Filter by: Subject

Now showing items 81-90 of 407

    Technological capability, Sustainability, Performance, Water Service Providers, Innovation, Organizational capabilities (1)
    Technological roles, technological advancement, artificial intelligence, Supply chain performance, supply chain, emerging technologies, accuracy, speed, operational cost and information exchange. (1)
    The major objective of this paper is to bring together two ways of thinking in order to create a decision-making framework for developing practical solutions to complex issues. In one bracket of the framework, Ludwig von Bertalanffy’s general systems theory provides a way to gain an understanding for the macro-context of a society. Simultaneously, Paulo Freire’s ideas on empowering individuals through liberation literacy programs allows for individuals at the grassroots to gain the necessary tools to critically engage their surroundings socially, politically and economically. This paper is derived from a larger qualitative case study. The methodology and design allowed freedom and access to explore abstract ideas hoping to reveal important understandings about how socio-economic institutions can work together. This paper is basically a literature review and analysis of Japan’s current state of affairs with a focus on the challenges of building a globally competent workforce for the future. In this paper, as well as the larger study, the case of Japan is used to illustrate and make tangible various ideas, concepts, and recommendations. Although the context is Japan the recommendations can be a model for other nations. This aligns with the main findings, which are that greater cooperation between government, academia, and business, in the Japanese context, need to be fostered while empowering local actors to be more critically engaged in developing solutions to societies challenges. Also, further study of these socio-economic institutions needs to be done because of their complex operational realities. Keywords: business, government, higher education, Ludwig von Bertalanffy, Paulo Freire (1)
    The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between leadership style, resource availability and performance of small and medium enterprises. Specifically, the study focused on determining how leadership style and resource availability affect the performance of the small and medium enterprises. The results of the study sought to benefit the small and medium enterprises, customers in the small and medium enterprises as well as other scholars and researchers. The study was triggered by high variation and high record of defective in the industry as evidence by Toyota recall of 8.8 million vehicles due to problems with the accelerator. The study employed descriptive research design. The target population for the study was 482 staff at Varomatech Limited which is one of the small and medium enterprise. During data collection, 145 staff working in the organization were sampled using stratified simple random sampling. Questionnaires were physically administered to the sample population. A pilot study was conducted to test the accuracy of the research instruments to ensure reliability and validity of research data. Descriptive statistics including mean and standard deviation was used to analyse data. The relationship between independent and dependent variables was determined using regression model using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Research findings were presented using graphs, pie charts and frequency tables. The research findings indicate that resource availability explains 53.6 percent of organizational performance at Varomatech Limited. The research findings further indicated that leadership style did not have statistical significant impact on performance at Varomatech Limited. The study therefore concluded that resource availability had positive and significant impact on performance at Varomatech Limited. The researcher therefore recommends that top management should determine the optimal resources needed and provide those resources for effective performance. Key Words: Leadership style, Resource availability, small and medium enterprises (1)
    The phenomenon with of people working and living on the street is a growing social problem in both developing and developed countries. The overall objective of this study was to explore the challenges facing street families rehabilitation programmes in Kenya. Specifically the study sought to investigate the socio-economic, environmental and caregiving challenges in the rehabilitation of street families. The study was guided by medical theory of rehabilitation. The study used simple random sampling that sampled 125 respondents out of the 250 rehabilitation centers supported by the Street Families Program. Data were collected using structured questionnaire, coded, keyed and analyzed quantitatively using descriptive statistics. Analysis of study findings established that families are facing an array of challenges occasioned by the erosion of the traditional extended families coupled with rapid urbanization. As a result, these boys and girls are stripped of their childhood and sent to the streets to live without parental care. It is here that they are exposed to constant hazards, both physically and psychologically; and this leads to their early exposure to vices, such as drugs, sex and criminal activities. This results to high rates of recidivism and low reintegration rates to their communities. The study strongly recommended that caregivers should be trained on skills on how to provide rehabilitation services. A training manual should be developed to deal with the issue, which can be used as a tool for training of trainers. The physical and environmental challenges facing rehabilitation of street families should be addressed to increase the suitability of rehabilitation centers by provision of recreational and adequate facilities for their development. Besides, rehabilitation centers must address individual needs, such as counseling and guidance, food, shelter and training to those in rehabilitation programmes. The caregivers need to be given training in psycho social skills and continuous counselling for the to effectively manage the rehabilitation programs. Key Words: Psychological, Recreational, Rehabilitation, Street Families, Training (1)
    This paper presents literature review on sustaining competitiveness in public universities in Kenya. The overall objective of the study is to establish the effect of transformational leadership style on internal marketing in addressing the challenge of sustaining competitiveness in public universities in Kenya. The study involved desk research of peer reviewed journal articles and texts on leadership styles, transformational leadership, internal marketing and their relationships to competitiveness of public universities in Kenya. Content analysis which involved categorization of the subject in thematic areas for review and presentation was used. Literature review revealed that indeed competitiveness is bound to depend to a large extent on attracting competitive resource people, attractive courses, and attractive collaborations, sustainable programme funding and profitable operations. The study recommends transformational leadership as a leadership style which inspires and motivates followers to achieve key competencies for the competitiveness of universities. Key words: Leadership styles, Transformational leadership, Public universities in Kenya (1)
    This paper set out to review studies that have been done in the area of technological innovation and the growth of entrepreneurship in developing countries. Specifically, the review aimed at examining the challenges facing entrepreneurial growth in developing countries and develop a conceptual foundation that demonstrates the synergy between entrepreneurial growth and technological innovation in developing countries. The literature review found out that entrepreneurial growth in developing countries face challenges associated with the entrepreneurial environment and the individual capacity of entrepreneurs. However, even beyond these, entrepreneurial growth in developing countries still faces a distinct lag in the diffusion of technological innovations from developed countries. This is partly due to low and falling levels of investment in R&D and huge bureaucracies in government procedures. The study concluded that technological innovation has a positive role in entrepreneurial growth in developing countries and thus investment in building the capacity of entrepreneurs, partnerships and collaborations that stimulate technological innovations are critical if the benefits that entrepreneurship offers are to be realized. Keywords Technological innovation, Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurial Growth, Innovation (1)
    Today, voters tend to evaluate party leaders based on a group of categories that incudes integrity, reliability, and competence. Such evaluation criterion is hardly considered irrational. This study aimed at establishing the effect of political leadership on voting behaviour in the north eastern part of Kenya. It used descriptive research design. The target population was 159 political leaders and 354, 061 registered voters. The sample size was made of 81 political leaders and 322 registered voters. Qualitative data was analysed by use of content analysis while quantitative data was analysed by use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21. The study established that leaders personality traits influence voting behaviour in North Eastern Kenya most followed by past performance, leadership style and leadership capacity. The study also found out that authoritarian leaders employ coercive tactics to enforce the rule and manipulate people in decision-making while transformational leaders demonstrate human understanding and guide others in creating and embracing a vision. Finally, social dominance, communication cues, political ideology, and competence were found to be a major influence on voting behaviour in North Eastern Kenya. The study recommends that political leaders should be made to avoid authoritarian leadership. Instead, they should employ servant leadership, charismatic leadership and transformational leadership. Leaders should ensure stakeholders involvement in decision-making, project implementation and avoid voter manipulations. Keywords; Leaders’ personality traits: Leadership style, political parties, voting (1)
    transactional leadership , employee satisfaction , water service industry (1)
    Transformational Leadership Style, Idealized influence, inspirational stimulation, individualized consideration, intellectual stimulation, Employees’ performance, Small and Medium Enterprises in Ghana. (1)