Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Theses and Dissertations

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Start date: 2020End date: 2020

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    EFFECTIVENESS OF UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES IN MITIGATING EXAMINATION MALPRACTICES IN KENYA
    (Karatina University, 2020-12) MULONGO, MESHACK AMBANI
    The purpose of the study was to assess the effectiveness of university examinations management in mitigating examination malpractices in Kenya. The specific objectives were to; establish the prevalence of examination malpractices among male and female students in universities in Kenya, assess the adherence by universities to the examination regulatory frameworks in Private and Public universities in Kenya, examine the effectiveness of strategies used to control examination malpractices in Private and Public universities in Kenya and assess the challenges affecting the control of examination malpractices in Public and Private universities in Kenya. The study sought to find if there was significant difference in prevalence of examination malpractices between male and female students, adherence to examination regulatory frameworks by public and private universities, effectiveness of strategies used to control examination malpractices between the public and private universities and challenges affecting the control of examination between the public and private universities. The study was guided by Bandura’s Self-Efficacy theory. The target population was 40033 respondents. The study was based on the descriptive survey research design. A total of 390 participants were sampled using Kathuri and Pals’ sampling table. Purposive, stratified and simple random sampling techniques were used. Data collection instruments were questionnaires and an interview schedule. Cronbach’s Alpha Coefficient was calculated to establish the reliability of the instruments, which yielded r=0.79 and r= 0.77 for students’ and examination officers’ questionnaires respectively. Opinion of experts from the department of education was used to validate the instruments. Data was analyzed using both the descriptive and inferential statistics, precisely the t-tests. Results showed that 50.4% of respondents agreed that students possess unauthorized materials 49.6% agreed that students copy examinations and 50% indicated that they girrafed on others and these were the most prevalent forms of examination malpractices. Non-adherence to examination regulatory frameworks was affirmed by 51.3% of respondents while frisking was 64.5% of respondents. The t-tests calculated revealed that the prevalence of examination malpractices between male and female students in universities in Kenya was largely the same, the adherence to regulatory framework for private and public universities was largely the same, there was a significant difference in the effectiveness of strategies when public and private universities were compared and there was a significant mean difference when public and private universities were compared on challenges affecting the control of examination universities. Based on the findings, the study recommended that there was need to strengthen vigilance in the administration of examinations in universities in Kenya. In addition, there is need for use of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras in examination rooms and improved frisking of students. These recommendations, if implemented, will greatly help in formulation of policies towards the mitigation of examination malpractices in
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    CONTEXTUAL FACTORS INFLUENCING LONELINESS AMONG LEARNERS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN MURANG’A COUNTY, KENYA
    (Karatina University, 2020-12) BARU, PETER MURIUKI
    The impact of loneliness on productivity among human beings and especially learners in secondary schools continue to be a subject of great concern to philosophers, educationists and policy makers. The contextual factors that influence loneliness among learners in secondary schools in Kenya and particularly in Murang’a County are not clearly known and documented. The purpose of this study was to assess the contextual factors that influence loneliness among learners in secondary schools in Murang’a County in Kenya. The objectives of the study were to; examine prevalence of loneliness among learners in secondary schools in Murang’a County, compare the correlates of loneliness among learners and evaluate the effectiveness of counselling in managing loneliness among learners in secondary schools in Murang’a County in Kenya. The study tested the following null hypothesis; HO1: there is no statistically significant difference in correlates of loneliness among learners in secondary schools in Murang’a County. The study was guided by Vygotsky’s Social Cognitive Learning Theory. The study adopted the cross-sectional survey research design. The target population was 100,684 learners found in the 303 public secondary schools in the County. Krejecie and Morgan Table was used to determine the sample size and stratified random sampling was used to select between 10% and 30% of the schools to participate in the study. All form two learners in the selected schools were purposively sampled to participate in the study. A questionnaire was used to collect demographic data. Scales to measure teacher-learner relationships and sense of belonging to school were adapted by the researcher for the study while PAL scale was used to measure level of loneliness. The scales and the questionnaire were piloted in similar type of schools in Kiambu County. Cronbach’s alpha Correlation Coefficient test of reliability of the questionnaire and scales yielded 0.83 which was acceptable. Descriptive and inferential statistics analysis was done using SPSS version 20. The study found that 39% to 55% of learners had had serious episodes of loneliness. Correlates of loneliness were found to vary by gender, school type and perception on effectiveness of guidance and counselling services. The study concluded that coeducation boarding schools presented unique challenges in management of loneliness. The study recommends strengthening of guidance and counselling services which should be tailored to specific school environment for effective management of loneliness.
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    INSTITUTIONAL COMPETENCY MAPPING, FIRMS’ CULTURE AND ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE AMONG INSURANCE COMPANIES IN KENYA
    (Karatina University, 2020-12) MWANGI, GRACE WANGARI
    Kenyan insurance companies do constantly face many challenges such as mispricing of insurance policies, lack of the required human resource capacities, and changes in interest rates among others. This study sought to determine the influence of institutional competency mapping on the performance of insurance companies in Kenya. Specifically, the study sought to establish the influence of relationship management, emotional intelligence and innovativeness on the performance of insurance companies in Kenya. In addition, the study sought to determine the moderating influence of firm’s culture on the relationship between institutional competency mapping and performance of insurance companies in Kenya. The study was anchored on competency theory, resource-based view theory, theory of comparative advantage, the balanced score card model and institutional theory. The research philosophy adopted was positivism. Descriptive and correlational research designs were adopted with the study population comprising all the 453 management staff in the 55 registered insurance companies in Kenya as at 28th February 2017. A sample size of 208 participants was drawn from the lower, middle, and the top level management using stratified sampling technique. Primary data was collected via semi-structured questionnaires while secondary data on organisation performance was collected using data collection sheet. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics where the mean and standard deviation were determined. Multiple regression analysis and correlation analysis were used to aid in inferential analysis of the data. Results shows that most Kenyan based insurance firms undertake to map relationship management, emotional intelligence, and innovativeness among their employees during the selection process to a moderate extent. Correlation results shows that there was a significant positive correlation between organisation performance and relationship management (r=0.282; P=0.000), emotional intelligence (r=0.094; P=0.000), innovativeness (r=0.096; P=0.000) and firm’s culture (r=0.840; P=0.000). The regression model results indicated that institutional competency mapping predicted 72.8 percent of the variations in performance of insurance companies in Kenya. Relationship management, emotional intelligence, and innovativeness significantly influenced firm performance. Firm’s culture significantly moderated the relationship between institutional competency mapping and organization performance. The conclusion made was that relationship management, emotional intelligence and innovativeness influenced performance of insurance companies in Kenya while firm’s culture significantly moderated the relationship between institutional competency mapping and organizational performance. The study recommends that management of insurance companies should cultivate, create, and maintain good rapport with stakeholders, develop programs designed to offer training and enhancement of self-awareness and promote high levels of adaptability to remain productive in the changing environment. The results of the study will be beneficial to the managers of insurance firms, their employees and the government as it shows the significance of competency mapping in stimulating performance of insurance companies in Kenya.
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