Research Publications

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Start date: 2010End date: 2019

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Now showing 1 - 10 of 543
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    Baseline Psycho-Social Health Needs among Rape Survivors: A Community–based Interventional Study in Kenya.
    (2013-09) Mwitha, B. G.; Wanzala, P.; Makokha, A.
    The study assessed the psychosocial health needs and satisfaction with post rape services among survivors immediately after rape. Objective: To assess the baseline psycho-social health needs among rape survivors presenting in Thika and Naivasha Public Health Hospitals in Kiambu and Nakuru counties respectively. Methods and Design: A prospective quasi experimental study. Population: 410 rape survivors were prospectively recruited consecutively in the two study sites from April 2012-February 2013. 138 (33.7%) rape survivors were recruited in intervention site where Intense Community Lay Rape Trauma Counseling (ICLRTC) intervention was given, while 272 (66.3%) survivors recruited in the control site where survivors received standard post rape care. Procedures: Raped survivors presented to the hospital. After assessment and treatment by a clinician the survivors were referred to Comprehensive Care Centre (CCC) for trauma counselling. The assessment was carried out by Trauma Counselors with counseling experience ranging from 3-8 years. Measures were made on independent variables-basic demographic information (variables which does not change or which remain constant in the process of interaction; and dependent variables (variables which are manipulated and change during the process of interaction) depression, secondary traumatic stress, self blame and shame. Data analysis: Data was analyzed using SPSS version 17.0. Persons’ chi square, odds ratio and P value were used to measure for similarity or differences between the two study groups at baseline. Results: In the older age group ‘medication and counselling’ (p=0.014) in 59 (53.6%) survivors was significant and different between the two study groups. In the younger age group ‘medication and counselling’ (p=0.011) in 13 (54.2%) survivors, ‘medication and check-up’ (p=0.046) in 8 (33.3%) survivors were significant and different between the two study groups. In both age groups there was a significant difference between the two study groups in ‘dissatisfaction with the way handled by police’ (p=0.007). Conclusion: Priority need immediately post rape was ‘medication and counseling’. At baseline survivors were dissatisfied with the way police handled them.
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    A community-based evaluation of population growth and agro-pastoralist resilience in Sub-Saharan drylands
    (2019-02) Burian, Alfred; Karaya, Rebecca; Julia, Wernersson; Egberth, Mikael; Lokorwa, Benjamin; Nyberg, Gert
    Abstract Human population growth is considered together with climate warming as major driver of change in Sub-Saharan Africa. Research on the implications of increased population densities often utilises community knowledge but without incorporating the view of local stakeholders. In this study, we applied a community-centred approach to assess direct and indirect consequences of population growth in drylands of north-western Kenya. Combined social, agricultural and geo-spatial analyses allowed us to identify major system transitions, determine their linkage to population growth and deduce consequences for local livelihoods and community resilience. Community-members reported positive and negative consequences of fourfold population growth since 1974 but evaluated its overall effect as clearly beneficial. This overall positive effect was based on both, positive developments and the successful mitigation of potential system stressors. First, food security was maintained despite high growth rates because a shift from migratory pastoralism to a more labour-intensive agro-pastoralist system helped to increase agricultural productivity. Additionally, land-use changes were linked to land privatisation and improved erosion protection on private land, decoupling population growth from environmental degradation. We detected, however also early warning signs of reduced community resilience as households were unable to fully recover livestock densities after catastrophic events. A population-growth driven reduction in household land-sizes and the decreased monetary value of agricultural production were identified as drivers of this development. The extrapolation of our results to establish a general relationship between population densities, land-use and household resilience in Sub-Saharan drylands suggest that further system transformations will be required to ensure regional food-security.
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    Strategic Choice, Organizational Learning, Top Management Team Processes and Firm Performance: A Critical Literature Review
    (2016-01) Ayuya, Angeline Mukokho; Ombaka, Beatrice
    Organizations are in a constant search for ways of distinguishing themselves from rivals and competitors in a bid to outperform them and secure sustained competitive advantage. It has been argued that organizations that will truly excel in the future will be those that discover how to tap people’s commitment and develop the capacity to learn at all levels in an organization. The advantage maybe seen as resting in the strategic choices that these organizations make including the choice to engage in organizational learning and to ultimately transform into learning organizations. Strategists (TMTs) within a strategic group must share commonalities in determining strategic direction of their firms and in nurturing and deploying resources to realize chosen strategies. It is explicit that organizational outcomes including organizational culture, organizational learning and performance are a function of the strategic choices that organizations make. These strategic choices have been termed by population ecologists as response strategies to environmental opportunities and threats. Other researchers have taken the stance that strategic choices are constrained by the environment in the environment dependence and determinacy framework. It has been separately argued and determined that strategic choices are to a great extent influenced by leadership, goal agreement, the level of cohesion and the collective vision of TMTs. These TMT processes have a bearing on organizational learning and consequently performance. Various conceptual linkage shave been identified between the variables of the study. However, these linkages have neither been concretized nor integrated. This paper seeks to verify the conceptual linkages between the variables and to develop a conceptual framework for interrogating the joint influence of Organizational Learning (OL) and TMT processes on the relationship between strategic choices and firm performance.
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    The Influence of External Stakeholders and Expansion Strategies on the Relationship between Organisational Resources and Firm Performance
    (2013) Mahasi, John; Awino, Z. B.; Pokhariyal, G. P.; Ombaka, Beatrice
    For decades, the field of strategic management has focused on the determination of drivers of performance and the causes of variation in performance within and between firms. The frameworks so far identified such as resources, external stakeholders and expansion strategies provide partial explanations to performance. This paper seeks to investigate the drivers and causes of variation in performance from a resource based perspective while considering the joint influence of external stakeholders and expansion strategies. According to the resource based theory, resources are central to a host of organisational actions and outcomes. Resources determine a firm’s response capabilities and response strategies, growth and expansion strategies and can ultimately be leveraged to secure superior performance. Stakeholder theorists have argued that paying attention to and satisfying stakeholder needs is essential to organisational success. However, the influence of stakeholders on firm performance has seldom been articulated. The effect of expansion strategies such as diversification and internationalization on performance has been investigated. The literature review done and the conceptual model developed establish the moderating effect of external stakeholders and the intervening role of expansion strategies on the relationship between resources and performance. The findings will provide useful insights to managers on factors affecting performance and the manner in which they affect performance. This will help refocus strategic effort towards improved performance of the institutions and contribute to the steadily growing knowledge on the drivers of firm performance and causes of variation in firm performance and could possibly guide future research.
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    Organizational Resources, External Environment, Innovation and Firm Performance: A Critical Review of Literature
    (2014-12) Ombaka, Beatrice Elesani; Michuki, V.; Mahasi, J.
    Organisational climate (OC) plays an important role in the innovation of an organisation. In addition, innovation has become critical for nations, organisations and individuals in an increasingly complex and challenging world. Yet, very few studies are designed to investigate the causal path of the effect of innovation on organisational performance systematically by examining the influence of organisational climate. The purpose of the study has been to consolidate, synthesize and critique the empirical studies that have examined the relationship between organisational climate, innovation and organisational performance. A systematic literature review approach has been followed to find the appropriate studies on these constructs (organisational climate, innovation and organisational performance) and the building blocks of science (concepts, statement and conceptual framework) have been used as a structure to analyse and report on the findings. After consulting 96 major databases, covering a wide range of fields, only seven articles that investigated the causal path between organisational climate, innovation and organisational performance were identified. The differences and similarities on how concepts were used are presented. These differences become particularly apparent when the tools used to measure these constructs are examined. Studying the articles has also resulted in the development of appropriate and comprehensive typologies concerning the variables. The findings also show that models are typically linear and these are affirmed when subjective, rather than objective, measures are used. This research study alerts researchers and practitioners alike about the importance of clear and shared definitions of constructs. Without that meaningful communication, observation on the topic is impossible. The findings also show that the methods of measurement influence results, which should be considered when interpreting the results.
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    Organizational Resources, Innovation and Performance of Insurance Companies in Kenya
    (University of Nairobi, 2015) Ombaka, Beatrice E.; Machuki, Vincent N.; Awino, Zachary B.; Gituro, Wainaina
    In 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. While some researchers have attributed these differences to the resources owned and controlled by firms, others have argued that resources alone do not explain the differences in the firms’ performance. This debate still continues, hence providing room for further contributions. Underpinned by the postulations of resource based theory, dynamic capabilities theory and knowledge based theory; this study contributes to the debate. The study advances the proposition that resources influence performance through the intervening effect of innovation. The proposition is empirically tested using both primary and secondary data from 46 Insurance Companies in Kenya. The results reveal that both tangible and intangible resources have a statistically significant direct influence on non-financial performance despite mixed findings as regards to the independent effects of resources on various firm performance indicators. Innovation was found to have a statistically significant intervening influence on the relationship between resources and non-financial performance. The findings offer some support for the anchoring theories as well as partial support to previous similar studies. In spite of the inherent limitations, the study advances the frontiers of knowledge in confirming the anchoring theories while providing ground for policy direction and managerial practice. Key Words: Organizational Resources, Innovation, Firm Performance, Insurance Companies
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    Exploring Resources and Performance Relationships in Commercial Enterprises: An Empirical Perspective
    (2015-10-07) Ombaka, Beatrice Elesani; Awino, Zachary Bolo; Machuki, Vincent N.; Wainaina, Gituro
    Despite 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 but the results remain fragmented and no consensus has yet emerged. Therefore, the debate is still open and this study sought to contribute to the debate and address extant gaps. This study investigated the influence of organizational resources on performance of insurance companies in Kenya. The study was based on a survey of 46 insurance companies in Kenya. The study reports that both tangible and intangible resources have 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 reverse was true for tangible resources. Based on the findings, implications of the study and suggestions for further study are presented.
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    Exploring Resources and Performance Relationships in Commercial Enterprises: An Empirical Perspective
    (2015-10-07) Beatrice E., Ombaka; Awino, Zachary Bolo; Machuki, Vincent N.; Wainaina, Gituro
    Despite 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 but the results remain fragmented and no consensus has yet emerged. Therefore, the debate is still open and this study sought to contribute to the debate and address extant gaps. This study investigated the influence of organizational resources on performance of insurance companies in Kenya. The study was based on a survey of 46 insurance companies in Kenya. The study reports that both tangible and intangible resources have 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 reverse was true for tangible resources. Based on the findings, implications of the study and suggestions for further study are presented.
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    Effectiveness of the Balanced Score Card in Implementation of Corporate Strategy: A case of a Kenyan Insurance Company.
    (2016-08-01) Ombaka, Beatrice Elesani; Muindi, Florence; Machuki, Vincent N.
    The Government of Kenya has made substantial investment in the public sector through creation of diverse corporations. However, most public sector firms have not shown the required levels of efficiency and effectiveness that would be required of them. This has necessitated diverse measures such as the Results Based Management System (RBMS) which was initiated by the Government of Kenya in 2005. This management system has been put in place to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery in public sector organizations. Therefore the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), like any other public sector organizations, is required to operate under the RBMS of which Performance Contracts (PC) are a key component. The application of the Balanced Score Card (BSC) in the strategy management process has been found to be a useful tool in the clarification of the vision and mission of organizations and the rallying of the organizational members towards its achievement. This study examined the role of the BSC as a strategic implementation tool to enhance efficiency at KEBS. The specific research objectives included the examination of financial perspective, customer perspective, internal business processes perspective, and learning and growth perspective of the BSC on the efficiency at KEBS. The theoretical underpinning of the study was open systems theory and the institutions’ theory. The study was based on the descriptive research design with the target population of 150 management staff at KEBS. The sample size is 109 respondents. The study out the following; that there was a significant relationship between financial perspective of the balanced scorecard and organizational efficiency at KEBS. This was attributed to the availability and sufficiency of resources at both the organizational and departmental levels for KEBS to execute its mandates at those levels on time, and in the required scope hence improving on the organizational efficiency. Secondly, there was a significant relationship between the customer perspective aspect of the BSC and organizational efficiency at KEBS. The customer perspective was important to the organizational efficiency at KEBS through reduction of turnaround timelines in service delivery. There was also a significant relationship between the internal business process perspective of the BSC and organizational efficiency at KEBS. This was attributed to the internal business processes ability to influence customer satisfaction. Lastly, there was a significant and positive relationship between learning and growth perspective aspect of the BSC and organizational efficiency at the organization. This significance was attributed to the ability of KEBS to benchmark and learn on best practices on diverse aspects of its mandates. The study recommends that KEBS should focus on the learning and growth perspective of the balanced scorecard as it had the greatest influence on its organizational efficiency. The study suggests further studies on the examination on other financial perspective metrics of the balanced scorecard and the ways in which it can help in organizational efficiency at KEBS.
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    An Assessment of the Influence of Disability Legislation Awareness on Employability of Persons with Disabilities in Post-Secondary Institutions in Kirinyaga County, Kenya.
    (2017) Njeru, Lucy Murugi
    Globally, unemployment and underemployment of persons with disabilities is a major concern. A World Bank report shows that 20% of the world’s poor are persons with disabilities, 60% of them living in developing countries, such as Kenya. Lack of inclusion, and not disability, contributes to this poverty. Despite the existence of several disability legisla tions, unemployment of persons with disabilities still remains a challenge. The objective of the study was to establish the extent to which disability legislation awareness influences employability of persons with disabilities in Post-Secondary institutions in Kirinyaga County, Kenya. The research used staff from five post-secondary institutions that were selected using proportionate stratified random sampling technique while five Human Resource Managers were selected using purposeful sampling. The study adopted descriptive research design. Questionnaires were used to collect data and Cronbach alpha coefficient employed to test reliability. Collected data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science. The assessment of the influence of disability legislation awareness on employability of persons with disabili ties was established through a multiple regression model. The study findings established that the organizations hardly conducted capacity building for staff on disability legislation, there was little or nonexistence of disability policies in the institutions. Moreover, respondents were unaware of how to handle persons with disabilities at workplace. The study concluded that legislation awareness influences employability of persons with disabilities positively because it assists employers develop compliance toward disability inclusion in workplace