International Journal of Current Aspects最新文献

{"title":"Disaster Preparedness and Planning for Service Sustainability: Case of Egerton University Digital Library, Main Campus","authors":"Linet Oketch, P. Wamae","doi":"10.35942/ijcab.v5i3.198","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.35942/ijcab.v5i3.198","url":null,"abstract":"Preparing and planning for disaster remains the most crucial component of libraries. It also happens to be one that is least understood. Since the existence of libraries and information science, there has been a history of disasters happening from time to time. Disasters are events in which no library would like to experience but the still do. Egerton University library being the study area, has experienced disasters in the form of rioting students causing service disruption and incidences of fire. This study sought to evaluate the disaster preparedness and planning of digital libraries in relation to service sustainability. It considered the following objectives: To establish the level of disaster preparedness and planning; To find out the training the library staff have undergone; To determine the disaster preparedness and planning equipment in place; and to establish the challenges faced in preparing and planning for disasters at Egerton University digital library in service delivery. It was anchored on the Theory of Planned Behavior. The study made use of descriptive research design and considered census method to arrive at 68 library staff as its respondents. Primary data was collected using self-administered questionnaire with a five-point Likert scale. The quantitative data collected was inferentially analyzed as per the objectives of this study. A statistical software SPSS was used in analyzing this data. Findings were presented in the form of tables as frequencies and percentages for easy understanding. The validity of the instruments was determined using specialists who assisted in properly framing questions in the questionnaire. They also assisted in realigning it according to the objectives of the study. The study established that the level of disaster preparedness and planning at the digital library in Egerton University was low hence the digital library was at risk of disasters; not all the library staff had not adequately undergone training on disaster preparedness and planning; the library was not adequately supplied with disaster preparedness and planning equipment’s; the digital library was experiencing challenges in regards to disaster preparedness and planning; and the digital library services will be affected in the event of a disaster happening. The study concluded that the digital library could experience disasters because they were not exempted from disasters like any other organization or section within the University; the library was not so keen on training its staff on disaster preparedness and planning; the digital library had inadequate disaster preparedness and planning equipment’s; implementing a disaster preparedness plan was hindered by lack of adequate funds which were needed for purchasing suitable equipment’s, servicing these equipment as well as training all the library staff. The study recommended that the management of the university and library should provide the needed support and influence staff training ","PeriodicalId":119984,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Current Aspects","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-10-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"126400740","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Teacher Preparedness and Implementation of the Competency Based Curriculum in Public Pre-Primary Schools in Nairobi City County, Kenya","authors":"H. Isaboke, Maureen Mweru, G. Wambiri","doi":"10.35942/ijcab.v5i3.186","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.35942/ijcab.v5i3.186","url":null,"abstract":"Globalization and demand for twenty first century skills has led countries to adapt Competency Based Curriculum (CBC). Kenya embarked on curriculum reforms from content based to CBC in 2018. Studies have reported minimal use of CBC teaching-learning approaches in pre-primary schools in Nairobi City County. Teachers are the key implementers of the Curriculum, yet their preparedness to implement the Curriculum in public pre-primary schools remains unknown. Therefore, this study purposed to establish the preparedness of pre-primary school teachers in implementing the CBC in public pre-primary schools in the County. The Concern-Based Adoption Model by Hall, Hord and Rutherford (2006) was used in this study.  The study targeted a population of 900 comprising of 450 pre-primary school teachers, 225 ECD Center Managers and 225 head teachers in all the 225 public pre-primary schools in Nairobi City County. Twenty percent of the target population was sampled to participate in the study; therefore the study had a sample size of 180, which comprised of 45 head teachers, 45 center managers and 90 pre-primary school teachers. A Questionnaire, interview schedules, observation checklist and a document analysis guide were used to collect data. Pilot study was conducted in two public pre-primary schools in the County, validity of the research instruments was determined through expert judgment whereas reliability of the questionnaires was determined through split-half method and a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.799 was obtained. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically whereas quantitative data was summarized using percentages and frequencies and Chi-square test was used to test the hypotheses. This was facilitated by the Statistical Package for Social Sciences Version 21. Findings showed that majority (65.9%) of the teachers had not received any training on CBC, whereas 34.1% of the teachers were trained. The study established a significant relationship between the teachers’ extent of training in CBC and their ability to implement the curriculum with a significance value of p=0.000<0.05. The study concluded that the teachers were not adequately prepared to implement the Curriculum. Thus, recommended that the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Nairobi City County Government should adequately create a regular in-service training program to equip teachers with necessary knowledge and skills that will help them implement the curriculum effectively.","PeriodicalId":119984,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Current Aspects","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"130613284","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Creating an Online Self: Developing Virtual Identity in Online Group Interaction Spaces","authors":"G. King'ara, Deckillah S. Omukoba","doi":"10.35942/ijcab.v5i3.185","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.35942/ijcab.v5i3.185","url":null,"abstract":"Online groups have pervasively become platforms for association and interaction. Hence, it is important to study how interactions on these virtual groups affect the selves of individual group members, and whether communication activities in these groups lead to formation of virtual identities of active members which is distinguishable from their non-mediated identity. To analyze the development of virtual identity, four focus group discussions of ten youthful participants each, who were members of various online groups, were conducted and eight social media experts were interviewed. Concepts of Communication Theory of Identity (CTI) and Uses and Gratification Theory were employed to analyze collected data in assessing how online group interactions that involve fashioning identity, impression management, anonymity and pro-social behavior lead to formation of online group members virtual identity. We first interrogate how these online groups shape behavior online by interrogating the individual group member’s conversations and actions online and paralleling them with their conversations and actions offline. Second, using the three-dimensional identity formation model (Crocetti, Rubini, & Meeus, 2008), we crystalize how these online interactions and behavior cause individual group member’s to feel, think and understand themselves in ways that promote a unique online-self, which we refer to as the virtual identity. ","PeriodicalId":119984,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Current Aspects","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"114262195","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessing Electronic Medical Records Readiness for Service Delivery in State Hospitals in Southwest Nigeria","authors":"S. A. Ajayi, P. Wamae, D. Muthee","doi":"10.35942/IJCAB.V5I3.175","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.35942/IJCAB.V5I3.175","url":null,"abstract":"Electronic Medical Records (EMR) is an important communications channel relating to patient health conditions. Unfortunately, many hospitals in Africa, including Nigeria, have not implemented EMR. The few Hospitals that have some level of EMR continues are still struggling with the use of paper and hybrid medical records, which has led to inadequate medical follow-up, medical error, and long waiting time for patients. A sample size of three hundred and ninety-seven (397) was determined using krejcie and morgan models, comprising of strategic managers, and the operational staff drawn from a population of 2889 in the selected hospitals. At the hospital level, purposive sampling was applied in picking strategic managers, while stratified random sampling was method was used to select operational health workers. Questionnaires were used for data collection. The study adopted a descriptive statistical analysis method to describe the existing medical records systems. The finding indicated that the systems in the hospitals are mainly paper-based. The hospitals are also using hybrid system with a few treatment areas having fully electronic medical records systems. In the area where EMR has been implemented, the finding indicates poor penetration of the EMR system, limited modules, staff readiness and poor performance in the treatment area, among others. The study concluded that hospitals that have implemented, EMR is not serving the classical purpose of medical record of supporting treatment and follow up. The study recommended that the selected hospitals should ensure there is the availability of fund, staff training, and technical infrastructures like electronic record managers, ICT support staff, and computer compatible medical devices, among others.","PeriodicalId":119984,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Current Aspects","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-07-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"121600839","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An Assessment of the Effect of Mass Media Platforms and County Assembly Initiatives on Public Participation in Kitui County","authors":"Kasina Musunza, Wilson K. Muna","doi":"10.35942/ijcab.v5i2.171","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.35942/ijcab.v5i2.171","url":null,"abstract":"Devolution entails the decentralization of power and distribution of resources from the national government to the county governments. To ensure that national and county governments are providing good governance, public participation is vital. Studies done indicate that there is no information pertaining to devolutuon, county governments,  and public participation in the Kenyan county governments. In this study, Kitui county has been used to assess the county assembly initiative and the mass media initiative and their effectiveness in encouraging public participation. The exploratory research design was used to collect data from the target population of Kitui Central Sub County. Data was collected from 100 respondents using structured questionnaires. From the results received, it is evident that Kitui County Government has taken steps to enhance public participation by implementing Mass Media initiatives and County Assembly initiatives. Although, most of the respondents saw the need for the county government to put in more effort to ensure that the public is involved in governance, establishing efficient and effective public engagement initiatives will help strengthen public participation in devolved structures.","PeriodicalId":119984,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Current Aspects","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"115840135","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessing Gender Roles in Dagaa Fishery Value Chain among Fishing Communities on Lake Victoria, A Case Study of Lake Victoria Beaches In Siaya County, Kenya","authors":"Albert Ogoma Odhone, I. Mahiri, F. Onsongo","doi":"10.35942/ijcab.v4i2.124","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.35942/ijcab.v4i2.124","url":null,"abstract":"Fisheries in the East Africa region have suffered due to less emphasis given to some fishery specifically Dagaa (Rastrineobolaargentea), whose quantity is the highest of all the species in the Lake Victoria. Despite the importance of this resource in Kenya, there has been a concern of gender parity and inequality in terms of roles played by both gender in harvesting, processing, trading and marketing in the Dagaa fishery. This study analyzed gender roles in Dagaa Fishery Value Chain among fishing communities around Lake Victoria in Bondo Sub County, in Siaya County, Kenya. The study addressed the following objectives: Identified the various roles of men and women in Dagaa Fishery Value Chain, discussed factors influencing gender roles in Dagaa Fishery Value Chain, analyzed the barriers to women’s participation in certain Dagaa Fishery Value Chain and examined the strategies to overcome challenges in gender roles in Dagaa fishery value chain in Bondo Sub-County, Siaya County. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design. This study was guided by two models; gender analysis framework model that was developed by Sarah Longwe and supply chain model. Purposive sampling technique was used to select Bondo Sub-County and fishing community in Bondo Sub-County; random sampling technique was used to select five (5) fish landing sites/beaches where quantitative data were collected from 186 out of the targeted 188 primary respondents, from among the forty-four beaches of Lake Victoria in Bondo Sub-County. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS Version 25, and descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages were used in presenting analyzed data. The results were presented using tables and charts. The study findings revealed that majority of the boats and fishing gears were owned by men, motorized boats belonged to men while a higher percentage of females still had the paddled boats. While men dominated the fishing of Dagaa, women dominated processing and trading of Dagaa in the beaches. The study noted that men made higher returns than their female counterparts at all levels of Dagaa fishery value chain. The study concluded that there is a still wide disparity among gender roles in Dagaa fishery value chain. Most of the activities in the value chain are still dominated by men. This study recommends that women be encouraged to take part in Dagaa fishery value chains, empowerment of women to take part in transportation and distribution of Dagaa and application of various strategies such as joining SACCOs to access loans at low interest rates, formation of groups for ease of access to credit services and weakening patriarchy to mitigate factors affecting Gender roles in Dagaa fishery value chains.","PeriodicalId":119984,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Current Aspects","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-09-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"116388118","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"E-Waste as Perceived by Different World Economies: Critical Review of Literature","authors":"Virginiah Onyara","doi":"10.35942/ijcab.v4i1.106","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.35942/ijcab.v4i1.106","url":null,"abstract":"This article outlines how different world economies define e-waste. It further looks at how the narratives coming from these definitions affect the scope of management of e-waste.  Geographical and social-economic dynamism does affect similarities and differences in approaches to the management of e-waste.   As much as each geographical location defines e-waste in its own familiar context and peculiarity, several definitions have major components left out or added, creating strengths or weaknesses for each one of them. Each definition on its own uniquely shows the regional integration in thought and how diverse it is in beliefs of what are uniquely them. This article sums up by showing how an aspect of e-waste management – disposal, has predicted how economies define e-waste and why there is need to understand different contextual definitions for different world economies so as to effectively manage electrical and electronic equipment once they reach their end of life in the context of the user. The study identifies factors that have aided disposal of e-waste, these factors include; legal and regulatory frameworks, e-waste concept, availability and affordability of the EEE. This study considers Disposal of EEE as a determinant measure of e-waste definition.","PeriodicalId":119984,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Current Aspects","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"122233035","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Just How Much Do We Know About Electronic Waste: Empirical Evidence from Nairobi, Kenya","authors":"Virginiah Onyara","doi":"10.35942/ijcab.v4i1.107","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.35942/ijcab.v4i1.107","url":null,"abstract":"This study aimed to find out if consumers of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) in Nairobi, Kenya know about e-waste and its harmful effects, the available disposable mechanisms in the country and the legal framework for managing EEE. It also explored if consumers would desire to have information on e-waste and participate or be involved in its management. Primary data was collected from 98 residents of Nairobi via the online platform - SurveyMonkey tool, because the study was done during the corona virus disease (COVID-19) pandemic spread and the country was enforcing social distancing measures by the World Health Organization. Data was descriptively analyzed.  Results show that majority (84.2%) of the respondents understand what electronic waste is, 68.4% of the respondents know that e-waste has hazardous substances in them. 71% of respondents in the study however, indicated that they do not segregate it at source during disposal as is required by the e-waste guidelines. In the study, 73.7% of the respondents had no idea there existed any government efforts to guide or regulate its management. Most importantly, the city dwellers are willing to be involved in its management. This study, therefore, recommended that the government, through its regulatory bodies in environment, ICT and other relevant EEE regulators, to develop voluntary and mandatory legal, policies, guidelines and regulatory frameworks for managing EEE. The Government has to create proper disposal mechanisms, communicate effectively the challenges posed by inferior disposal methods and continuously engage the citizens in e-waste management activities.  Proper disposal and its eventual management can be part of consumer’s daily activity.","PeriodicalId":119984,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Current Aspects","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"122766714","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Perceived Factors Responsible for Students’ Drop Out of School in Zumo Development Area Song Local Government of Adamawa State, Nigeria","authors":"Kamkwis M Zira, Adamu Muhammad Zumo","doi":"10.35942/ijcab.v4i1.110","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.35942/ijcab.v4i1.110","url":null,"abstract":"The main purpose of the study was to examine school related factors responsible for students dropping out from secondary schools in Zumo Development Area of Adamawa State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey research was adopted for the study. A total of twenty students who had dropped out of school in the past five years were in the study area. They were randomly sampled from five communities out of the nine community secondary schools in Zumo Development area. Data was collected through administering a modified four point likert-type questionnaire to the participants. The data obtained was compiled and analysed using simple percentages. The study revealed that poverty and financial constraints were critical in the dropout phenomenon. The study also revealed that school dropout was primarily grounded in school problems such as school distance and inadequate teacher-student relationship, inadequate resources and facilities as well as irrelevant curriculum content that failed to meet the needs and aspirations of the students. The study recommended that schools learning environment should be child friendly. Teachers as well as pupils should team up to work together to encourage and assist children on the verge of dropping out to remain in school.","PeriodicalId":119984,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Current Aspects","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-05-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"133762100","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Environmental Factors and Performance of Commercial Banks in Kenya","authors":"Grace Wambui Thumbi, M. Ragui","doi":"10.35942/ijcab.v3ivi.83","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.35942/ijcab.v3ivi.83","url":null,"abstract":"The performance of commercial banks in Kenya determines the financial position of the nation. This performance, over the past period, has not been inspiring and various reforms have been put in place in to increase it. Yet, performance of commercial banks on average has been erratic. The business environment in which the commercial banks function is turbulent, and it is through understanding the environmental forces, that they can improve their performance. The study’s general objective involved finding out the impact of environment factors on Commercial bank’s Performance. Specifically, the study focused on the following objectives; to find out the influence of the organizational resources on the performance of the commercial banks in Kenya; to determine how organizational structure influences the performance of commercial banks in Kenya; to establish the influence of competition on the performance of the commercial banks in Kenya; and to establish the moderating effect of government policies on the influence of environmental factors on performance of commercial banks in Kenya. The contingency theory, resource based view and the theory of competitive advantage informed this study. The research employed a descriptive research design. The population of this study comprised of the 43 commercial banks operating in Kenya. The study targeted the head office of each of the commercial banks and the respondents were the marketing managers. A pilot study was conducted using customer experience executives of four commercial banks. The study conducted a census of the 43 head marketing managers of the financial Institutions in Kenya. The study used structured questionnaires to collect data. The study used face, content and construct validity and reliability was measured using the Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient. Analyzing of data was done through descriptive and inferential statistics using the SPSS software. The findings were presented using charts, tables, and graphs. The study concludes that organizational resources had significant influence on performance with and without government policies.  Organizational structure had a great impact on commercial banks performance.  Competition had significant influence on performance of commercial banks with or without the moderating influence of government policies.  The government policy had significant moderating influence in the relationship between environmental factors and performance of commercial banks.  The research recommends that the top management team of all commercial banks operating in Kenya should improve on their organizational resources by ensuring adequate number of employees is in place in various departments and functions. The management of all firms in the financial sector in Kenya should improve on their structures by engaging subordinate staff in decision making on daily operations of the firm. The management team of all commercial banks should come up with better strategies of remaining competi","PeriodicalId":119984,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Current Aspects","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"122419106","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}