Informatics Publishing Limited

Abstract

Performance contracting has largely been considered as the remedy to the quality of service delivery in public universities in Kenya. The study sought to specifically evaluate academic staffers administrative work systems’ contribution to service delivery. The study used a descriptive design to describe some aspects of performance contracting and make directional predictions on its effects on the quality of service delivery by university lecturers. Empirical evidence was collected from three (3) public universities comprising 848 lecturers. In total 142 staff members were randomly selected as questionnaire respondents. The descriptive findings showed that most of the lecturers had awareness of performance contracting in their institutions but understood it differently in respect of versions and terminologies. The F-test confirmed at least at 90% CI that there was a strong relationship between administrative work systems and the level of service delivery, and that it was not due by mere chance.

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Abstract

To stay afloat and sustain its competitive advantage any organisation must continuously review its organisational strategies in line with the industry in which it operates. The ever changing environment has forced players in the petroleum industry to adopt various strategies so as to survive. This study investigatedthe effects of competitive strategies used by Independent Petroleum Companies (IPCs) of Nairobi, Kenya, on their market share and their daily operations.A survey research supported by a descriptive design was used in the study.A sample population of twenty seven (27) registered petroleum companies was purposively selected as the sample of the study.Results indicatethat different competitive strategies were used in different magnitudes by the IPCs. Low cost leadership and product differentiation were the least used competitive strategies. On the other hand, the use of market segmentation and convenience retailing strategies was very high. The study found a strong correlation (0.7) between the competitive strategies employed by IPCs and market share.The study also found out that apart from market segmentation and convenience retailing, other strategies like overnight parking of public service vehicles, car washing, tyre sales and vehicle servicing are also mostly used by independent petroleum companies to increase their market share in Kenya.The study majorly recommends that local independent petroleum companies should identify and capitalize on their strengthswhich they enjoy over their multinational competitors to compete effectively in the Kenyan market.

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Abstract

The study sought to analyze why there is a disconnect between the implementation of performance contracting as a management tool in Public Universities. Empirical evidence was collected from three public universities, with consideration being put to members of academic staff in three schools from each of the selected universities. The total staff who responded to the questionnaire were 142. The descriptive findings showed that a greater percentage of the academic members of staff were aware of performance contracting in the public universities and that they understood performance contracting in different versions and terminologies. The tests of between-subjects effects established at least at 90% confidence intervals that a strong relationship existed between the level of service delivery and the workload of the teaching members of staff of the universities selected in this study.

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