Theses and Dissertations

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Institutionalization of knowledge management In manufacturing enterprises in Kenya: A case of selected companies.
(KCA University, 2011) Cheruiyot, Cosamas K.
In the fast changing business environment, knowledge has become the mainstay of every organization in creating and sustaining competitive differentiation. This study sought to investigate factors that influence institutionalization of Knowledge Management (KM) in manufacturing enterprises in Kenya. The specific objectives were to determine the current status of Knowledge Management institutionalization, examine factors that influence institutionalization of knowledge management and the challenges in institutionalization of knowledge management in the manufacturing enterprise. The target population was 60 senior managers in the three selected manufacturing companies. The researcher took a census of the heads of departments and deputy heads of departments in charge of the following departments: human resource, ICT, Finance, marketing, Procurement, Production, Internal audit, administration, Research & Development, public relations and communications, operations and engineering. The response rate was 88.3%. A combination of descriptive statistics and exploratory factor analysis was used to analyze the data. The study established that 50.9% of the respondents understood knowledge management as developing and utilizing knowledge to increase organizational performance and to meet strategic goals and 49.1% indicated it’s about creating, sustaining, sharing and making the best use of available knowledge to enhance organizational performance. The growth of business and retention of market share (mean, 3.6226), improving quality in production (mean, 3.5283) and creation and sustaining strategic competitive advantage (mean, 3.4906) were the major reasons for embracing knowledge management. For organizations to sustain capability to compete in the market, they should not only embrace, but also recognize knowledge as a firm’s core asset that is central to organizational performance. This requires that manufacturing enterprises institutionalize knowledge management practices to facilitate sharing of knowledge and application to sustain continuous improvement of products and processes. This study established that the organizational practices and the technological infrastructure are two critical factors that influence institutionalization of knowledge management in the manufacturing enterprise in Kenya. The study found out that developing a knowledge sharing culture (mean, 2.9623), top management support (mean, 2.8113) and lack of time for knowledge sharing (mean, 2.8077) are the major challenges in institutionalization of knowledge management in this sector. The study recommends that the leadership of these organizations should develop an explicit knowledge management policy in the same breadth with quality policy and health and safety policy. They should restructure their organizational structure to include the position of Chief Knowledge Officer who shall drive the knowledge management agenda in the organization. The researcher recommends that to institutionalize knowledge management, the organizational leadership should put more emphasis on the organizational practices. Further research should be done on the effects of organizational practices on successful institutionalization of knowledge management in manufacturing or service industry.
Factors Influencing Investors to Invest in Equities As Opposed to Bonds in the Banking Industry in Kenya A Case Study of Kenya Commercial Bank Employees.
(KCA University, 2011) Mukarah, Josphat G.
This Research project investigated the factors influencing the inventors to invest in equities as opposed to Bonds in Banking industry in Kenya. Development of bonds market widens the financing options for firms and enables the government to shift its domestic debt to longer-term securities. However, development of bonds market requires that certain conditions be in place. These include a developed money market, wider participation and protection of investors, reduced information asymmetry and an efficient trading system. This would boost the market microstructure and facilitate development of the market. The level of development of Kenya’s bonds market indicates that the country is very far from developing this market. The length of treasury bonds market is shorter than that of developed bonds markets, the trading system is not harmonized with intermediaries using different pricing models, and the regulatory framework is also weak to accommodate diversification of corporate bonds. Also, growth of corporate bonds is yet to pick momentum, and the debt market is thin, with the type of securities that have negative implications on the competitiveness of the market. There also gaps between the regulatory framework and the objectives of bonds market development. Thus, developing the bonds market requires huge investment in institutional building. Chapter two review the literature on, the conceptual framework and theoretical framework. Empirical reviews, a critique of the literature and research gaps are also covered. Companies issue bonds to finance operations. Most companies can borrow from banks, but view direct borrowing from a bank as more restrictive and expensive than selling debt on the open market through a bond issue, while the last chapter is comprises of research design, population, sampling, data collection, pilot study, data analysis and presentation.
An assessment of training and safety needs of motorcyclists in Kenya.
(KCA University, 2011) Minju, Elvis M.
The motorcycle population in Kenya has soured in the recent past with the motorcycle numbers on Kenyan roads rising to 350,000 units from 30,000 units in seven years (2003 – 2009) according to government economic survey 2009. With the increase in numbers of motorcycles there has been concern as the riders are major causes of fatal road accidents. Riders are not properly trained and this compromise riding standards and road safety as training is inadequate. Motorcyclists can avoid some of the crashes with proper training. Currently some hospitals across the country are dedicating special wards for crash victims because of their numbers and frequency. The research work analyzed and assessed the safety and training needs that the motorcyclists require in order to reduce accidents on Kenyan roads. The study applied descriptive research to obtain precise information concerning the motorcyclists in Nairobi and five of the suburb towns with a population of one hundred motorcycles each. A simple random sampling procedure was adopted to select the sample of eighty motorcyclists in each locality after every ten minutes as they arrive at their work stations. Data was collected using questionnaires containing both structured and unstructured questions. After the field work, the questionnaires were checked for completeness, consistency and accuracy then arranged for coding. The data was then transcribed and analyzed using Microsoft excels to generate statistically inferable information. It was found out that the motorcyclists are male between ages 16-25years, with good basic education, who are self employed with half being married. They are not ignorant of the statutory requirements governing the operations of the motorcycles and they seem to be aware of all the rules. It was established that less than ten per cent have the requisite riding license. Although fifty six per cent indicated that they had actually attended a riding school, only fifty five per cent of those who attended sat for the government test and only fifty three per cent of the ones who sat for the test passed. This shows that only fifteen per cent of the motorcyclists have passed the government test with only six per cent being able to produce their licenses.
Challenges Of Financial Management Affecting Performance Of Small And Medium Enterprises In Nairobi
(KCA University, 2012) Waweru, Esther W.
Financial management is very critical in ensuring that Small and Medium Enterprises remain solvent. Meeting financial obligations reflects that SMEs are entitled to continuity. The world is changing at an alarming rate prompting new challenges that are making financial management in SMEs difficult. The common challenges in financial management resonate with record keeping, regulatory compliance, borrowing arrangements, financial analysis, financial reporting and operational funding. In this regard, this study sought to establish the financial management challenges faced by SMEs operating in Nairobi. In particular, the study sought to Establish the effects of business regulation, to determine the effect of record keeping on performance, to establish how financial sources influence performance of SMEs in Nairobi, to determine the effects of risk management on performance of SMEs, to find out how monitoring procedures affects performance in small and medium enterprises to establish the regulatory compliance attributes, the record keeping and financial analysis systems applied SMEs. To find out their financial sources and to establish the risk management and monitoring procedures they apply. The study applied a descriptive survey design. The target population of this study was 600 SMEs operating in the Nairobi Central Business District. This study applied the simple random sampling technique to select 60 SMEs. In this study, the managers of the SMEs were the respondents. Data collected was mainly quantitative in nature and was appropriately analyzed using descriptive statistics. The descriptive statistical tools in SPSS helped the researcher to describe the data and determine the extent used. Correlation analysis was used to analyze the relationship between the variables. The results of this study were presented in both tabular and graphic formats. The study concluded that the business regulations, record keeping, source of finance, risk management and the monitoring procedures were all significantly associated with the performance of the small micro enterprises. The study recommends that the SMEs managers to undertake some risk management courses to improve on the risk management skills. In addition, the study recommended that the SMEs managers need to come up with clear monitoring procedures and monitoring tools to monitor the performance of their businesses.
Design of user authentication model for bluetooth piconet
(kca university, 2012) Birundu, Zablon O.
The main objective of this research was to design a user authentication model for the Bluetooth piconets. Bluetooth is a new and young technology of data communication, since its birth it has been facing a lot of challenges. Security is one of the challenges and this research was conducted in an effort to enhance its security by creation of user authentication model to curb unauthorized usage. Apparently Bluetooth is open to any user of the device be it authorized or unauthorized. The login model designed in this thesis will allow only authorized users to use the Bluetooth piconet. The model was designed and created using J2ME program and was tested and found to be working well. The model was able to protect the Bluetooth piconet from unauthorized users.
User perceived web quality of service and network on e-services.
(2013) Wambua, Onesmus Ituo
Fulfilling e-services effectively entails a sufficient service set-up which delivers a solid base for dependable services. A key part of this service set-up is the transport which e.g. launches the Internet. This transport structure is responsible for delivering a reliable end to end transport service with diverse service levels which is a prerequisite for any e-service put up on top of it.The dynamic change and enhancement of information communication technologies (ICTs) have significantly modernized the way organizations do their businesses nowadays. More businesses are coupling the use of website as a tool to gain competitive niche in marketing their services and product. In that respect, Quality of service and e-service quality is becoming more precarious for organization to maintain and draw customers in the digital era. Since any internet medium should incorporate quality of service, which embraces important e-Service adoption, the perseverance of this research was to investigate the magnitude to which web quality of service influence and perceive the adoption of e-commerce among the Kenyan online clients. Through this, the research attempted to establish the key quality factors in web context that influence user adoption of business to consumer e-commerce. The research further scrutinized the non-quality of service factor that significantly influence the adoption of Electronic Trade and Commerce apart from e-service quality factors. Through this, the most important teamsters and inhibitors to E-commerce adoption in Kenya were identified.
Impact Of Budgetary Implementation On Performance Of Financial Institutions In Kenya
(KCA University, 2013) Ndegwa, Francis N.
Budgetary implementation entails putting of a proposed budget to work with regard to the time frame and the anticipated performance. By budgeting, managers coordinate their efforts so that objectives of the organization harmonize with the objectives of its parts. Control ensures that objectives as laid down in the budgets are achieved. A descriptive survey design will be adopted and a representative sample of the staff who are involved in the budget process at the Agricultural finance corporation headquarters used. A self- administered questionnaire used to collect data from the respondents. The study attempts to investigate how corporate performance is affected by a poor budget implementation process for the achievement of the objectives of the organization. This study used a regression model to analyze the existence of the various relationships existing between budget implementation and performance in an organization. This is a good analysis method that assisted to show the existence of such relationships among the various variables in the study. The statistical package for social sciences will be used to aid the analysis. The study is intended to come up with the reasons as to why and how the budget implementation process affects the performance of the organization. The study sought to find out what relationship exists between the performance and the implementation process. The study concluded that budget planning was effectively practices in the corporation as employees were sensitized on the budget process, the corporation start with planning for its programmes, that programmes and plans were the basis for getting financial resources, the management in the organization normally formulate the firm objectives from the set goals and that the corporation budgets emphasize outcomes . The study concluded that corporation often hold budget conferences to review performance, put clear tracking of programme results in the institution, make adjustments regarding budget performance, the budget performance was always communicated and that the perceived level of budget monitoring and control in the institution was adequate. The study finally recommend that financial corporation should ensure budget adequacy by allocation sufficient budget , ensured equity in distribution of resource in budgeting, increase level of budget monitoring and control in the institution being adequate and implementing regulation ensure standard fair distribution of the budget. From the findings, the study recommend institutions should ensure budget planning was effectively practices in the corporation by sensitization of employees on the budget process, planning for its programmes, ensuring programmes and plans were the basis for getting financial resources, the management in the organization normally formulate the firm objectives from the set goals and that the corporation budgets emphasize outcomes.
An Empirical Analysis Of The Weak Form Efficient Market Hypothesis Of The Nairobi Securities Exchange
(KCA University, 2013) Kamau, Albert M.
With the increased interest in the African economy, it is vital that we measure the performance of our capital markets to know where they stand. The Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH) seeks to test whether a stock market is efficient in either the weak, semi-strong or strong form. With Kenya being an emerging market, the weak form efficient market hypothesis was put to test by the researcher, by determining whether successive daily stock market returns on the Nairobi Securities Exchange follow a random Walk or otherwise. The EMH briefly argues that for an efficient market, future share prices and returns should be random and unpredictable, such that any information regarding a stock is quickly assimilated into the market to reflect on the new share price Data in the form of historical daily closing NSE 20-share Index from 1st January 2008 to 31st December 2012 was obtained from the Nairobi Securities Exchange. The use of a longer time period was to eliminate the thin trading bias that is characteristic of emerging stock markets, while the use of indices is to maintain consistency of data used in the research. Both parametric and non-parametric tests were used, to confirm results obtained in either of the tests. The data was analysed using STATA statistical package to test for stationarity of the model, normal distribution of stock prices, randomness of successive price changes and independence of stock price changes. Unit root test, runs test and Autocorrelation tests were carried out to test for the afore mentioned characteristics of the stock price and returns. Mixed results were obtained from the research, with the runs test concluding that the NSE daily market return series was random and therefore the NSE followed the random walk model. The autocorrelation tests and unit root tests, however, concluded the NSE was not weak form efficient. The autocorrelation tests detected serial correlation in the successive daily market returns and there was absence of a unit root in the time NSE time series. The research concluded that the NSE was not weak form efficient, since all the tests conducted did not conform to the characteristics of weak form efficient market hypothesis. Information flow from the listed companies to the public is not efficient, giving some investors an advantage over others. It was recommended after the study that the NSE should put policies in place to ensure informational efficiency and also educate the public on the advantages of investing in the stock market to improve trading on the bourse.
Energy efficient model for deploying wireless body area networks using multi-hop network topology
(KCA University, 2013) Chepkwony, Robert C.
Wireless body area networks (WBANs) offers a lot of application opportunities in the area of health care. Recent developments in sensors and radio communication technologies have motivated many researchers to design WBAN systems for application in healthcare provision. Power consumption is still a limiting factor in realizing a WBAN with a very long lifetime. In order for wireless body area networks to ensure widespread use and adoption, some of the design constraints should be solved to promote uptake and meet social expectations. As a result, design of energy efficient WBANs is required to enhance battery life at the same time ensure that sensor nodes are small enough to be conveniently worn or implanted in the body. Energy consumption in WBANs happens during sensing, processing and communication. This research focused on designing an energy efficient model during communication between sensors. The parameters were simulated and implemented using MATLAB and Simulink simulation software. The sensors are randomly localized on a plane and distance between them calculated. The model uses a relay between the sensors and the coordinator to reduce power consumption by sensors during signal transmission. The relay is dedicated to retransmitting signals only.
Enhancing current aircraft communications addressing and recording system (ACARS)
(kca university, 2013) Kigotho, Stephen Kariuki
To many people travelling is a normal routine in life. During every day to day activity the issue of transportation does not linger in our minds as it is a norm. However, this is only realised when a horrific accident happens and we identify the role of secure transits policies. In the aviation industry this phenomenon is no exception. Aircrafts usually move around the world and bare air is their transmission line. To enable safe movement of these aircrafts all airplane communications are conducted through a uniform platform referred to as an Aircraft Communications Addressing and Recording system. This protocol was first introduced in the late 70s and used dedicated telex formats to transmit data. All voice communications carried by this protocol are done over a VHF link. Over the years the VHF has been constrained by the additional data produced. This is because of the increasing number of aviation industry players. To further constrain the same, the current ACARS system consists of communications hardware as well as applications subsystems and these components have changed significantly due to the changing aviation needs. This means that the length of message is constrained in the current communication platform. In effect, pilots receive information that is either incomplete or so limited that they are unable to make effective judgement on plane routing. Messages between the controller tower and the flight crew are usually not encoded. With this in mind it means that such communication is subject to interception and may be used for other malicious purposes. The major objective of this research is to develop an air/ground communication standard to support existing applications while minimizing impact on installed equipment. The problem statement and specific objectives are clearly stated to guide the researcher.The study presents a review of related literature on the subject under study as presented by various researcher scholars’ analyst and authors. The researcher also examined the various characteristics of the proposed incorporation of data links to improve the current ACARS and the attributes of the data link. The researcher has examined the methodologies used, evaluated the methodology approaches and described reasons behind the choice of the proposed methodological approach. As a result, if implemented the airline industry will be able to serve the steadily growing consumer needs all over the world since safety concerns of all aircrafts is essential for a competitive and growing world. With the changing business icons and dynamics the aviation industry is finding itself being the most reliable way of goods movement. In the event that the safety of these airlines is not maintained then it would be an economic disaster. At the same time the aviation industry is home to millions of jobs which might be lost in the event of disasters.
Bandwidth capacity measurement in small-scale wireless IP networks
(kca university, 2013) Mwangi, Christopher K.
User applications on the internet cannot beget bandwidth guarantees from the network. Therefore, it is important to measure the available capacity bandwidth as well as link capacities so that the user applications may adopt these parameters to determine the applicability of the service. For measurement of the available capacity bandwidth between devices in a wireless network, active capacity measurement methods are used. Data packets inform of packet probes are inferred into the network from the sending device. These data packets are stamped with time at the end node. The available bandwidth is analyzed from the separation with the time stamped packets as the input.
Employees’ Role In Corporate Re branding: A Comparison Between Kenya Power And Commercial Bank Of Africa
(KCA University, 2013) Githuku, Kimani F. P.
Corporate rebranding is gaining grounds in modern corporates. It is a new and seldom studied area in the academic field. Although the amount of interest in corporate rebranding has increased, it is more reported in business press rather than in the academic realms and journals. The few studies that have been done usually dealt on the motivation and cost of corporate rebranding. In this study, academic knowledge is enhanced with the help of a survey through comparison between two recently rebranded organizations in Kenya: Kenya Power and the Commercial Bank of Africa. The study aimed at highlighting the importance of employees’ involvement in the entire process of corporate rebranding, who traditionally were relegated as “others” and not among the main stakeholders. This study tends to contribute to fill this gap. The main objective of the study is to compare the role of Kenya power and commercial bank of Africa employees in corporate rebranding process. The study was premised on two theories: the buy in theory and the stakeholders’ theory of Modern Corporation. The two theories suggest that better employees’ involvement lead to better outcomes of corporate rebranding. Population included 1050 marketing employees in Kenya Power, based in Thika and Nairobi and 45 in CBA based in Nairobi. Hence the total population was 1095. A cluster sample size of the 350 from Nairobi and Thika Kenya Power branches and all the 45 in CBA’s head office. The study was a comparative descriptive survey where questionnaires were administered to 70 respondents and 40 from commercial bank of Africa. The data was analysed using SPSS and presented in tables of means and standard deviations. The study concludes that there is a positive significant relationship between employees’ involvement and the outcome of corporate rebranding. Further, it was found out that better employees’ involvement in CBA lead to better outcome as opposed to Kenya Power. Based on the favorable outcome of the process in CBA its recommended that organizations planning to rebrand should involve the employees more in planning organizing and controlling than in leading. Lastly, it’s recommended that communication should be given a lot of weight in terms of Timing, method and room for feedback.
Enhanced mobile forensic process model for hand-held devices – A case of smartphones
(kca university, 2013) Mutia, Jane M.
This research is aimed at developing an operating system independent mobile forensics Process Model for Hand-held devices. The earlier works in digital forensics process model have mainly concentrated on process models for computers while those that have dealt with mobile devices are mainly Operating system specific hence they can only be applied to a specific Operating System mobile device. In order to yield the enhanced process model, the researcher examines the various existing process models tailored for the specific operating Systems picking the outstanding phases and combining these various phases to give a neutral yet an enriched process model which is Operating system independent. The proposed Hand-held Process Model is tested using two types of Phones that run different Operating Systems namely iPhone (iOS) and Samsung Galaxy S III (Android OS). Three mobile Forensics tools mainly Celebrate UFED Physical Analyzer, Oxygen Forensic Suite 2013 and MOBIL edit forensics Lite are used to facilitate the experimental tests.
The Impact Of Mobile Money Services On The Performance Of Small And Medium Enterprises In An Urban Town In Kenya
(KCA University, 2013) Nyaga, Kenneth M.
Since the launch of mobile money services in Kenya in 2007, the number of subscriptions has grown to approximately 48% of entire the Kenyan population. This overwhelming uptake has been attributed to the affordability and accessibility of the service, especially among low income earners. The main challenges of mobile money technology include; the requirement of cash tellers or agents at convenient locations to allow easy access to cash when needed, the rising number of fraudulent cases through the service and the lack of interest earned on money deposited in mobile money services frameworks. Mobile phone operators seem to be doing their best to address these challenges. Amidst these challenges it is useful to know how mobile money services influence or impact SMEs industry in urban towns in Kenya. The objectives of this study are; to investigate current awareness and uptake of various mobile money services, to determine if mobile money services uptake has any impact on SMEs growth through increased sales or savings and loan accessibility, establish if mobile money service qualities of low cost, convenience and accessibility result in increased SMEs performance and establish if mobile money services are considered efficient and reliable by SMEs in Naivasha Town. The study found that mobile money has made a significant contribution to the SME sector. Majority of the traders rely on it as opposed to the formal banking sector for their day to day transactions. Secondly, it is evident that all the respondents in this study had a clear understanding of the basic functions of mobile money services. Mobile money services have a positive impact on sales. Efficiency and reliability contribute more to mobile money utility and SMEs growth. It is worth noting that majority of the respondents had reservations on the convenience and cost of the service as a result of problems associated with the functionality of the service. Delays were a major concern of the respondents but only a few people had experienced it. Thirdly, many of the players in the SME sector do not use the service for savings, to access loans or have bank accounts hence creating a major potential for mobile money. From the findings, it is evident that, mobile money users are not conversant with mobile-bank transactions on loan applications and repayment and prefer the normal banking system to mobile banking when it comes to loans and advances.
Effect Of Employee Satisfaction On Nurse Retention At Pumwani Maternity Hospital In Nairobi, Kenya
(KCA University, 2013) Muriuki, Charity N.
This study was an attempt to determine the cause of the continued shortages of nurses which is a challenge being experienced in both developing and developed nations. In developed nations, the number of those joining this profession is declining day after day. It is also a big worry to the hospital management that some of the nurses are abandoning this profession and opting to join other professions. On the other hand, developing nations are not only experiencing shortages but also the massive migration of nurses abroad in search of greener pastures. This has caused huge financial losses and brain drain in most nations. This shortage has raised a big concern to the hospital management as to why this is happening. This study recognizes that a satisfied workforce will be highly productive as well as loyal to the organization and therefore will be willing to continue serving for longer periods. It is therefore in this reason that this study aimed at exploring how the levels of nurse satisfaction with various issues of human resource management was affecting their retention at Pumwani Maternity Hospital. The main purpose of this study was to provide empirical data on Pumwani Hospital, which the hospital management and other interested researchers can build on in strategizing on issues aimed at promoting employee retention. This study employed a descriptive research design, which aimed at establishing the nurse perception on effects of satisfaction on their retention. A sample size of 97 nurses serving at Pumwani Hospital was used. A questionnaire as well as observation was used as instruments of data collection. The data collected was analyzed through inferential statistics of regression and correlation analysis. Finally, this data was processed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) where the results indicated that there is a strong, direct and linear relationship between reward management, capacity building, working environment and employee retention. They account for a high value of 91.6% of the variance on retention. The results revealed that the highest predictor of nurse retention at Pumwani Hospital is capacity building with a Beta of 0.448, reward management a Beta value of 0.227 while working environment is the least predictor with a Beta value of 0.136. Therefore, this suggests that higher values of these variables will translate into higher levels of retention.
Relationship Between Alternative Financing And Growth Of Savings And Credit Co-operative Societies In Baringo County
(KCA University, 2013) Jepkorir, Jane B.
Savings and credit cooperative societies (SACCOS) have continued to play a significant role in creation of wealth across all sectors of the Kenyan economy. The SACCO model is perceived to be crucial for sustainable development and as the best vehicle for addressing poverty among majority of Kenyans. Despite its success it is faced with a number of challenges with the key being access to adequate capital to financing its operations and growth. Alternative sources of financing are currently seen to be the new frontier by many saccos as a cheaper and efficient way of meeting their capital requirements however its role in their growth is still unclear. The general objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between alternative financing and growth of saccos, in Baringo county. The specific objectives were to establish the relationship between fixed deposits, interest from short term investments, interests from government guaranteed loans & financial intermediation with the growth achieved by SACCOS in Baringo County. The study employed a descriptive research design targeting all SACCOS in Baringo County. A census approach was used where primary data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics inform of regression and correlation analysis was used to establish the relationship between the different forms of alternative financing and sacco growth. It was established that fixed deposits and interest from short term investments were the most widely used sources of alternative financing with both the interest and duration of the facility significantly correlating with SACCO growth. Interest from government guaranteed loans were significantly correlating with the growth of SACCOS. The study concluded that fixed deposits, interest from short term investments and from government guaranteed loans influenced the growth of SACCOS in Baringo County.
Effects Of Capital Budgets On Cash Flows: A Case Study Of Kenya Power And Lighting Company Limited
(KCA University, 2013) Momanyi, Damaris N.
Capital budgeting decisions have a long term effect on the performance of a firm and can determine its success or failure. These decisions are influenced by the changes in the business environment. Kenya Power and Lighting Company Limited is involved in capital intensive projects that have impacted on its performance and cash flows. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of capital budgets and how they affect cash flows at the Kenya Power and Lighting Company Limited. The objectives were to evaluate the effects of cash flow mismatch, foreign exchange, inflation and government intervention on cash flows. The study used explanatory research design. Data was collected from existing records. The findings were presented using a linear regression equation. The research finally concludes that cash flow mismatch, foreign exchange rates, inflation and government interventions affect cash flows at The Kenya power and Lighting Company Limited. The researcher recommends that the Company should aspire to match the inflows to outflows, thorough education of budget holders on the need to be committed to budgets and the adoption of zero based budgets for non-key projects, evaluation of projects to determine cost versus benefits and monitor project implementation schedule to ensure no budget over-runs. To minimize the effects of foreign exchange risk, the study recommends the use forward contracts and swaps. The study finally recommends that the company should constructively engage the government to undertake projects after taking into consideration their benefits to the public and financial viability to the company.
Effects Of Corporate Governance Structures On Financial Performance Of Large Manufacturing Firms In Kenya
(KCA University, 2013) Muturi, Alicadius W.
The objective of the study was to establish the effect of corporate governance structures on the financial performance of large manufacturing firms in Kenya. The structures also referred to as structures of corporate governance includes: independent directors, board size, board committees and CEO duality. Study was guided by the following specific objectives: Determine the effect of Independent Directors on a company’s financial performance, Determine the effect of board committees on a company financial performance, Determine the impact that a company’s board size has on its financial performance, Evaluate how the CEO’s dual role as a company’s chairman and a CEO affects the financial performance of the company. The research design to be used for this study was descriptive design. The target population of this study was the large manufacturing firms in Kenya which are members of Kenya Association of Manufacturers. The population of this study is therefore 108 large manufacturing firms. A sample size of 54 firms was taken. The study used both primary data and secondary data. Data was collected by use of questionnaire. The questionnaire contained likert scale. Data was analyzed mainly by use of descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics included mean and standard deviation. Data was also presented by use of graphs, pie charts and tables. Regression analysis was also used to show the sensitivity of financial performance and ROA to various independent variables. Following the study findings it was possible to conclude that all the four variables the Independent variables had an effect on a company’s financial performance. This was supported by majority of the respondents who concluded that independent directors had a mandate to decision making in financial performance. The Independent directors monitor and control activities of executive board of directors to ensure compliance and reduction of opportunistic behaviours as well as safe guarding the assets of the firm. Board committees in the firm ensures that the executive board of directors’ decisions are based on current information derived from the board reports and are in the interest of the shareholders. Coordination and communication problems arising from overcrowded boards impede on company’s performance and causes shareholders to lose money in the company through allowances and inefficiencies. The post of the CEO should be fulltime and should have no duality Regression results indicated that there was a positive and significant relationship between independent directors, board committees, board size and CEO’s dual role as a company’s chairman on financial performance and financial performance of manufacturing firms. The study recommended that the firm should have non executive directors who should constitute at least one third of the board of directors. A company should have small boards so as to have more favorable performance, the appropriate board size should be 7 to 8 members and the post of the CEO/chairman should be full-time
Enhancing the management of wireless clients on infrastructure based WLAN’s: Case of UNDP somalia
(kca university, 2013) Kegode, Andrew M’mbaiza
Network Managements entail managing faults, configurations, accounting, performance and security. This is done to guarantee reliability, availability and confidentially key issues in computer and network systems. Most of this features can and have always been realized on the wired LAN because of the capability to configure the features on specific physical ports. Wireless LAN’s pose the greatest challenges in enforcing these features because they do not have many physical ports like the wired LAN and most clients connect through the same port on an access point. Users are easily managed in systems where user devices are internal to the system e.g. registered authenticated system users. Network administrator’s often have issues in managing guest and other mobile users who only connect once in a long time to the network or managing users who come in with new or different devices day in day out and require connecting to the network. Such foreign devices pose great management issues to network administrators because they cannot be accounted for easily yet they consume much of the networked resources. This study is aimed at establishing a solution to manage such mobile guest wireless devices on the corporate wireless LANS so as to realize a similar secure, reliable and well optimized environment with wireless clients on wireless networks in order to realize a well-managed network.
Generic model for estimating wlan infrastructure costs
(kca university, 2013) Kebut, Vancy J.
In setting up LAN or WLAN infrastructure, the business has to make careful decisions on the choice of LAN or WLAN infrastructure to be laid for them to have a robust LAN infrastructure as well as have cost effective solution. (Cawley & Harman, 2005) has said that: “there is need for a tool enabling estimating LAN infrastructure costs that would lead to cost effective decisions. It will also provide an opportunity to compare network infrastructure choices which can be deployed in a network.” (p.2). There exist two cost estimation models; Tolly group – 2000 and TIA FOLS – 2005 which is always updated. From the Tolly group and TIA FOLS models, one can be able to estimate costs of having fiber on the vertical and either UTP or fiber on the horizontal using the standardized architectures; distributed or hierarchical star, FTTD/All-fiber and FTTE. Due to the advancement of technologies, there is also need for a tool to estimate the costs of WLAN infrastructure. The WLAN cost estimation tool developed in this thesis can be used by WLAN users or designers to estimate costs of either hierarchical star design, centralized or FTTD design or FTTE design and compare between costs among the three architectures. It can be used to identify which of the standard-compliant architectures is cost effective without any compromise to the computer network performance. Therefore computer network users or designers are able to make decisions as to which standard compliant architecture is the cost optimal solution for their LAN.