Department of Management Science and Technology
http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/924
2024-03-14T03:28:00ZTechnology Transfer Assistance to Enhance Knowledge Exchange and Technology Transfer between Small and Medium Enterprises and Higher Education Institutions in Nairobi Innovation Ecosystem in Kenya
http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1923
Technology Transfer Assistance to Enhance Knowledge Exchange and Technology Transfer between Small and Medium Enterprises and Higher Education Institutions in Nairobi Innovation Ecosystem in Kenya
Sagwa, Evans Vidija; Mreji, Pamela; Mbugua, Levi Ng’ang’a; Orina, Alfred Isaac
Abstract
This survey was conducted as part of a project that seeks to develop a technology transfer assistance model that can effectively bridge the gap existing between technology sources like Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and
technology users like Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and other firms operating in the Nairobi innovation ecosystem. The project team at the Technical University of Kenya (TUK) was one of the grantees in the Research and Innovation Systems for Africa (RISA) program for the year 2023 that was implemented between January, 2023 and December, 2023. The RISA program was funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) that aims to strengthen research and innovation ecosystems in Africa. The study was anchored on the Theory of Change. The project commenced with a research phase which took place between January and March 2023, with a survey of 1200 SMEs operating within the targeted geographical region. This was followed by in depth interviews with a cross section of stakeholders from higher education institutions, research institutes, and managers from funding organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and advocacy groups to obtain insights on technology development and transfer within the Nairobi innovation ecosystem. The findings of the study indicate a gap in the access and assimilation of new technologies by SMEs, driven by factors that have organizational, regulatory and institutional perspectives. The project team held three stakeholder engagement
workshops to disseminate the findings of the survey, deliberated on challenges encountered on technology transfer and knowledge exchange between SMEs and HEIs. As part of capacity building at the Technical University of Kenya, the project team in the month of June 2023 conducted a four day Training of Trainers (TOTs) for forty faculty members on Research to Commercialization (R2C). The TUK faculty trained as TOTs facilitated in training three hundred SMEs who were invited to a six day capacity building training. The SME training covered
introduction to innovation and entrepreneurship, business planning and strategy, communication and marketing, digitalization and new product development, business finance, and human resource management. The project team prepared a policy brief, and is championing the creation of a model regional technology hub at TUK, to host incubators, accelerators, crosscutting partnerships and collaborations using a quadruple approach strategy that involves four components of a functional innovation ecosystem; people, technology, capital, and infrastructure.
Journal Article
2024-01-31T00:00:00ZEffect of Project Resources on Sustainability of Early Childhood Development Projects: Case of Baby-Friendly Community Initiative in Dagoretti North Constituency Nairobi County Kenya
http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1916
Effect of Project Resources on Sustainability of Early Childhood Development Projects: Case of Baby-Friendly Community Initiative in Dagoretti North Constituency Nairobi County Kenya
Sagwa, Evans Vidija; Obulemire, Kepha Emmanuel
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to find out the effect of project resources on sustainability of Early Childhood Development (ECD) projects, a case of the Baby-Friendly Community Initiative (BFCI) project in Dagoretti North Constituency Nairobi County, Kenya. The study used a descriptive survey design. The target population was made up of 507 BFCI project stakeholders while the sample size was 211. The target population comprised five hundred project beneficiaries, two lead mothers in charge of the mother-to-mother groups, two government officials, two Ministry of Health staff, and one staff from the implementing partner of the project. The sample size of the project beneficiaries was derived using the Yamane formula. Stratified sampling was used to get study participants from each village representing a stratum. Proportionate stratification was utilized to obtain the sample size of each stratum. This implied that each stratum had an equivalent sampling fraction. The other study participants were not sampled due to their low number. The researchers used self-administered questionnaires to collect quantitative data while an interview guide was used to collect qualitative data. Percentages, frequencies, mean, and standard deviation were the descriptive statistics used. Correlation analysis was used for inferential statistics. Collected data was analyzed with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 23.0) and triangulated qualitative data was analyzed through themes and content analysis. The results show that there is a moderate relationship between project resources and sustainability of ECD projects with correlation value of (r=0.433, P0.000). Hence, it was recommended that project stakeholders should put on place resource mobilization strategies to ensure that projects do not lack resources. The in-depth discussions done with the key informants in the study also supported the results that project resources are crucial to the sustainability of projects. The study recommends that project stakeholders should put in place measures that ensure project resources are availed for sustainability of projects.
Journal Article
2023-11-01T00:00:00ZInfluence of Project Champions on Sustainability of Early Childhood Development Projects: Case of Baby-Friendly Community Initiative in Dagoretti North Constituency Nairobi County Kenya
http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1915
Influence of Project Champions on Sustainability of Early Childhood Development Projects: Case of Baby-Friendly Community Initiative in Dagoretti North Constituency Nairobi County Kenya
Sagwa, Evans Vidija; Obulemire, Kepha Emmanuel
ABSTRACT
The aim of the study was to find out the influence of project champions on the sustainability of Early Childhood Development (ECD) projects, a case of the Baby-Friendly Community Initiative (BFCI) project in Dagoretti North Constituency Nairobi County, Kenya. The study was guided by the system approach theory. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The target population was made up of 507 BFCI project stakeholders while the sample size was 211. The researchers used self-administered questionnaires to collect quantitative data while an interview guide was used to collect qualitative data in the research. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used. Data collected from the study was analyzed with the help of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 23.0). Triangulated qualitative data was analyzed through themes and content analysis. The study found that project champions determine the sustainability of ECD projects with a high correlation value. Indicators like commitment, confidence level, influence on the community, and the connections a project champion has in the community play a significant role in the sustainability of projects. In-depth discussions with the key informants indicated the importance of project champions. Regression analysis indicated that project champions were significant in predicting the sustainability of ECD Projects. The study recommends that project champions should be appreciated through tokens to motivate them to champion community projects and be involved in planning projects to ensure to take into account the cultural contexts.
Journal Article
2023-12-26T00:00:00ZThe Role of ICT in Electoral Processes: Case of Kenya
http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1777
The Role of ICT in Electoral Processes: Case of Kenya
MICHENI, Elyjoy; MURUMBA, Julius
Healthy democracies require high levels of explicit participation by citizens in political life of their countries, from voting empowerment to monitoring government performance. ICT is a tool which when used appropriately can help citizens participate in the political affairs of their countries. Through use of information technologies such as database management systems, biometrics voter registration and identification, optical scanning, block chains and digital networks, secure and robust systems for digital voting can be devised. The objective of this paper are to highlight the types of technologies used in electoral systems and results transmission, Investigate the challenges faced in using these technologies and to establish benefits of technology use in electoral processes. The study was conducted through a desk search on elections materials, elections observer reports, international and Kenyan laws on elections and reports by the Kenya’s EMB, IEBC. The study concludes that legislative and regulatory items that govern elections in African countries need to be reviewed to cope with new and emerging technologies. When considering technological solutions for electoral processes, Election Management Bodies must conduct adequate feasibility studies and proper strategic planning to ensure that they have sufficient plans and time for the introduction of new technologies.
JOURNAL ARTICLE:
TITLE: The Role of ICT in Electoral Processes: Case of Kenya
2020-01-30T00:00:00Z