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Influence of conflict management strategies on service delivery at public universities: a case of university of Eldoret, Kenya

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Influence of conflict management strategies on service delivery at public universities: a case of university of Eldoret, Kenya Authors: Mulwa, Christine Chemtai Abstract: Service delivery in public universities is critical, however the frequent go-slows, strikes, and riots disrupt academic calendars and undermine teaching and learning. Management of conflict in organizations is one of the major tasks facing managers today in public universities. The study addresses the persistent problem of conflicts in public universities in Kenya, particularly at the University of Eldoret. The research problem, therefore, is to determine how different conflict management strategies (avoidance, collaboration, compromise) affect service delivery in public universities. The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of conflict management strategies on service delivery at University of Eldoret. The objectives of the study were to establish the effect of avoidance strategy of conflict management on service delivery, explore the effect of collaborative conflict management strategy on service delivery, investigate the effect of compromise conflict management strategy on service delivery and assess the measures for enhancing conflict management and their likely influence on service delivery. The study is guided by contingency theory and Theory of Human Service Delivery, which holds that there is no one best way to manage an organization; rather, strategies should be contingent on situational factors. Methodologically, the use of an explanatory mixed-method approach reflects a pragmatist research philosophy, where both qualitative and quantitative data are combined to provide a comprehensive understanding of the issue. The target population was 718 employees comprising of top management, a middle cadre and junior staff/ support staff from which a sample size of 256 respondents was selected using Yamane’s formula. The sample size was selected using purposive, stratified and random sampling procedures. Quantitative data were collected using questionnaires and interview schedules. Data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics, with the results presented in figures and tables. The qualitative data collected was thematically analyzed. Findings revealed that avoidance, collaboration and compromise conflict management strategies account for 64.4% (R 2 =.644). The collaboration (β=0.568, p<0.05) and compromise strategy (β=0.684, p<0.05) conflict management strategy had the significant positive effect on service delivery. Moreover, avoiding strategy (β= -0.160, p<0.05) had the significant negative effect on service delivery. The study concludes that collaboration and compromise as conflict management strategies are essential for improving service delivery at the University of Eldoret. In contrast, the avoiding strategy was found to have a significant negative impact on service delivery. Consequently, the study emphasizes the need to focus on collaboration and compromise while recognizing the adverse effects of avoidance on organizational performance. It is recommended that the management of the University of Eldoret consistently adopt these conflict resolution approaches, as they are effective in managing disputes and enhancing employee productivity. Collaboration and compromise strategies positively and significantly improve service delivery while avoidance strategy negatively affects service delivery. A comparative study across different universities in Kenya to assess whether similar patterns hold in other contexts.

Effect of supply chain digitization, supply chain agility on firm performance in state corporations in Nairobi County, Kenya

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Effect of supply chain digitization, supply chain agility on firm performance in state corporations in Nairobi County, Kenya Authors: Mulwa, Linet Abstract: Firm performance is a critical metric for businesses across industries, as it directly impacts efficiency, customer satisfaction, and profitability. Securing firm competitiveness and improved performance, supply chain digitalization are identified as strategic tools for firms to improve their operations. From the previous studies there has been inadequate linkage of supply chain digitalization with other themes. This study sought to establish the moderating effect of supply chain agility on the relationship between supply chain digitization and firm performance of government state corporations in Nairobi County, Kenya. The specific objectives were to determine the effect of electronic tendering, enterprise resource planning, cloud computing, artificial intelligence on firm performance, as well as the moderating effect of supply chain agility on each of the relationships. The study was informed by Resource-Based View Theory, Stakeholder Engagement Theory, and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Anchoring on explanatory research design, the study targeted 411 registered state corporations in Nairobi County under Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. A sample size of 203 firms were selected using stratified and simple random sampling approaches after subjecting the target population to Borg and Gall formula. Data was collected using structured questionnaires and items were anchored on a five-point Likert scale. Data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The hypotheses were tested using hierarchical regression analysis and Hayes process macro for moderation. The regression results indicated that electronic tendering (β=0.636, p<0.05) and enterprise resource planning (β=0.178, p<0.05) and cloud computing (β=0.157, p<0.05) and artificial intelligence (β=0.276, p<0.05) had a positive and significant effect on firm performance. Furthermore, the conditional effect results indicate that supply chain agility moderates the relationship between; electronic tendering (β=0.787, p<0.05, ΔR2=0.002), enterprise resource planning (β=0.247, p<0.05, ΔR2=0.004), cloud computing (β=0.317, p<0.05, ΔR2=0.018), artificial intelligence (β=0.213, p<0.05, ΔR2=0.075) and firm performance. Therefore, this study concludes that electronic tendering, enterprise resource planning, cloud computing and artificial intelligent effectively enhances firm performance. Thus, there is need for firm managers to understand and find ways to effectively manage these interactions between supply chain digitalization and supply chain agility in order to improve performance. Theoretically, the study supported the incorporation of different key dimensions of between supply chain digitalization and supply chain agility where the outcome of the results indicated the strong relationship in achieving superior performance. In addition, the study emphasizes the importance of promoting digital transformation and fostering supply chain agility to enhance operational efficiency and competitiveness in state corporations. Therefore, there is need for building long-term relationships both upstream and downstream in the supply chain, enabling firms to learn, transform acquired knowledge, improve operational processes, and deliver high-quality services that meet customer expectations and satisfaction.

The moderating effect of organization culture on the relationship between green supply chain management strategies and performance of sugar companies In Western Kenya

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Title: The moderating effect of organization culture on the relationship between green supply chain management strategies and performance of sugar companies In Western Kenya Authors: Mwalati, Judith Ziporah Abstract: Although the drive to enhance overall sustainability in organization performance has resulted in to focus on pollution prevention and minimization of environmental impacts at all stages of the product lifecycle from sourcing of raw materials, through manufacturing, transport, use, and disposal, this has not been embraced by all companies in the sugar industry in Kenya, while those that have embraced the Green Supply Chain Management Strategies are still under-utilizing them. Culture may have a big influence on the performance of all organizations worldwide. The key to good performance is a strong culture. The general objective of the study was to investigate the moderating effect of organization culture on green supply chain management strategies on the performance of sugar companies in western Kenya. The study was underpinned by three theories which were; Complexity Theory, Transaction Cost Theory, and Organization Culture Theory. The study adopted an explanatory and cross sectional research design in studying the targeted population. The population under study comprised 10 sugar firms with 500 employees from procurement, production, and operation departments, and a final sample size of 272 employees was arrived at. The data was collected using questionnaires. The study's findings revealed that green procurement (β= 0.264, ρ<0.05), green manufacturing (β= 0.182, ρ<0.05), eco-design (β= 0.295, ρ<0.05), and green distribution (β= 0.364, ρ<0.05) had a positive and significant effect on the performance of sugar companies in western Kenya with an R squared of 0.549. This means that performance is explained by green supply chain management strategies by 54.9 percent. Further, the findings revealed that organization culture had an antagonizing moderation effect on the relationship between green procurement (β= -0. 292, ρ<0.05), green manufacturing (β= -0.227, ρ<0.05), eco-design (β= -0.285, ρ<0.05), and green distribution (β= -0.270, ρ<0.05) on performance with an R square of 0.723. These findings highlight the important interconnection between green supply chain management strategies in explaining performance. In light of these findings, the study offered targeted recommendations for policy and practice. Managers should integrate green procurement practices by partnering with suppliers who prioritize environmental sustainability. Managers should also prioritize eco-design principles to minimize waste and promote product recyclability. Managers should foster a collaborative culture that encourages employee participation in sustainability initiatives, as this can enhance the overall effectiveness of GSCM strategies. Company managers should actively cultivate and promote an organizational culture that supports sustainability and green initiatives. The main limitation was that culture was studied at one point in time and it is evolutionary thus similar studies could employ longitudinal research designs that would unravel the causal dynamics underlying the relationships identified. Future studies could also consider other jurisdictions as well as other potential moderators. Main limitation was that culture was studied at one point in time and it is evolutionary thus similar study could employ longitudinal research designs that would unravel the causal dynamics underlying the relationships identified. Future studies could also consider other jurisdictions as well as other potential moderators.

Influence of health sector financing on economic growth in Kenya (2000- 2020)

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Influence of health sector financing on economic growth in Kenya (2000- 2020) Authors: Chepchirchir, Diana Abstract: Economic growth positively impacts population health, providing access to quality healthcare, environmental protection, clean water, and better preventative behavior. However, Kenya's declining growth rate affects health financing, causing many citizens to struggle with access to care due to rising medical costs. This study sought to analyse the influence of health sector financing on economic growth in Kenya. The study was guided by the following specific objectives: to determine the influence of public health financing; health insurance financing; households’ health financing and donors’ health financing on economic growth in Kenya. The study was guided by transactions Endogenous theory, Wagner’s theory and Solow-Swan Exogenous Growth Model. The study was conducted in Kenya. Data used in study was longitudinal data for twenty one years. The study period was from 2000 to 2020. A descriptive and inferential analysis performed where Auto-Regressive Distributive Lag (ARDL) model was used. Analyzed data were presented in the form of tables and discussions. From the analysis it was established that the public health financing coefficient was positive and statistically significant (a=0.1819, p= 0.012<0.05), indicating that one unit increase in public health financing could lead to 0.1819 units in economic growth in Kenya. The health insurance financing indicated a positive and statistically significant (b=0.2935; p = 0.028<0.05), implying that one unit increase in health insurance financing could result in 0.2935 units in economic growth in Kenya. The household health financing was positive and statistically significant (c=0.2958; p= 0.003<0.05), implying that for every one unit household health financing contributed to 0.2958 units to economic growth in Kenya. The donor health financing was positive and statistically significant (d1= 0.2573 p=0.017<0.05) in a short-run, implying that a unit increase in donor health financing initially contribute 0.2573 units in economic growth in Kenya. However, the long-run effect, donor health financing was negative and statistically significant (d2= 0.2982 p=0.0.014<0.05) implying one unit increase in donor financing could lead to a reduction of 0.2982 units in economic growth in Kenya. The study showed that adjusted R-squared was 0.9271, implying that the model explains approximately 92.71% of the variation in the economic growth in Kenya. The study concluded that public health financing, health insurance financing, and household health financing were positively related to economic growth in the long run in Kenya. Donor health financing, on the other hand had a positive and significant effect on economic growth while in the long run , the effect was negative and significant. The study recommends that there is need for enhancing domestic health financing sources like public health, health insurance, and household financing, and gradually shifting towards sustainable domestic financing sources. Policymakers should focus on strengthening these domestic sources of health financing to promote sustainable economic development. Future research should incorporate other macroeconomic, demographic, and institutional factors could provide a more comprehensive understanding of the determinants of economic growth.