The Influence of Structural Social Capital on Performance of Social Enterprises in Nairobi City County, Kenya

Social capital is becoming an increasingly subtle part of achieving social economic goals especially in grassroots of a developing country. Kenya is in an infantile state of appreciating social capital as a panacea for economic growth albeit the developing economic status of the country. The study focused on examining the influence of structural social capital on the performance of social enterprises in Nairobi city county, Kenya. Mixed methodology was applied in the study that also adopted a descriptive cross sectional survey design.  The target population was 300 composed of registered social enterprises in Nairobi County. 107 social enterprises were selected through simple random sampling. Self administered, semi- structured questionnaire was administered. The reliability of the research tool was established through a pilot test retest procedure, whose cronbanch alpha was established to be above 0.7. Descriptive and inferential statistics methods were adopted for data analysis. Hypothesis was tested using ANOVA. To test for statistical significance of the relationship of the variables Pearson’s moment correlation and chi-square were used. The regression analysis for structural social capital on performance yielded regression coefficient of 0.262, p=0.049<0.05. This implies that the Structural Social Capital have positive influence on Performance of Social Enterprise that is statistically significant at 5%. H0= Structural social capital does not influence social enterprise performance was rejected. Keywords: Structural social capital, Social enterprise, Performance, Social transactions, Embeddedness DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/11-7-11 Publication date:March 31st 201

Relationship Between Advertising and Performance of Micro and Small Architectural Glass Companies in Nairobi County, Kenya

This study was on the relationship between advertising and performance of micro and small enterprises architectural glass companies in Nairobi County, Kenya. The study was anchored on three theories: Attention, Interest, Desire, and Action (AIDA) theory, relationship marketing theory, and the push theory. The study adopted a correlational research design and sampled 124 employees working in Micro and Small Enterprises (SMEs) in nine architectural glass manufacturing firms. Questionnaires and interview schedules were used to collect primary data. The study found out that all aspects of advertising influenced performance of Micro and Small Enterprises architectural glass companies. The study concluded that there was a strong and positive correlation between advertising and the performance of micro and small architectural glass companies. Therefore, the study recommended that micro and small architectural glass companies in Nairobi County should continually embrace advertising because it promoted performance and growth of revenue in the firms. Keywords: advertising, performance, micro and small enterprises, architectural glass companies DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/12-27-09 Publication date:September 30th 202

Value Innovation Strategy and the Performance of Roofing Sheet Manufacturers in Kenya

The production and uptake of locally manufactured roofing sheets have been on a steady downward trajectory over the last ten years, leading to a significant decline in revenue and employment in the sector. Kenya’s roofing sheet production fell more than 8 percent in 2019 following a decline that started with weakening demand in 2010. Value innovation strategy prescribes a path to positively sustaining performance by shifting firms from cut-throat market competition (the red ocean) to a wide-open new uncontested market space (the blue ocean). It argues that operating in "cutthroat and saturated markets" results in a "red ocean of rivals fighting over a shrinking profit pool." The main purpose of this study was to establish the effect of value innovation strategy on the performance of roofing sheet manufacturers in Kenya. The study adopted a mixed research method and employed a descriptive research design. The target population consisted of 241 employees drawn from all the fifteen (15) roofing sheet manufacturers in Kenya registered with the Kenya Association of Manufactures (KAM), from whom a sample size of one hundred and twenty-seven (127) employees was selected using the Krejcie and Morgan table formula. The findings of this study have illuminated a statistically significant positive effect of value innovation on firm performance, as evidenced by R-squared values of 0.687 (68.7%), with p-value of 0.00, way below the significance threshold of 0.05. The statistics imply that 68.7% of the variance in the performance of roofing sheet manufacturers can be attributed to the adoption of the value innovation strategy. Consequently, the study recommends that roofing sheet manufacturers must prioritize the adoption of need-based value innovation to ensure sustainable performance. Keywords: Value innovation, firm performance, and blue ocean DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/16-2-09 Publication date:March 31st 202

Types of Cyberbullying Experienced on Facebook by Undergraduate Students in Kenyan Universities

Cyberbullying is a form of bullying meted out online using digital devices and platforms. This study investigated the types of cyberbullying undergraduate students in Kenyan universities experience. Specifically, it sought to determine the students' presence on Facebook, establish how the students used Facebook, identify the types of cyberbullying they experienced, and recommend strategies of mitigating cyberbullying as a means of making Facebook safer for undergraduate students in Kenya. The study was conducted using mixed research methods. Data was collected from 4770 undergraduate students and 24 deans of students in 16 public and 8 private chartered universities in Kenya. Quantitative data was collected from the students' using questionnaires while qualitative data was collected from students using focus group discussions and deans of students using key informant interviews. Quantitative data was analysed statistically using STATA while qualitative data was analysed thematically using ATLAS.ti. The findings of the study confirm the popularity of Facebook among undergraduate students in Kenya. Students use the platform mainly for dating, business, academics and politics. The main types of cyberbullying experienced by the students on Facebook include shaming, impersonation, blackmail, exposure and cyberstalking. In dealing with cyberbullying, university authorities should create awareness about the vice among their students; the affected students should be counselled to overcome the effects of cyberbullying; and students should be advised to be vigilant in cyberspace. The findings of this study may be applied by universities to develop a students' support service model that makes it easy to detect and mitigate cyberbullying

Factors Influencing the Occurrence of Cyberbullying on Facebook among Undergraduate Students in Kenyan Universities

This study investigated on factors influencing the occurrence of cyberbullying on Facebook among undergraduate students in Kenyan Universities. The study employed the mixed methods. Data was collected from 3,020 undergraduate students and 24 deans of students from 16 public and 8 private chartered universities in Kenya. A questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data from students while qualitative data was collected through focus group discussions with the students and key informant interviews with the deans of students. Qualitative data was analysed thematically using ATLAS.ti while quantitative data was analysed statistically using STATA. The findings revealed that most undergraduate students in Kenyan universities experienced cyberbullying on Facebook. Factors which influenced the prevalence include number of friends and interactions on Facebook as well as selected demographic attributes. The study recommends that students should be made aware of the prevalence of cyberbullying through a comprehensive sensitisation programme in universities. Users of Facebook should be cautious about their interactions online by limiting friendships with strangers. Finally, students should use security settings to block or report bullying offences

Examining colorectal cancer screening uptake and health provider recommendations among underserved middle aged and older African Americans

Background: The purpose of this study is to determine whether underserved middle-aged and older African Americans are receiving a colorectal cancer (CRC) screening test (sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy) and if recommended by their provider. Additionally, we examined correlates of both provider recommendation and uptake of CRC screening. Methods: Seven hundred forty African American individuals, aged 55 and older, participated in this local community cross-sectional survey. We used a multivariate technique of logistic regression. Results: One out of three participants reported that they never received a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy for CRC screening. More than 31% indicted that their providers never suggested CRC testing. However, participants who indicated that their providers recommended sigmoidoscopy/colonoscopy were almost 49 times (odds ratio [OR]: 48.9, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 29.5–81.2) more likely to obtain it compared to their counterparts who were not advised to have these procedures. Our data suggest that African American men were significantly less likely than women to receive recommendations from their providers (OR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.50-0.91). Furthermore, controlling for other variables, the following factors: 1) living arrangement (OR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.02–2.04), 2) health maintenance organization (HMO) membership (OR: 1.84, 95% CI: 1.28–2.67), 3) number of providers (OR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.01–1.32), 4) satisfaction with access to and quality of care (OR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.03–1.51), 5) depressive symptoms (OR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.86–0.98), and 6) gastrointestinal conditions (OR: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.16–2.58) were associated with obtaining a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy test. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the absence of a provider recommendation is the primary barrier preventing underserved older African Americans from obtaining CRC screening. In addition, our data revealed significant association between obtaining CRC screening and some of the predisposing characteristics of participants, satisfaction with access to and quality of care, and physical and mental health. These findings are consistent with this notion that disparities in health care for African Americans can be traced back to four primary factors: patients, healthcare providers, the healthcare system, and society as a whole, and emphasize the need for establishing theory-driven, culturally-sensitive, and cost-effective CRC screening interventions that recognize and address the constraints to cancer screening experienced by this segment of population

Customer Acquisition Strategy and the Performance of Roofing Sheet Manufacturers in Kenya

Over the past decade, there has been a consistent and concerning decline in the production and consumption of locally manufactured roofing sheets, resulting in a substantial reduction in both revenue and employment within the industry. Notably, Kenya's roofing sheet production experienced a decline exceeding 8 percent in 2019, marking the culmination of a downward trend that was initiated by a weakened demand in 2010. This protracted slump has raised critical questions about the sustainability and competitiveness of the domestic roofing sheet manufacturing sector. Customer acquisition strategy prescribes a path to positively sustaining performance by shifting firms from cut-throat market competition (the red ocean) to a wide-open new uncontested market space (the blue ocean). It argues that operating in "cutthroat and saturated markets" results in a "red ocean of rivals fighting over a shrinking profit pool." The main purpose of this study was to establish the effect of customer acquisition strategy on the performance of roofing sheet manufacturers in Kenya. The study adopted a mixed research method and employed a descriptive research design. The target population consisted of 241 employees drawn from all the fifteen (15) roofing sheet manufacturers in Kenya registered with the Kenya Association of Manufactures (KAM), from whom a sample size of one hundred and twenty-seven (127) employees was selected using the Krejcie and Morgan table formula. The findings of this study have illuminated a statistically significant positive effect of customer acquisition on firm performance, as evidenced by R-squared values of 0.623 (62.3%), with p-value of 0.00, way below the significance threshold of 0.05. The statistics imply that 62.3% of the variance in the performance of roofing sheet manufacturers can be attributed to the adoption of the customer acquisition strategy. Consequently, the study recommends that roofing sheet manufacturers must prioritize the adoption of need-based customer acquisition to ensure sustainable performance. Keywords: Customer acquisition, firm performance, and blue ocean DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/16-2-08 Publication date:March 31st 202

Dietary quality, food security and glycemic control among adults with diabetes

Background and aimsNutritionally adequate diets can slow the progression of diabetes, but adherence to recommended dietary choices can be hindered by food insecurity. We examined the relationship between dietary quality, food insecurity, and glycemic control among adults with Type 2 Diabetes.MethodsWe analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2011-2016) for 1682 adults =>20 years old with Type 2 diabetes. Glycemic control was measured by HbA1c. Dietary quality was computed using the Healthy Eating Index 2015 score. Food security was assessed by a questionnaire. We analyzed the data using multinomial regression models.ResultsAbout 16% of the population had an HbA1c ≥ 9; 31.8% had food insecurity; 68.3% consumed a poor quality diet. About 24% consumed a poor quality diet and had food insecurity. In the multinomial model, an HbA1c of 8-<9% was associated with poor diet quality (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 5.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.4-19.2, p = 0.01) and food insecurity (AOR = 8.5, 95% CI = 1.4-52.0, p = 0.02). Those with both factors had higher odds of both an HbA1c 8-<9% (AOR = 6.1, 95% CI = 1.5-24.8, p = 0.01) and HbA1c ≥ 9% (AOR = 6.7, 95% CI = 2.0-22.2, p < 0.01). Other risk factors for poor glycemic control were being Black or Hispanic, having no regular source of care, and ever having visited a diabetes specialist (p < 0.05).ConclusionsPoor glycemic control among adults with diabetes was associated with poor quality of diet and/or food insecurity, being Black, Hispanic, and lacking a regular source of care. There is a need for policies that improve access to healthy food in patients with type 2 diabetes, particularly among minority populations

Impact of food insecurity and food environment on the diet quality of older African Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic

IntroductionA high quality diet is vital in promoting wellbeing and ensuring good health, particularly for those living with chronic conditions. Older African Americans, already burdened with a higher prevalence of chronic conditions, also face a higher risk for suboptimal diets. The COVID-19 pandemic had lasting effects on access to healthy food for all Americans, but some demographic groups were disproportionately affected. Older African Americans, who already experienced reduced access to healthy food pre-pandemic, were particularly afflicted, but the full extent of the pandemic's impact on their food insecurity and food environment remains unclear.MethodsTo address this gap, we conducted a study among 102 older African Americans in South Los Angeles between October 2021 and July 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants completed surveys on dietary intake, food insecurity, and neighborhood food environment. We measured dietary quality using the healthy eating index (HEI)-2015. The analysis included descriptive, bivariate chi-square, t-tests, analysis of variance, and multiple linear and logistic regression.ResultsWhile overall dietary quality was suboptimal, most participants met the guidelines for fruit and vegetable consumption. Food insecurity was associated with lower overall diet quality and lower total fruit and whole fruit intake. However, there was no association between food environment and diet quality.DiscussionIn light of our findings, further intervention is critical to improving diet quality, especially among older African Americans living with chronic conditions in the post-pandemic era