African Journal of Emerging Issues

EFFECT OF LEAN MANUFACTURING PRACTICES ON SUPPLY CHAIN PERFORMANCE IN FOOD AND BEVERAGE MANUFACTURING FIRMS IN NIGERIA

Kayode Olakunle Oluwaseyi — 2024-07-04

Purpose of Study: The study examined the effect lean manufacturing practices and supply chain performance in food and beverage manufacturing firms in Ibadan, Oyo state.

Methodology: To achieve the objectives, three food and beverage manufacturing firms were randomly selected from the twelve food and beverage manufacturing firms quoted in Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE). Simple random sampling technique was used to draw up the sample size of 155 managers from production, purchasing, quality control, warehouse/ store and physical distribution departments of food and beverage manufacturing firms. Structured questionnaire subjected to reliability test was used to collect the needed information from the respondents. The information elicited from respondents was analysed with descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis.

Result: The study revealed that there is positive and significant relationship between lean manufacturing practices and supply chain performance. It revealed that pull system, six sigma, 5s, kaizen and supplier relationship are positively related to supply chain performance. Based on the findings,

Recommendation: The study recommends that manufacturing firms should adopt lean thinking approaches and practices to reduce inherent variation with suppliers, processing time, and demand from customers in order to improve on the firm’s supply chain performance. Managers should ensure their workers understand, appreciate and embrace lean concept to achieve substantial reductions in production cost to strengthen competitiveness. Manufacturing firms should involve suppliers ‘decision making which is one of the best practices of lean manufacturing management.

Keywords: Lean manufacturing, Supply chain performance, Food and beverage manufacturing firms.

INFLUENCE OF DATA SCIENCE SKILLS ON PERFORMANCE OF MANUFACTURING FIRMS IN NAIROBI CITY COUNTY IN KENYA

Dan Owour Odongo — 2024-07-05

Purpose of the Study: The study aimed to examine how data science skills affected the performance of manufacturing firms among selected manufacturing firms in Nairobi, Kenya.

Statement of the Problem: The contribution of Kenya's manufacturing sector to GDP has declined from 13.8% in 2020 to 12.9% in 2021, falling short of the Vision 2030 target of 20%, with decreasing sales turnover.

Methodology: The study utilized a quantitative approach with a descriptive survey design, targeting 253 senior managers across various departments. A sample of 75 managers (30% of the population) was selected, and data was collected through structured questionnaires. Analysis involved descriptive statistics, with results presented in tables and charts.

Findings: The results indicated that data science skills have a significant positive effect on the performance of manufacturing firms in Nairobi City County, Kenya. The study found that technical skills accounted for 60.7% of the substantial variation in outcomes for these firms (R square = .607).

Conclusion: The study concluded that data science skills significantly enhance the performance of manufacturing companies in Nairobi City County, Kenya, emphasizing the need for investment in these skills and a data-driven culture.

Recommendations: The study recommended that firms invest in data science skills and cultivate a data-driven culture by equipping employees with the necessary tools and encouraging data-informed decision-making.

Key Words: Data Science Skills, Manufacturing Firms, Firm Performance, Nairobi City County, Kenya

EFFECT OF BOARD DIVERSITY ON EARNINGS MANAGEMENT IN FIRMS LISTED ON THE NAIROBI STOCK EXCHANGE

Cliford Kiptarus — 2024-07-05

Purpose of the Study: This study aims to assess the effects of technological advancement on crime scene processing, crime detection, and crime prevention in Kisumu East Sub-County, Kenya.

Statement of the Problem: The term "crime management" encompasses both actions and outcomes related to addressing crime in various settings. This study specifically examines the implications of technological advancements in crime management within Kisumu East Sub-County, Kenya.

Methodology: The study adopted a descriptive research design and collected data from 300 respondents within Kisumu East Sub-County, using a sample size of 169. Data were gathered through self-administered questionnaires, with consent obtained to adhere to ethical standards. SPSS 24 software facilitated the analysis, employing both descriptive and inferential statistics.

Findings: The findings reveal a significant relationship between crime detection and crime prevention, with crime detection showing a strong positive association (F=78.548, p-value=0.000). Crime scene processing also positively contributed, albeit to a lesser extent (Beta = .127).

Conclusion: The study concludes that technological applications significantly impact crime prevention, detection, and crime scene processing in Kisumu East Sub-County, Kenya. It highlights the critical role of technology integration into law enforcement practices.

Recommendations: The study recommends that law enforcement agencies in Kisumu East Sub-County prioritize the integration of technological solutions to enhance crime prevention efforts. It also advocates for the establishment of clear regulations and guidelines to govern the ethical use of technology in crime detection.

Key Words: Board Characteristics, Board Diversity, Earnings Management, Listed Firms, Nairobi Securities Exchange

PARTICIPATORY ASSESSMENT OF CLIMATE AND DISASTER RISK AMONG PASTORAL COMMUNITIES OF AFRICA- A CASE STUDY OF KAJIADO COUNTY, KENYA

Othoo Calvince Ouko — 2024-07-15

Purpose of the Study: The main aim of this study was to assess past and present climate impacts from communities’ points of view and establish community-led adaptation strategies and a roadmap for pastoralists in Kajiado County using an innovative participatory tool for climate resilience building.

Statement of the Problem: While climate-induced impacts continue to affect poor rural pastoral communities and their livelihoods, these communities are rarely involved in developing locally led adaptation roadmaps that reflect their realities. The opportunities that lie in community-led programs have never been fully explored by the scientific community, despite the promise that participatory techniques hold in climate resilience building at the grassroots level.

Methodology: This study employed an innovative participatory assessment of climate and disaster risk (PACDR) methodology to assess climate impacts among the Maasai community of Kajiado County, Kenya. Specifically, the study used ten PACDR tools to engage the community through focus group discussions formed along six gender groups, with cumulative participation of about 120 community members.

Results: The study established that communities still prefer their own indigenous/traditional strategies for combating climate change, such as migration, despite the challenges that some practices may pose on the environment. In addition, the study discovered an increased sense of ownership when communities are involved through participatory approaches in developing their own adaptation strategies, based on their perspectives and what works for them in line with their prevailing social, cultural, and environmental conditions.

Recommendation: This paper recommends the use of the innovative PACDR in future community climate risk assessments among ASAL (Arid and Semi-Arid Lands) communities in East Africa.

Keywords: Participatory, Climate Risk, Assessment, Vulnerability, Community

THE MEDIATING EFFECT OF COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE BETWEEN COMPETITIVE STRATEGIES AND PERFORMANCE OF ACCREDITED UNIVERSITIES IN KENYA

Cecilia Wacuka Gathitu — 2024-07-18

Research Objective: The objective of this research was to examine the mediating effect of competitive advantage in the relationship between competitive strategies and performance of accredited universities in Kenya.

Research Methodology: The study was anchored on Industrial organization theory basing on structure conduct paradigm, advanced by Porter (1986). Positivism provided the philosophical foundation. The population of the research comprised 53 accredited universities in Kenya. This was a census survey. Descriptive cross-sectional research design was used. Primary data was collected using a pre-tested questionnaire. The respondents were academic registrars from both public and private accredited universities. Four path analysis model by Baron and Kenny’s (1986) was applied in the data analysis.

Results and Findings: The research outcomes revealed that competitive advantage partially mediated the relationship between competitive strategies and performance of accredited universities in Kenya.

Implication of the study: The study findings are useful to strategic management practioners and managers from accredited universities in Kenya, policymakers in government as well as scholars and researchers

Key words: Competitive strategies, competitive advantage and organizational performance