East African Journal of Business and Economics最新文献

{"title":"Fabrication of a Sustainable Biodegradable Packaging Alternative for the Fashion Industry from Banana Waste","authors":"Stephanie Kobehlo Musombi, Mercy Wanduara, Jacqueline Kisato","doi":"10.37284/eajbe.7.1.1758","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.37284/eajbe.7.1.1758","url":null,"abstract":"Packaging has both functional and aesthetic purposes. Kenya requires more sustainable biodegradable packaging options after a plastic ban was introduced in 2017 affecting numerous industries such as fashion. Banana stems and peels are part of the waste produced in Kenyan farms, suggested for the construction of biodegradable paper packaging material for the fashion industry. The objectives of this study were: to extract banana stem (BS) fibres using a decorticating machine; pulp the BS fibres using banana peel lye (KOH); and construct samples of paper packaging material from the pulp treated with KOH. The research design for this study was experimental. Kiganda banana stems collected from Kisii County were used in this study. The paper packaging material was constructed by pulping the BS using the KOH as a delignification reagent and then converting the pulp to paper by mounting it on mesh frames to dry. The findings reveal that in BS fibre extraction, decorticating one banana stem takes 10 minutes yielding 105 g of dry BS fibre. It also revealed that the handmade paper-making process takes 8 hours and 12 minutes including drying time to create an A4 size paper with the majority of the time (8 hours) being used for drying. The yield from the KOH pulped BS fibre was determined to be 68%. It was clear from the findings that KOH is comparable to commercial industrial alkalis like Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) as a delignification reagent for BS fibres as it yields much pulp which produces good packaging material. Part of the recommendations for further research include the exploration of an industrially scaled paper-making process by the paper packaging manufacturing industry using KOH to pulp BS fibres. It is also suggested that research be done on using non-decorticated stems and varied concentrations of KOH to establish the most economical method","PeriodicalId":378318,"journal":{"name":"East African Journal of Business and Economics","volume":"109 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139836303","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":"Fabrication of a Sustainable Biodegradable Packaging Alternative for the Fashion Industry from Banana Waste","authors":"Stephanie Kobehlo Musombi, Mercy Wanduara, Jacqueline Kisato","doi":"10.37284/eajbe.7.1.1758","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.37284/eajbe.7.1.1758","url":null,"abstract":"Packaging has both functional and aesthetic purposes. Kenya requires more sustainable biodegradable packaging options after a plastic ban was introduced in 2017 affecting numerous industries such as fashion. Banana stems and peels are part of the waste produced in Kenyan farms, suggested for the construction of biodegradable paper packaging material for the fashion industry. The objectives of this study were: to extract banana stem (BS) fibres using a decorticating machine; pulp the BS fibres using banana peel lye (KOH); and construct samples of paper packaging material from the pulp treated with KOH. The research design for this study was experimental. Kiganda banana stems collected from Kisii County were used in this study. The paper packaging material was constructed by pulping the BS using the KOH as a delignification reagent and then converting the pulp to paper by mounting it on mesh frames to dry. The findings reveal that in BS fibre extraction, decorticating one banana stem takes 10 minutes yielding 105 g of dry BS fibre. It also revealed that the handmade paper-making process takes 8 hours and 12 minutes including drying time to create an A4 size paper with the majority of the time (8 hours) being used for drying. The yield from the KOH pulped BS fibre was determined to be 68%. It was clear from the findings that KOH is comparable to commercial industrial alkalis like Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) as a delignification reagent for BS fibres as it yields much pulp which produces good packaging material. Part of the recommendations for further research include the exploration of an industrially scaled paper-making process by the paper packaging manufacturing industry using KOH to pulp BS fibres. It is also suggested that research be done on using non-decorticated stems and varied concentrations of KOH to establish the most economical method","PeriodicalId":378318,"journal":{"name":"East African Journal of Business and Economics","volume":"24 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139776631","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":"Enhancing Creativity in Educational Institutions: Does Emotional Intelligence Matter?","authors":"Simion Tanui, A. Kemboi, Andrew Kimwolo","doi":"10.37284/eajbe.7.1.1736","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.37284/eajbe.7.1.1736","url":null,"abstract":"Academic experts have emphasised the significance of leadership elements like emotional intelligence in cultivating innovative thinking among workers in professional settings. There is a lack of understanding about how emotional intelligence affects various types of creativity. This study sought to determine the antecedent role of emotional intelligence on different dimensions of creativity. The study used an explanatory design methodology to explain the hypothesised relationship between study variables in a detailed and comprehensive manner. The research aimed to understand better how emotional intelligence affects creativity. The research revealed that emotional intelligence significantly and positively affects various forms of creative behaviour. Although the extent of impact varies across the three categories of creativity, idea championing and idea generation are the two categories most influenced by emotional intelligence. The research findings were obtained from a public educational institution, rendering the results potentially only applicable to similar institutions. This is due to the differences in work environments between public and private educational settings, which could impact the creative potential of employees. Additionally, the data was sourced from Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, making the results particularly relevant to tertiary-level establishments. It is worth noting that this study was cross-sectional, so employees' creative abilities could change over time. Nonetheless, this research provides an opportunity for a future longitudinal study to be conducted in the same field. To help employees overcome their fear of the repercussions of creativity, organisations should focus on enhancing positive leadership behaviours such as emotional intelligence. However, it is important to consider the stage of creative behaviour when enhancing emotional intelligence among leaders, as studies have shown that emotional intelligence can have varying effects on creative behaviour. This research holds both practical and theoretical significance. This is a novel study to establish the direct impact of emotional intelligence and individual dimensions of creative behaviour in public TVETIs in developing countries such as Kenya. The study also extends the application of social cognitive theory by confirming that the role of leaders' personality traits, such as emotional intelligence, varies with the type of creative behaviour. This is because the embedded tasks in the dimensions of creative behaviour tasks differ","PeriodicalId":378318,"journal":{"name":"East African Journal of Business and Economics","volume":"15 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139864388","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":"Enhancing Creativity in Educational Institutions: Does Emotional Intelligence Matter?","authors":"Simion Tanui, A. Kemboi, Andrew Kimwolo","doi":"10.37284/eajbe.7.1.1736","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.37284/eajbe.7.1.1736","url":null,"abstract":"Academic experts have emphasised the significance of leadership elements like emotional intelligence in cultivating innovative thinking among workers in professional settings. There is a lack of understanding about how emotional intelligence affects various types of creativity. This study sought to determine the antecedent role of emotional intelligence on different dimensions of creativity. The study used an explanatory design methodology to explain the hypothesised relationship between study variables in a detailed and comprehensive manner. The research aimed to understand better how emotional intelligence affects creativity. The research revealed that emotional intelligence significantly and positively affects various forms of creative behaviour. Although the extent of impact varies across the three categories of creativity, idea championing and idea generation are the two categories most influenced by emotional intelligence. The research findings were obtained from a public educational institution, rendering the results potentially only applicable to similar institutions. This is due to the differences in work environments between public and private educational settings, which could impact the creative potential of employees. Additionally, the data was sourced from Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, making the results particularly relevant to tertiary-level establishments. It is worth noting that this study was cross-sectional, so employees' creative abilities could change over time. Nonetheless, this research provides an opportunity for a future longitudinal study to be conducted in the same field. To help employees overcome their fear of the repercussions of creativity, organisations should focus on enhancing positive leadership behaviours such as emotional intelligence. However, it is important to consider the stage of creative behaviour when enhancing emotional intelligence among leaders, as studies have shown that emotional intelligence can have varying effects on creative behaviour. This research holds both practical and theoretical significance. This is a novel study to establish the direct impact of emotional intelligence and individual dimensions of creative behaviour in public TVETIs in developing countries such as Kenya. The study also extends the application of social cognitive theory by confirming that the role of leaders' personality traits, such as emotional intelligence, varies with the type of creative behaviour. This is because the embedded tasks in the dimensions of creative behaviour tasks differ","PeriodicalId":378318,"journal":{"name":"East African Journal of Business and Economics","volume":"38 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139804631","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":"The Relationship Between Cash Management and the Financial Performance of Unilever Tea Limited, Kericho County, Kenya","authors":"Chepngeno Daisy, P. Langat, Peter Cheruiyot","doi":"10.37284/eajbe.6.2.1599","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.37284/eajbe.6.2.1599","url":null,"abstract":"This paper sought to assess the relationship between cash management and the financial performance of Unilever Tea Limited. The study was anchored on the liquidity performance theory. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design with a target population of 150 employees drawn from the top, middle and lower management levels. A sample size of 109 respondents was obtained scientifically using the Yamane (1967) formula. The study adopted purposive and simple random sampling techniques to select respondents. The study used both secondary and primary data. Primary data was collected using a structured questionnaire, while secondary data was collected from the records at Unilever Tea Limited. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, where descriptive results were presented in the form of means and standard deviation, while inferential statistics used correlation and regression models. The findings established that cash management has a positive influence on the financial performance of the tea industry (r=0.699, P<0.05). The study concluded that cash management had a positive influence on the performance of the tea factories. Financial performance was mainly influenced by the ability to plan and manage cash efficiently. The study recommends that cash audits, cash planning, and credit management be done effectively to ensure the availability of working capital","PeriodicalId":378318,"journal":{"name":"East African Journal of Business and Economics","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139231097","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 the Challenges & Opportunities of Digital Marketing in Ethiopia: The case of Somali Regional State","authors":"Ahmed Muhumed Abdinasir, Z. Mohamed","doi":"10.37284/eajbe.6.2.1600","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.37284/eajbe.6.2.1600","url":null,"abstract":"This study assesses the challenges and opportunities of digital marketing in Somali regional state of Ethiopia. We selected the sample purposively in this study. The collected data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, regression model was also used to analyse the data. Quantitative data were used. The researcher collected the data with the help of questionnaire. The collected data shows that growing online markets, growing human capacity, growing telecommunication sectors and favourable government policies were digital marketing opportunities, the study also found that risk of privacy and security, e-payment accessibility, limited usage of computer technology, high cost of internet, frequent power disruption and lack of awareness are the challenging factors of digital marketing in Somali region. The findings also show the existence of positive attitude toward digital marketing in the study area. The study also witnesses that the current condition of digital marketing activities in Somali region is poor. The study shows that security and privacy, infrastructure, e-payment accessibility, and awareness have direct impact on digital marketing performance in Somali regional state. The study recommends improvement of government infrastructures, developing of e-payment systems and creation of awareness toward digital marketing","PeriodicalId":378318,"journal":{"name":"East African Journal of Business and Economics","volume":"218 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139233275","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":"Remote Working Adoption Strategies and Employee Performance during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Study of MTN Uganda Limited","authors":"Innocent Begumisa, Regis Zombeire Kamaduuka, Mubiru Pontious, James Kizza","doi":"10.37284/eajbe.6.2.1578","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.37284/eajbe.6.2.1578","url":null,"abstract":"This study examined the effect of remote working adoption strategies on employee performance at MTN (U) Ltd during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the study analyses the effect of flexible work schedules, technology accessibility and remote worker motivation on employee performance in remote working at MTN Uganda. The study adopted a descriptive research design, employing quantitative and qualitative research approaches. Quantitative data was collected from a sample of 89 respondents using questionnaires, and qualitative data was collected from 5 key informants using interviews. Data was analysed using Pearson's correlation and regression analysis with the help of Statistical Packages for Social Scientists (SPSS version 25). The study finds a significant positive relationship between flexible working schedules and employee performance (r = 0.594, p = 0.000); technology accessibility and employee performance (r =0.616, p = 0.000); and remote worker motivation and employee performance (r=0.273, p=0.010). The explanatory variables jointly explain 57.3% of the variations in employee performance in remote working at MTN (U) (R-squared = 0.573; p<0.000). It is recommended that MTN (U) Ltd and other telecom companies improve the flexibility of their work as one way to enable employees to adopt remote working during periods of crisis such as pandemics and epidemics. This is to enable continuous workflow. There is a need to invest in technology and make it accessible to all employees, and create motivation packages such as fringe benefits that seek to motivate employees working remotely to enable them to embrace remote working and improve their performance","PeriodicalId":378318,"journal":{"name":"East African Journal of Business and Economics","volume":"30 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139247247","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":"Influence of Entrepreneurship Practices on Agribusiness Transformation in Tanzania: A Vertical Integration Role on Grains","authors":"Peter Mkufya, D. Ngaruko, Timothy M. Lyanga","doi":"10.37284/eajbe.6.2.1576","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.37284/eajbe.6.2.1576","url":null,"abstract":"The study examined the influence of entrepreneurship practices on agribusiness transformation among agribusiness owners in the Mbeya region. Specifically, it examined the effect of agricultural production technologies on postharvest storage and assessed the effect of marketing practices and agro-processing practices on agribusiness transformation. It explored the effect of vertical function on agribusiness transformation on grains. A cross-sectional study design consisting of both qualitative and quantitative data was applied. A sample of 254 agribusiness owners involved in grain production was purposively selected. The study used interviews and structured questionnaires to collect primary data. The reliability and validity test generated an estimated Cronbach’s Alpha value of 0.889, which indicates good internal consistency. Multiple Ordinal Logistic Regression was used to determine the influence of entrepreneurship practices on agribusiness transformation. The finding shows that there is insignificant influence (p > 0.05) of agricultural production technology practices on agribusiness transformation, whereas postharvest storage, marketing and agro-processing practices indicate significant influence on agribusiness transformation (P<0.05). However, the moderation role of vertical function reveals significant negative prediction (-1.193) on agribusiness transformation. Correlation analysis reveals a significant positive, strong correlation between marketing practices and total agribusiness transformation. Government and key actors in the agribusiness value chain are advised to formulate and implement appropriate policies, programs, and strategies to enhance appropriate entrepreneurship practices necessary for agribusiness transformation","PeriodicalId":378318,"journal":{"name":"East African Journal of Business and Economics","volume":"2 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139268612","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":"The Role of Transformational Leadership on Employees' Performance: A Case of Silverland Tanzania Limited in Iringa Region","authors":"Sara Kiplangat Eliakim, Emmanuel Matiku, Blandina Kisawike","doi":"10.37284/eajbe.6.2.1546","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.37284/eajbe.6.2.1546","url":null,"abstract":"This study assessed the role of transformational Leadership on employees' performance at Silverland Tanzania Limited. Specifically, the study aimed to determine the role of idealized influence, inspirational motivation, and individualized and intellectual stimulation on employees' performance at Silverland Tanzania Limited. The study employed the case study research design since the study targeted a specific organization, Silverland Tanzania Limited. The target population of this study was 420 employees working at Silverland Tanzania Limited. The study population involved senior managers and subordinates at Silverland Tanzania Limited. From this population, a sample size of 205 was involved, which included 201 subordinate respondents and four senior managers. Simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques were used to select the respondents, data collection was done by questionnaire, in-depth interview and secondary data obtained through annual reports, and newsletters, Data analysis was done by descriptive and Multiple regression analysis to understand the phenomena under study. Findings revealed that inspirational motivation and individualized consideration had a positive and significant role on employees' performance at Silveland Tanzania Limited. Also, idealized influence and intellectual stimulation had a positive but insignificant role on employees' performance at Silveland Tanzania Limited. The study recommended that since intellectual stimulation and idealized influence had insignificant roles in influencing employees' performance at Silverland Tanzania Limited, much effort should be taken to address factors hindering their effectiveness. In addition, the management should use inspirational motivation and individualized consideration to increase employees' performance","PeriodicalId":378318,"journal":{"name":"East African Journal of Business and Economics","volume":"318 3","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135320501","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":"Factors Affecting the Adoption of Electronic Procurement in the Public Sector: The Case of Songwe District Council","authors":"Gervas Myovela, Haji Ng’elenge, Blandina Kisawike","doi":"10.37284/eajbe.6.2.1547","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.37284/eajbe.6.2.1547","url":null,"abstract":"The study aimed to determine the factors affecting the adoption of electronic procurement in the public sector: the case of Songwe District Council. The specific objectives were to determine effects of relative advantage on the adoption of electronic procurement system in Songwe District Council, determine the effects of complexity on using electronic procurement system and to determine the effects of trialability on using electronic procurement system. The research employed a quantitative approach. The target population was 56 respondents from the selected departments. Data was analysed descriptively, 32(57%) agreed that relative advantage had effect on electronic procurement system adoption, 14(25%) disagreed while 10(18%) were neutral. of complexity effects on electronic procurement system adoption, 25(45%) agreed on the statements that, the electronic procurement system was difficult to understand, the organization provided training to departments on the use of electronic procurement system and staffs knew how to evaluate tenders by using the electronic procurement system, 20(35%) disagreed and 11(20%) were neutral. Thus, the findings revealed that complexity had effect on electronic procurements system adoption. 26(46%) agreed on the statements that, electronic procurement system adoption had been experimented with limited basis and the Songwe District Council had available network connections whereas 15(28%) disagree and 15(26%) neutral. The study recommends that the Songwe District council should employ more trialability in using electronic system since they have positive and significant results especially when more training will be engaged on the adoption of electronic procurement system. The findings of this study can be adopted in other districts councils with similar administrative and development characteristics as well as among other government institutions","PeriodicalId":378318,"journal":{"name":"East African Journal of Business and Economics","volume":"38 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135271948","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}