SYSTEMS APPROACH TO SUCCESSFUL CO-OPERATIVE ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT IN KENYA

This is a desk researched paper which starts with an introduction to systems approach by incorporating the understanding to the approach. The paper proposes an expert system approach that incorporates Quality Function Deployment (QFD) methodology for the identification of the strategic components of a Co-operative Society for a Product Data Management (PDM) system. An understanding of the systems approach is elaborated according to the phases which a system is expected to go through. The current systems approach to successful Co-operative enterprises in Kenya is explained. This has been done by noting three major components, namely; formation of the co-operative enterprise detailing what it takes for such enterprises to be formed, the management of the co-operative enterprises indicating the three major organs in the management( members, officials and staff), and the government with its two major roles, that is the promotion and the legal functions. The paper has proposed a conceptual framework for the successful co-operative enterprise development in Kenya. Further, the paper has elaborated on the various factors which should be considered for successful co-operative enterprises in Kenya. In the last chapter of this paper, there are some suggestions for the various factors that should be taken into account if the proposed model is to be implemented

Ethical Leadership and Organizational Culture: Literature Perspective

Journal ArticleEthical leadership begins at the top with the chief executives championing every ethical activity for then followers to emulate them and respect the ethical behaviour within an organization. Ethical leadership has been found to be positively and significantly associated with transformational leadership and transformational culture of the organization. This comes in the background of unethical and financial scandals and leadership failures of nations in recent history. Organizational culture in this study refers to the underlying assumptions, beliefs, values, attitudes and expectations shared by an organization’s members, including unwritten codes of conduct and behaviour. The study examines ethical leadership in relationship to organizational culture. A detailed review of extant literature is undertaken relevant to ethical leadership and organizational culture. Underpinning theories aligned to the study topic are examined and a conceptual model described. The study culminates with suggestions on the benefits of ethical leadership

Organizational Culture, Climate Development and Transformation

A journal article by Dr. Ouma Caren Akomo Assistant Professor of Management Chandaria School of Business Faculty USIU-A.This paper is a desk review of organizational culture, climate development and transformation in regard to; how organizations adapt to external environments and are able to manage internal integration, to decipher culture for insiders and report culture to outsiders and managers’ role in culture change. The paper examines the types of culture in any organization and evaluates how organizations can adapt to various types of culture. It is emphasized that the role of managers in culture change is very critical for the success of an organization. In conclusion, it is noted in this paper that, managers must be prepared for culture change and manage various environmental factors which may be directly or indirectly affecting culture change

Problems Facing Agribusiness Farmers in Kenya: A Case Study of Middle Level Dairy Farmers Who Deliver Milk to Githunguri Dairy Sacco Ltd

A paper presented at the East African Multidisciplinary Annual Research Conference by Dr. Ouma Caren Akomo Assistant Professor of Management Chandaria School of Business Faculty USIU-A.The general objective of this study was to establish problems that face dairy farming sector in Kenya. The study was guided by the following specific objectives; to examine how limited access to credit has affected dairy farmers in Kenya, to examine how inadequate farmer training has hindering efficient production of dairy products in Kenya and to analyse how weak lobby and advocacy has affecting dairy farming in Kenya. The study adopted a survey design in order to obtain the necessary data, with a focus on middle level dairy farmers who deliver milk to Githunguri dairy SACCO which is located in Kiambu County. A simple random technique was employed to collect the data. This is the process by which the sample is selected randomly. The study worked with the sample population of 100 middle level dairy farmers who deliver milk to Githunguri dairy SACCO in Kiambu County as well as staff of Githunguri Dairy SACCO. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics to determine frequency distribution for a demographic profile of participants. The demographic data was tabulated using frequency and percentages. The study also employed regression results used to make conclusions. The data was presented in the form of tables, charts and figures according to the research questions by the help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPPS) software. The findings on how limited access to credit has affected dairy farmers in Kenya revealed that majority of the farmers rely heavily on traditional informal financial system. Similarly transaction costs have been particularly high for smallholder farmers because of poor communication as well as transportation facilities. Additionally lacks of working capital, as well as the ability to invest in productivity enhancing inputs are a challenge to dairy farmers in Kenya. In the same regard, it was revealed that access to long term loans, high costs of production are major obstacles to farmers in Kenya. The findings on how inadequate farmer training has hindering efficient production of dairy products in Kenya revealed that the lacks of adequate extension services, limited access to training, inadequate information necessary for optimal enterprise selection, and lack of training in artificial insemination technology, are challenges to dairy farmers in Kenya. The study findings on how weak lobby and advocacy has affecting dairy farming in Kenya revealed that majority of the existing dairy policies pre-date independence and are therefore likely to be discriminative, given the standards biased towards the formal sector. Similarly implementation of legislation and regulations are generally poor. Additionally most dairy farmers in Kenya lack adequate information necessary for optimal enterprise selection for them to take advantage of prevailing market demand. In the same regard majority of the respondents agreed that SDP has brought about changes in poverty amongst participants in the Kenyan smallholder dairy sector. In light of the findings the study therefore recommends that, the government needs to facilitate easy access to credit by farmers. This can be achieved through issuance of loans to dairy farmers to boost their activities. The study also recommends that financial agencies especially so, banks should increase the quantum of loan amount to enable the farmers to purchase quality and high yielding milk animals. Additionally price of milk should be fixed based on the cost of milk production, so as to provide remunerative price for milk and encourage the intensive dairy activities in the rural area. Finally the study recommends that the government needs to set up structures in place to enable farmers have an already market for their dairy products in order to enable them get meaningful returns from their produce and thus boost their financial positions, which in the end will enhance their productivity. Additionally training programs should be formulated by considering some important aspects like duration, time (season), place, month and interval of training as per the responses recorded by the farmers. Training fees should be minimum and affordable by the rural dairy farmers, if at all charged. Finally even the government, co-operative or private institutes should organize training program before distribution of loans and provide guidance to rural dairy farmers through guidance centre or counseling centers through an extension agency

Analysis on Pastoralists Financial Products and Models in Kenya

Journal ArticleThe purpose of this paper is to evaluate the financial products that are available to the pastoralists and the models being used by the financial service providers to extend the financial products to the pastoralists. The motivation of this critical review is based on the fact that pastoralists are found to be unattractive for the financial institutions to extend financial products to them. The author’s own critical evaluation on financial products which can be extended to the pastoralists and current financial models used to extend such financial products to the pastoralists in Kenya are captured in this research. The research is based on the author’s own critical thinking and vast previous interactions with the financial service providers, various stakeholders and the beneficiaries (pastoralists). The paper starts with the definition of financial products which the pastoralists can enjoy. Types of financial services which pastoralists can benefit from are explained in this document from both the supply and demand side of the value chain (livestock and livestock products along the value chain). Models used in providing such financial products are postulated. The models can be used as theories by other researchers in the financial products provision field. In addition, the actual financial products provided and gaps are contained in this paper, and how the gaps can be filled up.Challenges/gaps and some enabling policies are captured in this paper

Marketing of Agricultural Produce

A book by Dr. Ouma Caren Akomo Assistant Professor of Management Chandaria School of Business Faculty USIU-A.It is my pleasure to have written this book which I believe will be useful to all the trainers and trainees tackling marketing in general and specifically marketing of agricultural produce. This book has nine chapters depicting a conceptual framework from unknown to known concepts in marketing. The chapters are sequentially arranged such that a chapter covered leads to the beginning of the next chapter. The content is has questions and answers. In order to bring out practical aspects of marketing, this book has incorporated short case studies about real life issues. Reflections and additional reading books are suggested