Journal Articles

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Conservation of biodiversity in the Arabuko Sokoke Forest, Kenya
(Biodiversity and Conservation, 2002) Muriithi, Samuel Muiruri; Kenyon, Wendy
Using an economic approach to provide a rationale for rainforest conservation has been a popular exercise in recent years. This paper uses such an approach to assess the net value of the Arabuko Sokoke Forest in Kenya. The economic benefits associated with the forest derived by local and global populations are estimated by combining evidence from existing studies and the results of a contingent valuation study carried out by the authors. These benefits are set against the cost of preserving the forest to the Kenyan Forest Department. Even when the opportunity cost of the forest land is omitted from the costs of forest preservation, and when the revenues generated from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded project are included, the costs of forest conservation outweigh the benefits. It is only when non-use and existence values are included (which are not realised by the Kenyan population) that the forest benefits exceed the costs. The paper concludes by arguing that, although some projects within the Arabuko Sokoke Forest have been successful in capturing some of the economic value associated with the forest, more needs to be done to design additional capture mechanisms so that a greater proportion of the global benefit of the forest can be realised by local populations and local governments
The Egg or the Chick First; Saving or GDP Growth: Case for Kenya
(KCA Journal of Business Management., 2008) Waithima, Abraham K.
This paper adopts the Hendry Model with a two-step method to model a saving function for Kenya. The Model uses a complex dynamic specification that includes lagged dependent and the independent variables. The paper finds that a 1% increase in GDP growth rate leads to a 0.5% increase in private saving in the long run which is consistent with the life cycle hypothesis. A striking result in the saving function is the positive effect that population growth rate seems to have on private savings which puts into question the notion of a smaller population as a mobilization tool for private saving. Even though consumption seems to have a significant negative effect on private savings in the short run, in the long run, it does not seem to have any significant effect. Causality tests support a uni-directional causality from per capita GDP to private saving and a bi-directional causality between Gross Domestic Saving and Investment.
Management of Business Challenges among Small and Micro Enterprises in Nairobi-Kenya
(KCA Journal Of Business Management, 2009) Bowen, Michael; Morara, Makarius; Mureithi, Samuel
Small and Micro Enterprises (SMEs) play an important economic role in many countries. In Kenya, for example the SME sector contributed over 50percent of new jobs created in 2005 but despite their significance, SMEs are faced with the threat of failure with past statistics indicating that three out five fail within the first few months. This study sought to understand how SMEs manage the challenges they face. These challenges seem to change (evolve) according to different macro and micro conditions. This study employed stratified random sampling to collect data from 198 businesses using interviews and questionnaires. The data was analysed descriptively and presented through figures, tables and percentages. The findings indicate that SMEs face the following challenges; competition among themselves and from large firms, lack of access to credit, cheap imports, insecurity and debt collection. Credit constraint seems to be easing up when compared to previous researches. Relevant training or education is positively related to business success. The SMEs have the following strategies to overcome the challenges; fair pricing, discounts and special offers, offering a variety of services and products, superior customer service and continuously improving quality of service delivery. The research concludes that business success is a consequence of embracing a mix of strategies.
Effects of Firm Resources on the Internationalization of Medium Sized Firms; Evidence from Kenya
(School of Business and Economics, Daystar University, 2010) Irungu, Dancan Njagi; Ndegwa, Joyce Watetu
Abstract The purpose of the study is to assess the effects of firm resources on the internationalization of medium firms taking evidence from Kenya. Resource Based View (RBV) is the main theoretical framework that has informed the study. The ownership of the unique resources is assumed to be the reason why Medium firms in the same industry and location respond differently to export stimuli; one initiating export business and is in a position to meet its export orders while another similar one is not. The argument is that the internal resources tangible or intangible are the main explanatory determinant of firm internationalization. Kenya Top 100 medium firms formed target population. The results of the study indicate that Medium firms that seek for internationalization should invest in developing rare and unique resources which are not imitable. The findings reveal that internal resources tangible or intangible are the main explanatory determinant of medium firm internationalization. The results of the study agrees with a lot of the existing literature on SMEs internationalization on that ownership of the unique resources is a major reason why firms in the same industry and location respond differently to export stimuli. To overcome the challenges of smallness, medium firms have to leverage on knowledge and network resources for they are rare, unique and are not imitable.
Networking as a Driver of Internationalization among Medium Sized Firms in Kenya
(School of Business and Economics Daystar University, 2010) Irungu, Dancan Njagi; Marwa, Simmy Mwita
ABSTRACT: The purpose of the study is to examine the role of networking as the key driver of internationalization of medium firms. International trade has enormously contributed to Kenya‟s economic growth. However, majority of Medium sized firms in Kenya remain focused on the domestic market despite the gains that internationalization is associated with. Medium Enterprises have enormously contributed to the global economic growth and development over the years. Networks have been underscored in internationalization literature across different contexts as a principal feature that facilitates the process of MEs internationalization. Network theory is the main theoretical framework that has guided the study. The study used cross sectional research design. Kenya Top 100 Medium companies formed the target population for the study.The empirical evidence has shown how networking drives the internationalization process of medium sized firms. The findings indicate that networking activities provides the necessary linkages which facilitate entry into geographically and psychically near markets. The study concludes that those medium firms that seek for internationalization should develop both formal and informal networks as enablers of accessing international markets.
Religiosity and Individual-Level Corruption: Experimental Evidence from Kenya
(European Scientific Journal, 2012) Waithima, Abraham K.
This paper seeks to determine if people’s religious affiliation matters in their propensity to act corruptly. Using a three-person one-shot sequential move corruption game, this paper finds that people internalize their religious beliefs to affect outcomes including acting corruptly. Consistent with findings by Flavin and Ledet (2010), this paper find Catholics to have a higher propensity to offer and accept bribes and be less likely to punish corruption culprits than protestants and muslims. This paper concludes that people’s religious affiliation matters in the fight against corruption
Effect of Enterprise Resource Planning in Enhancing Service Delivery in the Procurement Function in Public Universities in Kenya, A Case study of Egerton University-Njoro, Kenya
(International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), 2012) Mwove, Musyoka Reuben; Kwasira, Josphat
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) in any organization when implemented adequately can greatly contribute to more customers, more orders, more profits, and customer satisfaction while at the same time creating a lean enterprise. The objective of the study was to examine the Effect of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) in enhancing service delivery in the procurement function in public universities in Kenya. A case study of Egerton University was examined and the results taken to represent all other public universities in Kenya. The public procurement oversight authority (PPOA) was used as a Moderating variable in the study. The study employed a descriptive research design. The target population of the study comprised of the staff at all levels, from senior managers to the subordinates of Egerton University procurement department, this gave rise to a total population of fourty (40) respondents which was the total number of employees working in the procurement department of Egerton University. A census approach was used for the study since the sample comprised all the fourty respondents which were equal to the total population. The researcher used selfadministered questionnaires to collect the primary data for the study because they provided a high degree of data standardization and adoption of generalized information amongst any population. Secondary data was sourced by referring to existing materials such as journals, past research in the area, financial reports of the institution and all other relevant documents that relate to Enterprise Resource Planning and service delivery. The data was then processed using SPSS and Presented in form of tables. Both descriptive and Inferential Analysis was done. The study findings showed that Enterprise Resource Planning have significant relationship in enhancing service delivery in the procurement function at Egerton University. The researcher recommended that since the implementation ERP systems require long-term planning for their success in improving the efficiency of the procurement function, the management has a great role to play in enhancing service delivery and also ensuring that personnel is trained on the implementation issues relating to the adoption and use of various systems for enhanced service delivery in the procurement function.
The Role of Harambee Contributions in Corruption: Experimental Evidence from Kenya
(Investment Climate and Business Environment Research Fund, 2012) Waithima, Abraham K.
This paper uses an experiment involving a public good game and a common pool resource game to investigate if individuals compensate their "Harambee" contributions by engaging in corruption. The results show an inverse relationship between public good contributions and common pool resource extractions, in that cooperator in public good contributions extract less from the common pool resource. To the extent that the experiment mimics the alleged link between contributions to harambee and corrupt acts of embezzlement ex-post, the basis for blaming harambee on corruption is not established by the results. Consistent with the findings documented in Henrich et al, 2001 which showed that Kenyan subjects brought their everyday experience of harambee into the public good setting, this paper also documents the fact that participants in the games brought their real life experience of harambee to bear on their decisions. This highlights the important and potentially positive reinforcing role that social norms and institutions can have on individual decisions.
The Long-Run Relationship between Inflation and Real Stock Prices: Empirical Evidence from South Africa
(Journal of Business Economics and Management, 2012) Arjoon, Riona; Botes, Mariëtte; Chesang, Laban K.; Gupta, Rangan
The existing literature on the theoretical relationship between the rate of inflation and real stock prices in an economy has shown varied predictions about the long run effects of inflation on real stock prices. In this paper, we present some time series evidence on this issue using South African data, by applying the structural bivariate vector autoregressive (VAR) methodology proposed by King and Watson (1997). Our empirical results provide considerable support of the view that, in the long run real stock prices are invariant to permanent changes in the rate of inflation. The impulse responses reveal a positive real stock price response to a permanent inflation shock in the long run, indicating that any deviations in short run real stock prices will be corrected towards the long run value. It is therefore concluded that inflation does not lower the real value of stocks in South Africa, at least in the long run.
The Philosophy, Ontology, Epistemology and Methodology of Research in Corporate Environment Reporting Behaviour.
(The Clute Institute International Academic Conference. Paris, France, 2013) Wangombe, David
Supply chain disruption in the Kenya floriculture industry: A case study of Equator Flowers
(European Journal of Business and Management, 2013) Kangogo, Jonah; Guyo, Wario; Bowen, Michael; Ragui, Mary
The floriculture industry is one of the most crucial sectors in Kenya’s economy. It contributes a significant percentage of the Gross National Product (GNP) and employs tens of thousands of workers. The industry has, however, faced a decline over the last five years. This empirical research had the overall objective of investigating the factors contributing to supply chain disruption in the industry and used Equator Flowers Limited in Eldoret, Kenya as a case study. The research applied descriptive survey research design and employed random sampling technique. The data collection was done with the aid of structured and semi-structured questionnaires containing relevant questions on the supply disruption phenomenon. The study found that the most significant amongst the factors contributing to supply chain disruption in the floriculture industry in Kenya are natural disasters, logistics process design, labor union actions and finally production function mechanics. To address supply chain disruptions, the study recommends: implementation of comprehensive business continuity plans to mitigate against the supply chain effects of natural disasters, development of logistical process redundancies, formulation of creative policies to contain labor unions agitations and investment in research to develop resilient and scalable production function mechanics.
Multi-Theoretical Perspective of Corporate Environmental Reporting: A Literature Review
(Review of Integrative Business Economic Research, 2013) Wangombe, David
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the different theoretical perspectives used in the study of Corporate Environmental Reporting (CER) so as to present the areas of overlap that would support the case for a multitheoretical approach. It responds to researcher’s quest to find a theoretical framework that can be used to adequately explain and predict CER behaviour so as to establish ways in which CER can attain high quality. This paper employs a critical analysis of literature. Early years of CER studies tended to herd around specific theories, but recent times have seen advocacies for a multi-theoretical approach. The paper argues that researchers need to carefully reflect on the theoretical motivation and methodologies they use to make claims about CER behaviour especially where such claims aim at improving the practice of CER, making a contribution to policy making, and contributing to the good of the wider society.
The response of maize production in Kenya to economic incentives
(International Journal of Development and Sustainability, 2013) Onono, Perez Ayieko; Wawire, Nelson H. W.; Ombuki, Charles
Agricultural development policy in Kenya has emphasised the use of incentives towards increased production and therefore self-sufficiency in maize which is a basic staple for most households. The channels used to provide incentives to maize farmers over the years include setting higher producer prices; subsidisation of inputs; provision of agricultural credit, research and extension services; construction and maintenance of roads, development of irrigation and water systems; legislative, institutional and macroeconomic reforms. Despite these efforts outputof maize has remained below domestic requirements in most years and the country continues to rely on imports to meet the deficits. Studies have assessed the responsiveness of maize to output price and reported inelastic responses and have recommended policies targeting non-price incentives to complement prices for the required increased production of maize. The studies, however, did not analyse the influence of the non-price incentives on the production of the crop. The findings of those studies are therefore deficient in explaining the relative importance of different non-price incentives and how they complement prices in influencing maize production in Kenya. This study investigated the response of maize production to both price and non-price incentives. The aim of this study was to ascertain the relative importance of non-price factors in influencing production of the crops as well as complementarity between price and non-price incentives. The findings show that maize production responds positively to its output price, development expenditures in agriculture, maize sales to marketing boards, growth in per capita GDP, liberalisation and governance reforms. However, maize production responds negatively to fertiliser price and unfavourable weather conditions. The response of maize output to its price is lower with rising inflation and grain market liberalisation.
Contribution of Motivational Management to Employee Performance
(International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 2013) Wanjau, Mary Ngima; Kyongo, Joanes Kaleli
The relationship between motivation and performance is a universal concern and is often talked about but many organizations do not make concrete efforts to study it in detail. These organizations blindly apply the popular motivational theories without findings and instigators which would be the result of an intensive study on motivation. In today’s hyper-competitive marketplace, understanding what fosters and forwards employee motivation and thus organizational performance is critical. Motivation is about stimulating people to action and to achieve a desired task. For organizations of all sorts to be efficient and successful, enough of every person’s drives must be stimulated and satisfied to ensure effective performance. There is more emphasizes on excellent management as a major contributor to personal effectiveness, group efficiency and business success. The concept of motivational management was there in practice since the age of slavery; however, its motivation was as a result of fear, suffering and intimidation. Today, managers have at their disposal managing instruments by which they can stimulate latent efforts and performance of their teams. The research set out to investigate the contribution of motivational management to employee performance in the Vehicle Body Building industry. Dodi Autotech (K) Limited and Two M Autotech (K) Limited were identified for the study. The researcher first reviewed the relevant literature on motivation, the role of management in motivation and in particular motivational management as a factor of motivation. Questionnaires were used to collect information from the organization’s employees. The researcher interviewed the senior managers and also spent a day in the organizations’ premises observing the workers as they worked and interacted with one another. This was to gather information on behaviour and attitudes at work and towards work in the organizations. The data collected was entered and analyzed on the SPSS software, after which it was presented and interpreted using a combination of tables, bar charts and continuous prose. The Chi-square test of association was used in testing the hypothesis of the study. The result showed that employees in the two organizations of study were to a very large extent influenced to perform by a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic motivational factors applied through management initiatives. The research found the following motivational variables to have significantly influenced employee retention in both organizations; challenging/interesting work; awareness of the relationship between work, organization goals and priorities; performance progress review; performance discussions and rewards for good performance. Motivational management can influence the workplace behaviour and attitudes both positively and negatively. The researcher intends to create awareness on the importance of designing and maintaining an environment that is stress free and an environment that is conducive for optimum employee performance The research was then concluded by indicating areas of improvement and recommending management methods that enhance the employee motivation that leads to increased employee performance.
The Quality of Corporate Environmental Reporting in Kenya.
(International Journal of Economics and Accounting, 2013) Wangombe, David
The aim of this paper is to evaluate the quality of mandatory and voluntary corporate environmental reporting (CER) in Kenya. Content analysis was carried out to measure the quality of environmental reporting in four different media; mandatory reports, voluntary environmental reports in annual reports, websites and stand–alone reports. The paper finds that the quality of CER in Kenya is low, varies among firms, and among the reporting media. It is highest in sustainability reports but lowest in both websites and annual reports. The CER is self–laudatory as companies reported more on positive environmental impacts. The two quality measurement indices arrived at different levels of qualities implying that they measured different constructs of quality of CER. This paper contributes to the body of CER literature by documenting the quality of CER of large companies in a developing country. It also provides a comparison of quality among different environmental reporting media and between different reporting indices.
Rationale for Researching on Corporate Environmental Reporting Behaviour in A Developing Country: The Case of Kenya
(African J. of Economic and Sustainable Development, 2013-01) Wangombe, David; Assad, Musa; McFie, James
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the possibility of corporate environmental reporting (CER) in a developing country so as to present the possible factors encouraging as well as those inhibiting the practice. It responds to the observation of prior research that CER research in developing countries is rare and the conjecture that developing countries should concern themselves with 'development issues', not CER. The findings draw from a wide range of secondary contextual material and employ an argumentative approach to the rationale of CER in a developing country. While CER has been associated more with developed countries, developing countries have unique factors encouraging, and others discouraging, the practice. Developing countries must seek ways to attain economic development, but avoid environmental destruction that results from pursuit of an unbalanced growth. Consequently, companies in developing countries must endeavour to assist in the social-environmental-economic ag
Macroeconomic Variables, Volatility and Stock Market Returns: A Case of Nairobi Securities Exchange, Kenya
(International Journal of Economics and Finance;, 2014) Kirui, Evans; Wawire, Nelson H. W.; Onono, Perez Ayieko
This study sought to evaluate the relationship between Gross Domestic Product, Treasury bill rate, exchange rate, inflation and stock market return in Nairobi Securities Exchange Limited. The study determined the response of the stock returns to a shock in each of the macroeconomic variables. The effect of changes in each of the macroeconomic variable on the volatility of stock returns in Nairobi Securities exchange limited was also determined. Engle-Granger two step method was used to establish the co integrating relationship between stock returns and the macroeconomic variables. Threshold Genaralized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity (TGARCH) model was used to capture the leverage effects and volatility persistence at the NSE. Published time series quarterly data from 2000 to 2012 was sourced from the Central Bank of Kenya, Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. Empirical results of the regression model revealed that exchange rate showed a significant relationship with stock returns. For a one percentage increase in depreciation of a domestic currency, the model predicted stock returns to decrease by 1.4 percent. Gross Domestic Product, Inflation and the Treasury bill rate indicated insignificant relationships. The effects of one standard deviation shock on each of the macroeconomic variable on stock returns revealed that shock in exchange rate was negative but eventually reverted back to equilibrium thereafter. The results of the TGARCH model for exchange rate, Gross Domestic Product and Treasury bill rate revealed that the impact of news was asymmetric and there was presence of leverage effects. There was absence of volatility persistence among all the macroeconomic variables.
The Role of Ethnic Heterogeneity on Corruption: Experimental Evidence from Kenya
(Globethics.net, 2014) Waithima, Abraham K.; Burns, Justine
Using a one-shot sequential-move bribery game, this paper investigates the role of ethnic heterogeneity on corruption. The interest is premised on the high levels of corruption in Kenya coupled with the rising ethnicization of politics. When ethnic identity is made salient, when a potential bribe-giver and a third party are co-ethnic, the bribegiver is significantly less likely to offer a bribe to a non-coethnic bribee. Rather, a bribe-giver is more likely to offer a bribe to a co-ethnic bribee when the third party is also co-ethnic. A possible explanation for this behaviour is the bribe-giver's expectation of ingroup reciprocity from both the bribee and the third party. A bribe-giver anticipates that a bribe offered to a non-coethnic bribee might be more likely to be punished by a co-ethnic third party than a bribe offered to another co-ethnic. Thiswould be consistent with the notion of ingroup reciprocity in the sense that when a bribe is offered to a co- ethnic bribee, even though this hurts the third party, the disutility experienced is somehow less than when the bribe is offered to a non-coethnic bribee. In other words, even though the third party is adversely affected in both instances, there is some solace to be found in the fact that a fellow co-ethnic is benefitting from the bribe as opposed to a non-coethnic. The anticipation by a bribe-giver that the bribee makes a decision to accept or reject a bribe on the basis of ethnic consideration is mistaken since the bribee's decision is purely opportunistic. The bribee's decision is mainly based on the initial endowment and bribe amounts.
Determinants of Successful Strategic Plan Implementation: Lessons from the Church Commissioners for Kenya
(European Journal of Business and Management, 2014) Mutie, Julia Mutave; Irungu, Dancan Njagi
The purpose of the study is to establish the determinants of successful strategic plan implementation using a case of The Church Commissioners for Kenya.The concept and practice of strategic planning has been adopted globally and across sectors because of its supposed influence to organizational performance. However, not all strategic plans get realized and therefore the study seeks to establish those factors that would promote successful implementation of the strategic plans.This study used case study design with the case organization being The Church Commissioners for Kenya. Primary data was gathered by the use of questionnaire instrument from a total of 69 members of Management for the case organization. Data was analyzed with the use of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21. The findings were presented by the use of frequency tables, graphs and pie charts.The key results of the study indicate that leadership, organizational culture, technology and possession of the unique resources are key determinants of successful strategy implementation. Further results reveal that involvement of the stakeholders at the point of strategy formulation is fundamental for it promotes ownership of the strategy plan during implementation. The study concludes that successful strategy implementation requires a combination of different support factors which would ensure that the formulated strategy is successfully implemented.
An investigation of Challenges facing Christian universities in Kenya: A case study of Pan Africa Christian University, Nairobi, Kenya
(International Journal of Management Sciences, 2014) Nderitu, Joyce W.; Minja, David; Muriithi, Samuel Muiruri
With the upcoming private universities in Kenya confirms that there is fierce competition on funds, students, and right delivery of the higher education (Barnes in Kearney, 1994). The stiff competition is especially for students, and this competition can be won only on quality grounds (Abagi, Nzomo, &Otieno, 2005). The study was to identify the challenges facing Pan Africa Christian (PAC) University in gaining sustainable competitive advantage. It was also to establish sustainable strategies that the university was using to counter the challenges it is facing. The participants included university staff, faculty and students’ leaders. Based on the findings, it was concluded that challenges facing PAC University existed and they were expressed differently by various participants. Lack of funds was expressed as a major challenge at the University. Several recommendations were made to market and support the university with finances; University also needed to come up with ways of earning money by establishing more funding bases.

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