Master of Business Administration

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Relationship between Employees Occupational Stress and Performance in Kenya Prisons Service (A Survey of Prisons in Meru Region of Kenya)
(KeMU, 2019-09) Muigai, Patrick Mwangi
The Kenyan Government acknowledges that over the years there has been poor performance in the public sector, especially in the management of public resources which has hindered the realization of sustainable economic growth. Work-place stress has received a great deal of attention in social psychological research. Significant research findings have documented that prolonged stress has negative effects on individual health as well as on employee attitudes towards the organization. Employees work in a unique environment, subjecting themselves to potentially traumatic events in conditions that impact their emotional and physical well-being. Several measures of employee performance were analyzed which included environmental conditions, organizational demands, personal background and individual differences. Today Kenya Prison is a department in the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government with a total of 110 prisons, two Borstal Institutions and one Youth Correctional Training Center. The study was carried out in the prisons department in Meru Region of Kenya. Meru Region has got six Prisons; Chuka, Kangeta, Maara, Marimanti, Meru and Uruku Prisons.. Using stratified random sampling technique the study selected a total of 134 respondents comprising of members of staff from the three levels Senior Officers, NCOs and Junior Officers where each of the 3 levels was treated as a stratum (group) from where the respondents were selected using simple random method from each of the 3 stratum. Data was collected through use of questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistics. Multiple linear regression aided by SPSS (Version 20) was used to link the relationship between the independent variables and the dependent variable. The data was presented in frequency distribution tables, graphs and charts. The study found that politics, economy and technology significantly affects the performance of employees in Kenya Prison Service albeit negatively while holding other factors constant and that individual differences such as social support, self-efficacy and job experience had significant positive influence on employee performance while holding other factors constant. The study concluded that all the variables had statistically significant contributions. It therefore recommend that environmental conditions and individual differences activities must exist in the organizational environment while the organization and management in particular should motivate employees by tracking their targets and recognizing the milestones achieved.
Relationship between Information, Communication and Technology Strategy and Competitive Advantage among Commercial Banks in Nairobi County
(KeMU, 2019-09) Laiyan, George Benjamin
Commercial banks have continued to implement Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) in order to keep up with the competition and changing consumer needs and wants in the competitive business environment with the aim of gaining competitive advantage. Integration of ICT with the organization’s strategies has become a driving force of competition among financial institutions in Kenya towards achieving improved service efficiency and effectiveness. The study aimed to evaluate the relationship between ICT strategy and competitive advantage among commercial banks in Nairobi County. The study identified four research variables IT-Business alignment, IT-driven innovation, business intelligence and IT-Business process re-engineering that have significant influence on competitive advantage. The research design used in this study was descriptive survey where qualitative analysis was put into use by use of closed-ended questionnaires. The research study employed purposive sampling a subset on the the target population in this study that comprised the 43 registered commercial banks in Nairobi County. Data analysis was done using a multivariate regression model in the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). From the findings, IT-business alignment, IT-driven innovation, business intelligence and IT-business process re-engineering significantly influenced competitive advantage. ICT strategies were developed with employee competence in mind and aimed at supporting the overall organizations goals. ICT strategy promoted innovations besides focusing on meeting the changing customer needs and facilitating creation of new applications that provided direct strategic advantage. Business intelligence systems enhanced accuracy on strategic reporting besides improving speed and accuracy of strategic decision making. The study recommends that commercial banks knowledge management ought to be promoted by ICT strategy embracement, ICT strategy ought to promote human resource response to business strategy and commercial banks ought to recognize ICT related opportunities that supported business strategy. The study further recommends that IT innovation strategy ought to provide room for persuasions of new clients to the organization and IT innovation strategy ought to allow for timely commercialization of innovations. The business intelligence systems ought to enhance accuracy on strategic reporting, commercial banks business intelligence systems ought to improve speed and accuracy of strategic decision making.
Influence of Entrepreneurial Management Practices on Performance of Small and Medium Enterprises in Juba, South Sudan
(KeMU, 2019-09) Akoy, William Akoy
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector development is one of the recent key issues in developing countries. As a developing country, the development of the SME sector in South Sudan is essential. The growth of SME as a support industry helps to strengthen the large industries. SME development is a foundation of large industries because every large enterprise, has had the experience of starting their businesses as an SME. Thus, the future of the large enterprise is dependent on the development of SME. SME development is also an important aspect for the labour market because it employs the labour force and offers wages to workers. There has been ongoing debate on whether entrepreneurial management practices would have effect on performance of small and medium enterprises. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between entrepreneurial management practices and performance of small and medium enterprises in juba, South Sudan. The objectives of the study were to establish the effect of strategic orientation, entrepreneur’s commitment, and management structure and business appraisal on the performance of SMEs. This study adopted descriptive research designs. The target population was 10,000 SMEs operating in Juba, South Sudan. Fisher, Laing and Stoeckel formula was used to obtain a sample size of 95. The data collection instruments were questionnaires. Descriptive analysis was used to analyse quantitative data obtained from closed ended and likert scale questions. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) computer software was used for data analysis. The study found that strategic orientation effects performance of SMEs in Juba. The SMEs continually monitor customers and competitors to find new ways to improve customer satisfaction. Entrepreneurs’ commitment and performance have a significant positive relationship. The entrepreneurs’ commitment increases their positive attitude towards the business and ultimately increases the productivity of the business. Management structure was also found to have effect on performance of SMEs in Juba. The SMEs owners emphasise getting things done by following formal processes and procedures. Business appraisal and performance were found to have a significant positive relationship. Business appraisal helps determining the worth of their business and in planning where the business is going to be in the future. The study recommends that SMEs need to identify and acquire new customers. They should encourage customers to give feedback about the products and services to be informed on customers’ future needs. Entrepreneurs need to be committed, ambitious and confident in their abilities. The commitment will increase the entrepreneurs’ positive attitude towards the business and ultimately increase the productivity of the business. The SMEs should continue designing the management structure as well as ensure that the effective communication is maintained. The entrepreneurs need to continue performing business appraisals to help determining the worth of their business and in planning where the business is going to be in the future. Assessing the value of the business is expected to motivate to achieve their targets. The researcher recommends further studies which can include investigation of external factors which may have influence on performance of SMEs in Juba, South Sudan.
Effect of International Market Entry Strategies on Growth of Local Horticulture Firms in Nairobi County, Kenya
(KeMU, 2019-09) Waithera, Victoria
The general purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of international market entry strategies on growth of local horticulture firms in Kenya with special focus on firms operating in Nairobi County. The study was guided by the following objectives: To establish the effect of export strategy on growth of local horticulture firms in Kenya; To establish the effect of franchising strategy on growth of local horticulture firms in Kenya; To establish the effect of strategic alliance on growth of local horticulture firms in Kenya and lastly to establish the effect of joint venture on growth of local horticulture firms in Kenya. The study was informed by four theories namely: Absolute advantage theory, International product lifecycle theory and transaction cost theory. This study will use descriptive survey research design. The population of the research was the local horticultural firms in Kenya which were mainly drawn from Nairobi and other parts of the country. According to the Kenya Bureau of Standards, there are 187 firms registered with diamond mark label as of October 2017 from which populations of 123 firms were selected. Primary data were collected through a questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to evaluate respondents’ data. The researcher used the most common internal consistency measure known as Cronbach’s alpha (α). The recommended value of 0.7 was used as a cut-off of reliabilities and used descriptive statistical tool SPSS and MS excel tools were used to analyze and present the data. The results indicated that exporting strategy, franchising strategy, strategic alliances, joint venture were positively and highly correlated with growth of local horticulture firms in Kenya. Based on the findings it was recommended examination of more market entry strategies into the foreign market for the exploration of the market opportunities. Local Horticulture firms should critically analyze the various strategies at their disposal in entering a new market before making decisions on how to enter the selected market. Market entry strategy plays a very important role in determining the successfulness of the firms. Export strategy should be exercised by a firm who primarily view international markets as a means of disposing excess production, or a firm with limited resources available for international expansion. The study concludes that export strategy, franchising strategy, strategic alliances and joint venture strategy affected growth of local horticulture firms in Kenya. The study also concludes different strategies affected growth of local horticulture firms in Kenya. Joint ventures is seen as more favorable when the partners’ strategic goals converge while other competitive goals diverge and lastly joint venture partnership gives business better control over operations and also access to host market knowledge.
Influence of Strategic Leadership on Innovation among Mobile Service Providers in Kenya
(KeMU, 2019-08) Wakere, Samuel G.
A firm’s ability to continually produce relevant inventions, and convert them into marketable products, has a profound influence on its competitiveness and the pathways toward future success that are open to it. Strategic leaders who shape their companies to become extraordinary innovators are lauded in the popular press and practitioner journals. Innovation has been stated as implementation of practices such as brand-new and developed product, process, and marketing method inside and outside of the organization. It is understood from these views; leadership approaches are needed to create work environment innovativeness supporting and properly manage processes in managerial aspects. The main objective for this study was to investigate the influence of strategic leadership on innovation among mobile service providers in Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were to: Establish the influence of transformational leadership on innovation among mobile service providers in Kenya; determine the influence of transactional leadership on innovation among mobile service providers in Kenya, determine the influence of distributed leadership on innovation among mobile service providers in Kenya and to assess the moderating role of environmental dynamism on the relationship between strategic leadership and innovation among mobile service providers in Kenya. The theoretical lens applied to this research was the Upper Echelons Theory (UET), contingency theory and path-goal theory. The study adopted a descriptive research design; the target population in this study was the three mobile service providers namely Safaricom ltd, Airtel Kenya Ltd and Telkom Ltd while the target respondents were the 117 senior managers from the firms’ head offices in Nairobi County from which a sample size of 93 respondents was selected. A semi-structured questionnaire was utilized to gather primary data that were qualitative and quantitative in nature and were analyzed by content analysis and descriptive analysis. Inferential analysis involved use of regression analysis and correlation analysis to establish the strength of the relationship. The descriptive statistical tools such as SPSS version 21 and MS Excel helped in describing the data. The study results indicated that transformational leadership, transactional leadership and distributed leadership were positively and highly correlated with innovation. Environmental dynamisms was found to moderate the influence of strategic leadership on innovation among mobile service providers in Kenya. It was recommended that transformational leaders should use inspirational motivation and intellectual stimulation which are critical for organizational innovation, transactional leaders to not only employ rewards and punishments, but focus more on goal-setting and control and base incentives on ‘contingent rewards’ (rewarding good performance and recognizing accomplishments) and ‘management by exception’ (active and passive search for deviations from existing rules and standards. Regarding distributed leadership, team leaders should allow shared leadership and collective leadership, should ensure that leadership is a form of empowering leadership where leadership activities or roles are ‘distributed’ by the formal leader more widely to team members. The CEO’s should make use of empowering leadership behavior specifically focuses on the encouragement of leadership from below.
Mediating Effect of Organization Resources on the Relationship between Strategy Implementation and Performance of Devolved Ministries among Selected Counties in Northern Kenya
(KeMU, 2019-08) Kato, Salim Nyaur
This study investigated the mediating effect of organization resources on the relationship between strategy implementation and performance of devolved ministries among selected counties in Northern Kenya. Specifically, the study sought; to determine relationship between strategy implementation and performance of devolved ministries among selected counties in Northern Kenya; to determine relationship between strategy implementation and organization resources among selected counties in Northern Kenya; to determine relationship between organization resources and performance of devolved ministries among selected counties in Northern Kenya; and to determine mediating effect of organization resources on the relationship between strategy implementation and the performance of devolved ministries among selected counties in Northern Kenya. The study was guided by three theories; the general systems theory, the stakeholders’ theory and resource-based view theory. A descriptive research design was adopted in this study. The population was the county ministries in both Isiolo and Marsabit Counties. There are a total of 56 departments in all the 10 ministries of Marsabit County, while in Isiolo County; there are a total of 32 departments in all the six ministries. Therefore, the study targeted 88 departments in both counties. A census design was adopted since the population was small. Therefore, 88 department heads were surveyed. Primary data was collected through close-ended questionnaires. Descriptive statistics including frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations were used. Further, inferential statistics including correlation and regression analysis were also used to test the relationship between independent and dependent variables. Linear regression models were used to link relationship between dependent and independent variables. The study findings were presented using tables and figures. The findings indicated that strategy implementation and performance of devolved ministries related significantly. However, organisational resources did relate significantly to neither strategy implementation nor performance of devolved ministries. Therefore, the study established no mediation effect of organisational resources on the relationship between strategy implementation and performance of devolved ministries. Further observations indicate that organisational resources augmented the effect of strategy implementation on performance of devolved ministries. This was contrary to the envisaged diminishing effect of organisation resources as a mediator. The study therefore recommends that further research should consider organisational resources as a moderator rather than a mediating variable. Based on the findings, the study recommends that devolved ministries in Isiolo and Marsabit Counties need to improve their strategy implementation aspects as this was significantly related to their performance. The study provides valuable contributions in the devolved ministries and may inform policy formulation on strategy implementation in institutions.
Moderating Effect of Diversity Management on the Relationship between Corporate Governance Practices and Performance of Selected Counties in Northern Kenya
(KeMU, 2019-09) Bajji, Orge
The county governments in Kenya have been facing serious challenges in developing corporate governance frameworks that are secure and beneficial to all stakeholders. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the moderating effect of diversity management on the relationship between corporate governance practices and performance of county government (survey of Isiolo, Marsabit and Samburu). Specifically, the study sought; to evaluate the connection between corporate governance practices and performance of the county government in Kenya; to examine the relationship between diversity management and performance of county government in Kenya; and to assess the moderating effect of diversity management on the relationship between corporate governance practice and performance of county government in Kenya. The study was guided by three theories; the stakeholder theory, the standpoint theory and the goal setting theory. The three theories explain the study variables including corporate governance practices, diversity management and county government performance. A descriptive research design was employed in this research. The study population comprised of all departmental heads or their equivalent in the three county governments, that is, Isiolo, Marsabit and Samburu. There are 80 departments in the three county governments. The study conducted a survey since the number of departments was small. Therefore, the study surveyed 80 departmental heads. The choice of department heads was justifiable since they are the key players in running the county governments. Primary data was collected through well-structured questionnaires, which constituted of closed questions. Collected data was processed using SPSS version 23. Descriptive statistics including frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations were used. Further, inferential statistics including correlation and regression analysis were also used to illustrate the relationship between the variables under study. The study used a multiple regression model. The findings indicated a linear relationship between corporate governance practices and county performance. The addition of diversity management to corporate governance practices improved the prediction of county performance although in a statistically insignificant way. Further, diversity management was found to have no moderation effect on the relationship between corporate governance practices and county performance. The study recommends that counties should continue practicing corporate governance. They should separate management body from boards for proper oversight. The counties should formulate policies in line with promoting career development and inclusiveness of the public opinions for transparency. Such practices of corporate governance will possibility augment the performance of counties because these two variables were significantly associated. The study commends the management of diversity observed in the counties because its combined main effect with corporate governance practices had more association to county performance than when considering corporate governance independently.
Effect of Strategic Management Practices on Performance of Selected Mobile Service Providers in Nairobi- Kenya
(2019-09) Njoroge, Maureen Murugi
Mobile service providers offer essential services to business enterprises worldwide. Many businesses are adopting the use of mobile payments to boost the quality of their services and increase sales. The pace of transformation and competitiveness in the mobile sector demand that these providers evaluate their business strategies very often. The purpose of this study therefore was to examine the effect of strategic management practices on performance among mobile service providers in Nairobi Kenya. Specifically, the study examined the effect of strategic partnership strategies, channel management strategies, product diversification strategies and product development strategies on performance of mobile companies. The study adopted descriptive cross-sectional design. The study targeted key mobile network operators in Kenya, Safaricom, Airtel and Telkom Kenya (CCM 2019). The study population was 116. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze information generated from respondents. The study findings indicated that strategic partnership strategies had an influence on performance in the Mobile Services industry. The correlation analysis indicated a significant correlation existed (r = 0.771, p < 0.05). Pearson’s correlations coefficient was higher than 0.5 suggestion a strong relationship. There was a significant relationship between channel management strategies and performance as the analysis yielded a Pearson correlation coefficient of r = 0.706, p < 0.05; indicating that a strong relationship existed between the two variables. There was a significant relationship between product diversification and performance as indicated by the correlation analysis (r = 0.635, p<0.05) indicating a strong relationship between the two variables. There was a significant relationship between product development and performance as indicated by a Pearson correlations coefficient is (r = 0.610, p< 0.05). This indicated a strong relationship between the two variables. The coefficient of determination, R square was 0.688. This implies that 68.8 % of the variance in performance could be explained by Strategic partnership strategies; Channel management strategies; Product Diversification Strategies and Product Development Strategies. Based on the findings it was recommended for strategic partnership practices that through research, mobile service providers should seek to understand the gaps not yet bridged through current strategic partnerships entered into by mobile service operators, as well as exploring other services not yet offered through such partnerships in order to develop products to fill those gaps. On channel management it was recommended that mobile service providers invest more on their channels through training of their agents, and offering better incentives to their agencies to ensure improved uptake of agency in order to improve reach. On Product Diversification Strategies the study recommended that the players in the industry should find ways to maximize on product diversification through research, to identify additional market potentials, to properly adjust their pricing models, and understand their customer needs, and re-pricing their products. On Product Development Strategies it was recommended that the product development departments of mobile service providers should be tasked with development of products that have a shorter roll out period.
The Mediating Effect of Innovative Work Behavior on the Relationship between Knowledge Management and Performance of Commercial Banks in Meru County
(KeMU, 2019-09) Ndwiga, Christine Mwendwa
The Kenya national government devolution strategy opened up the financial sector to diverse and competitive markets. As a strategy to respond to the fragmented emergent markets and innovate unique products and services commercial banks in Meru County need to leverage on knowledge economy. However, the ambiguity is in translating employees‟ tacit knowledge dimension into actual changes that can lead to process improvement. The purpose of this study was to explore the role knowledge management plays in enhancing perceived firm performance by examining the mediating effect of innovative work behavior of employees in the commercial banks in Meru County, Kenya. It hypothesized that there was no significant relationship between: knowledge management and firm performance; knowledge management and innovative work behavior, innovative work behavior and firm performance and no significant meditating effect of innovative work behavior on relationship between knowledge management and firm performance among commercial bank in Meru County. Knowledge-based view, diffusion innovation and Vroom‟s expectancy theories guided the study. Descriptive survey design was adopted. Data was collected from a cluster of twenty commercial banks with a population base of 213 within Meru town using a structured questionnaire. A sample size of 117 was surveyed and realized a 94% response rate. Clustered random sampling technique was used as the probability of being a cluster being chosen at any stage of sampling process was high clusters. Content and convergent validity ensured data quality, while cronbach's alpha value (0.7) was used to test the reliability of the research instrument. Data was analyzed using the SPSS software (version 22) and mean, standard deviation, and linear regression analysis were computed and presented using tables and figures. Linear regression analysis was applied in testing mediation and hypothesis. Results on mediation of the variable indicated that there was a strong positive correlation (R=65.2%, p-value of 0.000) between perceived firm performance and knowledge management. There was a moderate positive correlation between knowledge management and innovative work behavior. There was a moderate positive correlation between perceived firm performance and innovative work behavior. Finally, there was a strong positive correlation on perceived firm performance as influenced by both knowledge management innovative wok behavior. All had linear significant relationships. The beta coefficient of Knowledge Management was 0.939 before mediation and reduced to 0.806 in the presence of Innovative Work Behavior and the resultant model showed a partial mediation of innovative work behavior on perceived firm performance and knowledge management. It is concluded that knowledge management has a strong impact on performance of commercial banks in Meru. It was noted that employee knowledge is not utilized and is not well articulated within the banks in Meru. The study recommends for performance, banks need to appoint knowledge champions; in development of an innovative culture, they develop policies and manuals governing knowledge implementation, creativity and innovation as part of performance appraisals and allocation of budgets for knowledge management process. The findings imply that the knowledge economy is growing at unprecedented rate and it is paramount for commercial banks in Meru County synchronize it in their systems and processes.
Factors Influencing Strategy Implementation in Mobile Service Providers in Kenya
(KeMU, 2019-08) Moriasi, Esbon O.
This investigation planned for building up the elements affecting methodology execution on versatile specialist organization in Kenya. The Interchanges Specialist of Kenya has in the previous 20 years authorized a cycle four portable administrators Safaricom PLC, Bharti Airtel, Telkom Kenya Constrained and Equitel; and a couple of web get to providers like Wananchi and Jamii Telkom. Writing of the past academic works archives a high disappointment rate in technique execution in many associations everywhere throughout the world, noticed that 50 to 70 % of associations overall perform very well in key definition however either come up short or truly battle during the system usage process. The hole existing in the writing where past examinations worldwide have to a great extent overlooked the methodology execution process, It is on this background the ebb and flow study attempted to explore the key drivers of technique usage and their impact on the general result in the portable specialist co-ops in Kenya. The target of the investigation is to decide the degree which initiative style, hierarchical frameworks, authoritative structure and staff culture impact system usage in portable specialist organizations in Kenya. A blended structure including quantitative and subjective plans was utilized to acquire data from 86 ranking directors drawn from the complete populace of 110 ranking directors. The specialist utilized stratified and precise arbitrary examining techniques to choose the directors that took an interest in this study. Further the gathered information was arranged, coded and dissected utilizing (SPSS) V23 and outline measurements such mean scores, standard deviation and inferential insights specifically; connection and relapse results were utilized to show the information. Bivariate relationships and relapse results were additionally used to test the theories. Association structure was the most favored of the four factors, trailed by association framework, administration style and staff culture individually. Transformational authority style was observed to be liked, trailed via Totalitarian, Value-based, participative and free enterprise initiative style. In the hierarchical framework variable, the needs of the association surely knew by its workers were the most compelling. In the hierarchical structure variable, Centralization structure was the most persuasive, trailed by decentralization, formalization, specialization structure separately. On staff culture variable, the way of life of enduring new thoughts from staff individuals was ignored. The examination presumed that: associations senior administration should start getting a handle on others authority style and arrange them with transformational activity style to lift better outcome; a framework has information, yields and results, with progressing input. In the event that one piece of the framework is expelled, the nature of the framework is changed; the way of life of workers enduring new thoughts from staff individuals and coordinating their contemplations into procedure execution. The examination prescribed that pioneers ought to require convenient and powerful basic leadership abilities and setting vision for other people. Also, framework change advancement ought to be without tumult. Thirdly, an adaptable structure ought to be kept up. In conclusion, portable specialist co-ops in Kenya ought to receive another culture that is lined up with the constantly changing condition of innovation. Vision hindrance, individuals boundary, asset obstruction and the board obstruction were suggested for further examination.

Master of Business Administration

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