Research Publications

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Now showing 1 - 10 of 17
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    Influence of Strategic Physical Resources on Performance of Small and Medium Manufacturing Enterprises in Kenya.
    (Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Institute of Technology, 2019-05-13) Muturi, Moses Murimi; Ombaka, Beatrice; Muchiri, Joseph
    ABSTRACT Article History Received 1st April 2019 Accepted 13th May 2019 Purpose This study sought to determine the influence of strategic physical resources on performance of small and medium manufacturing enterprises in Kenya. Anchored on the Resource Based View (RBV) theory the study adopted positivism research philosophy descriptive and causal-effect research designs. Design/methodology/approach The population for the study comprised of the management staff of the 350 small and medium manufacturing enterprises registered by the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) where a sample of 183 participants was chosen using stratified sampling method. The study tested for content validity as well as reliability using internal consistency of the questionnaire using Cronbach alpha coefficient. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics and regression analysis to conclude that physical resources have a significant influence on performance of small and medium manufacturing enterprises in Kenya. Findings Consequently the study recommended that the management of SMEs should ensure that they invest significantly in these resources so as to maximise on the performance of these firms. However the conclusions reached in this paper were based on data collected from small and medium manufacturing enterprises in Kenya. For this reason, the results of the study suffer from generalizability since they may not be inferred on other firms other than manufacturing firms in the sector with similar characteristics. Originality/value The findings of this study significantly contribute to the existing pool of knowledge regarding the concept of intellectual capital and its implications on organizational performance. Scholars and other researchers would find the outcomes of this study relevant as reference material to advance in their research.
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    Moderating effect of social media on relationship between entrepreneurial networking and performance of youth owned agro processing SMEs in Kenya
    (2020) Ombaka, Beatrice Elesani; Kariuki, Francis K.; Kyalo, Teresia
    This paper was anchored on a pragmatic research paradigm. The study used a cross-sectional survey where a self-semi structured questionnaire was administered to collect the primary data from the target population who were youth-owned SMEs. The study was limited to 135 youth-owned enterprises where 357 employees were selected randomly to form the study sample; the key respondents of the study were limited to owner-managers of small and micro enterprises and top management employees. The questionnaires were tested for reliability and validity. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study revealed that there is a significant relationship between youth-owned. The study revealed that entrepreneurship networking has a significant effect on the performance of the agro-processing SMEs owned by the youths. However, there is a need for SMEs to further establish networks outside their business circle and seek networks with other bigger firms in the market. The study, therefore, recommends that there is a need for SMEs to invest more in social media marketing and networking of the SMEs for improved performance.
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    Relationship between Intellectual Capital and Performance of Small and Medium Manufacturing Enterprises in Kenya.
    (International Hellenic University, 2019) Muturi, Moses Murimi; Ombaka, Beatrice Elesani; Muchiri, Joseph
    Abstract Purpose: The purpose of the Study was to establish the relationship between intellectual capital and performance of small and medium manufacturing enterprises in Kenya. Design/methodology/approach: The study adopted positivist philosophy. The research designs were descriptive survey as well as explanatory research design. The target population consisted of all the small and medium manufacturing enterprises in Kenya with a sample of 183 respondents comprising of one respondent from each firm, being either the Managing director, General Manager, Production Manager or Strategic Manager. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics and inferential analysis. Findings: The study concluded that intellectual capital had no significant influence on performance of small and medium in Kenya and therefore investment in intellectual capital should be economically justified. Research limitations/implications: The data used in the study was collected for a period of ten years only and the results may not be used to make long term inference regarding the relationship that exist between the study variables. Originality/value: The findings of this study significantly contribute to the existing pool of knowledge regarding the concept of intellectual capital and its implications on organizational performance. Scholars and other researchers would find the outcomes of this study relevant as reference material to advance in their research.
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    Moderating Influence of Sustainability Strategies on the Relationship between Institutional Management Practices and Performance of Chattered Public Universities in Kenya.
    (2022-09-23) Kariuki, Peter; Ombaka, Beatrice; Kiumbe, Paul
    The current environment in Kenya’s public Universities is a turbulent one and highly competitive. To ensure survival and sustainability, public Universities require to adopt and implement competitive strategies. Thus, the study sort to determine the moderating influence of sustainability strategies on the relationship between institutional management practices and performance of chattered public universities in Kenya. To achieve the objective, the study was based on a pragmatic philosophy and mixed research method with a target population of 31 chattered public Universities. Census approach was used with 234 respondents who were university top managers. Primary data was collected using a 5 point Likert type questionnaire. The instrument was validated by research experts and yielded a Cronbach’s reliability between alpha of α= 78.7- 80.6. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Primary data was collected using a 5 point Likert type questionnaire and an interview guide. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The regression analysis revealed that institutional management alone accounts for 52% of the variation of performance of chattered public Universities (Adjusted R2=0.52). Sustainability strategies account for 39% (Adjusted R2=0.39). The interaction term (institutional management and sustainability strategies) accounted for 72 % of the variations in performance of chattered public
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    Public participation and performance of Chattered Public Universities in Kenya.
    (2022-09-18) Kariuki, Peter; Ombaka, Beatrice; Kiumbe, Paul
    The study evaluated the relationship between public participation and performance of chattered public Universities in Kenya. The study was anchored on social network theory. To achieve the objective, the study was based on a pragmatic philosophy and mixed research method with a target population of 31 chattered public Universities. Census approach was used with 234 respondents who were university top managers. Primary data was collected using a 5 point Likert type questionnaire. The instrument was validated by research experts and yielded a Cronbach’s reliability alpha of α= 80.6. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings revealed that public participation had statistical significant influence on performance of chattered public universities in Kenya. Regression analysis results showed that public participation alone accounted for 24.9 % of the variation of performance of chattered public Universities (PP) (R2=0.249, t=14.20 p, <0.05). This study concluded that public participation is an essential strategy Universities can use in their endeavour to improve on their performance. It was recommended that managers of universities should promote participatory management practice to enhance high morale, commitment and enthusiasm among staff in the pursuit and attainment of institutional goals and objectives. Further, the results present important implications to University top managers, other corporate entities, policy makers, and stakeholders in the University education sector in Kenya and across the world.
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    “Process Innovation Promoters, Firm Performance and Moderating Role of Service Quality Practices in SACCOs in Kenya
    (Center for Promoting Ideas, 2020) Otii, Leonard Omondi; Wanjau, Kenneth Lawrence https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3146-5324; Omondi, Humphrey
    The purpose of the study was to explore the relationship that exist between process innovation promoters and the performance of SACCOs in Kenya and the moderating effect of service quality practices. The primary data was collected from the Chief Executive Officers of the deposit taking SACCOs where a semi-structured questionnaire was administered. Data were analysed by employing Statistical Software for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 22 and structural equation modelling using AMOS version 25. The hypotheses in this study were tested using structural equation modelling and hierarchical moderated multiple regression (MMR). Overall, the study found out that, Process innovation promoters have positive influence on performance of SACCOs in Kenya. The study also found out that, service quality practices (R2 change) is 0.115 implying that the moderating effect of service quality practices gained 11.5% variance in the SACCOs, above and beyond the variance by process innovation promoters and performance. The study recommends that, SACCO management together with their partners should deliberately nurture a customer relationship management culture that will enable them realize positive performance that has been influenced by service quality practices and again SACCOs need to invest in an effective innovation process that will enable more employees graduate as process innovation promoters who will purposely focus on how service quality practices can be part of the firm culture and hence improving on their performance.
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    The Role of Product Innovation and Entrepreneurial Passion on Performance of Manufacturing Pharmaceutical Companies in Kenya.
    (2023-09) Maina, Kanyi Joseph
    The study explores the impact of entrepreneurial passion on process innovation and firm performance, based on self-efficacy theory. Relevant hypotheses were proposed, and the promotion mechanism of entrepreneurial passion on process innovation and enterprise performance was analyzed. A survey of 150 Kenyan firm owners/managers was conducted, and the results showed that process innovation has a significant positive effect on performance. Entrepreneurial passion is a significant moderator of the relationship between process innovation and performance, with firms with higher levels of passion achieving greater performance from implementing process innovation. This suggests that entrepreneurial passion can guide entrepreneurial persistence and promote enterprise performance by stimulating positive emotions and creativity. The study suggests that effective management of process innovation can enhance performance and encourage more entrepreneurial behavior in competitive business environments.
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    The moderating effect of road safety and compliance training on the relationship between motor cycle accessibility to market and performance wholesale retail sector in Kenya
    (2023-07) Wanjau, Christopher Kinyua; Gichuhi, D. M.; Kiambati, K.
    The use of motorcycles has increased dramatically in Africa in recent years. Motorcycles (boda boda) are often used as taxis, with riders charging a fare to carry passengers or goods by wholesalers and retailers. Motorcycle transport is certainly not without risk, including the risk of being injured in a crash. Attempts by governments to regulate the use of motorcycle taxis for safety and other reasons have largely failed, with authorities often unable to keep pace with the rapid influx of motorcycles into the continent and the high demand for their services by local populations. This study sought to establish the moderating effect of road safety and compliance training on the relationship between the motorcycle accessibility market and the performance of wholesale retail businesses in Kenya. This study was anchored on system theory. The research philosophy adopted for the study was descriptive using a quantitative approach was used. The study targeted all wholesale and retail shops in 47 counties and systematic sampling and simple random sampling techniques were employed to select a sample size of 383 respondents. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Descriptive and inferential analysis was undertaken using SPSS software Version 28. On average, the findings noted that motorcycle accessibility to the markets had enhanced the growth of wholesaler and retailer businesses in Kenya with a score of 4.03 out of 5.0. On inferential statistics, the results indicate road safety and compliance training of motorcycle riders had a positive moderating effect on the relationship between the motorcycle accessibility market and performance wholesale retail business R squared change of 0.206 which translates to a 21.39% change in the R-square. This means road safety and compliance training of motorcycle riders’ moderate motorcycle accessibility market and performance positively and statistically significant. The findings imply that training motorcycle riders on road safety and compliance is very important in improving the wholesale and retail sector performance in Kenya. The government should formalize road safety and compliance, in this case, NTSA, should uphold and enhance official training of the commercial motorcycle delivery solution providers.
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    Motorcycles delivery innovation and performance of wholesale retail sector in Kenya.
    (2023-05-19) Wanjau, Christopher Kinyua; Gichuhi, D. M; Kiambati, K.
    In Kenya, the wholesale and retail sector has been undergoing a difficult time that has seen some of the big retailers closing due to myriad challenges in their performance in the dynamic environment. This study sought to establish the influence of motorcycle delivery innovation on the performance of the wholesale and retail sectors in Kenya. The study was anchored on social exchange theory. The research philosophy adopted for the study was positivism. A descriptive research design using a quantitative approach was used in this study. The study targeted all wholesale and retail shops in 47 counties in Kenya that employed commercial motorcycles for their last-mile delivery of goods. Systematic sampling and simple random sampling techniques were employed to select a sample size of 383 respondents and a questionnaire was used to collect data. Descriptive and inferential analysis was undertaken across all variables using SPSS software. The findings indicated that there was a strong relationship between delivery innovations and the performance of the wholesale and retail businesses in Kenya (0.785). On the hypotheses, the study found that motorcycle delivery innovation had a statistically significant influence on the performance of wholesale and retail businesses in Kenya (t = 16.560, p=0.000
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    Relationship between process innovation, entrepreneurial passion and performance of pharmaceutical manufacturing firms in Kenya.
    (Strategic Studies in Business and Finance, 2023-09) Maina, Kanyi Joseph; Wanjau, Kenneth Lawrence https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3146-5324; Kyalo, Teresia
    The study explores the impact of entrepreneurial passion on process innovation and firm performance, based on self-efficacy theory. Relevant hypotheses were proposed, and the promotion mechanism of entrepreneurial passion on process innovation and enterprise performance was analyzed. A survey of 150 Kenyan firm owners/managers was conducted, and the results showed that process innovation has a significant positive effect on performance. Entrepreneurial passion is a significant moderator of the relationship between process innovation and performance, with firms with higher levels of passion achieving greater performance from implementing process innovation. This suggests that entrepreneurial passion can guide entrepreneurial persistence and promote enterprise performance by stimulating positive emotions and creativity. The study suggests that effective management of process innovation can enhance performance and encourage more entrepreneurial behavior in competitive business environments.