DBA Africa Management Review is a quarterly publication of the University of Nairobi, Faculty of Business and Management Science, Nairobi, Kenya. It is a business and management journal in the following thematic areas;- . Strategic Management · Human resource Management · Insurance and risk management · Marketing Management · International Business · Entrepreneurship, Innovations and Small Business Management · Supply Chain Management · Financial Management · Production and Operations Management · Public Management · Project Planning and Management
A publication by the Department of Business Administration,Faculty of Business and Management Sciences
Digitalization and Supply Chains of Dairy Farms in Kiambu County, Kenya
Digitalization is fundamentally transforming business operations and redefining how value is created across supply chains. In the dairy industry, this adoption of technology has enhanced the efficiency, visibility, and responsiveness of supply chain functions. This study investigated the effect of digitalization on the performance of supply chains among dairy firms in Kiambu County, Kenya. The study employed the Dynamic Capability Theory, Technology Acceptance Model, and Network Perspective Theory, and adopted a census approach targeting all 17 dairy firms registered with the Kenya Dairy Board in the region. Primary data was gathered using structured questionnaires, and appropriate diagnostic tests were conducted to validate the data. The study used both descriptive and inferential statistical methods to analyze the relationships between the digitalization practices and supply chain performance. The results indicated a statistically significant positive effect of data management, buyer/supplier collaboration, system management, and billing management practices on supply chain performance. Data management practices ranked highest in terms of impact, followed by billing management, buyer/supplier collaboration, and system management. The model yielded an R-squared value of 0.646, suggesting that 64.6% of the variance in supply chain performance was explained by the digitalization variables examined. The ANOVA test confirmed the model's overall significance (p < 0.001). The study underscores the importance of investing in modern digital infrastructure and recommends the integration of advanced technologies to enhance operational and supply chain performance. The study contributes to digital transformation literature in agri-based supply chains and offers practical insights for decision-makers in the dairy sector. Future research may explore comparative insights across different agricultural sub-sectors to generalize the findings further.
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Long Run Efects of Venture Capital and Angel Investment on Job Creation in Kenya:
Understanding persistent employment effects of entrepreneurial financing in emerging economies remains a central concern in entrepreneurship and development finance research. Prior evidence majorly treats finance as static and overlooks variation in employment outcomes across firms and over time. This study examines long term effects of venture capital and angel investment on job creation in Kenya while assessing the moderating role of executives’ financial backgrounds. The analysis covers firms receiving external financing between 2015 and 2023 and uses unbalanced panel data with 33,190 observations. Diagnostic tests confirmed stationarity, low multicollinearity, and model adequacy. Fixed effects estimation controlled for unobserved firm heterogeneity, while System Generalized Method of Moments addressed endogeneity and employment persistence. Results show that both venture capital and angel investment significantly increase employment, though effects differ in magnitude. Controlling for persistence, venture capital generates stronger employment growth compared to angel investment. Executive financial background significantly strengthens these relationships. In profitable firms, venture capital generates more jobs compared to angel investment’s jobs per million Kenyan shillings. Non profitable firms benefit less, with venture capital creating more jobs than angel investment per million Kenyan shillings due to liquidity constraints alone. The results show that leadership capability is important in leveraging external funding for employment growth. Executive-level financial skills act as active enablers rather than mere controls. The study contributes to literature by linking managerial capability to the effectiveness of entrepreneurial financing.
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Strategic Innovation, Competitive Advantage and Firm Performance : A Critical Review of Literature
The key essential components of strategic innovation are creativity and ideation, market insights vision and strategy. Literature suggests that firms that encourage a culture of creativity and invention are more innovative and successful. A clear vision and strategy aligned with the overall business strategy that guides ideas and ensures adequate resource allocation is key towards strategic innovation. Considering the significant role of strategic innovation on firm performance, this conceptual study critically examined the empirical, conceptual and theoretical literature regarding the association between strategic innovation and performance of a firm. The study also scrutinized the mediating role of the competitive advantage on the relationship between strategic innovation and performance of a firm. This study finds that the empirical studies conducted so far have yielded contradictory outcomes. Some findings indicate a positive association between strategic innovation and the performance of a firm. Firms that view innovation through a systemic, ecosystem-based lens where partnerships, digital platforms, and stakeholder networks co-create value are better positioned to sustain long-term performance. On the contrary, some studies indicate that there is no significant impact of strategic innovation on firm performance, particularly in certain industries or contexts and in highly regulated industries suggesting that strategic innovation does not always lead to measurable firm performance. The study also finds that strategic innovation leads to competitive advantage by responding to customers’ needs, which in turn affects firm performance. The study concludes that while most of the literature indicates positive association between strategic innovation and firm performance, the relationship is influenced by other factors such as industries and market conditions. Future studies should employ longitudinal designs, and mixed method approaches to validate and deepen understanding of the mechanisms through which strategic innovation drives competitive advantage and firm performance. Key words: Strategic Innovation, Competitive Advantage, Firm Performance.
Strategic Innovation, Competitive Advantage, Firm Performance.
The Influence of Big Data Analytics on Innovation Outcomes among Selected Enterprises in Nairobi County, Kenya
Organizations that effectively utilize big data can analyse consumer behavior, optimize supply chains, and predict market trends, thereby enhancing innovation performance. However, the extent to which big data analytics influences innovation outcomes varies depending on factors such as industry type, technological readiness, and organizational capabilities. Business enterprises in Nairobi County play a significant role in Kenya’s economic growth through contributions to employment, competitiveness, and innovation. Despite their potential, many of these enterprises face challenges in sustaining innovation due to limited access to finance, inadequate technological adoption, and suboptimal use of data in decision-making. The general objective of this study was to examine the influence of big data analytics on innovation outcomes among selected enterprises in Nairobi County, Kenya. A multiple case study research design was adopted, with a case selection that identied and engaged select enterprises that had implemented or were adopting big data analytics. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and document analysis. The findings revealed that big data analytics plays a transformative role in enhancing innovation among selected enterprises, resulting in faster product development, improved customer insights, and greater operational efficiency. The extent of these benefits depended on organizational readiness, including infrastructure, data talent, and strategic alignment. Leadership emerged as a critical enabler, with data-literate and visionary executives fostering adoption while promoting a culture of experimentation and agility. Finally, contextual factors such as regulatory compliance and ethical considerations were found to influence the adoption and effectiveness of big data analytics.
The Incremental Predictive Effects of Strategic Leadership, Digitalisation and External Environment on Sustainable Organisational Performance of State Corporations In Kenya
Empirical studies investigating the incremental predictive effects of strategic leadership and other contingent factors on the sustainable performance of public sector organisations in developing countries, are not only limited but at times also yield inconsistent set of findings. Consequently, this study had two objectives. First, to address some of the literature and knowledge gaps associated with the above research stream. Second, was to explore the incremental predictive influences of strategic leadership, external environmental, and digitalisation on the sustainable organisational performance, by conducting a descriptive cross sectional survey targeting 250 state owned corporations in Kenya. According to the study findings the three predictor variables have a significant incremental predictive effect on sustainable organisational performance of these entities. These finding make important contributions across three important levels. First, is to the body of knowledge through testing the predictions of the theories underpinning conceptualisation of this study. Second, the findings have policy implications. Governments in developing countries can rely on empirical evidence arising from this study to inform policies geared towards strengthening the frameworks for managing strategic leadership, digitalisation, environmental contingencies, and sustainable performance within state owned enterprises. Finally, the study contributes to management practice by providing useful insights to practitioners regarding manifestations of the four constructs and their linkages in the context of public sector organisations. Two notable limitations, was that current research relied on a descriptive cross sectional survey design and only targeted state owned enterprises. Future studies can consider using a longitudinal design to determine how the effects size compare under other different contextual settings.
Leveraging Strategic Agility as a Mediating Influence Between Research and Enterprise Toward Competitive Advantage
Africa has experienced sustained growth in academic research output; however, the translation of research into enterprise-level value creation remains limited. This study examined strategic agility conceptualized through strategic sensitivity, leadership unity, and resource fluidity as a mediating influence between research outputs and enterprise application toward competitive advantage within selected African enterprises. Anchored in Dynamic Capabilities Theory, the Resource-Based View, and the Knowledge-Based View, the study adopted a qualitative, multiple case-study design based on desk-based secondary data analysis. Evidence was drawn from three illustrative enterprises operating in different sectors: Safaricom (Kenya), Flutterwave (Nigeria), and Twiga Foods (Kenya). Data sources included company reports, industry publications, academic case studies, and verified media analyses. Thematic content analysis and cross-case pattern matching were employed to examine how strategic agility mediated the relationship between research outputs and enterprise-level competitive advantage through the commercialization of research-informed innovation. The findings revealed that strategic sensitivity enabled firms to identify research-driven market opportunities, leadership unity facilitated coherent and timely strategic decision-making, and resource fluidity supported the rapid redeployment of organizational assets to scale innovation. Collectively, these dimensions functioned as a mediating mechanism through which research-based knowledge was transformed into improved market positioning, revenue growth, scalability, and sustained competitive advantage. The study concludes that research commercialization in African contexts depends less on the volume of research produced and more on firm-level and institutional capabilities that support knowledge absorption, adaptation, and execution. It recommends that enterprises institutionalize agile leadership and flexible resource systems, universities strengthen industry-oriented commercialization pathways, and policymakers design supportive frameworks for effective research-to-market translation. The study is limited by its reliance on secondary data and a small number of cases, highlighting the need for future longitudinal and mixed-method research across broader African contexts.
Conference Programme and Book of Abstracts
This is the Conference Programme and Book of Asbtracts for the 10th DBA AMR International Conference
Strategic Agility for Innovation and Competitive Advantage of Firms
Strategic agility has become a pivotal capability enabling firms to navigate volatile, uncertain, and complex environments while achieving sustained competitive advantage. Despite its growing prominence in management literature, research on the synergy between strategic agility, innovation, and competitive advantage remains fragmented and under-theorized. This paper presents a critical and integrative review of literature, examining how strategic agility encompassing strategic sensitivity, resource fluidity, and leadership unity acts as a catalyst for organizational innovation and superior performance. By synthesizing evidence from cross-industry and cross-country studies, the review situates strategic agility within the broader landscape of competitive dynamics, exploring its role as both a proactive and adaptive strategic mechanism. Drawing on the resource-based view, knowledge-based view, diffusion of innovation theory, and Porter’s Theory of Competitive Advantage, this paper offers a multi-theoretical perspective on how firms leverage agility to sense opportunities, reconfigure resources, foster innovation, and establish unique competitive positions. The analysis identifies three key gaps: (1) limited longitudinal studies that examine how agility and innovation co-evolve to deliver competitive advantage, (2) insufficient integration of emerging enablers such as digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and big data analytics into agility frameworks, and (3) lack of standardized, multi-dimensional measures of strategic agility across industries. To address these gaps, the paper proposes a conceptual framework positioning innovation capability as a mediating mechanism, with knowledge and technological resources acting as enablers of sustainable advantage. The findings of this review not only contribute to the scholarly discourse, but also provide actionable recommendations for managers and policymakers seeking to enhance organizational resilience and market responsiveness in today’s disruptive landscape. Ultimately, this paper aspires to bridge the gap between theory and practice, by providing a foundation for holistic strategies that integrate agility, innovation, and performance excellence.
THE MODERATING EFFECT OF GOVERNANCE REFORMS ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ORGANIZATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS AND PERFORMANCE OF SEAPORTS IN ANGLOPHONE AFRICA
The objective of this study was to determine the moderating effect of governance reforms on the relationship between organizational characteristics and the performance of seaports in Anglophone Africa. This study adopted a positivist research philosophy with a descriptive cross-sectional census survey design. Structured questions in the form of questionnaires were employed to collect primary data targeting chief executive officers of seaport terminals in Anglophone Africa who are conversant with port operations and management. The targeted population of the study was 54 seaports in Anglophone Africa for which the questionnaires were administered through email. Sample questions were sent to at least one port in each of the three port regions in Anglophone Africa and the initial responses and comments made were used to refine the questionnaires before they were administered to all the 54 targeted seaports. Out of these, only 46 seaports responded, thus a response rate of 83.6%. The questionnaires conceptualized four governance reform models, private service, public service, corporatization, and landlord models to establish which ones were prevalent in Anglophone Africa. Out of the 46 respondents, 36 of them, or 78% were found to have adopted the landlord model, while 10 of them, or 22% had a public service model. There was no response on the private service model and corporatization model. Model fitness was confirmed by the use of Standardized Mean Root Square Residual (SRMR) and Normed Fit Index (NFI). Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) using Smart PLS 4.0 software was used for data analysis The findings established a positive and significant moderating effect of governance reforms on the relationship between organizational characteristics and organizational performance. The study concluded governance reforms have a positive and significant impact on the performance of seaports in Anglophone Africa. The study also finds that seaports in Anglophone Africa are increasingly identifying with the understanding of port governance reform models seen from both theoretical and empirical points of view. The study recognizes that the landlord model of port governance is already predominant amongst African seaports and concludes with the recommendation that all African seaports that are still operating as public service ports should reform and adopt the landlord model to achieve remarkable performance. Keywords: organizational characteristics, governance reforms, partial least squares structural equation modeling, landlord model. 3
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COMPETITIVE STRATEGIES AND PERFORMANCE OF ACCREDITED UNIVERSITIES IN KENYA: MODERATING ROLE OF CORPORATE REPUTATION
The objective of this study was to examine the moderating effect of corporate reputation on the relationship between competitive strategies and performance of accredited universities in Kenya.The corresponding null hypothesis stated that corporate reputation has no significant moderating effect on the relationship between competitive strategies and the performance of accredited universities in Kenya. Corporate reputation was measured using its six dimensions, namely,quality programs, quality services, quality management, quality leadership and capacity to attract and retain talented staff. The study was guided by two theories, namely, Industrial Organization (IO) and Resource based theory. The study was conducted using a cross-sectional descriptive survey design. Primary data was collected using a semi structured questionnaire which was administered to academic registrars from 53 accredited universities in Kenya. The response rate was 66.6%. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to summarize and make inference from the research findings. The moderating effect of corporate reputation was tested using step wise regression method advanced by Baron and Kenny (1986). The study concluded that corporate reputation did not moderate the relationship between competitive strategies and performance of accredited universities in Kenya. However, descriptive statistics on measures of corporate reputation had an average mean score of 3.99 which indicates that managers in accredited universities agreed to a great extent on the importance of applying corporate reputation measures. Thus, emphasis on four measures whose mean scores ranged from, 4.031 to 4.156, above the average means score was recommended, namely, quality programs or quality services, strong management and leadership, capacity to attract and retain talented staff, benchmarking academic program/services with other highly rated universities and the perception that accredited universities are reliable institutions for academic training and research. Future research could explore different functional forms or non-linear relationships between variables since corporate reputation did not have sufficient evidence to conclude a significant linear relationship between competitive strategies and performance of accredited universities. Key words: competitive strategies, corporate reputation and performance of accredited universities in Kenya
SPECIAL EDITION 9th DBA-AFRICA MANAGEMENT REVIEW INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
A quartery publication of the department of Business Administration, Falculty of Business and Management Sciences (FBMS) University of Nairobi.
STRATEGIC AGILITY AND PERFORMANCE OF ACCREDITED UNIVERSITIES IN KENYA
The purpose of this study was to empirically investigate the relationship between strategic agility and the performance of accredited universities in Kenya. To test the hypothesis, a cross-sectional dataset was gathered through a questionnaire from 78 accredited universities. Strategic agility was operationalized using four dimensions: strategic sensitivity, collective commitment, resource fluidity, and partnership. Organizational performance was assessed through five indicators: customer perspective, funding perspective, internal business processes, learning and growth, and social performance, based on prior empirical research. Data were collected using a questionnaire and analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics. The empirical findings revealed that strategic agility significantly and positively influences organizational performance, highlighting its critical role in enhancing university effectiveness. Keywords: strategic agility, organizational performance, accredited universities
PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY IN UNIVERSITIES IN KENYA
The study investigated the influence of performance management on operational efficiency in universities in Kenya which are facing more stringent accountability requirements by internal and external stakeholders, increased competition, and sharp decreases in funding over the recent past. Stakeholders, on the other hand, have higher outcome expectations. This has led to having to do more with less. One of the ways in which universities have employed to be more operationally efficient is performance management. Institutional theory anchored the study. Performance management was operationalized using Kinicki et al. (2013) performance management behavior questionnaire. The study adopted the positivist philosophy with a cross-sectional descriptive census design. A census was done on the population of 72 universities. The unit of analysis was the university. Primary data was collected through a questionnaire. The respondents for the study were the registrar administration, academic or equivalent. Operational efficiency was derived using 2016/2017-2019/2020 secondary data to employ data envelopment analysis (DEA) inputoriented Charnes Cooper Rhodes (CCR) model. Simple linear regression tested the influence of performance management on operational efficiency, confirming a positive correlation of 0.571. Performance management measures that need more attention are performance monitoring and linking rewards to performance. Goal setting, communication and performance expectations measures were well executed. DEA shows that technical efficiency declined over the 4-year period. The least technically efficient university was performing at a low of 38.87% which is quite low. The results show, in 2016/17, 41 universities were too large, 11 were too small and 20 were of optimal size. By contrast, in 2019/2020, there was a drop in those that were too large to 30 while those that were too small were 20. The study recommends greater attention to operational efficiency for relevance and survival of the universities. The county of location influences operational efficiency while the size of the university appears to have no effect. Key Words: Data envelopment analysis, Decision making unit, Operational efficiency, Performance management, Performance management behavior questionnaire, Universities
INFLUENCE OF PROJECT DELIVERY ATTRIBUTES ON THE EXECUTION OF BUILDING PROJECTS IN THE KENYAN JUDICIARY
This study investigates the influence of project delivery attributes on the execution of building projects in the Kenyan Judiciary. The research is grounded in Systems Theory, Theory of Change, and Stakeholder Theory, which together provide a holistic framework for understanding the dynamics of project delivery. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining qualitative and quantitative research techniques. Data collection involved questionnaires, structured interviews with stakeholders, including project managers and judiciary representatives, alongside surveys of ongoing and completed projects to gather comprehensive performance data. This study reveals the critical influence of project delivery attributes on court-building projects within the Kenyan Judiciary. The Design-Bid-Build system emerges as suitable, promoting structure and accountability. However, project team integration and user involvement present a complex dynamic. While enhanced integration fosters collaboration, it can prolong timelines. Conversely, effective user engagement expedites delivery but may escalate costs. Unexpectedly, project management practices show a link to increased site disputes, demanding further investigation. This study underscores the need for strategic management of project delivery attributes to optimize outcomes. Future research should explore the nuanced relationships uncovered, particularly the counterintuitive association between PMPs and disputes. Keywords: Project delivery attributes, project delivery system, Project team integration, project management practices, user involvement, mixed methods, Judiciary.
LEAN THINKING AND PERFORMANCE OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE CHARTERED UNIVERSITIES IN KENYA
The changing operating environment of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) worldwidecharacterized by stiff competition, ever increasing student numbers and steadily decreasinggovernment funding has led universities to constantly deal with operations management issuesuch as capacity planning, productivity, quality, efficiency and resource utilization. These trendshave created the need for universities to adopt new business world management practices thatfocus on improving the processes that deliver the services. One approach that has successfully beenused in manufacturing and is increasingly being adopted in the service sector, including HEIs, is lean thinking. The objectives of this study were: to assess the state of lean thinking in public andprivate chartered universities in Kenya and, to determine the relationship between lean thinkingand performance of these institutions. A cross-sectional survey research design was employed andboth primary and secondary data collected. The study population comprised 49 chartereduniversities which included 31 public and 18 private universities. From a purposive sample of 34universities (20 public and 14 private), a questionnaire was administered to the academicregistrars and 18 public and 10 private universities responded, giving response rates of 90 percenfor public and 71.4 percent for private universities. Secondary data used to measure universityperformance were obtained from relevant websites and respective universities’ records. Resultsindicated firstly, that although no university in Kenya had explicitly declared that it hadimplemented lean thinking, the concept was well known to the institutions. However, institutionalwide application of the concepts was moderate in public but was to a large extent in privateuniversities. Secondly, lean thinking had a significant effect on performance of both public andprivate chartered universities in Kenya but with private universities showing stronger predictivepower. The study affirms that lean thinking can improve performance of public and privatechartered universities in Kenya. Policy makers can use these findings to formulate policies focusedon efficiency, waste elimination and customer value. The findings are further expected to stimulateimplementation of lean thinking in institutions of higher learning in general and universities inparticular across Kenya and other developing countries. A holistic approach to lean thinkingimplementation is recommended for chartered universities in Kenya to improve theirperformance and remain competitive. Future research may concentrate on waste identificationand elimination in Kenyan university processes in order to improve overall performance. Key Words: Lean thinking, university performance, chartered universities, Kenya
EFFECT OF BOOTSTRAPPING DIMENSIONS MODERATED BY INNOVATION AND COST OF DOING BUSINESS ON SMALL AND MEDIUM SCALE ENTERPRISES PERFORMANCE IN SOUTH-WEST, NIGERIA
Bootstrapping is a financial approach of implementation of a variety of methods tofundabusiness and stresses internal financing methods, with minimal amounts of debt andequityfinancing, or from non-traditional sources in which the use of it allows an entrepreneurtocontinue operations at a time when obtaining capital from banks is not realistic. Knowledgeassociated with bootstrapping finance can play a vital role in protecting small businesses.Thus, this study investigated the effect of bootstrapping dimension moderatedbycostofdoing business and innovation on small and medium enterprises performance inSouth-West,Nigeria. The study adopted survey research design and the populationof thestudycomprised 14, 527 owner/managers of small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) inLagosand Oyo States. The study utilized stratified simple random sampling technique. Asamplesize of 750 owner/managers of SMEs was enumerated using Cochran’s (1977) formula.Adapted questionnaire was used and 86.4% response rate was achieved. The Cronbach’sAlpha reliability coefficients for various constructs ranged from0.736 to 0.949. Datawereanalyzed using regression method. The findings revealed that the effect of bootstrappingdimensions (owner’s financing, subsidy financing, delayed payment, joint utilization, andsocial capital) on selected small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) performanceinSouth-West, Nigeria was not significantly moderated by innovation and cost of doing business(β=1.825E-7, ΔR2 = 0.000, ΔF = 0.123, p > 0.05). The study concluded that bootstrappingimproved performance of SMEs in South-West, Nigeria. It was recommendedthatmanagement of small and medium scale enterprises in South-West, Nigeria shouldpaymoreattention on subsidy financing, delayed payment, social capital with less attentiononjointutilization in order to improve their performance. Keywords: Bootstrapping, Cost of Doing Business, Innovation, Small and MediumEnterprise,Performance
RIGHT OR LEFT: WHICH HAND DO I PLAY AS THE TIDE TURNS
Entrepreneurship, previously seen as a subset of business for the small firms, is fast emerging to be a megatrend in the 21st century due to its capacity to reorder industries globally. Entrepreneurs are fast becoming the lifeblood of any economy by creating jobs, introducing new products and services and promoting upstream and downstream activities in the value chain. Indeed, small and medium enterprises are playing a pivotal role in social and economic advancement. However, the entrepreneurship landscape in the 21st century is remarkably different and more turbulent than the business environment of the past. The 21st century entrepreneur has to harness the opportunities that arise with technological changes like high speed internet, cloud technologies, and growing social media coupled with changing organizational structures, ownership and management. This calls for a shift in entrepreneurship to a more technology based, collaborative and adaptive business model that is more inclined towards growing profitable businesses and other social enterprises that add value beyond the traditional bottom line all within a radically different entrepreneurial ecosystem. Due to this, entrepreneurship today revolves around entrepreneurs’ ability to deploy accumulated knowledge and stay in control of their business whileat the same time keeping abreast and adapting fast to changes in the environment. This implies that to excel, entrepreneurship today requires ambidexterity; the simultaneous ability to exploit current internal capabilities and external opportunities and explore for new business opportunities that are yet to manifest. This conceptual paper, founded on the paradox theory argues that entrepreneurial ambidexterity is a must-have skill in the 21st century to enable the entrepreneur balance the contradicting motivations and logics to stay both aligned and adaptive. Key Words: entrepreneurship, ambidexterity, exploration, exploitation, paradox theory
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MONITORING AND EVALUATION, BEHAVIOURAL DETERMINANTS AND PERFORMANCE OF MATERNAL HEALTH PROGRAMMES IN KENYAN COUNTY GOVERNMENTS
Inefficiency in monitoring and evaluation which is one of the key stages in management has contributed significantly to operations failure in government institutions and programmes. Despite the Kenya government’s effort to promote county maternal health programmes through legal frameworks such as county the integrated monitoring and evaluation practices tool, and while there is empirical evidence that monitoring and evaluation practices contributes to enhanced1 performance, actual performance of county health sector across Kenya remains poor.The on purpose the of the study was relationship between of maternal health programmes to establish the influence monitoring and evaluation in Kenyan of behavioral practices determinants and performance County Governments. The study used the pragmatism paradigm. The study adopted a mixed research design. The study targeted 388 hospitals from nine counties. The unit of analysis 1165 respondents, including employees officers, Medical from level 4 and 5 hospitals Was (Nurses, Clinical officers, Nutritionists, Pharmacists, Health Records, Laboratory technologists, Counsellors, Medical superintendents, Hospital administrators, Nursing services managers and maternal child health (MCH) in charge), County Health Management Members Team members, County governors/deputy governor, County Executive for Health, Health County Chief Officers, County delivery unit members. The research instruments that were used for data collection are: a self-administered structured questionnaire and interview guides. Descriptive and inferential data analysis techniques were used in this study. The study found that astrong correlation and behavioral between determinants the performance of county maternal (r=0.821, p=0.001<0.05). The there was health programmes research found that after introduction 1 of behavioural determinants in model 3, there was R square by 0.066. This determinants 1 on1 the showed that there relationship between is a significant influence monitoring and evaluation and performance described by the of maternal health programmes 6.6% variation. The in Kenyan study therefore a rise in the of behavioural practices county governments concluded that a significant influence of behavioural determinants on the There as was relationship between is monitoring and evaluation practices and performance of maternal health programmes in Kenyan county governments. The research concluded that monitoring and evaluation system is not a political strategy to audit employee performance.Further, the study concluded that excessively high workloads cause And physical stress, resulting to poor performance and reduced productivity among staff. The in research recommended that County Maternal the mental Ministry of Health should review staffing needs Health Programmes to help them cope with the increasing numbers More of people formal professionals seeking skilled delivery services. The and refresher trainings develop their skills. Should be study also recommends included in the programs1 That to help professionals develop their skills
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NATIONAL IMAGE AND FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT AMONG SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN COUNTRIES
The main purpose of this study was to establish the influence of national image on foreign direct investment (FDI) among the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) Nations. The investigation was grounded on the positivism approach where descriptive crosssectional research design was employed. The research used 46 Sub-Saharan nations as the population where the census technique was embraced to cover all the target population. The study adopted both primary and secondary sources of data whereby the survey questionnaire was employed to collect the primary data. The Heads of Foreign Missions of the 46 SSA countries in Kenya were targeted. Secondary sources of information were gathered from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) publications on foreign direct investment. The collected data were analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics. Analysis of Variance(ANOVA) was used to test the formulated hypotheses. From the analysis of the findings, it was revealed that there was a positive and significant relationship between national image and FDI on the studied 46 SSA nations. The independent parameters contained mixed findings where political dimension influenced FDI positively but it was insignificant; social dimension of the national image had a positive and a significant influence on FDI and finally, the technological dimension contained positive and significant influence with FDI. It is therefore prudent for Sub-Saharan Africa to understand the national image dimensions in the regional context in order to carry out frequent analysis and develop strategies that are relevant and applicable to their FDI competitiveness. Keywords: National Image, Foreign Direct Investment, Sub-Saharan African Countries
INFLUENCE OF ROUTINE PROGRAMME MONITORING ON PERFORMANCE OF CURRICULUM INSTRUCTIONAL PROJECT IN TVET INSTITUTIONS IN BUNGOMA COUNTY, KENYA
The study was aimed at establishing the influence of routine program monitoring on performance of curriculum instructional project in technical vocational education and training institutions in Bungoma County, Kenya. Descriptive survey and correlation research design was used. A sample size of 214 was drawn from a target population of 462 using Yamane formula from a sample frame of head of departments and instructors. Questionnaires and interview schedules were used as data collection tools. Inferential statistics was used to determine the various relations between the variables. From the findings it was established that routine program monitoring had significant positive influence on performance of curriculum instructional project in Technical and Vocation Education Training (TVET) Institutions. From these findings, it was concluded that routine programme monitoring had significant influence on performance of curriculum instructional project in TVET Institutions, hence this information is critical in decision making in the use of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems to improve performance of instructors. Key words; monitoring and evaluation, routine programme, performance
CONTRIBUTION OF INDIGENOUS ENTREPRENEURSHIP AMONG MICRO AND SMALL LIVESTOCK ENTERPRISES TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: THE MODERATING EFFECT OF GLOBALIZATION DYNAMICS IN TURKANA COUNTY, KENYA
Entrepreneurship is vital for enterprise growth and economic development. There lacks clear empirical evidence of whether entrepreneurship drives economic growth, productivity or employment. The Turkana practice subsistence pastoralism, land is communally owned where individual ownership is in-existence and not recommended. The main objective of the study was to establish the moderating effect of globalization dynamics on the contribution of indigenous entrepreneurship among micro and small livestock enterprises to economic development in Turkana County. The study is anchored on effectuation and institutional theories. Positivist paradigm was adopted and descriptive cross-sectional research design. A list comprising of 598 livestock enterprises was availed from the County Livestock Marketing Council, to get a sample size of 339 Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs). Primary and secondary data was collected for analysis. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods were used to analyze data. From the results, globalization dynamics was found to have a significant moderating effect on the relationship between indigenous entrepreneurship and economic development. In model one the result shows that the association between indigenous entrepreneurship and economic development was moderate and significant (R2=0.771, F=129.39, P<0.05). In model two (R2=.992, F=108.136, P<0.05) was strong and significant and in model three (R2=0.993, F=98.13, P<0.05) was strong and significant at 5% level, suggesting presence of a moderating effect in model three after an interaction term was introduced. The study concluded that globalization dynamics significantly contribute to the relationship between indigenous entrepreneurship and economic development. An inverse relationship was revealed in the relationship between indigenous entrepreneurship and economic development after the introduction of globalization dynamics. Thus, the study supports institutional theory which ultimately argues that formal institutional structures are necessary for venture creation. Indigenous entrepreneurship in presence of globalization dynamics is a difficult undertaking prompting to effectuation processes. This study should aid both the national and county governments in the legislation of laws and policies which support micro and small livestock enterprises in Turkana County, for instance, creation of a suitable environment for these businesses to obtain credit and recommending suitable and efficient trading activities. The study suggests that there is need for management in these micro and small livestock enterprises in Turkana County to consider saving with the financial institutions in order to secure larger loans to inject and boost their businesses. The study suggests for the county government of Turkana to refocus on the decentralization policy perhaps integrate with indigenous entrepreneurship so that it can induce economic activity from outside business players. The national and County governments should work to reduce environmental uncertainty, promote indigenous entrepreneurs encouraging their participation in the global economy, attracting private sector development, foreign direct investment, increased exports, spurring economic development through investing in education and health. This study should be replicated in among micro and small livestock enterprises operating in Counties outside Turkana such as Samburu or Marsabit which exhibit similar operational characteristics to establish if similar findings could be achieved. Key Words: Indigenous entrepreneurship, globalization dynamics, micro and small livestock enterprises, economic development
THE ROLE OF ENTREPRENEURIAL ORIENTATION IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP TRAINING AND ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE OF GOVERNMENT-FUNDED YOUTH GROUP ENTERPRISES
Entrepreneurship has been promoted around the world as a solution to rising unemployment rates. Youth appear to be the population group that is most affected. Organizations, both governmental and non-governmental, are launching initiatives aimed at empowering young people to start and run their businesses. As a result, they have created training programs that are aligned with the creation of new ventures and the management of small businesses. Despite these interventions, the performance of the ventures thereof have not performed as expected, which could be attributed to a lack of entrepreneurial orientation on the beneficiaries of such trainings. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to establish the role of entrepreneurial orientation in the relationship between entrepreneurship training and organizational performance. A cross-sectional survey was carried out. Out of the 262 youth groups registered with the Youth Enterprise Development Fund of Taita Taveta County, Kenya, as of April 2019, 156 were sampled. Questionnaires were personally distributed and a response rate of 62% recorded. Entrepreneurship training was indicated by technical, business management, and personal entrepreneurial skills; entrepreneurial orientation by innovativeness, risk-taking, and pro-activeness; and organisational performance by both financial and non-financial measures. Regression analyses were performed on the data. It was established that entrepreneurial orientation mediates the influence of entrepreneurship training on organizational performance. These findings, hence, indicate that the effectiveness of training in entrepreneurship is dependent on how well it enables the participants to think and act entrepreneurially. The results point to a need for scholars to link entrepreneurship training theories to entrepreneurial orientation. This contribution is important because it will enable policy-makers and managers of entrepreneurship training programmes to consider how their programmes are affected by entrepreneurial orientation. They may have to develop ways of changing the mindsets of those trained to incline them towards innovativeness, risk-taking, and proactivity. Keywords: Entrepreneurship training, entrepreneurial orientation, organisational performance, government-funded youth enterprises
INFLUENCE OF ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE ON CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S COMPENSATION IN COMPANIES LISTED IN NAIROBI SECURITIES EXCHANGE IN KENYA
The management of human resources is seen as a foremost contributor towards helping organizations deal with performance challenges by designing ways to effectively increase employee’s productivity and commitment. One area of concern to human resource managers is the implementation of employee compensation programs that satisfy employees’ needs as well as contain the costs of labor for the firms. This paper focuses on the organizational performance measures such as financial performance, customer satisfaction and internal processes. They aim is to determine how they affect CEOs compensation. A cross sectional design was adopted with a dataset of 42 companies. The companies are listed in the Nairobi securities exchange in Kenya, a leading stock market exchange in the East and Central Africa. Using a well-structured questionnaire and a census technique, satisfactory data was collected that helped derive key findings. Primary data was gathered to capture the opinion of firms on factors that determine levels of CEO’S compensation using semi structured questionnaire. Secondary sources of data were used to gather information on financial performance from the financial statement of the listed organizations for 2016-2017 financial periods. Descriptive statistics, correlations, linear, multiple regression were applied in analyzing and interpret the data that was collected. The research revealed that there was significant and positive relationship amid financial performance, internal processes, customer satisfaction and CEO’S compensation. Key words: Organizational Performance, CEO’S Compensation
WHICH CORPORATE GOVERNANCE? THIS IS MY BUSINESS
With increasing corporate declines witnessed in the recent past, corporate governance is commonly sought as a panacea to corporate problems. Corporate governance has traditionally been viewed through the lenses of the agency theory with the firm being seen as a nexus of contracts and the main thrust being to investigate and delineate optimal shareholders and managers’ contracts. This view has largely been criticized for lack of a holistic view of corporate governance. Corporate governance involves a configuration of interdependent elements and therefore involves systems and practices that are embedded in institutional and legal frameworks. Corporate governance practices and systems, in line with institutional theory, are institutionally determined and directed and therefore effective corporate governance practices are contingent upon institutional environments in which the organizations and their stakeholders are rooted in. More specifically, organizations and their stakeholders’ behaviours are founded on systems of norms and relationships that are culturally and socio-politically constructed. The effect of these norms and relationships may be more influential in the context of family firms. Families are considered the primary source of identity and provide interrelationships and social arrangements that allow people to pursue social life. Family systems and connections form core values and fundamental principles which underlie the family firm. Consequently, family core values influence the behaviour in the family enterprise. Additionally, family managers are associated with stewardship attitudes, altruism, shared values and attitudes and lower agency costs. However, this comes at the expense of weaker governance structures and neglect of other firm stakeholders. In line with this, it is imperative to explore the role of ownership and control in the development of corporate governance systems of family firms to comprehensively understand corporate governance in family firms. Key words: Corporate governance, governance mechanisms, governance structures, institutional theory, agency theory, stakeholder theory, family firms, ownership, ownercontrol.
FIRM SIZE MODERATION ON EARNINGS VOLATILITY AND INCOME RETENTION OF GENERAL INSURERS IN EAST AFRICA
To hedge against the prospect of financial distress and stabilize results, insurance firms with volatile earnings have incentive to purchase more reinsurance, thereby reducing their income retention. With the benefit of diversification, large firms may not need as much reinsurance as small firms. This study aimed to determine the moderating effect of firm size on the relationship between earnings volatility and income retention of general insurers in East Africa. The study targeted 87 general insurance companies in existence throughout the period of study from 2015 to 2019 across five countries in East Africa comprising of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi. The study adopted explanatory sequential mixed methods research design. For secondary data, a census was conducted on the total population of 87 general insurance companies in existence during the period of study. Data were obtained from insurance regulatory reports, company annual reports and through data collection sheets where reports were not available. The primary data phase consisted of in-depth interviews carried out on a stratified sample of 25 key informants across the five countries. Both descriptive and inferential analysis methods were employed in the analysis. The study found a significant negative relationship between earnings volatility and income retention. On the hypothesis testing, the study found that firm size exerts a negative significant effect on the relationship between earnings volatility and income retention, hence rejecting the null hypothesis. Therefore, general insurers should strive to reduce volatility through sound underwriting practices to minimize the cost of reinsurance and maximize income retention. Keywords: Earnings Volatility, Firm Size, Income Retention
HOW KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AFFECTS PERFORMANCE OF RETAIL PHARMACEUTICAL FIRMS IN NAIROBI CITY COUNTY: THE MODERATING EFFECT OF OPERATING ENVIRONMENT
Most companies survival is highly influenced and relates to the existing operating environment and their performance solely depends on the knowledge management practices they adopt. The objective of the study was to establish the effect of operating environment on the relationship between knowledge management and performance of retail pharmaceutical firms in Nairobi County, Kenya. There has been growing concern amongst strategic management researchers and practitioners alike in attempting to understand why some firms achieve higher levels of performance than others albeit operating in the same or similar business environments. The research was anchored on Knowledge-Based View theory and the industrial organization economics theory. The study applied positivism philosophy and descriptive research design. The population of the study was all 720 registered retail pharmaceutical firms in Nairobi County out of which a sample of 116 retail pharmaceutical firms was considered for the study. Primary data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. The results of the study showed that knowledge management significantly influences firm performance. The results also provided evidence to support the moderating influence of operating environment on the relationship between knowledge management and firm performance. A theoretical argument followed in this study observed operating environment in which a firm operates dictates the strategy to be chosen by a firm thus influencing performance. The study will enable stakeholders and owners of the retail pharmaceutical firms to develop policies that facilitate knowledge management process in their firms and having processes for applying knowledge learned from experience. Future studies could explore relevant factors that were not discussed in this study like the role of technology and innovations that could further influence retail pharmaceutical performance. Key words: Knowledge Management, Operating Environment, Firm Performance, Retail Pharmaceuticals
THE ROLE OF BRAND EXPERIENCE IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PERCEIVED SERVICE QUALITY AND PASSENGER SATISFACTION AT AIRPORTS IN KENYA
The paucity of research examining the antecedents of satisfaction inspires the need to extend the frontiers of knowledge in the under-researched and emerging market environment of the airport user experience. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of brand experience on the relationship between perceived service quality and passenger satisfaction. A descriptive cross-sectional research design was adopted. Primary data was obtained through semi-structured questionnaires from 700 randomly selected respondents. Structural equation modelling partial least squares (SEM-PLS) techniques were applied to analyze the data. Results revealed that a positive relationship was present amongst the studied variables. The five components of perceived service quality namely; reliability, responsiveness, assurance, tangibility, empathy had a significant influence on overall satisfaction. The four dimensions of the brand experience scale; sensorial, affective, behavioral and intellectual were revealed to be valid and applicable while examining passenger satisfaction in the airport service context. Lastly, the study revealed a complementary partial mediation effect of brand experience on the relationship between perceived service quality and passenger satisfaction. The moderating effect of passenger socio-demographic characteristics on the examined relationships could be further investigated. This study was conducted among passengers who were using the airport for international departure flights in Kenya. Consequently, the findings are largely generalizable to this type and segment of air travel service consumers. This study contributes to ongoing research into the influence of perceived service quality on passenger satisfaction while incorporating the nascent construct of brand experience. Managers could apply the results of the study as an anchor for service quality, satisfaction and brand experience improvement initiatives. Key words: Perceived service quality, passenger satisfaction, brand experience, mediation
THE ROLE OF COMPETITIVE STRATEGIES IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND PERFORMANCE OF RETAIL PHARMACEUTICAL FIRMS IN NAIROBI CITY COUNTY, KENYA
Firms perform differently in the same industry with some achieving higher levels ofperformance than others which can be associated to the type of competitive strategies each adopts. The objective of the study was to establish the role of competitive strategies in the relationship between knowledge management and performance of retail pharmaceutical firms in Nairobi County, Kenya. The research was anchored on the Dynamic Capabilities Theory (DCT) and Knowledge-Based View theory. The study applied positivism philosophy and descriptive research design. The population of the study was all registered retail pharmaceutical firms in Nairobi County. The study sample comprised 116 retail pharmaceutical firms in Nairobi County, Kenya. Primary data was collected using semi-structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results of the study showed that knowledge management significantly influences firm performance. The study further found that competitive strategies have significant and partial intervening influence in the relationship between knowledge management and firm performance. The findings in the study concur with theoretical argument from dynamic capabilities theory which presented knowledge management as a fundamental strategic initiative that guarantees firms competitive edge and performance. The overall results shows that knowledge management implemented by management in retail pharmaceutical firms should be aligned with the competitive strategies for retail pharmaceutical firms to register higher performance. The study was limited on the fact that it was based on the existence of a linear relationship where there is a possibility of the study variables having a different form of relationship like a curvilinear relationship. Future studies could explore relevant factors that were not discussed in this study like the role of technology and innovations that could further influence retail pharmaceutical performance. Key words: Knowledge Management, Competitive Strategies, Firm Performance, Retail Pharmaceuticals
THE MEDIATING EFFECT OF PROCUREMENT PERFORMANCE ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PROCUREMENT GOVERNANCE AND SERVICE DELIVERY: EVIDENCE FROM MINISTRIES, DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES IN KENYA
The overall goal of the study was to establish the mediating effect of procurement performance on the relationship between procurement governance and service delivery in ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) in Kenya. To fulfill this goal, a conceptual model was developed based on previously examined literature. A partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) that corresponded to the conceptual model was also created. This study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional survey research design. To test the proposed relationship, a survey was done and data collected. This study’s population included all public procuring institutions in Kenya. A total of 157 questionnaires were issued. PLS-SEM was used to evaluate the relationship proposed in the conceptual and SEM model of the study. A software with graphical user interface for variance-based structural equation modeling (SEM) using the partial least squares (PLS) path modeling method known as SmartPLS 3.3.3 software was used in the analysis. The study involved establishing the mediating role of procurement performance in the relationship between procurement governance and service delivery. The mediation test in PLS-SEM required that a bootstrap test be carried out. When the mediator construct procurement performance is included in the model, this is referred to as the indirect path. The model results for the indirect path was found to be statistically significant at p < 0.001. The direct path results involving relationship between procurement governance and service delivery was statistically insignificant. Furthermore, the total effect results of procurement governance on service delivery without the presence of mediating variable (procurement performance) was analysed and was found to be statistically significant. Full mediation is indicated when the direct effect is insignificant but the indirect effect is significant, implying that only the indirect effect via the mediator exists. A more comprehensive technique of SEM mediation analysis, which not only checks for mediation's existence or absence but also analyzes the quantity of mediation in terms of variance accounted for (VAF). Furthermore, calculation of the magnitude of the mediation effect using VAF
SUPPLY CHAIN INTEGRATION AND PERFORMANCE OF LARGE MANUFACTURING FIRMS IN KENYA
Intense competitive pressures have forced firms to go beyond their neighbourhoods to achieve competitive advantage. A feasible course of action for firms is embracing supply chain integration. However, there is concern as to whether implementing integration of supply chain leads to enhanced firm performance. Hence, the major aim of this research was to investigate the link connecting supply chain integration implementation and performance of large manufacturing firms in Kenya. In particular, the study examined the link connecting supply chain integration to firm performance. A cross-sectional descriptive research design was applied with primary data. From a sample size of 200 firms, 94 questionnaires were obtained to be usable resulting in a response proportion of 47%. The main data analysis method was partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The study's findings show that supply chain integration significantly and positively affects organizational performance. The study confirms that supply chain integration can improve the performance of manufacturing firms in Kenya. This contributes to resolving the question of whether supply chain operations integration is beneficial for organizations. The study's conclusions are anticipated to give researchers guidance on the potential effects of supply chain integration deployment on organizational performance. This is particularly pertinent in the context of the developing world where such studies are scarce. Key words: supply chain integration, firm performance, PLS-SEM