantially linked to higher levels of firm productivity, whereas the education and skills mismatch was linked to lower levels of firm productivity. Implications for policy highlight the need of matching graduates with jobs that are well-suited to their degree and experience levels

Spacing and Genotype on Height and Diameter Growth of Four Eucalyptus under Short Rotation

In this paper, the dynamic change in tree height, diameter at breast height (dbh), and ground line diameter (gld) at different density was studied. Trial sites were established in Chepkoilel and Nangili areas of western Kenya.  Eight tree species (2 hybrid eucalyptus clones; GC 10 and GC 167), 1 eucalyptus local landrace, 2 agroforestry (Grevillea robusta and Markhamia lutea), 1 pure eucalyptus (Eucalyptus grandis), and 2 preferred local species (Maesopsis eminii and Khaya nyasica) were planted on each site. This paper however focuses on the effect of spacing  on the height, dbh, and  gld growth of the 4 eucalyptus genotypes viz (2 eucalyptus hybrid clones, 1 eucalyptus local landrace, and 1 pure Eucalyptus grandis). These were planted at 10 different spacings (0.6-, 0.8-, 1.0-, 1.2-, 1.4-, 1.6-, 1.8-, 2.0-, 2.2-, and 2.4-by-1.0 m; these being some of the most common spacings used by farmers) in a Nelder radial experimental design in 4 replications. Measurements of height, dbh, and gld were taken at intervals of 6 months over 3 years. The data was subjected to an analysis of variance to determine if there were statistically significant (p = 0.05) differences in tree growth with spacing levels.  The results showed that tree growth  was significantly  influenced  by spacing  and genotype  with  the  best  spacing being  2.4-by-1.0 m, indicated that the relative growth rates of height dbh, gld, and increased with increasing the distance between trees but decreased with age. After 3 years the best spacing for optimal overall tree growth was 2.4-by-1.0 m and GC10 being the outstanding genotype. Of the 2 sites, trees performed better in Nangili. The results from this study further pinpoint the importance of species-site-matching using improved germplasm and planting trees at the correct spacing for optimal growth

Effects of free formaldehyde emission reduction by ammonia fuming on physical and strength properties of particleboards made from formaldehyde based resins

Particleboards made using formaldehyde adhesives cause substantial emission of free formaldehyde over time. Free formaldehyde is harmful to the user’s health and it also weakens internal bonds of particleboards in use. Emissions levels of formaldehyde lie between 0.8 to 2.2 g/m3 of indoor air in particleboards constructed homes. This study was carried out to quantify the amount of free pormaldehyde in particleboards from Raiply Ltd in Eldoret, suggest possible ways to reduce the emissions and determine the effect of the treatment on physical and mechanical  properties of the particleboards. Five samples were selected randomly and, different sections of the boards were prepared and soaked in distilled water for different times. Samples fumed with ammonia at different  durations from 15 to 60 minutes were subsequently soaked for 1 to 24 hours to determine water absorption. High Pressure Gas Chromatography (HPGC) was used to quantify free formaldehyde present in each leachate. Ammonia treated and untreated samples were tested for both physical andmechanical properties at the Kenya Bureau of Standards. The study revealed that fuming particleboards with ammonia reduces the amount of free formaldehydes, on average, by 100%. Ammonia fuming reduces particleboards thickness swelling by between 14.01 and 11.5% and waterabsorption by between 95.6 and 90.5%. the fuming increased MOE of particleboards from 2689.9 to 3405.3 kN/mm and MOR from 10.3 N/mm to 9.3 N/mm. Ammonia fuming should therefore be used to reduce free formaldehyde emission indoor. It’s recommended that further studies becarried out to determine long-term effect of ammonia fumes on particleboards.Key words: Particleboards, ammonia fuming, formaldehyde adhesives and emissio

Academic Entrepreneurial Intentions and the Creation of University Spin-Off Firms: Critical Review

This paper examines the extent to which academic entrepreneurial intentions influences the creation of University Spin-offs firms from various significant viewpoints. Commercialization and technology transfer of innovations from universities and other research institutions is progressively considered by scholars and policymakers as the key ingredient in the developing and sustaining regional economic growth. It is always argued that; for effective conversion of research findings into new business venture, a close collaboration of the government –university – industry must be active, the connection of individual academic and prevailing university environment forms the requisite solid foundation of academic entrepreneurship. This is resolutely determined by the entrepreneurial intentions of the researcher towards commercializing the final findings to meet a crucial market need on one hand or through a creation of a spin-off firm on the other hand. Finally, this article develops a conceptual framework that explains the relationship between academic entrepreneurial intentions, university context and creation of university spin-offs firms

Five Year Growth and Survival of Eucalyptus Hybrid Clones in Coastal Kenya

Twelve eucalyptus hybrid clones (6 grandis-camaldulensis i.e. GC and 3 grandis-urophylla i.e. GU hybrids) and 3 local landraces (E. camaldulensis, E. tereticornis, and E. urophylla) were established in Gede, Sokoke, and Msambweni in the Coast Province of Kenya in 2002, to compare growth, survival, and adaptability in the 3 sites.  By the end of the 1st year, trees in Sokoke were more than 3 times the mean height of those in Gede and Msambweni. However, these growth advantages during the 1st year in Sokoke were not maintained and by year 2 Gede had caught up, although Msambweni still lagged behind. By age 5 there were significant growth differences between clones. Of the tree sites, Msambweni had the lowest tree growth.  GC167, GC14, GC581, and GC584 proved themselves as the better clones, while E. camaldulensis and E. urophylla were the better local land races. Overall, the “local land races” performed poorly in all sites.  Survivals were over 80% in all sites for the best performing clones. However, in Sokoke, 1 clone died (GU7) while another (GU8) had a survival of less than 20%, while EC and ET had survivals less than 35%. GC796 died in Msambweni and had 8% survival at Gede. The poor survivals in Sokoke may have been due to a severe drought in the 3rd year.  The initial outstanding growth performance in Sokoke may have been due to the fact that Sokoke was a ‘virgin’ forest site and presumably more fertile than the other two sites. These results show that recommendations on outstanding clones or new germplasm for planting or sale to farmers are best done at the end of the rotation for a particular intended product or use

Effect of Charcoal Earth Kilns Construction and Firing on Soil Chemical Characteristics

Assessments of localized ecological and environmental impacts of charcoal production including effects on soils at kiln sites is seldom undertaken, with more emphasis being placed on the global effects of the practice such as forest degradation and deforestation. A study was undertaken in Narok, Eldoret, Moiben, and Turbo in Kenya on known charcoaling sites to investigate the impact of charcoal production on the soil chemical characteristics. Composite soil samples from 12 sampling points for all study sites were taken randomly at a depth of 0–15 cm. The samples were conditioned and analyzed for pH, particle size, Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), extractable phosphorus, organic carbon, nitrogen, and exchangeable bases. A comparison of the soil properties between undisturbed sites and charcoaling sites showed significant differences for all chemical properties except CEC, Mg, and K. For the Moiben site, only the pH showed no significant difference (p < 0.05).  The observed high carbon content reduced with time for the one year following charcoaling activity and was attributed to soil erosion since charcoal production activities reduced the sites vegetation cover. Most chemical changes positively enhanced the nutrients content and availability, but were short lived probably due to soil erosion.  These results demonstrate the need to adopt technologies with minimum impact on the soil, or a shift to centralized production sites outside forest ecosystems or farmlands.

Spacing and Genotype on Height and Diameter Growth of Four Eucalyptus under Short Rotation

In this paper, the dynamic change in tree height, diameter at breast height (dbh), and ground line diameter (gld) at different density was studied. Trial sites were established in Chepkoilel and Nangili areas of western Kenya.  Eight tree species (2 hybrid eucalyptus clones; GC 10 and GC 167), 1 eucalyptus local landrace, 2 agroforestry (Grevillea robusta and Markhamia lutea), 1 pure eucalyptus (Eucalyptus grandis), and 2 preferred local species (Maesopsis eminii and Khaya nyasica) were planted on each site. This paper however focuses on the effect of spacing  on the height, dbh, and  gld growth of the 4 eucalyptus genotypes viz (2 eucalyptus hybrid clones, 1 eucalyptus local landrace, and 1 pure Eucalyptus grandis). These were planted at 10 different spacings (0.6-, 0.8-, 1.0-, 1.2-, 1.4-, 1.6-, 1.8-, 2.0-, 2.2-, and 2.4-by-1.0 m; these being some of the most common spacings used by farmers) in a Nelder radial experimental design in 4 replications. Measurements of height, dbh, and gld were taken at intervals of 6 months over 3 years. The data was subjected to an analysis of variance to determine if there were statistically significant (p = 0.05) differences in tree growth with spacing levels.  The results showed that tree growth  was significantly  influenced  by spacing  and genotype  with  the  best  spacing being  2.4-by-1.0 m, indicated that the relative growth rates of height dbh, gld, and increased with increasing the distance between trees but decreased with age. After 3 years the best spacing for optimal overall tree growth was 2.4-by-1.0 m and GC10 being the outstanding genotype. Of the 2 sites, trees performed better in Nangili. The results from this study further pinpoint the importance of species-site-matching using improved germplasm and planting trees at the correct spacing for optimal growth

Five Year Growth and Survival of Eucalyptus Hybrid Clones in Coastal Kenya

Twelve eucalyptus hybrid clones (6 grandis-camaldulensis i.e. GC and 3 grandis-urophylla i.e. GU hybrids) and 3 local landraces (E. camaldulensis, E. tereticornis, and E. urophylla) were established in Gede, Sokoke, and Msambweni in the Coast Province of Kenya in 2002, to compare growth, survival, and adaptability in the 3 sites.  By the end of the 1st year, trees in Sokoke were more than 3 times the mean height of those in Gede and Msambweni. However, these growth advantages during the 1st year in Sokoke were not maintained and by year 2 Gede had caught up, although Msambweni still lagged behind. By age 5 there were significant growth differences between clones. Of the tree sites, Msambweni had the lowest tree growth.  GC167, GC14, GC581, and GC584 proved themselves as the better clones, while E. camaldulensis and E. urophylla were the better local land races. Overall, the “local land races” performed poorly in all sites.  Survivals were over 80% in all sites for the best performing clones. However, in Sokoke, 1 clone died (GU7) while another (GU8) had a survival of less than 20%, while EC and ET had survivals less than 35%. GC796 died in Msambweni and had 8% survival at Gede. The poor survivals in Sokoke may have been due to a severe drought in the 3rd year.  The initial outstanding growth performance in Sokoke may have been due to the fact that Sokoke was a ‘virgin’ forest site and presumably more fertile than the other two sites. These results show that recommendations on outstanding clones or new germplasm for planting or sale to farmers are best done at the end of the rotation for a particular intended product or use