Archives-May 2017

This paper presents a Compressive Sensing (CS) greedy iterative algorithm, based on OMP: Sparsity-Independent-OMP (SI-OMP), for varying sparsity spectral conditions. As CS is one of the most essential techniques used by a Cognitive Radio (CR) for efficient usage of spectrum, it is required to be optimally simple, and, still, swift in working. The complexity here refers to the Number of computations a CR is required to make while using such algorithms and, this also, will in turn affect the effective requirement of hardware and power consumption. The proposed algorithm introduces negligible additional complexity, but enables a significant performance improvement in the reconstruction accuracy for arbitrarily varying spectral conditions. The spectrum here is a function of time and frequency both, exhibiting varying sparsity in both the domains.

The purpose of this paper was to establish the effects of credit risk and loan repayment on Kenya Power profitability. The increase in Kenya Power customer base has been a major challenge as majority of the customers especially the rural customers cannot afford to connect to the power grid due to high connectivity costs. Descriptive research design was used for this study and the target population was all 47 County managers in Kenya where respondents were selected using stratified sampling technique. The sample size used was 42 respondents and primary data was obtained by use of questionnaires whereas secondary data was obtained from the Kenya Power, Coast region. The study recommends that the Kenya Power should lower the amount required as deposit so as to increase the uptake stima loan by customers. The study also recommends that stima loan processing fee should be factored as major income to the Kenya Power as it increases profitability of the company.

This study was designed to establish the project based factors influencing the supply of safe water in Kenya with Mombasa County as a case study. The Government and private organizations have established many water projects but most of them have been characterized with low levels of sustainability. Some of them have become un-operational requiring rehabilitation. Inspite of the existing projects, the water supply is still inadequate. To address the problem, this study identified four specific objectives, namely; to establish the influence of project planning on the supply of safe water, to establish the influence of project risk management on the supply of safe water, to determine the effect of project quality control management on the supply of safe water and to determine the effect of project monitoring and evaluation on the supply of safe water. The hypotheses used were geared towards establishing the influence of water projects? planning, risk management, quality management and monitoring & evaluation, on the supply of safe water. All the variables are interrelated. Project planning includes plans in all the project knowledge areas such as quality and risk management which touch on all deliverables and processes. M&E is also done on deliverables and processes, in reference to the agreement made during project planning. The study sought to assist the national and county governments in the sustained provision of safe water. The theories of sustainability, participation and project management were analyzed in relation to the supply of safe water. The participation theory discussed the unity of the beneficiaries for the sake of water projects. Sustainability theory discussed the long term water benefits. Whereas, the project management theory put emphasis on the water projects? processes.

The purpose of this research was to find out the actual reasons behind turnover in commercial banks in the county of Mombasa and its damaging effects on the productivity of banks in Kenya. Commercial Banks play a very big key role in controlling the economic activity of a country, as the Central Bank of Kenya implements monetary policy with the help of commercial banks. Collectively, Kenya?s banks contribute more than Ksh.1.2 billion every year through their social investment programmes (corporate social responsibility). Moreover, as one of the largest contributors to tax revenue in Kenya, the banking industry directly impacts the country?s economic development, including the key sectors of education, health, transport, energy, communications and agriculture. The industry is most certainly a force for good that strikes the balance between growth and positive impact. Commercial banks in Kenya today are facing a high employee turnover which can prove costly in this sector. Due to this turnover the organization results in loss of production and an increase in the recruitment costs. Literature review looked into two theories that informed the study i.e. Maslow Hierarchy of Needs and System Theory. Empirical review highlighted Factors Determining Staff Turnover in Organization, Effects of Employee Turnover and Banking Industry in Kenya a conceptual framework was proposed to guide the study. The primary objective of this study is to determine the factors that determine staff turnover within the commercial banks and how it affects staff performance.

The research was carried out to investigate inventory challenges facing the performance of logistics firms in Kenya, Freight Forwarders Kenya Limited a leading Logistical company in East and Central Africa was used as the case study. The general objective of the study was to investigate the inventory challenges facing logistic firms. The specific objectives were to analyze how inventory cost, lead time, technology and level of inventory affects the organizations performance. The researcher used relationship marketing theory, deterministic inventory model and Economic Order quantity theories in the course of the research to relate how the challenges are affecting the performance of firms. Sampling method was employed in the cause of data collection for analysis a target population of 68 employees of FFK was targeted and a sample size of 58 was used In the course of research. The researcher collected primary data from Freight forwarders Kenya Limited by means of questionnaire’s those who gave their input were Top level managers, Middle level managers, supervisors and low level employees. Secondary data was also utilized from existing literature in analyzing and coming up with conclusions. Data was analyzed using descriptive analysis and inferential analysis using the SPSS Statistics to come up with sound conclusions regarding inventory challenges facing Logistical challenges in Kenya.

Electricity has played a central role in the economic development of countries since the wake of industrialization of nations and the demand for this strategic commodity and input has undergone a significant growth. This has caused researchers to become more focused on the factors affecting price and production costs and seek solutions to increase the efficiency in power generation. The general objective of this research study was to establish the strategic management factors affecting performance of thermal power generation companies in Kenya. Four key strategic management factors were selected for this study that affects performance of thermal power companies in Kenya which formed the specific objective of the study, they include; cost of fuel, customer relationship management (CRM), quality management and competitive strategy. The finding of this study was to assist shareholders in decision making process in terms of the investment to engaged in, government in reviewing and formulating policies in the energy sector and managers in focusing on their competitive areas while seeking solutions in there weaker areas in terms of performance. Literatures and theories were reviewed to seek various opinions and views from different authors in the area under study. Three theories of resourced based view, Stakeholder and resource dependency theories were considered. The conceptual frame work presents the relationship that exists between dependent and independent variables. The study criticized some of the literatures and presented the research gap where this study seeks to fulfill. The research study applied a descriptive research design. The target population was the 80 employees of Rabai Power Limited comprising of the four departments of operation, maintenance, procurement and administration. The sample size of 67 respondents out of the total population was obtained using the Slovin?s formula for sample determination. This was equivalent to 84% of the target population which was drawn using simple stratified random sampling technique to promote the need for efficiency and representativeness from various departments. Both primary and secondary data technique was used to collect data for the purpose of analyzing these factors that affect performance.

This research proposal is to investigate the role of Customer Satisfaction on Customer Retention in the Kenyan Insurance Industry. Customers? retention is a valuable asset for an Insurance industry and therefore must be achieved optimally for efficient and effective achievement of stated objectives and for smooth continuation of business. Most of the customer satisfaction attributes to the role of customer expectation, customers loyalty, customers trust and customer commitment in the customer retention in the Kenyan Insurance Industry.Problem overview will be given in chapter one as it tries to address the role of Customer Satisfaction on Customer Retention in the Insurance Industry. This research will basically address some of the issues of Customer Satisfaction that may influence Customer Retention in the Kenyan Insurance Industry. The researcher will also address the statement of the problem which gives the basis of the study, objectives, research questions and the scope of the study. The researcher will attempt to look at the relationships between various variables identified, critical review and the research gaps of conceptual framework in chapter two. Research methodology in chapter three will give an overview which attempts to achieve the objectives of the study, which will involve data collection methods used, research design, target population, data analysis and presentation. A descriptive study will be adopted and research carried out using survey method. The study will focus on a target population of 120 which will comprise of the Insurance customers. A convenient sample of 120 customers is considered for this study taking into account of all locations of Insurance Companies Branches in Mombasa County. The data analysis will employ use of SPSS version 20. The Researcher will then present the data findings collected from the population target using tables and charts.

Although Savings and credit cooperative societies (SACCO) are formed to promote thrift among members by affording them an opportunity to accumulate savings and deposits to provide credit at fair and reasonable rate of interest, they operate in an competitive environment characterized by banks, micro finance institutions, insurance companies, capital market and pension fund that offer similar or near equal financial services to the same clientele in Kenya. In today's highly dynamic and competitive business environment, firms are exposed to strict challenges with meeting the ever-increasing market and customer needs and expectations, coping with sophisticated requirements, and facing technological obsolescence. In order to achieve sustainable competitive advantage level that not only matches those of their business rivals? but that exceed the financial industry performance averages, financial institutions have to seek understanding of relative degree on the relationship between competitive strategies and sustainable competitive advantage. Competitive strategies adopted determine the consumer satisfaction that propels the SACCO to attain sustainable competitive advantage. The aim of the study was to establish the effects of competitive strategies on sustainable competitive advantage of SACCOS in Kenya. Specifically, the study was to examine the effect of focus strategy and identify the effect of innovation strategy on sustainable competitive advantage of SACCOs in Kenya with specific interest in Mombasa County. The literature reviewed in the study was the theory of Resource-Based View of the firm (RBV), Market-Based View (MBV) and the Game Theory. A descriptive survey research design was adopted with a survey involving 168 SACCOs according to the Kenya Union of Savings & Credit Co-operatives ltd.

There is increased international competition between destinations and hotels and it is apparent that Kenya?s tourism competitive strategies need to be adjusted in order for the nation to be able to successfully compete both locally and internationally. Kenya is a renowned tourist destination competing with countries such as Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, South Africa, Seychelles and Tanzania. This competition calls for hotels in Kenya to adopt strategies that would give the country advantages over its competitors. To survive, the hotels must be agile enough to respond to the pressures to compete on levels unrivalled in the past. Focus has now shifted to internal processes in order to offer the hotel the best opportunity to take on the unique challenges facing it today. In order for the sector to know if it is competitive in the industry with a lot of competition, implementation of effective competitive strategies is important. The general objective of this study was to assess the influence of competitive strategies on organizational performance of classified hotels in Mombasa County registered under the Kenya Association of Hotel Keepers and Caterers. Specifically, the study sought to determine the influence of competitive strategies on organization?s performance; to assess the influence of market focus strategy on organizational performance and to examine the influence of cost leadership strategy on organizational performance. The study captured the theoretical background on competitive strategies in an attempt to provide basis for appropriate conceptual and theoretical framework for the current study.

The general objective of this study was to investigate the effect of money transfer systems on economic growth of Somalia. The study was guided by the following objectives, to establish the effect of electronic Money Policy on economic growth in Somalia, to determine the effect of Money transfer Agents on economic growth in Somalia, to examine the effect of electronic Money transfer security on economic growth in Somalia, to establish the level of financial support in form of capital, that is attributed to funds received from abroad and to establish the extent of distribution of received funds from transfers to other parts of Somalia other than Mogadishu. A significant number of Somalis fled the country during the civil war that lasted for more than two decades since 1992. These Somalis in diaspora send significant amount of money which is used to support their families that they left behind. These transfers contribute a lot to an economy of low production, making it one of the backbones of the Somalia?s economic growth pillars. hawala is a system of money transfer that excludes the bank system and is useful for the economy. To better understand the effect of money transfers such as hawalas, the Keynesian monetary policy concerning liquidity preference and practical policy and the Dow Theory have been used. The study follows a conceptual framework to help the research accomplish the objectives and concentrates on investigating the electronic money transfer, business boosting and income distribution as affected by hawala which variables are responsible for the economic growth. The study was use research design to present the findings conducted. Data was collected by a questionnaire where both structured and unstructured questions are used. Data was analyzed by use of Microsoft Excel & SPSS tool for comprehensive analysis because of its compatibility in describing statistical data. Findings was further be presented by use of bar charts, pie charts, graphs, tables and text all these issues showed the impact of money transfer in economic growth in Somali because the is back bone of Somali economic 80% of Somali people depend their lives in electronic money transfer, the result the hawala is very integral for Somali people. The researcher recommends that the government should develop hawala Remittance Act and the Anti-money laundering law, that will create more favorable conducive environment to smooth the operations of the hawala Systems, and implement it.