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1 – 10 of 24Emmanuel Kiprotich Kiprop, Cedric Okinda, Asma Akter and Xianhui Geng
Improved indigenous chicken is considered a sustainable agricultural practice with social, economic and environmental indicators. Therefore, the analysis of the choice of market…
Abstract
Purpose
Improved indigenous chicken is considered a sustainable agricultural practice with social, economic and environmental indicators. Therefore, the analysis of the choice of market channels is of considerable importance to farmers with reference to improved livelihoods and poverty alleviation in developing countries. The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors that influence market channel choices among improved indigenous chicken farmers in Baringo County and to rank the determinants according to their level of importance in influencing farmer's choice of marketing channels.
Design/methodology/approach
A multistage sampling technique was employed to collect data from 209 households for the study conducted between April and July 2019, out of which, 198 useful responses were obtained. Multinomial logit regression and neural network models were used to analyze the factors influencing market channel choice based on socioeconomic, demographic and farm characteristics.
Findings
It was established that group membership, education, market distance, transport costs, farm size, cost of information and bargain costs were statistically significant in the choice of market channels (wholesaler, brokers, processors and supermarkets). With the direct consumer as the base market choice. The cost of transport had the highest normalized importance in the prediction of a farmer's selection of market channels for both radial basis function (RBF) and multilayer perceptron (MLP) neural networks. However, flock attributes and age of household head had the least normalized importance in MLP and RBF, respectively.
Research limitations/implications
Due to the insufficiency of resources and time, this study only focused on a small part of the country (Baringo County). However, improved indigenous chicken farming is widely practiced in Kenya. Further studies can be carried out in other counties to validate the results of this study.
Practical implications
The outcome can be used in policy implementation involving improved indigenous chicken production in Kenya.
Originality/value
This study suggests the methods aimed at enhancing poultry sector in other counties in Kenya as well as other developing countries.
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Ben Otieno Ngoye, Halima Saado and Caroline Wambui Gachari
The case will be useful in helping learners: to appreciate concepts in and develop the necessary understanding to apply relevant theories in crisis communications; to identify…
Abstract
Learning outcomes
The case will be useful in helping learners: to appreciate concepts in and develop the necessary understanding to apply relevant theories in crisis communications; to identify communications issues along with the evolution of a crisis; to understand the importance and role of a crisis communications team; and to develop skills in writing a crisis communications plan.
Case overview/synopsis
The case is a narration of the experiences of the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) as it launched the Kenya drought appeal in March 2019, and the unexpected media and public backlash that ensued. The background is that of an unusual-yet-previously-predicted dry spell, consequent drought and famine, alleged famine-related deaths, mixed signals from the national and county government and a hitherto well-regarded institution (the KRCS) coming in to launch an appeal aimed at raising funds to help alleviate the effects of the prolonged drought and consequent famine in the northern parts of the country. Unfortunately, a major media and public backlash that was not foreseen by KRCS ensued, and it threatened the reputation and very existence of the organization. Drawing on interviews and secondary material in the public domain, the case focuses on how the KRCS navigates the media and public backlash that ensued following the funding appeal. The case is interesting because of the type of organization involved (a not-for-profit institution set up as auxiliary to the government and of good repute), the nature of the problem (reputational crisis and attendant risk management), the setting (a LMIC in sub-Saharan Africa) and the level of analysis (organizational rather than individual decision-making).[AQ1]
Complexity academic level
Masters level – MBA, Executive MBA, Master’s in Public Management, Master’s in Communication and/or similar courses.
Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available for educators only.
Subject code
CSS 11: Strategy.
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Keywords
Emmanuel K. Bunei, Gerard McElwee and Robert Smith
The purpose of this paper is to provide an analysis of the changing practices of cattle rustling in Kenya from a relatively small isolated and opportunistic activity to a much…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide an analysis of the changing practices of cattle rustling in Kenya from a relatively small isolated and opportunistic activity to a much more planned and systematic entrepreneurial business involving collusion and corruption.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper provides a conceptual approach using key literature and documentary evidence to show how, in the northern part of Kenya, cattle rustling is common occurrence with criminals taking advantage of remote rural environments with minimal surveillance and consequently less opportunity of being stopped and searched by police.
Findings
Results evidence significant differences in how rustling is perceived and valorized. Rustling in Kenya is now an entrepreneurial crime with the involvement of rural organized criminal gangs (ROCGs), who are operating in food supply chains throughout Kenya and the African continent.
Practical/implications
This paper suggests that a more nuanced understanding of the entrepreneurial nature of some illegal practices in a rural Kenya is necessary and how it requires multi-agency investigation.
Originality/value
The paper is unique in that it considers how cattle rustling is becoming a more entrepreneurial crime than previously. Little prior work on this subject exists in Kenya. The paper utilizes the framework of Smith and McElwee (2013) on illegal enterprise to frame cattle rustling as an entrepreneurial crime.
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Mark Peter Odero, Ambrose Kipchumba Kiprop, Isaac Odhiambo K'Owino, Milton Arimi and Scolastica Manyim
Considered as one of the most unwanted species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the Prosopis juliflora plant is a noxious and invasive weed. Recent studies…
Abstract
Purpose
Considered as one of the most unwanted species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the Prosopis juliflora plant is a noxious and invasive weed. Recent studies suggest that the heartwood of the plant has an unusually high amounts of flavonoids with potential medicinal properties and dyeing potentials. In this work, acetonic extracts were successfully valorized into a natural dye.
Design/methodology/approach
After extraction and optimization of dyeing conditions, the fabric was treated by using pre-mordanting, simultaneously mordanting and post mordanting techniques. The dyed samples were then evaluated by using standard methods ISO 105-C06, ISO 105-A02, ISO 105-X12 for wash, light and rub fastness, respectively.
Findings
Dye fastness ranged from good to very good with mordants improving both wash and rub fastness. Optimum pH for dyeing was found to be at 7.2 at temperatures of 60°C and a dyeing time of 80 min. Application of mordant in dyeing white fabric showed improved dyeing properties in post mordanting than both pre-mordanting and simultaneous mordanting.
Originality/value
To best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper details for the first time how a noxious weed can be transformed into a natural dye, with potential applications to the textile industry.
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Rachael Oke Misan-Ruppee, Sunday Obro and Williams Pius Akpochafo
The study explored the effect of information and communication technology-assisted instruction (ICTAI) on civic education (CE) students' academic performance and the effect of…
Abstract
Purpose
The study explored the effect of information and communication technology-assisted instruction (ICTAI) on civic education (CE) students' academic performance and the effect of gender on students' performance. Specifically, the study addressed the facilitating effect of ICTAI on students' scholarly performance.
Design/methodology/approach
This study utilised the quasi-experimental approach. A sample of 255 senior secondary school students was the analysis unit. A teacher-made performance test was used as an instrument for the study. The data were analysed with descriptive statistics for the research questions, and hypotheses tested with paired sample t-test statistics.
Findings
The study results indicated that ICTAI improved student scholarly performance. The study also proved that gender had an impact on student academic performance.
Research limitations/implications
Not all the students in intact classes that were used for conducting the study/research, and the background and gender of research assistants were not considered, and these could have affected the result of the study. The study implications are that this study is a piece of deeper ingenuity and innovation that provides an additional source of information to study. The study provided proof that innovative activity-based instructions such as computer-assisted instruction (CAI) boost students’ performance.
Practical implications
On the instructor, the study findings demonstrated the significant effect of ICTAI on the scholarly performance of CE students. Consequently, this study contends that CE instructors/teachers can benefit from the implications of these findings by comprehensively understanding that ICTIA usage enhances student performance and, thus, improves the students' performance. Additionally, the study's findings proved that gender affected students' performance when instructed with ICTAI. The study implies that CE instructors/teachers should pay special attention to students' gender, specifically female students, as gender affects the improvement of students' CE performance when instructed with ICTAI.
Originality/value
The study findings contribute to the literature on academic improvement and performance of CE students by enhancing the understanding of the effect of ICTAI on students' scholarly performance. The study recognises the existing gaps in previous literature and vivid understanding of the effect of ICTAI on students' performance and gender as a mediator.
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Initially, the clashes were portrayed as sporadic and drought-related, with the dominant explanation being that bandits had invaded private lands seeking pasture for livestock…
Details
DOI: 10.1108/OXAN-DB265450
ISSN: 2633-304X
Keywords
Geographic
Topical
If the referendum passes, it will lead to significant changes to the political system, including new executive posts, the devolution of more national revenues to county…
Details
DOI: 10.1108/OXAN-DB259996
ISSN: 2633-304X
Keywords
Geographic
Topical
Under this authority, the military has been deployed alongside police and multi-agency security forces to combat a spike in armed banditry that has resulted in over 100 civilians…
Details
DOI: 10.1108/OXAN-DB276649
ISSN: 2633-304X
Keywords
Geographic
Topical
This study aims to analyze the effect of cryptocurrency capitalization market development on bank deposits variability in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) spanning the period…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to analyze the effect of cryptocurrency capitalization market development on bank deposits variability in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) spanning the period 2005M1–2020M4 using the novel nonlinear autoregressive distributive lag (NARDL).
Design/methodology/approach
The study employs the NARDL recently developed by Shin et al. (2014) to estimate the long and short-run relationships between the variables rather than the widely known ARDL (Pesaran et al., 2001), which suffers from a complex structure in the estimation equation that usually includes lags and differences in both short and long terms. The implementation of NARDL required several proceedings after plotting the descriptive data, commencing with unit root tests, selection of lag length, estimating the long-and-short variables coefficients, heteroscedasticity test and Wald test for symmetries.
Findings
The long-run estimations of the positive and negative asymmetric coefficients indicate that cryptocurrencies capitalization has a negative impact on bank deposits in the UAE. Further, the short-run estimations coefficients exhibit that both significant positive and negative partial sum squares of cryptocurrencies decrease bank deposits.
Research limitations/implications
The study has applied to the UAE spanning the period 2005M1–2020M4 using the NARDL.
Practical implications
The short-run estimations coefficients exhibit that both significant positive and negative partial sum squares of cryptocurrencies decreases bank deposits, which means that the increase in the magnitude of cryptocurrencies capitalization stimulates depositors and speculators to adjust their portfolios towards contracting their deposits in banks to invest partially in cryptocurrencies, on the other hand, the decline in cryptocurrencies capitalization process spur depositors and speculators to reduce their deposits for purchasing cryptocurrencies at lower prices.
Social implications
The study infers that individuals and businesses are cautious when investing in cryptocurrencies, and they need more certainty and trust to include these types of assets in their portfolios. The fluctuation in cryptocurrencies capitalization prompts speculators to change their deposits according to the cryptocurrencies' prices.
Originality/value
This study explores the short-and long-run asymmetric impacts of cryptocurrencies capitalization development on bank deposits volatility in the UAE, based on a NARDL, for providing a manifest depiction of whether the cryptocurrencies industry might be a threat to conventional banking system performance in the potential future.
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Jimmy Ezekiel Kihwele and Jamila Mkomwa
The study explored the impact of the King and Queen of Mathematics Initiative (KQMI) in promoting students’ interest in learning mathematics and improving their achievement. The…
Abstract
Purpose
The study explored the impact of the King and Queen of Mathematics Initiative (KQMI) in promoting students’ interest in learning mathematics and improving their achievement. The specific objectives of the study focused on the impact of the initiative in promoting interest in mathematics, assessing the contribution of the initiative to students’ achievements and investigating challenges encountered by the initiative.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used a case study design with a mixed-method approach. One ward secondary school was involved. The sample size was N = 79, where 77 were grade three students in a science class and two teachers. Data collection involved documentary review, observation and interviews. Data analysis employed both content analysis and a dependent t-test to determine the effect size of the initiative.
Findings
The findings revealed that KQMI had a significant impact on improving performance in mathematics among students (t (71) = −7.917, p < 0.05). The study also showed that male students improved their performance more than their counterparts throughout the KQMI. The mathematics teacher revealed that students still need assistance to solve mathematical questions with different techniques to develop the expected competencies.
Research limitations/implications
The initiative was conducted only in one school, limiting the findings’ generalization. Also, the innovation faced different challenges, such as accessing adequate resources and students with little knowledge of mathematics, which the initiative aimed to address.
Practical implications
Pedagogical innovations enhance the promotion of students’ interest in learning mathematics and hence improve their performance. Also, through pedagogical innovations, teachers improve their teaching skills and practices from students’ feedback.
Originality/value
The KQMI is a new pedagogical innovation modified from the existing innovations such as game-based method, task design, mobile learning and mathematics island.
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