Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Theses and Dissertations
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Item Wild herbivores enhance resistance to invasion by exotic cacti in an African savanna.(John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Ecological Society, 2022-10-11) Wells,Harry B. M.; Crego, Ramiro D.; Alston, Jesse M.; Ndung'u, S. Kimani; Khasoha, Leo M.; Reed, Courtney G.; Hassan, Abdikadir A.; Kurukura, Samson; Ekadeli, Jackson; Namoni, Mathew; Stewart, Peter S.; Kimuyu, Duncan M.; Wolf, Amelia A.; Young, Ruman P.; Kartzinel, Tyler R.; Palmer, Todd M.; Goheen, Jacob R.; Pringle, Robert M...Whether wild herbivores confer biotic resistance to invasion by exotic plants remains a key question in ecology. There is evidence that wild herbivores can impede invasion by exotic plants, but it is unclear whether and how this generalises across ecosystems with varying wild herbivore diversity and functional groups of plants, particularly over long-term (decadal) time frames. Using data from three long-term (13- to 26-year) exclosure experiments in central Kenya, we tested the effects of wild herbivores on the density of exotic invasive cacti, Opuntia stricta and O. ficus-indica (collectively, Opuntia), which are among the worst invasive species globally. We also examined relationships between wild herbivore richness and elephant occurrence probability with the probability of O. stricta presence at the landscape level (6150 km2). Opuntia densities were 74% to 99% lower in almost all plots accessible to wild herbivores compared to exclosure plots. Opuntia densities also increased more rapidly across time in plots excluding wild herbivores. These effects were largely driven by megaherbivores (≥1000 kg), particularly elephants. At the landscape level, modelled Opuntia stricta occurrence probability was negatively correlated with estimated species richness of wild herbivores and elephant occurrence probability. On average, O. stricta occurrence probability fell from ~0.56 to ~0.45 as wild herbivore richness increased from 6 to 10 species and fell from ~0.57 to ~0.40 as elephant occurrence probability increased from ~0.41 to ~0.84. These multi-scale results suggest that any facilitative effects of Opuntia by wild herbivores (e.g. seed/vegetative dispersal) are overridden by suppression (e.g. consumption, uprooting, trampling). Synthesis. Our experimental and observational findings that wild herbivores confer resistance to invasion by exotic cacti add to evidence that conserving and restoring native herbivore assemblages (particularly megaherbivores) can increase community resistance to plant invasions.Item The value of metaphors in Ken Walibora’s Kiswahili text: ‘Kidagaa Kimemwozea(European Journal of Applied Linguistics Studies, 2019) Ntabo, Victor OndaraThe novelist Ken Walibora employs metaphors in his Kiswahili text Kidagaa Kimemwozea to discuss about the subject of neocolonialism in different perspectives. Due to the metaphoric language used, meaning might be elusive to the readers because metaphor is primarily a matter of thought and action which is normally situated in a specific context. This research, therefore, uses the Cognitive Linguistics framework to objectively reveal the meaning of the metaphors in the text. In the novel, the king (Mtemi Nasaha Bora) is expressed as irrational, dictatorial, oppressive and amorous. However, the protagonist (Amani) conspires with the king’s son to exploit the father’s weakness for the benefit of the common citizens. This study establishes the metaphors in the text using the Metaphor Identification Procedure Vrije Universiteit (MIPVU) and then classifies them into conceptual domains using the principle of Great Chain of Being Metaphor (GCBM). The conceptual mapping which is a tenet of the Conceptual Metaphor Theory is used to evaluate the identified metaphors. This study adopts a qualitative research approach. The paper reveals that animals, plants and objects are stratified source domains richly used to depict the characters in the novel. For a better appreciation of metaphors, the research recommends that it is salient to use the cognitive linguistics approach to understand contextual language against the cultural, historical and geographical backdrop. The paper concludes that metaphors are vital tools of communication and should be explained using the cognitive linguistics approach.Item A statistical analysis of gender and metaphorical conceptualization of Ekegusii pop songs.(2019) Ntabo, V.O.; Gathigia, M.G.; Nyarigoti, N. M.Gender is a vital determinant in the comprehension of pop songs. The composers of pop songs employ metaphors to express ideas through music. The goal of this paper, therefore, is to establish the association between gender and metaphorical conceptualization of Ekegusii pop songs. The study is anchored in the Conceptual Metaphor Theory and the principles of the generic Great Chain of Being Metaphor. The study adopted a mixed research method. Amasomo(Education) and Obwanchani(Love) Ekegusii pop songs by Embarambamba and Ontiri Bikundo respectively were purposively sampled for this study based on their richness in metaphoricity. An interview was conducted among the 36 participants of the study who were selected based on the dichotomy of gender.The study identified 54 metaphors using the criteria adapted from the Metaphor Identification Procedure Vrije Universiteit. Thedata was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences in which Chi-square at a significance level of 0.05 was employed to test the statistical relationship between gender and metaphorical conceptualization of Ekegusii pop songs. The study found that gender significantly influences the conceptualization of A HUMAN BEING IS A HUMAN BEING, A HUMAN BEING IS AN ANIMAL and A HUMAN BEING IS AN OBJECT conceptual domains. However, Chi square test analysis showed insignificant association between gender and the conceptual domain of A HUMAN BEING IS A PLANT.The paper concludes that males and females conceptualize metaphors differently. The study recommends that language researchers should employ the MetaphorIdentification Procedure Vrije Universiteitin metaphor studies.Item Information Technology Research in Developing Nations: Major Research Methods and Publication Outlets(2011-10) WABWOBA, Franklin; IKOHA, Anselimo PetersThe multi-disciplinary nature of Information Technology has brought many methods of research with it. This has left many Information Technology specialists whose background is from the rigid scientific disciplines in a dilemma. The paper distinguishes Information Technology research from computer science research. It highlights where emphasis of research in Information Technology needs to be placed. There has been a general shift in Information Technology from focus being strictly technological to social, managerial and organizational in nature that have put demand on Information Technology researcher to acquire knew skills. The paper differentiates the emphasis between Information Technology research and computer science researcher. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches have become handy in this field of study. The most common research methods action research, case study, Ethnography, experimentation, Grounded theory, secondary method, and survey are discussed in this paper clearly giving the applicability. Important consideration and weakness of each method from the information technology perspective are discussed in this paper. The findings outlets for the field are also mentioned.Item Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation using Information and Communication Technology(2022-08-17) Ajwang, Stephen O.; Nambiro, Alice W.Purpose- This study aims to determine how ICT can be used to address climate change by enhancing adaptation and mitigation measures. Methodology - The research looked at the existing literature on ICT use in climate change adaptation and mitigation. The findings of the literature review were divided into three categories: the role of ICT as an adaptive and mitigating factor, as well as a contributing factor to climate change; role of global ICT companies in combating climate change; and the course of action for increased adoption of ICT to fight climate change. Findings - According to the study, technological advances driven by cutting-edge innovation in ICT have been recognized as effective means of combating climate change by revealing signals of changing climate, analyzing and modeling climate change, and implementing mitigation and adaptation measures that improve human resilience. The study also found that, while ICT has been hailed as a game-changer in combating climate change and its variability, a few limitations remain, as ICT may contribute to some extent to the ongoing climate change. The study also discovered that major ICT companies such as Google, IBM, and Microsoft have increased their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Conclusion - As an essential component of mitigating the effects of climate change, ICT provides new opportunities for knowledge discovery and real-time information exchange. The application of ICT in conjunction with appropriate laws and regulations has the potential to drive the fundamental transformation required in the global fight against climate change. Recommendation - The study recommends that Kenya and the rest of the world embrace and use ICT to mitigate and adapt to climate change to accelerate the achievement of SDGs and other national economic blueprints.Item Resources, external environment, innovation and performance of insurance companies in Kenya(University of Nairobi, 2014) Ombaka, Beatrice ElesaniIn spite of a growing body of literature on firm performance, explaining why firms in the same industry and markets differ in their performance remains a fundamental question within strategic management field. Researchers have attributed differences in firm performance to resources owned by a firm. However, other researchers have argued that resources alone cannot be a source of competitive advantage. Therefore, the debate is still open. This study sought to contribute to knowledge and was premised on the view that resources influence performance both directly and indirectly through intervening effect of innovation and moderating effect of external environment. The study was anchored on the resource based theory, dynamic capabilities theory, knowledge based theory and the open systems theory. The main objective of the study was to establish the influence of external environment and innovation on the relationship between organizational resources and performance of insurance companies in Kenya. The study employed a positivist research paradigm and a cross-sectional survey design. Both primary and secondary data were collected from 46 insurance companies. Primary data was collected using a 5 point Likert type questionnaire and an interview guide. Secondary data on financial performance was collected from Association of Kenya Insurers annual report of 2011 and 2012. The study was guided by six specific objectives. To achieve these objectives, eight hypotheses were formulated and tested. Descriptive statistics, correlation and multiple regression analysis were used to analyze data. The findings established that both tangible and intangible resources had a statistically significant influence on non financial performance of insurance companies in Kenya. However, there were mixed findings as regards the individual influence of resources on various firm performance indicators. Intangible resources evidenced statistically not significant results individually but when combined, they had a statistically significant influence on non-financial performance. The study also revealed that intangible resources had a statistically significant positive moderate correlation with innovation. Tangible resources evidenced a weak positive correlation with innovation that was not statistically significant. Innovation had a statistically significant intervening influence on the relationship between resources and non-financial performance. There was a statistically not significant relationship between organizational resources, external environment and innovation. The external environment did not have a statistically significant moderating effect on the relationship between organizational resources and performance of insurance companies in Kenya. Finally, the joint effect of organizational resources, innovation and the external environment on non-financial performance was found to be greater than that of the individual variables. In the joint influence, innovation had the highest contribution followed by organizational resources. The contribution of the external environment was statistically not significant. The findings of this study lend partial support to previous studies. The results support the resource based view which proposes that resources are a source of a sustainable competitive advantage for the firm. The results of the study are significant for theory, policy and practice. The findings adds to the knowledge in the field of strategic management by establishing that organizational resources influence firm performance both directly and indirectly through intervening effect of innovation. The moderating effect of the external environment was statistically not significant.Item MEDIA COVERAGE, CONTENT FRAMING AND AUDIENCE PERCEPTION OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION DISCOURSE IN KENYA(2023-10) MBURU, JINARO PAULA THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CONFERMENT OF THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN COMMUNICATION STUDIES OF KARATINA UNIVERSITYItem MEDIA COVERAGE, CONTENT FRAMING AND AUDIENCE PERCEPTION OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION DISCOURSE IN KENYA(Karatina University, 2023-10) MBURU, JINARO PAULAudience perception of wildlife conservation discourse in Kenya has been negative as evidenced in the results of conservation efforts. The general objective of the study was: to investigate the influence of media coverage, content framing and audience perception of wildlife conservation discourse in Kenya. The specific objectives were to: examine the influence of the choice of media channel on audience perception; evaluate the timing of media messages on audience perception; investigate the effects of frequency of media messages on audience perception; assess the combined influence of choice of media channel, timing of media messages, and frequency of media messages on perception; and to investigate the moderating influence of content framing on the relationship between media coverage and audience perception of wildlife conservation discourse in Kenya. The study was anchored on framing and semantic meaning theories using a pragmatism philosophical paradigm. It employed a convergent parallel mixed methods design, combining quantitative and qualitative data for a comprehensive analysis. The target population consisted of 297 individuals, with a sample size of 133. Purposive sampling techniques were used to select 6 environmental journalists, a census identified 12 park managers, and through simple random sampling, 115 human-wildlife conflict resolution committee members joined the sample. Data collection tools comprised of interview guide for media practitioners and park managers, Focus Group Discussions guide targeting human-wildlife conflict resolution committee officials and a questionnaire administered to the other committee members. Qualitative data was thematically analyzed and presented in narrative form, while quantitative data underwent descriptive and inferential statistical analysis, with findings presented through linear texts and graphics. The study findings showed that there was lack of effective communication channels for wildlife conservation initiatives, which led to community resistance and jeopardize conservation efforts. The relationship between media channel choice and audience perception showed an R-squared value of 0.656, indicating that media channels explain 65.6% of the variation in perception. Timing of media messages had an R-squared value of 0.779, explaining 77.9% of perception variation. Frequency of messages had an R-squared value of 0.856, explaining 85.6% of variation. In each case, the calculated F-values were significantly greater than the critical F-values. Content framing was found to moderate the relationship between media coverage and perception, with a significant ANOVA result (F = 240.355; p-Value<0.05). This emphasizes the need for strategic communication approaches in wildlife conservation. The study concluded that when framing wildlife conservation messages, the target audiences were not satisfied with the manner in which these messages were communicated. The study findings will assist media practitioners in formulating guidelines for media coverage and content framing of wildlife conservation discourse. The study therefore recommended that practitioners should use correct media channels and effective content framing strategies in order to change audience perception of wildlife conservation.Item Bioecology of thrips in French bean growing: agroecosystems in Kenya.(1999) Gitonga, Gitonga, Linus MuthuriStudies on the bioecology ofthrips on French beans were carried out at Machakos, Kaguru and JKUAT. The general objectives of this study were twofold, namely to study the biology and population dynamics of thrips on French beans and to identify and evaluate indigenous natural enemies of the thrips. Two thrips species, M sjostedti and F occidentalis were found throughout the year on French bean crops in all localities of the study. Their population peaks occurred at different times in the course of the year. Populations of M sjostedti peaked after the rains while those of F occidentalis occurred during the hot and dry months of the year at all the localities. Studies on the movements of thrips, into and out of the French bean crops showed that colonization by both species begins soon after germination and that both species preferred the flowers to other plant parts. F occidentalis was found to thrive equally well on the leaves, unlike M sjostedti which only inhabited flower buds and flowers. During the pre-flowering phase ofthe crop, M sjostedti were found on the terminal buds from where they moved to the flowers immediately after the onset of flowering. Most first instar larvae emerged from the pods and flowers. Petioles, leaves, flower buds, flowers and pods were used as oviposition substrates by the thrips.to varying extents. Analysis of the spatial distribution showed both species to be significantly aggregated in the respective plant parts. Laboratory studies indicated that developmental period decreased with an increase in temperature for all the stages of M sjostedti and F. occidentalis. Developmental threshold temperatures were calculated as 9.6 and 9.0 for M sjostedti and F. occidentalis respectively. Development from egg to adult required 212.0 and 256.8 Degree Days for M sjostedti and F. occidentalis respectively. However, at 15?C and 300C, mortality rates for all the developmental stages were higher for M sjostedti than F. occidentalis. The highest mortalities were recorded for the first instar larvae for both species, ranging from 15% to 42% and 11 % to 30% for M sjostedti and F. occidentalis respectively. Pre-pupae and pupae had the lowest mortality rates. An indigenous anthocorid bug, Orius albidipennis was found throughout the year in all the three field sites. Studies on the functional responses of 0. albidipennis to M sjostedti showed that more second instar larvae than adult M sjostedti were killed at all the temperature profiles and densities. With increase in temperature, more second instar larvae and adult M sjostedti were killed. High f2 values shows that both Types I and IT functional responses provided good fit for the data at 15?C, 25?C and 28?C. Attack rates also increased with an increase in temperature. Mortality rates of the 0. albidipennis nymphal instars decreased from the first to the 5th instar at all the temperatures. The mortality rates at 25?C were lower than at 20?C and 30?C for all the nymphal instars except the first instar. Temperatures had a significant effect on the pre-oviposition period, which decreased with an increase in temperature. The eggs took long to hatch at 20?C. Developmental periods of each of the nymphal instars decreased with an increase in temperature. An indigenous larval endoparasitoid of thrips, Ceranisus menes, was found throughout the year in the three localities and its population peaks occurred in the late and early months of the year, from October to April. A closer correlation was found between C. menes and F. occidentalis than with M sjostedti. At JKUAT, percentage parasitism, over the entire crop cycle, ranged from 3.5% to 19.5% and peaked in the months of Marchi April. The lowest percentage parasitism coincided with the period of the highest M sjostedti infestation on French beans. Linear regression analysis showed a density dependence relationship between parasitism and larval density. Laboratory experiments showed that C. menes successfully parasitized and completed development in both M sjostedti and F. occidentalis. Developmental times of C. menes in M sjostedti and F. occidentalis were not significantly different.Item STRATEGIC ENTREPRENEURSHIP, LEAN-GREEN PRACTICES AND PERFORMANCE OF MEDIUM HOTELS IN KENYAN CITIES(Karatina University, 2023-11) NGUNGA, JOSEPH KARIMIStrategic entrepreneurship has been associated with adopting technologies, products, and administrative innovations which culminate in better firm performance. The current rapidly changing and highly competitive market has put companies under great pressure to adopt sustainable practices, in terms of keeping a healthy balance among economic, environmental, and social performances. Studies done in the hotel industry have not addressed the contribution of strategic entrepreneurship on performance and competitiveness. The general objective of this study was to determine the influence of strategic entrepreneurship on performance among medium hotel enterprises in Kenyan cities. Specifically, the study examined the influence of entrepreneurial mindset on performance, established the influence of innovations on performance, analyzed the influence of capital mobilization on performance, examined the effect of networks on performance, and established the moderating influence of lean-green practices on the relationship between strategic entrepreneurship and performance of medium hotel enterprises in Kenyan cities. The study was anchored on Schumpeterian Innovations Theory, Natural Resource Based-View Theory, and Dynamic Capabilities Theory. The study adopted the pragmatic research philosophy and employed a mixed-method research design. The study population was 534 managers of medium sized hotel enterprises in Mombasa, Kisumu, and Nairobi. The sample size was determined using the Yamane (1967) sampling formula, resulting in a sample of 229 respondents. A proportionate stratified sampling technique was applied to get a representative sample of each city. Primary data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. A pilot study was carried out in Nanyuki and Embu towns among medium hotel enterprises to test the reliability and accuracy of the research instruments. Construct validity was determined by calculating average variances extracted (AVEs) for each construct, then reliability using Cronbach’s Alpha internal consistency index. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used as the main software for data analysis. The data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Pearson’s correlation and regression models were used to analyze quantitative data while qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis. The hypothesis testing used structural equation modeling. The hierarchical multiple moderated regression model was used to measure the strength of the relationship between strategic entrepreneurship , lean-green practices and performance of medium hotels in Kenyan cities. From the joint effect model the results established that strategic entrepreneurship had the most significant influence on performance of medium hotels in Kenyan cities (Regression coefficient .751, p = .000) followed by lean-green practices (Regression coefficient .417, p = .000), and positively and significantly moderate the relationship between strategic entrepreneurship and performance (Regression coefficient .937, p = .017) with R2 change 1 percent additional variance. The study concluded that lean-green practices positively moderate the relationship between strategic entrepreneurship and performance of medium hotels. Based on the findings, the study recommends enhancement of designing, implementing, and utilizing strategic entrepreneurship with lean-green practices in medium hotels production matrix. The findings are beneficial to the management and stakeholders in the hotel industry and academia.