Department of Business and Economics
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Item Influence of Entrepreneurial Orientation on Firm Performance of Kenya’s Agro Processing Small and Medium Enterprises(IOSR Journal of Business and Management, 2016-09) Wanjau, Kenneth https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3146-5324; Gichira, Robert; Wambugu, Angeline WambuiThe study used Structural Equation Modeling partial least squares (SEM-PLS)to investigate the influence of Entrepreneurial Orientation on Firm Performance of Kenya’s Agro Processing SMEs. The study was undertaken on Agro Processing SMEs registered with Kenya Association of Manufacturers operating with Nairobi and its environs. The questionnaires were self-administered on owner/managers of agro processing SMEs. Entrepreneurial Orientation was conceptualized and analyzed as a latent second-order construct comprised of innovativeness, proactiveness and risk taking. The study results revealed that Entrepreneurial Orientation has a positive and statistically significant influence on firm performanceof Kenya’s agro processing SMEs. The study concludedthat Entrepreneurial Orientation as a uni-dimensional construct is an important predictor of firm performance, in terms of growth and profitability.The implication of this finding for managerial practice and future research is discussed. Keywords:-Entrepreneurial Orientation, Firm Performance, Agro Processing, Small and Medium Enterprises, KenyaItem Influence of Lean Quality Management on Operational Performance of Third Party Port-Centric Logistics Firms in Kenya(International Journal for Advanced Research and Novelty, 2017-08) Wanjau, Kenneth Lawrence; Gichira, Robert; Rucha, Kingsford M.; Njihia, James MurangaThis research paper largely explored lean quality as proposed by luminaries of lean concept. The study aim was to propose and test conceptual model of the relationship between lean quality and operational performance of third-party port-centric logistics (3PL) firms in Kenya. The objective was to determine the relationship between quality management and operational performance of third-party port-centric logistic firms in Kenya and test the hypothesis (H0) that there is no significant difference in the relationship between quality management and operational performance of Third-Party Port-Centric Logistics firms in Kenya. Most studies in the area were done outside the African continent and dwelt largely on manufacturing firms. Port-centric logistics as logistics services providers are critical to any country since they are the interface between exporter and importer and the study put a lot of emphasis on finding out the relationship between quality management as a lean practice and operational performance of these firms. This is the gap this research sought to address. A survey based on stratified sampling with a disproportionate approach consisting of 164 firms (15% of the population) was used in data collection using 164 questionnaires targeting 164 third party port-centric logistics firms. The response rate for this study was 75.6% (124 firms). Data analysis was carried out using moderated multiple regression (MMR) analysis where relationship between the two variables was determined. The relationship was determined and the tests of reliability using Cronbach alpha, normality using Q-Q plots and test of hypothesis conducted. The study found out that quality management variable is statistically and significantly related to the operational performance, contributing to the strength of the overall model (with adjusted R2 of 46.9%) with a beta coefficient of .167. This was considered good enough link with an appreciation that operational performance is also affected by other organizational and management factors outside the model that may be internal or external to the organization. Consequently, this study immensely provides information and knowledge that will play a role in research agenda in this area of lean management in services, in operations performance and 3PL firms. The study proposes policy formulation that would support measures that will boost and graft-in both quality and best practices that will eventually poster excellency in operational performance by third party port-centric logistics providers not only in Kenya but in east Africa and Africa at large.Item The Relationship Between Information Sharing and Quality Management in the Small and Medium Beef Enterprises in Kenya(2015-02) Wanjau, Kenneth N.; Gichira, Robert; Kibuchi, Joyce M.Research on organization economics reports a general trend towards information sharing in food supply chains. Business globalization and efficient communication via Information Technology, have forced food enterprises to turn towards a more cooperative behavior. While this change to cooperative data communication has occurred in other supply chains, it is not common in beef supply chains. Studies have shown that efficient coordination of chain information enables seamless traceability and harmonization of production processes between the various stages of the supply chains. There is substantial evidence documenting the effects of information sharing on SME growth and performance but adequate empirical evidence on the relationship between information sharing and quality management in the beef enterprises is lacking. This study sought to fill this knowledge gap. Simple random sampling was adopted and a semi-structured questionnaire was used to generate data from selected respondents in the beef sector in Kenya. Data was analyzed using structural equation modeling. Results showed a positive relationship between information sharing and quality management. Therefore, enterprises should ensure flow of information for quality products in a competitive global market.Item The relationship between proactiveness and performance of small and medium agro processing enterprises in Kenya(2015-12) Wanjau, Kenneth N.; Mung’atu, Joseph; Gichira, Robert; Wambugu, Angeline WambuiItem Tag Archives: Information Security A Configurational Approach of the Relationship between Information Security Management and Performance of Small and Medium Enterprises in Kenya(European - American Journals, 2014-07) Ndung'u, Stanley; Wanjau, Kenneth Lawrence https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3146-5324; Gichira, Robert; Mwangi, WaweruEnterprises corresponding to a backbone of a modern society recognize information security management (ISM) as one of business management factors.Companies suffer significant financial and reputational damage due to ineffective information security management, severely impacting their performance and market valuation. Information security is vital for protecting important assets of organizations, including the information resources and the organization’s reputation. SMEs have the capacity to achieve rapid economic growth and in Kenya they employ about 85 percent of the Kenyan workforce. The need to link ISM with performance has become especially important for firms striving to achieve superior performance. However, there have been little documented evidences that existed for specific relationships between ISM and SME performance. To better understand this relationship, this paper takes a holistic approach guided by a cross-sectional research design. Using the hierarchical and moderated multiple regression (MMR) analyses, the theoretical models and hypotheses in this study were tested based on empirical data gathered from 94 SMEs that participated in the 2013 Top 100 Survey. The results revealed that entrepreneurial orientation significantly moderated the relationship between information security management and performance of SMEs. This study will enhance the skill set in Kenyan SMEs, producing a more sustainable solution, as well as contributing to the open literature.Item Moderating Effect Of Entrepreneurial Orientation On The Relationship Between Human-Related Information Security Issues And Firm Performance In Kenya(ASIAN ACADEMIC RESEARCH J O U R N A L O F S O C I A L S C I E N C E & H U M A N I T I E S, 2014-08) Ndung'u, Stanley; Wanjau, Kenneth Lawrence https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3146-5324; Mwangi, Waweru; Gichira, RobertBy having an effective organizational information security culture where employees intuitively protect corporate information assets, SMEs could improve information security. Research has also identified information security awareness and training as important parts of information security and stated that increasing awareness of security issues is the most cost effective control that a firm can implement. SMEs have the capacity to achieve rapid economic growth. In Kenya they employ about 85 percent of the Kenyan workforce. The need to link human-related information security issues with performance has become vital for firms striving to achieve superior performance. However, there have been no rich literature linking the two. Also SMEs have a weak understanding of information security, security technologies and control measures. To better understand this relationship, this paper was guided by a cross-sectional research design. Using the hierarchical and moderated multiple regression (MMR) analyses, the theoretical models and hypotheses in this paper were tested based on empirical data gathered from 94 SMEs that participated in the 2013 Top 100 Survey. The results revealed that entrepreneurial orientation significantly moderated the relationship between human-related information security issues and firm performance in Kenya. This study will enhance the skill set in Kenyan SMEs, producing a more sustainable solution, as well as contributing to the open literature.