Department of Business and Economics
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://localhost:4000/handle/20.500.12092/1846
Browse
3 results
Search Results
Item Moderating Effect of Innovation Ecosystem on Knowledge Entrepreneurship and Innovation Performance of Manufacturing Firms in Kenya(International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Business Development, 2020-09) Gachanja, Isaac Muiruri; Nganga, Stephen Irura; Kiganane, Lucy MainaPurpose: Examine the moderating effect of Innovation Ecosystem (IE) on the relationship between Knowledge Entrepreneurship (KE) and Innovation Performance (IP) of manufacturing firms in Kenya. Design/methodology/approach: The study was anchored on the complexity theory. Mixed method research was applied which utilized cross-sectional design. The target population was 828 manufacturing firms. Purposive and stratified random sampling was used to determine a sample size of 115 firms. Findings: The study found that IE has a great moderating effect between KE and IP in manufacturing firms in Kenya. Collaboration and networking between industry, research organizations and universities should be strengthened to promote IP and increase the competitiveness of firms. Research limitations/implications: The number of sample is relative small compared with the population. Practical implications: Result of this research shows that Innovation system is one of the most important things in resulting Innovation performanceItem Influence of Organization Learning on Innovation Output in Manufacturing Firms in Kenya(International Journal of Innovation Studies, 2020-02-27) Gachanja, Isaac Muiruri; Nga’nga, Stephen Irura; Kiganane, Lucy MainaKnowledge entrepreneurship is increasingly becoming important in driving innovation forhigh levels of competitiveness. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation-ship between Organization Learning (OL) and Innovation Output (IO) for improved per-formance in manufacturingfirms in Kenya. The theoretical underpinnings on this study arethe Schumpeter’s (1934) innovation theory of and the Gleick (1987) complexity theory. Themethodology used was mixed method research because it provides a more holistic un-derstanding of a thematic area. The research design that was used is cross-sectional designbecause it allows for making observations on different characteristics that exist within agroup at a particular time. The target population was manufacturingfirms across thecountry. Multi-stage sampling strategy was used to sample 303 respondents from 101firms. Primary and secondary data were used to collect both qualitative and quantitativedata. The questionnaire, interview schedule and a checklist of key informants were used tocollect data. Content validity was used to ascertain the credibility of the research pro-cedure and internal consistency technique was used to test for reliability. Correlation andlinear regression were used to determine the relationship between OL and IO. Work dis-ruptions were avoided by making prior arrangements and appointments. Thefindingsindicate that OL has a significant influence on IO. It is recommended that lifelong learning,management support and risk tolerance should be encouraged to improve creativity. Highcreativity is important in raising the capacity to integrate internal and external knowledgefor greater levels of IO. Further research should be carried out tofind how customers andsuppliers information can be utilized to enriched OL.Item Challenges Facing Women Entrepreneurs in Africa -A Case of Kenyan Women Entrepreneurs(ijamee, 2014-06) Kyalo, Teresia Ngina; Kiganane, Lucy MainaEntrepreneurship is the engine of economic growth and wheel that pedal the vehicle of economic development and has been recognized for its importance in the area of job creation, revenue generation, poverty alleviation and wealth creation [1-3] Following this, it is now identified as the central element in the theory of economic development and it makes up the largest business sector in economies [4,5]. It involves a willingness to rejuvenate market offerings, innovate, risks taking, trying out of new and uncertain products, services and markets and being more proactive than competitors towards exploring new business opportunities [6, 7]. It attracts both men and women who are interested in profitable inter-industry relationship. Women account for significant percent of the operators of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) [5, 8]. Women entrepreneurs make a substantial contribution to national economies through their participation in start-ups and their growth in small and medium businesses [9]. This paper looks at the challenges facing women entrepreneurs in Africa as entrepreneurship is regarded to be a male activity [10]. The main variables investigated were: demographic factors such as personal background, education and experience; social networks; and access to finance. The exploratory and descriptive research designs were adopted. Questionnaires were used as a tool of data collection. Stratified sampling method was used to get 130 respondents from Kenya. Data was analyzed using the SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Studies). Chi-square, ttest and logistic regression were used. Findings of the study revealed that demographic factors and social networks were the main challenges facing women entrepreneurs. However, access to finance was found not a major challenge as women entrepreneurs were found to prefer internal sources of financing. Recommendations based on these findings were: women empowerment, training and sharing of information, provision of networks to enable marketing, provision of working areas near home location because of family reasons, building of self-confidence and esteem, risk taking training to improve formal market credits and thus grow their enterprises.