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Research and scholarly work by the University's academics.

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87 publications

2024

On Some n-Involution and k-Potent Operators on Hilbert Spaces

Bernard Mutuku Nzimbi1,; Beth Nyambura Kiratu2; Stephen Wanyonyi Luketero1

In this paper, we survey various results concerning n -involution operators and k -potent operators in Hilbert spaces. We gain insight by studying the operator equation n T I = , with , 1 k T I k n ≠ ≤ − where n k, ∈N . We study the structure of such operators and attempt to gain information about the structure of closely related operators, associated operators and the attendant spectral geometry. The paper concludes with some applications in integral equations.

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2024

Unveiling the Gig Economy: Exploring Work Arrangements and Job Performance in Kenyan Organizations

Dr Laura Mamuli; Dr Catherine Kagucia

The contemporary workplace is undergoing profound transformation with the proliferation of the gig economy and alternative work arrangements, which pose both challenges and opportunities for organizations globally. Despite this transformation, a comprehensive understanding of how these modern work structures impact employee job performance within Kenyan organizations remains limited. This study addresses this gap by investigating the effects of the gig economy and alternative work arrangements on job performance in Kenyan contexts, contributing to the field of Human Resource Management. This is an empirical study employing purposive sampling to select organizations in Kenya, including Safaricom, Jumia, and M-KOPA, and is complemented by a systematic literature review. By synthesizing empirical evidence and theoretical insights, the study aims to illuminate the intricate mechanisms through which the gig economy and alternative work arrangements influence employee job performance in the Kenyan organizational landscape. The findings are anticipated to provide valuable implications for HR practitioners, policymakers, and organizational leaders, guiding strategic decision-making and planning efforts. Ultimately, this research aims to enhance understanding and inform strategic responses within Kenyan organizations, enabling them to effectively navigate the evolving landscape of contemporary work arrangements. By offering insights derived from empirical evidence, the study aims to contribute to a holistic understanding of how the gig economy, alongside alternative work arrangements, shapes employee job performance within the unique context of Kenya's organizational environments.

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2024

The Impact of Corporate Governance on Agency Cost: Empirical Analysis of Quoted Services Firms in Kenya

Charles Yegon; Joseph Cheruiyot; Dr. J. Sang; Dr. P.K. Cheruiyot; Joseph Kirui; Joseph Rotich

The effect of corporate governance on firm performance has long been of great interest to financiers, economists, behavioural scientists, legal practitioners and business operators. Yet there is no consensus over what constitutes an effective corporate governance mechanism that induces agents or managers to consistently act in the interest of share value optimization. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of corporate governance in mitigating agency cost in a sample of 9 service firms selected on the basis of market capitalization from Nairobi Securities Exchange during the period 2008-2012. We used the proxy asset utilization ratio to measure agency cost. Multivariate fixed effect regression is used to analyze the data. The explanatory variables include director ownership, institutional ownership, external ownership, board size, CEO/Chair duality, remuneration structure and board independence. The results show that higher director and institutional ownership reduces the level of agency cost. Smaller sized boards also results in lowering agency cost. Board independence has positive association with asset utilization ratio. The separation of the post of CEO and chairperson and higher remuneration lower agency cost.

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2024

Factors Causing Staff Turnover at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology

Namasaka David Butali; Dr. Poipoi Moses Wesang’ula; Laura Catherine Mamuli

High staff turnover affects the smooth running of institutions. This study established factors causing staff turnover in Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST). Specific objective of the study was: to investigate factors causing staff turnover at MMUST. A conceptual framework formed the basis of this study. Correlational research design was used in this study. Cluster random sampling procedure was used to collect data. Questionnaires, interviews, document analysis and observation were blended to capture authentic and exhaustive data. A randomly selected sample of 25 departments was used in this study. A total of 152 respondents participated. Data were analyzed using inferential and descriptive statistics. The study established that dissatisfaction with conditions of work; insufficient career development opportunities at place of work; Bullying and harassment at place of work; the job or workplace not living to the employees’ expectations; Mismatch between the person and the job; Employees feeling devalued and unrecognized; Stresses from overwork and work/ life imbalance; Loss of trust and confidence in senior leaders; and Poor relationship with colleagues are some of the causes of staff turnover at MMUST. The study recommends that the University improves on mechanisms of addressing causes of staff turnover to improve on staff retention.

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2024

Projects’ Critical Success Factors: Empirical Organizations in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

Jackson K. Rotich; Dr. Kadian Wanyonyi Wanyama; , Dr. Musiega Douglas; , Laura Mamuli

Projects remain to be universal in all entities of life, but then ironically, the poor performance of projects and the disappointment of projects appear to be a commonest scenario. Most projects failed to be delivered within the expected time frame, quality and budget. The study was aimed at investigating the projects’ critical success factorsin Uasin Gishu County. A conceptual framework guided the study and a descriptive survey design was adopted. The target population consisted of the seven project managers and 29 Field Coordinators from the seven NGOs. All the 36 respondents were used in the study, hence forming a census study. A purposive sampling technique was used to select project managers. The questionnaires and interview schedule were the instruments used for data collection. The research adopted the content validity while consistency of instruments was established through test re-test method. An alpha value of 0.797 was obtained. The data collected was analyzed through both descriptive and inferential statistics (Criticality Index and regression analysis).Results indicate that project leadership, planning, monitoring and evaluation affect positively and significantly (p<0.05) project success among NGOs. The study recommended that there is need to develop quality leadership among project managers and employees. Project plans should be accurately written and implemented to letter. Monitoring and evaluation should be reinforced in the organisations during projects management. The research findings will assist policy makers and stakeholders in the counties in enhancing successful completion of projects, taking in considerations of the critical factors that affect project success.

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2024

Environmental Damage Theory Applicable to Kenya

James ONYANGO; Elvis KIANO; Ernest SAINA

This study seeks to establish the environmental damage theory applicable to Kenya. The analysis is based on annual data drawn from World Bank on carbon dioxide emissions (CO2 e) and gross domestic product per capita (GDPPC) for Kenya spanning 1963 to 2017. Research Methodology: The study adopts explanatory research design and autoregressive distributed lag model for analysis. Results: The results revealed a coefficient of -0.017 for GDPPC and 0.004 for GDPPC squared indicating that economic growth has negative effect on CO2 e in the initial stages of growth but positive effect in the high growth regime with the marginal effect being higher in the initial growth regime. The findings suggest a U-shaped relationship consistent with Brundtland Curve Hypothesis (BCH). Conclusions: The findings emphasize the need for sustainable development path that enables present generations to meet own needs without compromising the capacity of future generations to meet their own. Sustainable development may include, investment in renewable energies like wind, solar and adoption of energy efficient technologies in production and manufacturing. The study concludes that BCH is applicable to Kenya and that developing affordable and effective mechanisms to boost sustainable development implementation is necessary to decrease the anthropogenic impact in the environment without any attendant reduction in the economic growth.

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2024

Challenges Facing Adoption of Information Communication Technology in African Universities

Titus Murgor

A significant number of the universities and higher educational institutions have adopted the latest technology and implemented it productively, for the development of skilled human resource in respective area of specialization, as part of their responsibility. Information and communication Technology (ICT) has grown tremendously around the globe particularly in the developed nations of the world. This growth however appears to be relatively slower in the developing nations including African nations. The Partnership for Higher Education in Africa in a recent workshop survey indicated that while some governments have produced national policies on ICT, many others are yet to do so. As such, the most asked questions is; what are the challenges that hinder African universities to become efficient and effective in use of ICT as compared to developed nations.

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2024

SOFT SKILLS PREPARATION AS PANACEA FOR SELF-EMPLOYMENT FOR TVET TECHNICIAN GRADUATES IN KENYA

Titus Murgor

The main aim of the paper was to assess how effect of soft skills on self employment among Technical and Vocational Education and Training technician graduates in Kenya. The specific soft skills investigated in this study were practice time management, solve problems, work independently, interpersonal skills, communication skills, decision making skill, creativity/innovations and adaptability on self-employment among TVET graduates. This study was based on pragmatic research paradigm using embedded research design. The study targeted 527 technician graduate from TVET institutions in Uasin Gishu county Kenya. Simple random was used to select 320 sample size. Quantitative data analysis was done using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. The interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. Multiple Regression analysis was done to test hypothesis. Findings showed that TVET institutions did not inculcate soft skills content required for survival in self-employment. The generic skills tested were ranked from highly perceived as good to the least good: time management, ability to solve problems, ability to work autonomously, interpersonal skills, communication skills, decision making, creativity and innovative skills, and adaptability. However, despite time management being ranked the highest it had no effect on self-employment. Regression results revealed that ability to solve problems, ability to work independently, interpersonal skills, adaptability and creativity and innovations have a positive and significant effect on self-employment.

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2024

A Comparison of Technical and Vocational Acquired Skills Differences Based on Gender in Tvet Institutions, Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

Titus Murgor

Lower participation of women in the labor force and/or concentration of women labor in un skilled or low skilled, low income generating economic activities including part time and casual work has created many questions among the researcher on the kind and quality of technical and vocational skills acquired by woman. The current study compared technical and vocational acquired skills acquired between male and female in Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, Uasin Gishu. From the findings it has been observed that Male students had significantly and highly acquired interpersonal skills, Information Communication Technical (ICT) skills, Critical analysis, ability to use numerical data and management skills than female. Male students had also acquired critical thinking skills two times higher than that of female students. In addition, the study concludes that male students had acquired skills in many areas than female students. On the other hand female students had acquired high significant skills in ability to work in a team, organizational skills and academic qualifications than male. There is need to diversify Vocational and Technical Training and improve access for and retention of girls and women in education and vocational training in such fields as science, mathematics, engineering, environmental sciences, information technology and new technologies, as well as management training.

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2024

Accessibility of Technical And Vocational Training Among Disabled People: Survey Of TVET Institutions In North Rift Region, Kenya

Titus Murgor; John Kosgei Changa’ch; Julius Kipkogei Keter

People with disabilities face particular challenges in education and training. Most of them are deprived of access to basic literacy and numeracy skills. They also face barriers that affect access to Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions some of them arising from the surrounding socio-economic environment and from mainstream TVET institutions. The main purpose of this paper was to assess barriers to accessibility of TVET institutions by disabled people in Kenya. The study was carried out in the North Rift Region of Kenya. The target population of the study consisted of the lectures and students with disabilities in 5 public TVET Institutions. Semi Structured Questionnaires were used as the main instruments for data collection. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics with the aid of SPSS IBM version 20. One of the most striking findings was that disabled students in TVET institutions are discriminated and isolated. Findings also indicated that the disabled students cannot access some of the school buildings; they are also barred from enrolling in TVET due to policies that provide cut off point marks or entry behavior to courses they desire to enroll in. It was also found that teachers had positive attitude toward the disabled students, contrary to the fact that students considered teachers to be unfriendly to them. Therefore, the paper recommended that skills training and instructional mechanisms must consider specific needs of youth with different types of disabilities before putting them together in regular class. Better coordination between the government and service providers could anticipate and mitigate this barrier. There is also the need for specialized training institutions to be upgraded and modernized, and mainstream training institutions be adjusted to include training of persons with disabilities.

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2024

Support Systems As Antecedents For Self-Employment Among TVET Graduate In Kenya

Titus Kiptoo Murgor; Kisilu Kitainge; Ahnmed Ferej

This paper assesses the effect of the following support systems as antecedents of self-employment among TVET graduates: The study adopted both explanatory and descriptive survey design .The study followed mixed method approach and employed both qualitative and quantitative technique. The study targeted 527 technician graduates from TVET institutions in Nakuru county Kenya. Simple random was used to select 320 sample size. Findings from Multiple Regression analysis indicated that entrepreneurship education, career guidance provision, tracking of graduates, links to professional networks and business incubation had significant and positive effect of self-employment. The findings have showed that the TVET institutions in Kenya have poor support systems although such systems have been shown to have positive effect on self-employment among the graduates. Furthermore, in order to have TVET institutions that are well equipped to meet the needs of the industry, additional funding should be channelled to these institutions with the aim of establishing adequately resourced institutions financially, asset and equipment and human capital.

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2024

Status of e-Learning Quality in Kenya: Case of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology Postgraduate Students

Kennedy Hadullo; Robert Oboko; Elijah Omwenga

There is a substantial increase in the use of learning management systems (LMSs) to support e-learning in higher education institutions, particularly in developing countries. This has been done with some measures of success and failure as well. There is evidence from literature that the provision of e-learning faces several quality issues relating to course design, content support, social support, administrative support, course assessment, learner characteristics, instructor characteristics, and institutional factors. It is clear that developing countries still remain behind in the great revolution of e-learning in Higher Education. Accordingly, further investigation into e-learning use in Kenya is required in order to fill in this gap of research, and extend the body of existing literature by highlighting major quality determinants in the application of e-learning for teaching and learning in developing countries. By using a case study of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), the study establishes the status of e- learning system quality in Kenya based on these determinants and then concludes with a discussion and recommendation of the constructs and indicators that are required to support qualify teaching and learning practices.

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