School of Information and Communication Studies

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MANAGEMENT OF TACIT KNOWLEDGE FOR COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE AT INSURANCE REGULATORY AUTHORITY (IRA), NAIROBI, KENYA
(2022-11-01) MUTUKU, THERESIA
An organization's ability to sustain a long-lasting competitive advantage is brought about by the appropriate management of tacit knowledge. This study purposed to examine ways in which tacit knowledge is managed at IRA, Nairobi, Kenya as well as examine its challenges. The study gives recommendations that if applied can competitive advantage for IRA. The study’s specific objectives were; to establish the sources of tacit knowledge at IRA Nairobi, Kenya, to determine the management's responsibility in establishing a favourable atmosphere for tacit KM in order to bring about a competitive advantage at IRA, Nairobi, Kenya, to assess ways in which tacit knowledge management is applied at IRA Nairobi, Kenya in order to bring competitive advantage, to examine the challenges encountered and give recommendations in the management of tacit knowledge for competitive advantage at IRA, Nairobi, Kenya. This study was informed by the Knowledge Conversion Theory – Socialization, Externalization, Combination and Internalization (SECI). The research employed a qualitative research method. An exploratory case design was applied to understand the phenomenon and an interpretivist philosophical world view was adopted by the researcher. The target population was 85 members of staff at IRA out of which a sample of 43 was drawn using purposive criterion sampling. Data was collected using face to face interviews and reported in verbatim. NVivo version 12 software program was used for the analysis of the study and the findings presented in terms of figures and charts. The research revealed that tacit knowledge management practices are implemented at IRA to some extent. Different sources of tacit knowledge management were identified, majority being held by the staff members. Further, it was established that the management supports knowledge management initiatives in the organization. Through tacit knowledge management, the organization has acquired a competitive advantage over other firms thereby demonstrating the importance of tacit knowledge to a firm. Despite these, the research established that there were some challenges facing tacit knowledge management in the organization. These included lack of commitment from staff and lack of a policy. The study recommends a structured way of tacit knowledge management, involvement of staff in tacit knowledge management and having proper policies for managing tacit knowledge, among other strategies. This study is also relevant for government such as parastatals in the management of the rich tacit knowledge within their organizations as it reiterates the importance of the same
A STUDY OF THE UNDERGRADUATE RECORDS MANAGEMENT CURRICULUM AND THE LABOUR MARKET IN KENYA: A CASE OF MOI AND KENYATTA UNIVERSITIES
(2022-11-01) MAGAWI, SILAS
There is a link between the content of Records Management curricula in Kenyan universities and the Records Management labour market in Kenya. Employers’ input and review of the institution’s curriculum typically produce better skilled, more knowledgeable employees who have a greater potential to succeed once they leave universities. This research aimed to identify the relevance of the undergraduate records management curriculum at Kenyatta University and Moi University to the labour market in Kenya as this is the education level that shapes up most professionals’ career paths. The challenge of the high unemployment rate among Kenyans in general as thousands of graduates come out of universities each year also motivated this research. The objectives included identifying the link between the undergraduate records management curriculum and the labour market in Kenya, exploring the evolving changes in the responsibilities of record managers in Kenya, examining the relevance of the records management training at Moi University and Kenyatta University to the labour market in Kenya and making recommendations on the records management curriculum at Moi University and Kenyatta University. The contextual set-up of the study was Kenyan universities and narrowed down to universities offering records management at the undergraduate level and online job listing sites in Kenya. The research employed mixed methods of both quantitative and qualitative methods of research. The target population of the research were graduates of, and current chairpersons of records management departments of Moi University and Kenyatta University. The sample included 66 graduates of records management and 2 heads of records management departments. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences and Atlas.ti and presented in tables, diagrams and graphs. The research revealed that there is a mismatch between the records management curriculum offered and the market demands. This mismatch was attributed to several factors, the main ones being the theoretical nature of studies as well as the impact of Information Communication Technology in records management. The research further revealed that there is minimal consultation between the Universities and the market in curriculum review and that records management is not as popular in the Kenyan labour market. The study recommended having programs that bring the various stakeholders together, regular curriculum reviews and integration of Information Communication Technology in records management. These findings could be used by local universities, Commission for University Education and employers in charting the way forward regarding records management as a profession
THE ROLE OF LIBRARIANS AND FACULTY IN PREVENTING PLAGIARISM AMONG STUDENTS AT STRATHMORE UNIVERSITY
(2023-11-01) IMBAYI, NEEMA
There is a growing concern over the rising incidences of plagiarism among students in institutions of higher learning both in Kenya and globally from the reports extracted using the similarity checker softwares on final submission of reseachers’ work. Evidence of plagiarism is often uncovered by both the faculty when reviewing students’ works and by librarians in the process of preparing such works for archival in institutional repositories. This study aimed at investigating the role of librarians and faculty in preventing plagiarism among students and proposes a framework for harmonization of various role at Strathmore University (SU), in Nairobi, Kenya. The specific objectives were to: examine the nature and extent of plagiarism in academic research at SU; investigate the influence of the internet on plagiarism; identify the challenges encountered by librarians and faculty while enforcing anti-plagiarism regulations at SU; and propose a framework for harmonizing the role of librarians and faculty in preventing plagiarism among students at SU. The General Theory of Deterrence (GTD) underpinned this study. This study applied the convergent mixed methods research design. Purposive sampling was used to select respondents from students, faculty and administrators, while census sampling was used for all librarians. The study population was 472. A sample of 189 respondents was drawn from the 4th year undergraduate and 2nd year postgraduate students, the faculty members, Directors of Research & Innovation and the main university library staff. Qualitative data was collected using interviews and quantitative data through questionnaires and analysed using ATLAS.ti software and SPSS software respectively. The study revealed four main forms of plagiarism including unintentional, casual, intentional and self-plagiarism which are committed via CTRL-C, Find-replace and recycling methods. Second, that the availability of the internet and the campus WI-FI and alternative connectivity options (such as use of data bundles), e-resources and negative use of electronic devices have fuelled plagiarism. Third, that the challenges faced by the librarians and faculty in preventing plagiarism included a lack of clear institutional policies on plagiarism, clarity on the role for all players involved, and lenient penalties for plagiarists. This study recommends strategies like collaboration, training and policy adoption as ways of tackling the challenge. It further proposes a framework for harmonizing the role of librarians and faculty as one way of preventing plagiarism at the SU.
ENHANCING SERVICE QUALITY FOR LIBRARY USER SATISFACTION AT THE COLLEGE OF INSURANCE NAIROBI, KENYA
(Technical University of Kenya, 2022-11-01) MUSANYA, CELESTINE
Satisfaction for library users has been a concern of researchers and practitioners alike in the library and information sciences field. For academic libraries to succeed in supporting effective teaching, research and learning missions, they must become more user-focused in delivering their services. The study aimed to investigate service quality for user satisfaction at The College of Insurance Library in Nairobi, Kenya, and recommend strategies that can be used to enhance it. The specific objectives of the study were to; Establish the services offered at the College of Insurance Library; Determine the level of service quality at the College of Insurance Library; Examine whether there exist relationships between service quality and library user satisfaction at the College of Insurance Library; Determine the challenges faced in the provision of quality information services and propose strategies to enhance the quality of services at the College of Insurance Library. The Value Expectancy Theory, Assimilation Contrast theory, and SERVQUAL and LibQUAL+™ Instruments informed the study. The study employed convergent mixed methods approach methodology. The target population was 1660, including 1500 students, 155 academic staff and five library staff, of which a sample of 433 was selected, which comprised 316 users (students), 112 academic staff and five librarians. A purposive sampling technique was used to determine all the library staff. Simple Random sampling was used to select academic staff and students. Qualitative data was collected through semi structured face-to-face interviews and analysed using thematic analysis, while quantitative data was collected through questionnaires and analysed using SPSS 21. The findings indicated that: The College of Insurance Library offered inadequate services; the service quality was average, and finally, the study established customer relations from the staff. The study concluded that the library should listen to its users and use the feedback to improve service quality. It further recommends staff training and motivation, increased working hours, the need for more library staff, enhanced security and constant evaluation of the services. This study contributes to the existing studies examining service quality and library user satisfaction, and its empirical results may be helpful to the College of Insurance Library management in helping to bridge service quality gaps.
EFFECTS OF KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER AND RETENTION STRATEGIES ON SERVICE DELIVERY IN NAIROBI CITY COUNTY GOVERNMENT, KENYA
(2020-09-01) Obwaka, Eddie
Knowledge transfer is the sharing of experiences within an organisation. The sharing is rooted in the field the expert is knowledgeable in. Knowledge retention is the capturing of an expert’s knowledge so that an organisation does not lose the knowledge during transition caused by events such as death, retirement or resignation of their employees. In such instances, intellectual capital is lost when employees are unwilling to share the knowledge they possess and leave with it. The challenge facing organisations in the 21st Century is how to transfer and retain knowledge. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of knowledge transfer and retention strategies on service delivery in Nairobi City County Government. The specific objectives of the study were to: investigate the knowledge transfer and retention methods used by the Nairobi City County Government, Kenya; establish knowledge transfer and retention challenges and their effects on service delivery in Nairobi City County Government, Kenya; determine the relationship between knowledge transfer and retention methods and service delivery in Nairobi City County Government, Kenya; and propose strategies of enhancing positive influence of knowledge transfer and retention on service delivery at the Nairobi City County Government. The study adopted a convergent parallel mixed methods research design. The target population of the study was 12,363 respondents from the Nairobi City County Government, Kenya. The study applied a multi-stage sampling technique. The first stage involved stratified sampling through which the respondents were divided into top level management, middle level management and lower level employees. This was then followed by an information-oriented purposive sampling to select information-rich subjects from top level management. Simple random sampling was used to select participants from the middle and lower level clusters. Thus, a total of 40 out of 84 directors of departments were selected from the top level management and 706 respondents from middle management and lower level management. The total sample size for the three clusters was 746 respondents. The study used interview schedules and structured questionnaires to collect data. Quantitative data was analysed using inferential statistics by help of Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) while the qualitative data was analysed thematically using ATLAS.ti. This study established that the most preferred method of knowledge transfer and retention in Nairobi City County Government was departmental meetings. The challenges hindering knowledge transfer and retention were lack of support from top management, technophobia, lack of funding, performance contracting and fear of job losses. The study confirmed that the knowledge transfer and retention challenges affect service delivery by the Nairobi City County Government in terms of accessibility, timeliness, quality, accountability, efficiency and costs. These findings demonstrate that knowledge transfer and retention methods positively influence service delivery. The study proposes a knowledge transfer and retention framework that can positively influence service delivery. The findings can be used by the county government to leverage on knowledge transfer and retention as a way to improve services.
A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF PENCIL BEAM AND COLLAPSED CONE CONVOLUTION DOSE CALCULATION ALGORITHMS IN PELVIC AND THORACIC TREATMENT PLANS
(2024-02-22) Dina, Moraa
Different algorithms used to calculate doses in radiotherapy planning adopt different techniques in simulating doses received by the target (tumor) volume. Such differences can come about in terms of dose distribution in the target volume and doses received by surrounding organs. Due to such differences, it is necessary to take into consideration the best algorithm suitable for a range of mediums i.e homogeneous and heterogeneous mediums. The differences in the way different algorithms simulate doses in different media may bring about dosimetric variations which can relatively affect treatment outcomes in 3D-conformal radiotherapy. The primary focus of this research was to compare dose variations for two dose calculations algorithms namely, Pencil Beam (PB) algorithm and the Collapsed Cone Convolution (CCC) in highly and less heterogeneous mediums. The study was an analytical retrospective study consisting of 8 pelvic and 7 thoracic treatment plans approved and scheduled to undergo 3D- CRT. The treatment plans were generated using PB and the same treatment plans recalculated using the CCC calculation algorithm. Dosimetric variations between the two dose calculation algorithms were observed and evaluated based on variations in plan parameters such as dose received by the tumor volume and the dose received by critical organs (OAR’s). Minimum and Maximum mean dose values were obtained from PTV and OAR’s from the two dose calculation algorithms. Differences in dose values between the two algorithms were analyzed using standard errors (SE) to determine if in fact the differences were significant. At a CI of 95% (P=0.05), it was found out that the two calculation algorithms demonstrated insignificant dose differences to a treatment plan. PB algorithm demonstrated high dose received to the tumor volume compared to the CCC algorithm. A visual analysis of the results using box plots demonstrated that the two algorithms showed no major differences in doses received by the PTV and OAR’s. It made no significant difference to a treatment plan if the planner (Medical Physicist) would adopt either of the algorithms in calculating doses for cervix or esophagus treatment plans using ONCENTRA Treatment Planning System.
INDIGENOUS RAINMAKING PRACTICES AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS ON CLIMATE CHANGE IN WESTERN KENYA
(2012-12-01) OMUHAMBE, BILHA
This study investigated the Indigenous rainmaking practices & implication on Climate Change in Western Kenya. The study particularly focused on the Nganyi clan of Bunyore which is a sub-ethnic group of the Abaluhya community living in Vihiga County. The study found out that climate in Western Kenya has changed drastically as a result of atmospheric changes.This change has affected the rainy seasons.. The specific objectives of the study were to: (a) investigate the prevalence, evidence, seriousness, and effects of climate change in Western Kenya;(b) analyse the local community’s response to the effects of climate change in Western Kenya; (c) identify and document indigenous rainmaking practices which can be used for climate change mitigation and adaptation in Western Kenya; (d) describe how the traditional rainmaking practices can be used to confront the consequences of climate change; and(e) explore strategies which can be used to mainstream traditional rainmaking in building climate change resilience in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Vision 2030 and the “Big 4” Agenda in Kenya. The research approach was qualitative. Primary data was collected through interviews using interview guides with open-ended questions. The population of the study were traditional rainmakers in Western Kenya and weather forecast experts from the Kenya Meteorological Department. Secondary data was collected through documentary analysis of relevant literature. Data was analysed qualitatively and used a case study design. The local community has responded to climate change by planting drought resistant crops that can withstand the changes, and planting trees to attract rainfall. Traditional rainmaking practices such as making of rain, prevention of rain from falling, and prediction of rain can be used to enhance the community’s capacity to adapt to and/or mitigate climate change effectively. Related knowledge of how to arrest lightning, thunderstorm and hailstorm can also be used to confront the consequences of climate change such as drought, , and overgrazing. Through traditional rainmaking, the community under study has been able to mitigate and adapt to the changes in climate to some extent. It is evident from the study that traditional rainmaking can contribute to food security, improved manufacturing through the provision of raw materials, healthy livelihood, social security, increased employment through sustainable agriculture, as well as safeguarding houses from thunder and floods. For this to happen, there is a need to mainstream traditional rainmaking in the national response to climate change through documenting, popularising and validating the practice
PRIMARY SCHOOL MUSIC TEACHER EDUCATION IN KENYA: INVESTIGATING THE LINK BETWEEN THEORY AND PRACTIC
(Technical University of Kenya, 2022-10-01) Wangeci, Anne
Over the years, public teacher training colleges (PTTCs) in Kenya have trained many primary school teachers who are assumed to be sufficiently qualified to teach all subjects. However, some subjects such as music are not given the same prominence during the training compared to others given the number of lessons allocated per week and the number of tutors assigned per subject. This problem is compounded by the gap between training and implementation of music teaching in primary school. This study investigated the link between theory and practice in music teaching by focusing on training in PTTCs and Music teaching in primary schools. The study was guided by social constructivism theory, The Operant Conditioning Theory and Cambourne’s Natural Learning Theory. The research aimed at examining the perception of pre-service primary teacher education students, educators on PTE music education and primary music education in Kenya, assessing the use of music teaching and learning resources in primary schools and teacher training colleges in Kenya, it sought to analyze how music is taught in primary schools and primary teacher training colleges in Kenya. The research relied on a descriptive cross-sectional survey research design.The target respondents were second-year student-teachers from PTTCs. Simple random sampling was used to select five PTTCS and 139 student-teachers, while purposive sampling was used to identify 12 music tutors. Data was collected using a questionnaire and a classroom observation schedule. Quantitative data was analysed through frequencies, percentages, and chi-square using SPSS software version 23, while qualitative data was analysed using themes and respondents' views. Results indicated that most of the tutors and students' teachers perceived the music curriculum at PTE and primary school as theoretical and practical and had clear objectives.The results were further confirmed by a significant relationship between students' perception of Primary Music TTC Curriculum and adequacy of music content for teaching in Primary school. However, respondents indicated that the time allocated to teach music is insufficient to link the theory and the practice. This challenge was further compounded by students' lack of previous interaction with music at primary and secondary levels of education. The results also showed that teaching and learning resources were either lacking or inadequate in the PTTC and the primary schools leading to the weak link between theory and practice in music teaching and Learning. Study findings proved teachers had the required teaching methodology, but other factors such as theoretical examinations with minimal or no practical assessments hindered the effectiveness of their delivery. The study concluded that there was little or no linkage between theory and practice in music teaching and learning in PTTC and primary schools. The disconnect was due to inadequate or lack of Music resources and their use of theoretical assessments, and inadequate student-teachers prior Music knowledge and skills. Thus, the study recommended improving the link between theory and practice in music teaching to primary school student-teachers in the PTTC. The link could be enhanced by increasing the time allocated to the subject and providing more resources. In addition, practical Music assessments and capacity building for Music tutors could be improved to enhance their practical pedagogy and assessment skills. The findings of this study will help primary teacher education policymakers review the time allocated to Music assessment formats and develop capacity building courses for PTTC Music tutors to enhance their teaching pedagogical knowledge and skills. It will also help the tutors to reflect on and review their teaching skills to provide more practical skills to their students.
ENHANCING QUALITY AND VISIBILITY OF RESEARCH THROUGH OPEN ACCESS SCHOLARLY PUBLISHING IN SELECTED UNIVERSITIES IN KENYA
(Technical University of Kenya, 2023-11-01) Adika, Fredrick
The landscape of scholarly publishing is evolving rapidly due to the influence of the Internet and open access practices, including disciplinary and institutional repositories, and open access journals. This study aimed to explore how researchers at Technical University of Kenya and Strathmore University can enhance quality and visibility of their research through open access scholarly publishing practices. The specific objectives were to: Examine the contribution of open access scholarly publishing to quality and visibility of research output by researchers at Technical University of Kenya and Strathmore University; Determine the benefits of enhancing quality and visibility of open access scholarly publishing at the Technical University of Kenya and Strathmore University; Determine the challenges faced by researchers in enhancing quality and visibility of open access scholarly publishing at the Technical University of Kenya and Strathmore University; establish how quality and visibility of scholarly publishing can be enhanced by researchers at Technical University of Kenya and Strathmore University; propose strategies to improve quality and visibility of open access scholarly publishing by researchers at Technical University of Kenya and Strathmore University.The study was guided by the Actor Network Theory and the Theory of Fair Use and utilized a convergent parallel mixed methods research design. The target population comprised 714 academic staff from Technical University of Kenya, 225 academic staff from Strathmore University, 190 postgraduate students from Technical University of Kenya, and 935 postgraduate students from Strathmore University, totaling 2064 subjects. A sample size of 324 respondents was selected using stratified random sampling. Data collection instruments included structured questionnaires and structured interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS and presented through charts, tables, and graphs, while qualitative data were thematically analyzed and presented in narrative form. The study revealed variations in the understanding of open access scholarly publishing contributions, benefits, and challenges among graduate students and academic staff at the two universities. Open access was found to contribute to research quality and visibility through increased usage, improved decision-making, cost savings, citation impact, and greater research impact. However, challenges faced by respondents included lack of awareness, preservation issues, restrictive copyright assignments, inadequate funding, and the presence of predatory journals. Recommendations included the development of clear guidelines for promoting open access within the institutions, formulation of policies to support quality research, awareness campaigns on open access benefits, and implementation of stricter quality measures to enhance research output. Additionally, the study underscored the importance of improving support for open access publishing and fostering a culture of open access within the academic community
THE INFLUENCE OF BIG DATA ANALYTICS ON ORGANISATIONAL PERFORMANCE: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF KENYA AND STRATHMORE UNIVERSITY
(2019-04-01) KIBE, LUCY WACHERA
ABSTRACT This study investigated the influence of big data analytics on organisational performance of academic institutions in Kenya. The Technical University of Kenya (TUK) and Strathmore University (SU) provided the context for the study. They provided insights into the differences and/or similarities between the influence of big data analytics on organisational performance from the perspectives of private and public universities in Kenya. Previous studies on big data analytics have primarily focused on theorisation and formulation of expectations with positive aspects of big data analytics. However, within current literature the influence of big data analytics on organisational performance has received less attention. The specific objectives of the study were to: establish the characteristics of big data produced by the TUK and SU; investigate the techniques and tools used in big data analytics in the TUK and SU; examine the relationship between big data analytics and organisational performance of the TUK and SU; and propose strategies for enhancing the positive influence of big data analytics on organisational performance of TUK and SU. The study adopted convergent parallel mixed methods research design. Quantitative and qualitative data was collected using questionnaires and key informant interviews. The target population for the study was 22,050 respondents consisting of clients (students) as well as ICT staff, directors and managers from both TUK and SU. Information-oriented purposive sampling was used to select information-rich subjects. This gave TUK a sample size of 580 and 114 for SU. Quantitative data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) while the qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis. This study established that five of the variables of organisational performance have a positive relationship with big data analytics in both institutions while two had a negative relationship in TUK. The variables with positive relationship were: innovativeness, creativeness, effectiveness, productiveness and efficiency. Whereas competiveness and profitability had a negative relationship in TUK, the same had a positive correlation in SU. The findings confirm that big data analytics support academic organisations to perform their functions better. The study recommends that academic institutions should develop strategies and policies on big data analytics to guide them on how to maximise its benefits. The findings can be used to enhance organisational performance of academic institutions by facilitating effective decision making as well as strategy formulation and execution. Keywords: big data analytics, organisational performance, academic institutions, Technical University of Kenya, Strathmore University, Kenya.
ROLE OF KENYA NATIONAL ARCHIVES IN PROVIDING ADVISORY SERVICES TO RECORD CREATORS IN GOVERNMENT MINISTRIES
(2019-04-01) OMOLLO, LILIAN ATIENO
ABSTRACT The Kenya National Archive and Documentation Service was formed through an act of Parliament in 1965 and given the mandate to ensure proper management of all government records due to the crucial role records play in government ministries. Extant literature reveals that despite continued advice, management of records at service delivery points has remained unsatisfactory. This study investigated the role played by the Kenya National Archive and Documentation Service in providing advisory services. The main purpose of the study was to determine the advisory services requirement for record management practices in government ministries and whether they conform with the legal framework .The specific objectives of the study were to: establish the nature of contact the KNADS has with record creators in the ministry; determine the type of advisory services the KNADS provide to the record creators in the ministries; establish the strategies put in place to promote the implementation of the advisory services in ministries; establish the challenges faced by KNADS and ministries in the process of providing advisory services and make recommendations for mitigating the challenges. The study used survey and combined quantitative and qualitative data as a means of triangulating results. The study established that KNADS is performing its advisory role to the satisfaction of data creators in the ministries. As is expected not all participants are satisfied at the same level as evidenced by the 60.5% of respondents being satisfied. This on its own indicate that KNADS still has room for improvement. Much more improvement is required in follow up in monitoring and evaluation to assure full compliance on the part of record creators in implementing advisory services which are anchored in legislation. To the extent that KNADS officials claim the legislations and regulatory framework are not enough, it is necessary to negotiate with legislators in improving these. The extent of professionalism evident in high professional qualification of KNADS office holders make it possible for KNADS to seek and achieve the desired improvements. The study made recommendations on steps that should be taken to improve advisory services and further studies to extend knowledge.
KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AS A STRATEGY FOR ACHIEVING COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE AMONG SAVINGS AND CREDIT COOPERATIVES (SACCOS) IN NAIROBI COUNTY, KENYA
(2019-04-01) WASINDA, JACKLINE AWINO
ABSTRACT Savings and Credit Cooperative (SACCO) movement in Kenya play a critical role in national development by reducing poverty amongst citizens. This is demonstrated in the Kenya Financial Sector Stability Report of 2015 which indicates that the sector to date has mobilized savings to the tune of Kenya shillings 420 billion. It has an asset base of Kenya shillings 500 billion which accounts for 35% of the National savings. However, the SACCO sector faces numerous challenges which include, weak processes, shifting markets, rapid product obsolesces, high competition and financial upheaval. The aim of this study was, therefore, to explore knowledge management as a strategy for achieving competitive advantage among SACCOs in Nairobi County, Kenya, and propose a knowledge management framework which SACCOs can adopt. The study assumed that by harnessing knowledge management assets, SACCOs would be in a better position to deliver quality services to the customers thereby improving their competitive advantage. The objectives of this study were: to examine knowledge management practices in selected SACCO's in Nairobi County; assess knowledge sharing strategies employed by SACCOs in Nairobi County; investigate the factors influencing successful implementation of knowledge management strategies among SACCOs; explore the challenges experienced in harnessing knowledge management strategies; and propose a framework for improving knowledge management among SACCOs in Nairobi County. The study was informed by ‘Knowledge based theory of the firm’ by Carla Curado (1959) which states that knowledge is the most strategically significant resource in a firm. Because the study needed to grasp meanings, reasons and occurrences, qualitative method was employed in gathering data. The study was of the view that the concept of knowledge management is new in SACCOs hence exploratory research design was chosen. The study population was limited to three SACCOs namely: Police SACCO, Sheria SACCO and UNSACCO which were selected using information oriented purposive sampling. Target population totaled to twenty-one which comprised of top management, heads of departments, ICT personnel and Records Officers. They were also selected using purposive sampling because purposive sampling enabled the study to reach its targeted population quickly based on study objectives and population characteristics. Data was collected using in-depth interview schedules with open ended questions and analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings provided evidence that although SACCOs practice some aspects of knowledge management it is not as comprehensive hence an ideal knowledge management strategy ought to be adopted by SACCOs. The study therefore recommended that SACCOs adopt a 3-cycle knowledge management model by Kimiz (2013) which encompasses knowledge creation and capture, knowledge sharing and dissemination and knowledge acquisition and application. The study has proposed a knowledge management framework which SACCOs can adopt to improve knowledge management practices for competitive advantage.
IMPLEMENTATION OF ELECTRONIC DOCUMENT AND RECORD MANAGEMENT SYSTEM THE COUNTY PENSION FUND FINANCIAL SERVICES IN KENYA
(2019-04-01) MAGWILU, STEPHEN AYUYA
ABSTRACT The County Pension Fund (CPF) Financial Services is a retirement fund established in Kenya under the Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA) Act No. 01305 of 27th July, 2013. It is registered with the Retirement Benefits Authority for the staff of county governments with headquarters in Nairobi. This study investigated the implementation of Electronic Document and Record Management System (EDRMS) at the CPF with a view of proposing possible solutions to the challenges for successful implementation of EDRMS at CPF.The objectives were to: examine the functionality of EDRMS implemented at the CPF; establish the factors that influence the successful implementation of EDRMS; and establish the challenges of implementing the EDRMS at the CPF. The study was informed by the Records Continuum Model. This study adopted a case study design using a qualitative research approach. A sample of twenty six (26) out of a population of sixty four (64) were drawn from departmental heads, records management officers, ICT personnel and a focus group discussion with clerical officers were picked using purposive sampling. Data was collected using face-to-face interviews with the respondents. The thematic analysis was done using the ATLAS.ti software. Findings of the study established that the EDRMS was functioning effectively with increased multi-sharing of records and documents. However, implementation was faced with challenges such as high cost of maintenance, lack of a records retention and disposal software module and technophobia. This study concludes that EDRMS has improved the quality and consistency of CPF records management processes. The study recommended amongst others, investment on staff training specifically those dealing with EDRMS and change management, embracing new technology such as cloud computing to enhance records storage, installation of Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software which will enhance search capability of content and development of a records retention and disposal software module. The implementation process of EDRMS is a resource-intensive and complex with many challenges. This study provides practical implications on solutions and guidance on implementation of EDRMS.
ENHANCING KNOWLEDGE SHARING THROUGH SELF-ARCHIVING IN INSTITUTIONAL REPOSITORIES BY FACULTY IN SELECTED PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES IN KENYA
(2019-04-01) KAMURI, MARY WANJIKU
ABSTRACT Knowledge sharing is a tool for competitive advantage in every organization. Academic institutions have embraced and adopted this practice especially amongst academicians by creating a conducive environment for knowledge exchange. One of the practices adopted to make knowledge sharing successful is through self-archiving in institutional repositories in Kenya. Despite having an open access policy in place, statistics indicate that there is a low or no report of activities of self-archiving in most institutional repositories. The aim of this study was to investigate knowledge sharing through self-archiving by faculty in selected private universities in Kenya, and to propose strategies to maximize self-archiving in institutional repositories. The objectives of the study were to: investigate full-time faculty members’ awareness on self-archiving; establish how often full-time faculty publish or self-archive; explore motivators for self-archiving by the full-time faculty in the selected private Universities; establish the impeding factors affecting self-archiving by faculty in the institutional repositories; and propose strategies to maximize self-archiving in institutional repositories. This study was informed by Social Exchange Theory and was a qualitative multicase study. The population of the study was drawn from fulltime faculty and librarians from Strathmore University and United States International University Africa. This study employed purposive sampling to come up with a sample size of 26. Semi structured interviews were conducted on all the respondents from both Strathmore University and United States International University-Africa. Desk research was performed on the virtual documents from both Universities as well. A Pilot study was conducted at Strathmore University. Data was analyzed thematically and presented in thick description. The findings indicated that selfarchiving in the institutional repository is not practiced by the faculty and concluded that the faculty views self-archiving as a practice with no benefits attached to it. The study recommends self-archiving mandate as one of the key factors of success to this practice. The findings of this study are useful to academic institutions by proposing strategies to maximize knowledge sharing through self-archiving in institutional repositories.
A FRAMEWORK FOR INCENTIVES IN KNOWLEDGE CREATION AND SHARING BY ACADEMIC STAFF AT THE TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF KENYA
(2019-04-01) OWITI, JACKSON OMONDI
ABSTRACT Incentives for knowledge creation and sharing demonstrate an institution’s commitment to knowledge creation and sharing. The existence or absence of incentives can encourage or discourage individuals from contributing towards knowledge creation and sharing. The research aimed to investigate the role of incentives in knowledge creation and sharing by the academic staff at The Technical University of Kenya (TU-K). The secondary objectives of the study were to: investigate academic and administration staff perceptions of knowledge creation and sharing process at TU-K; establish the types of incentives in place for academic staff at TU-K; investigate the extent to which incentives encourage academic staff at TU-K to create and share knowledge and propose an incentives framework for knowledge creation and sharing by academic staff at TUK. The study was guided by both organisational knowledge conversion theory by Nonaka and Takeuchi’s (1995) and social exchange theory by Homan’s (1961). The study employed mixed method design (convergent parallel design) which involves collecting and analysing two independent aspects of quantitative and qualitative data at the same time or in a single phase. The study used stratified random sampling and purposive sampling to come up with a sample size of 314 drawn out of a target population of 627. Data was collected through semi-structured questionnaires and interviews, and analysed using MS excel and discourse analysis and presented in charts and tables. The findings indicated that TU-K did not have a formal incentive framework for their academic staff and there were notable gaps in ways the university encourages knowledge creation and sharing. A Positive effort towards enhancing knowledge creation and sharing is with the establishment of directorate of innovation and knowledge exchange. The study concluded that knowledge creation and sharing is critical process that should be supported and valued by the University through provision of both financial and non-financial incentives. Recommendation include adoption and implementation of an integrated financial and non-financial incentives framework. Implications of this study is that it contributes to different areas within the field of information and knowledge management and combines the fields of incentives and knowledge creation and sharing by developing existing research on social exchange theory and the knowledge organisation theory. Keywords: Knowledge creation, Knowledge sharing, Framework of incentives, Technical University of Kenya.
LIBRARY FUNDING: A STUDY TO IDENTIFY RELIABLE AND EQUITABLE SOURCES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY FUNDING IN KENYA
(2016-02-26) CHEBON, PHILEMON
The premise from which this research project begins is that public libraries particularly in the developing world, are unable to fully finance their services and thus should seek alternative sources of funding. This project attempts to identify sustainable funding options for the Kenya National Library Services (KNLS) with specific reference to user fees for library services. In order to put the study into perspective, an outline of library history in Kenya is presented together with an overview of social, economic, technological, and social factors which influence the provision of library and information services. The literature review traces the origin of the user fee debate and summarises the arguments for and against fees in libraries. It also attempts to determine whether economic theory could present a theoretical perspective in reconciling the divergent views. The review shows that the issue of charging for library services is hotly contested within the LIS profession and that there is no easy solution. The position of the public libraries within the African continent is contextualised by briefly detailing prevailing conditions, particularly the pressures brought to bear on library budgets during difficult economic periods. An overview of user fee policy in Kenya and the current position of library funding and income generation in South Africa are presented. Data was collected from both primary and secondary sources. A survey method was employed to gather both quantitative and qualitative data. The study used questionnaires and personal interviews to collect data from users in 20 of the 36 KNLS branches. The questionnaires contained both open and closed ended questions. In total, 249 library users from all 20 sites responded to the questionnaire. Using descriptive and relational statistics, the data from the survey were analysed using the STATA software package to establish specific and general aspects of the study and opinions relating to the ability and willingness of the respondents to pay user fees. This was then followed by an in-depth analysis of interviews with 20 willing library users who had taken part in the initial survey. The aim was to establish underlying reasons for the users’ perceptions. Interviews were also conducted with senior librarians drawn from five of the KNLS branches, specifically to elicit their professional views on the topic of user fees and to determine whether the KNLS has the legal framework to support such a policy. The results show that while the majority of the respondents were willing to pay user fees, they were not willing to pay for the traditional ‘core’ library services. It emerged, however, that although the respondents were willing to pay for annual subscription fees, the amount likely to be generated would be of little significance since the patrons were only wiling to pay a minimal amount. It is clear that while the respondents have the will to pay subscription fees they lack adequate income to translate their willingness into a tangible contribution. The study demonstrates that the issue of user fees is complex and the project further shows that the complexities are exacerbated by the nature of the public library, in itself a complex institution. The public library is one of those institutions tied into legal, economic, educational, social and political processes. Therefore, the issue of user fees transcends the library. It is a public policy issue. The study indicates that the introduction of fees for specific library services would have a range of undesirable effects, and would not solve the library’s funding problems. In addition, the study shows that user fees will negatively affect those who are in most need of the service but may be unable to pay. Taking into consideration the financial implications and staff time needed to implement and manage the scheme it also became evident that it will not be cost effective for the KNLS to introduce user fees. The researcher therefore does not recommend the introduction of user fees, but rather the setting up of sustainable income generating options and cost saving measures which could be adopted by the KNLS.

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