Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Theses and Dissertations
https://karuspace.karu.ac.ke/handle/20.500.12092/1768
2024-03-29T13:17:49ZBioecology of thrips in French bean growing: agroecosystems in Kenya.
https://karuspace.karu.ac.ke/handle/20.500.12092/3046
Bioecology of thrips in French bean growing: agroecosystems in Kenya.
Gitonga, Gitonga, Linus Muthuri
Studies 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.
PhD Thesis
1999-01-01T00:00:00ZSTRATEGIC ENTREPRENEURSHIP, LEAN-GREEN PRACTICES AND PERFORMANCE OF MEDIUM HOTELS IN KENYAN CITIES
https://karuspace.karu.ac.ke/handle/20.500.12092/3012
STRATEGIC ENTREPRENEURSHIP, LEAN-GREEN PRACTICES AND PERFORMANCE OF MEDIUM HOTELS IN KENYAN CITIES
NGUNGA, JOSEPH KARIMI
Strategic 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.
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE CONFERMENT OF THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP OF KARATINA UNIVERSITY.
2023-11-01T00:00:00ZINTEGRATION OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY IN MANAGING TECHNICAL TRAINING INSTITUTIONS IN NAIROBI AND NYERI COUNTIES, KENYA
https://karuspace.karu.ac.ke/handle/20.500.12092/3011
INTEGRATION OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY IN MANAGING TECHNICAL TRAINING INSTITUTIONS IN NAIROBI AND NYERI COUNTIES, KENYA
GATEMBU, RICHARD MWANGI
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is acknowledged as a key driver
for the worldwide economy, particularly in the progressively digitized era of the 21st
century. Educational institutions can no longer effectively prepare students to function
competently in the global economy without properly integrating ICT into their
curriculum. The purpose of this study was to assess the level of integration of ICT in
Technical Training Institutions (TTIs) in Nairobi and Nyeri Counties in Kenya. The
study was guided by the following objectives: to evaluate the level of integration of
ICT in performing administrative functions in Technical Training Institutions in Nyeri
and Nairobi Counties, to examine the level of integration of ICT in conducting
financial management, to assess the level of integration of ICT in instructional
processes and to examine the level of ICT integration in assessment practices in
Technical Training Institutions in Nyeri and Nairobi Counties, Kenya. The study was
guided by the Adaptive Structuration Theory and Technical Pedagogical Content
Knowledge (TPACK) model. The research design utilized in this study was a mixed
methods design. The target population consisted of 1026 respondents. The sample size
was 310 respondents, who included; 290 lecturers, 10 bursars and 10 principals from
the 10 TTIs in the counties of Nairobi and Nyeri. The lecturers were selected using
stratified random sampling, whereas the bursars and principals were selected using
purposive sampling. Questionnaires and interview schedules were used to collect data.
Reliability was tested using Cronbach alpha coefficient. The questionnaire's reliability
was calculated and yielded a Cronbach's alpha (α) of 0.903 in the measurement of ICT
integration while validity was ascertained through factor analysis. Quantitative data
was analyzed using both the descriptive and inferential statistics with the aid of the
Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24.1. The qualitative data was
analyzed in terms of the themes expressed by the respondents. Results of the study
revealed a statistically significant difference in the level of ICT integration in
administrative functions (t=0.077, p=0.000), financial management (t=0.072,
p=0.000), instructional processes (t=0.0731, p=0.000) and assessment practices
(t=0.0724, p=0.000) in TTIs in Nyeri and Nairobi Counties. This highlights the
varying levels of ICT integration in TTIs in Nyeri and Nairobi Counties. The null
hypothesis was hence rejected. The study recommends the need for the government to
strengthen its ICT policy to facilitate enhanced resource allocation by both the
government and respective institutions, aiming to further deepen the integration of
ICTs in TTIs in Kenya.
A Thesis Submitted to the School of Education and Social Sciences in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Administration, Karatina University
2023-11-01T00:00:00ZA THESIS SUBMITTED TO SCHOOL OF BUSINESS IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CONFEREMENT OF DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP OF KARATINA UNIVERSITY
https://karuspace.karu.ac.ke/handle/20.500.12092/3007
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO SCHOOL OF BUSINESS IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CONFEREMENT OF DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP OF KARATINA UNIVERSITY
KIURA, HESBON MBUTHIA
Entrepreneurial leadership is crucial for cooperative organizations as it involves
taking risks, driving growth as it encourages creativity and innovation.
Ambidexterity refers to the ability of an organization to both exploit and explore
implying to deliver efficiency, control, and incremental improvements, while
embracing flexibility, autonomy, and experimentation. Organizational ambidexterity
has the ability of firms to pursue and synchronize exploratory and exploitative
innovation simultaneously it not only helps firms overcome structural inertia that
results from a focus on exploitation, but also refrain firms from accelerating
exploration without deriving benefits from these activities.Coffee has been an
important cash crop in Kenya’s agricultural sector. It is one of the greatest foreign
exchange earners of the country and a main source of employment in rural areas,
providing food security and income for the rural areas. This success has been
achieved through coffee cooperative societies management that process and market
coffee for the farmers. In recent years, there has been a decline in coffee production
in Kenya. The decline of coffee export earnings has been attributed to inefficient and
ineffectiveness of coffee marketing cooperative societies management operations
and therefore the need to refocus their approach. The general objective of this study
was to examine how entrepreneurial leadership mediates the relationship between
senior team attributes and organizational ambidexterity among coffee marketing
cooperative societies in Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were; to
determine how shared vision influence organizational ambidexterity, to establish
whether social integration affect organizational ambidexterity and to find out how
contingency rewards influence organizational ambidexterity of coffee marketing
cooperative societies in Kenya. The study also established the mediating role of
entrepreneurial leadership between senior team attributes and organizational
ambidexterity for coffee cooperative societies in Kenya. This study was anchored on
two major theories which were Collective Entrepreneurship Theory and Path Goal Theory
of Leadership and supported by other theories mentioned in the study. The study used
cross-sectional survey design. The target population was coffee marketing
cooperative societies registered in Kenya as at 31st December 2019. The study target
population was 436 managers from coffee marketing cooperative societies while the
sample size of this study was 242 managers. Primary data was obtained by the use of
as elf-administered semi-structured questionnaire. A pilot study was done to check
the reliability and validity of the research instrument. Data analysis was done using
descriptive and inferential statistics. The formulated hypotheses were tested using
Baron and Kenny’s approach to validate the relationships between the study
variables. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 was used to
assist in analysis and findings were presented using cross-tabulations, charts and
path models. The study found that entrepreneurial leadership partially mediates the
relationship between senior team attributes and organization ambidexterity (R2
change from 11.1% to 16.6%). This study concludes that entrepreneurial leadership
is a critical approach for coffee marketing cooperative societies in Kenya. The
findings of the study will help managers to maximize their efficiency and achieve
their strategic goals during their operations especially when they want to
internationalize. The findings of this study will be of interest to coffee marketing
cooperative society’s board of directors, government officials, academia, financial
institutions and agropreneurs.
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO SCHOOL OF BUSINESS IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ONFEREMENT OF DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP OF KARATINA UNIVERSITY
2023-11-01T00:00:00Z