Vol 5 Issue 2 April 2017-June 2017

Abstract: The empowerment of women has become one of the most important concerns of 21st century, not only at national level but also the State level. Efforts by the government are on to ensure gender equality but government initiatives alone would not be sufficient to achieve this goal. The KVKs also play vital role enhance the economic independency through the income generating activities. In order to ascertain the status of Self Help Groups formulated in rural area of Madhya Pradesh. , there were 160 women members of the Khargoan district was selected randomly for this study. The study revealed that out of the total women of SHGs members, higher number of them found to medium overall economic empowerment group (40.63%) followed by high overall economic empowerment group (33.75%) and low overall economic empowerment group (25.62%) respectively.

Keywords: KVKs, Women Empowerment, Krishi Vigyan Kendra.

Title: Study of Women Empowerment in Terms of Income Generating Activities in Self Help Groups through Krishi Vigyan Kendra, In Khargone District (M.P.)

Author: Ms. Deepika Chouhan, Dr. Sandhya Choudhary, Dr. Abhay Wankhede, Dr. V.K. Swarnakar

International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research 

ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)

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Abstract: The present study made an attempt to know the relationship between organization culture and employee motivation among the Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited. For that the researcher selected 440 samples on the basis of stratified random sampling technique. The hypothesis that there is a positive correlation between the two selected variables correlation was worked out. Standard Psychological tools were used to measure. Result shows that there is a positive correlation between the two selected variables.

Keywords: Organization culture, Employee Motivation.

Title: A Study on Relationship between Organization Culture and Employee Motivation among the Employees in Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited

Author: R.KALAVATHI, Dr. R. ANAND

International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research 

ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)

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Abstract: Increasingly the benefits of green streets are being better defined and quantified through scientific research. The importance of this factor is still lagging behind in most metropolitan setting studies. The aim of this study is to examine the prospect for avifauna conservation in Calabar Metropolis, Nigeria using the green street concept. The study delineated the green street network, ascertains the area of buffer zone polygon, obtained data on bird species richness and developed manuscript map of green street buffer zone polygon for the study area. Twenty streets and forty bird species were used for this study.  Data on bird species richness was obtained using the time-species count technique along transects at local time (10.00am-11.00am).  The total length of the green street network was 62.96 km with 33.80 km2 (21.58% of the total landmass) as total buffer zone polygon, six routes with pristine emergent trees recorded between 40 – 85 per cent of the bird species richness in the study area.  It was observed that forest birds such as Andrea cinerea (Grey heron), Egretta alba (Great White heron), Alcedo atthis (Common Kingfisher), Halcyon malimbica (Blue-breasted Kingfisher), Milvis migrans (Black Kite) Polyboroides typus (African Harrier-hawk) and Pica pica (Pied Crow) have found the green street buffers as alternative to their forest habitats that are under threat. Also in this category are Streptopelia senegalensis (Laughing Dove), Stretopelia semitorguata (Red-eyed Dove), and Tockus nasutus (African Hornbill). Estrilda astrild (Common Waxbill), Musicapa epulata (Little Grey-flycatcher), Terpsiphone rufiventa (Black-headed Paradise Flycatcher) and Musicapa caerulescens (Ashy Flycatcher) that are catholic in their feeding habits are important residents of Calabar Metropolis.  Generally, the result of this study shows that there are prospects for conservation of avifauna in Calabar Metropolis. In line with the above finding, this paper recommends that metropolitan planning should contain explicit goals with respect to green streets.  Furthermore, systematic greening of larger parcels of open spaces need strengthened and developers should be encouraged to conserve more forest trees at development sites.

Keywords: Green Street, Systematic greening, Avifauna, Biodiversity, Conservation.

Title: The Green Street: Prospects for Avifauna Conservation in Calabar Metropolis, Nigeria

Author: Oka P. O., Inyang M. E., Majuk, S. M., Owoanam, E. S.

International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research 

ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)

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Abstract: The main objective of the study was to determine the influence of ethical policies and codes on the procurement performance of state corporations in Kenya. Specifically, the study sought to determine the influence of ethical policy statements and ethical code of conduct on procurement performance among the state corporations in Kenya. The study used a descriptive research design and adopted a mixed research approach. The study targeted all the 187 procurement managers of the state corporations in Kenya. A self-administered questionnaire was used in collecting the research data and it was piloted for validity and reliability. Data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The study established that ethical policies and codes had a significant positive influence on the procurement performance of state corporations in Kenya. The study recommended that ethical policies and codes should be drawn and adhered to by all the procurement staff of the state corporations as well as by the suppliers that they deal with.

Keywords: Ethical Policies, Ethical Policies, Procurement Performance.

Title: Influence of Ethical Policies and Codes on Procurement Performance of State Corporations in Kenya

Author: Kitheka Samson Samuel, Dr. Anwar Hood Ahmed, Dr. Shedrack Mbithi Mutua

International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research 

ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)

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Abstract: This research set out to establish whether underlying firm characteristics in the NSE could be employed to accurately predict stock returns. The study period was year 2001 to year 2010 and the population of listed companies was 56. Purposive sampling was employed in selection of a sample of 32 listed firms. Companies that demonstrated consistent stock performance were only 6. Multi-regression analysis was employed to test which individual underlying characteristic had significant influence on the listed firms stock returns. The findings indicated that the regression model was not a good fit and this was attributed to the fact that NSE was at least weak form efficient and thus could not allow past information in the form of underlying characteristics to predict stock performance. Nevertheless the underlying firm characteristics that appeared to influence stock performance included: book value, dividend yield, market return and volume of stocks traded. The policy implications of these findings were that investors should trust stock prices in the NSE as opposed to using techniques like fundamental analysis that relied on past information in a bid to outperform the market.

Keywords: Consistent Stock Performance, Stock Returns and Underlying Firm Characteristics.

Title: Test of Predictive Ability of Underlying Firm Characteristics in the Nairobi Securities Exchange

Author: James N Ndegwa

International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research

ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)

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Abstract: Some writers maintain that children literature differs from adult literature in degree of "kind", that is, that the word literature when used in the context of children literature cannot necessarily be related in any straightforward way to the word literature as used in other contexts. That purpose is sometimes seen in terms of both information and entertainment; sometimes, however, entertainment alone is the critical definitional feature, the emphasis generally being on works belonging to the narrative genre Less often, definitions that relate primarily to purpose focus on empathy, children literature being classified as literature that is designed to help children to understand, and emphasize with, the world views and experiences of others, including other children Even though children literacy was hardly universal during the Romantic period, more and more children were learning to read and, beginning at the end of the eighteenth century, children literature began to develop. While many twentieth-century children texts explored the lives of older children, most critics point to Maureen Dalys "Seventeenth Summer" and J. D. Salingers "The Catcher in the Rye" as the beginning of adolescent literature as a genre separate from children literature. Despite the recent trend of categorizing children literature by age, an increasing number of adults have begun reading children books, blurring the boundaries between children and adult texts.

Keywords: children, Literature, World views, categorizing.

Title: Childhood in English literature

Author: Abdulaziz Hashem Al-said Ali Al- tahiri

International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research 

ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)

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Abstract: The author of this study is the appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of International Programs Thongsook College. The author has over fourteen years of experience in psychological behaviours and implementation of systems and mechanisms to support individuals suffering from diagnosed behavioural disorders.

Behaviours are displayed in many different ways as we are all unique with our individualised personalities, values, beliefs, understandings, motivations, attitudes and determination. This study attempts to investigate the profound behaviours of international students studying at Thongsook College which is situated in Bangkok, Thailand and whom are from different cultural backgrounds and countries. A union of native English speakers and non-native English speakers. These students are all studying towards an undergraduate degree offered at Thongsook College.

This study also aims and attempts to provide a basic outline of the importance of cross-cultural integration and understandings of the behaviours of International Students, their personalities, attitudes and motivation, which is vital for the Thai administration and hierarchy to understand and acknowledge the complexity of International Students behaviours.

The hypothesis of this study is to underline that different cultural backgrounds impact on the behaviours of International Students studying at Thongsook College. Therefore, understanding the different cross-cultural backgrounds will allow the prognosis of displayed behaviours.

Keywords: Chief Executive Officer (CEO), International Programs Thongsook College.

Title: Behaviours of International Students studying at Thongsook College

Author: Mr. Osman Ayub Suleman

International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research

ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)

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Abstract: This study sought to establish the effect of strategic plan implementation on the performance of deposit taking SACCOs in Laikipia County. The study was guided by these specific objectives; to analyze to what extent leadership influence the performance of deposit taking SACCOs, to examine the extent to which organization structure influence the performance of the deposit taking SACCOs, to investigate the extent to which policies and procedures influence the performance of the deposit taking SACCOs and to establish the extent to which resources allocation influence the performance of the deposit taking SACCOs. The study was anchored in the stewardship theory, contingency theory institutional theory and resource based view theory. This study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The target population of this study was the management staff and the board of management of the deposit taking SACCOs in Laikipia County The sample size of the study was 110 respondents. Information was sorted, coded and input into the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 21.0 for generation of descriptive statistics as well as inferential statistics. The study concluded that that leadership is directly and positively associated with performance of performance of deposit taking Saccos. The study concluded further that there is a positive relationship between organizational structure and performance of deposit taking Sacco. Furthermore, the results of the regression model show that there is a positive relationship between Policies & procedures and performance of Sacco. The study concluded that there is a positive relationship between Resources allocation and performance of deposit taking Sacco.

Keywords: Strategy, Strategic plan, Organization Structure and Deposit Taking SACCOs.

Title: Effect of Strategic Plan Implementation on the Performance of Deposit Taking SACCOs in Laikipia County

Author: PETER THEURI, DR. SAMSON NYANGA`U

International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research

ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)

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Abstract: This study aimed at assessing the contribution of microfinance institutions to poverty reduction in North Eastern Region in Kenya where its people had for a long time lived amidst abject poverty where they earned their livelihood from pastoralism at the subsistence level. The study was carried out in three counties in the region that were Garissa, Wajir and Mandera. The study employed descriptive survey design. The target population was 300 local small business people who acquired loans and other financial services from Equity Bank. The researcher used questionnaires as research instruments to collect data to study the role of microfinance institutions in poverty reduction in North Eastern Region. Convenience sampling technique was employed to select respondents. The study established that loans and savings and business support services provided by Equity bank had significant and positive effect on poverty reduction. Findings also established that training services and networking opportunities provided by Equity Bank had no significant effect on poverty reduction among the small businesses in north eastern region. From the study findings, the following recommendations were made. First, Equity Bank should expand its microfinance services and graduate the small businesses to enable them access bigger loans than the KES 200,000 that was the most accessible loans for the small businesses surveyed. Secondly, Equity Bank should engage its microfinance clients more in regard to building their capacity through seminars, workshops and business forums.

Keywords: Microfinance, finance, microfinance institution and Poverty.

Title: The Role of Micro Finance Institutions in Poverty Reduction in Kenya: A Case of Equity Bank in North Eastern Kenya

Author: Ayub Hassan Duale, Dr. Samson Nyang’au

International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research

ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)

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Abstract: This research paper attempts to study the poetry of Maya Angelou and analyzes how the poet voiced the horrors of racial oppression faced by thousands of African Americans. This paper also mirrors the barbaric face of the society which discriminates amongst people on the basis of their skin color and snatches away their basic right to live as well as express their ideas and opinions in general. Early in her life Angelou realized the true power of words and decided to make poetry as her most efficient weapon against racial discrimination witnessed by her. With an attitude to rebel against the cruel discrimination of color, she woke up to a morning which gave back her lost identity and voice. This led to the publication of the autobiography titled ‘I know why the caged bird sings’ which got much deserved critical acclaim. She became the first African American woman to confidently voice about her personal life in public.

Keywords:  African American, Racism, Oppression, Liberty, Individuality, Protest, Poetry as Weapon, Soul.

Title: Maya Angelou: A Soul Drenched in Protest

Author: PRANJALI NAGPAL

International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research 

ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)

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Abstract: Overwhelming evidence from all over the world shows that the media are the major influencers of opinion today. By the way they report an event they set the terms of debate and, in the process, they may have a negative or positive influence. The tone, frequency, depth and prominence given by the media towards a certain issue is believed to determine the reaction or the attitudes of the targeted audience towards it. This study examined the portrayal of students’ protests in Kenya by the Nation Newspapers during the year 2008 when increased student protests raised a nationwide outcry. Contents of copies of the Nation Newspaper during the year were analysed to determine the tone, prominence and source of each story concerning student protests. The results showed that mentions of student protests were negative with 60% of the stories studied associating the protests with crime and indiscipline.  Only 5% of the stories concerning student protests were published on the front page with the majority of the news sources being teachers (45%) and government officials (38%). Results of the research should offer stakeholders new insight into best ways to evaluate media information and hopefully find effective solutions to violent student protests.

Keywords: Content analysis, media framing, agenda setting, student protests, indiscipline.

Title: Media Framing Of Student Protests: A Content Analysis of the Nation Newspapers, Kenya

Author: Emily Keles-Muli

International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research

ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)

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Abstract: In today’s world reverse logistics has been gaining more interest than ever to overcome government regulations and generate profit-making opportunities. Reverse logistics also includes processing of returned merchandise due to damage, seasonal inventory, restock, salvage, recalls and hazardous material programs, obsolete equipment disposition, and asset recovery. Kenya being a developing country faces a problem of dumping especially from the international companies. Most international electronic companies have a tendency to see the end-of-life products in developing countries as a waste stream not required to be managed. In this regard, this study seeks to determine the effect of adoption of reverse logistics on the operational performance of Bata Shoe Company. Specifically, the study sought to establish the effect of product returns, product reuse, and product repackaging as reverse logistics practices on operational performance of Bata Shoe Company. This study was based on institutional theory and the Resource-based theory. This study adopted a descriptive survey design. The target population were be the all the employees working at Bata Shoe Company. The study used a stratified sampling technique to select 61 employees in logistics, procurement and supply chain department in Bata Shoe Company. The study used primary data. Primary data was collected using a close-ended questionnaire. A drop and pick later method was employed to collect data. To ensure reliability and validity of the instrument, a pilot study was conducted. The researcher will edit the completed questionnaires for completeness and consistency. The data was then be analyzed using descriptive statistics. The descriptive statistical tools (SPSS Version 20 and Excel) helped the researcher to describe the data. Inferential statistics (Correlation and regression) were employed for analysis to test for a relationship between variables. The study concluded product returns, product reuse and product repackaging influenced operational performance of Bata Shoe Company to a very great extent. In addition, the correlation analysis showed that three variables; product returns, product reuse and product repackaging were highly correlated and therefore had the most significant influence on operational performance both independently and as a result of their interaction.

Keywords: Effects, Operational and Performance.

Title: Effect of Reverse Logistics on Operational Performance of Bata Shoe Company

Author: ELIAZAR KINYANJUI NJUGUNA, DR ASSUMPTAH KAGIRI

International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research 

ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)

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Abstract: The purpose of this study was to establish the contribution of quality management planning on the performance of crisis response development foundation projects in Kenya. This research conceptualizes and develops dimensions of project quality management (quality management planning, customer focus, quality leadership and QMS approaches) and tests the relationships between project quality management practices and performance of community projects. The target population for this research comprised of the employees, the management and the steering committee of the Crisis Response Development Foundation. The study employed descriptive research design.  A census sampling was out and the sample size was 46. Survey method was used to solicit the information. The researcher used a questionnaire to collect primary data which was analyzed using qualitative and quantitative analysis techniques then presented in tables. Data collected was both quantitative and qualitative. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The studies found that quality management planning has positive effect on performance of community projects.

Keywords: Quality Management, Planning, Performance.

Title: Contribution of Quality Management Planning On the Performance of Crisis Response Development Foundation Projects in Kenya

Author: Pauline Wanjiru Kamau, Dr. Jane Omwenga

International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research 

ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)

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Abstract: Employee stock ownership is widely recognized as an effective means of improving corporate performance by enabling employees to participate in the creation and sharing of wealth they create in an organization. The rationale is that Employee Stock Ownership (ESOs) aligns individual goals with corporate goals and help companies to retain staff, attract talent, motivate employees and enable them to share the long-term growth of the company. Previous empirical studies provide contradictory conclusion with some indicating that ESOs enhance company performance and others arguing that just like stock options, ESOs have a net negative effect on performance of a company in the long run. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of employee stock ownership on organizational performance a case of Safaricom Limited. This study was conducted through the use of a descriptive design. The population of study comprised of employees who are members of Employee Share Option Plan (ESOP) from Safaricom Limited. The study used simple random and purposive sampling techniques to sample 70 of these employees (10% of the total target population) from the company. The study used both primary and secondary data. Secondary data in this analysis covered a period of 6 years from 2011 to 2016. The study findings show that employee share ownership plans affected organizational performance. This can be show by correlation and regression results that showed positive relationship between the dependent and independent variables. As such employee stock ownership led to increase in commitment, loyalty and productivity among employees. It also led to reduction in employee turnover. This went on to bring about increased organizational perfomance.  In the backdrop of the study findings, the following recommendations are made. Since employee commitment was a key determinant of organizational performance, there is need to continue increasing the value of stocks that employees could own in the company. The performance of the company should also be sustained since this would influence the value of the stocks of employees. This is important since higher returns would strengthen the commitment of employees to the organization. This would result in ripple effects such as further increase in organizational performance. Employee turnover was also shown to be influence organizational performance. All efforts should be made by the organization to reduce such turnover. This could be through control of factors that could precipitate such turnover. There should also be efforts to increase the number and value of the stocks that employees could own in the company. This could be a motivation for the company to keep employees in the company, a factor that could sustain the performance of the organization. Employees’ loyalty is vital for the performance of the organization. The organization should ensure that employees were adequately rewarded through ESOP so as to enhance their performance. The company should put in place mechanisms for ensuring that employees could afford stocks in the company. This could be through discounts and loans. The organization should be active in ensuring the productivity of employees. Since stock ownership was one of the methods in which such productivity could be enhanced, all challenges hindering employees from acquiring stocks in the company should be dealt with. In this regard, the company should carry out regular surveys to identify the factors inhibiting the acquisition of such stocks and corrective measures put in place. Regarding areas of further study, there should be follow-up comparative studies in other companies. Each of the study variables could be investigated on its own through in-depth studies. Other variables that moderate the influence of the variables under investigation in this study on organizational performance should also be identified and included in the regression model for this study in follow up studies.

Keywords: Epmloyee Organization and Performance.

Title: Effects of Employee Share Ownership Plans on Organizational Performance:  A Case of Safaricom Limited

Author: NDIRANGU FLORENCE WAITHERA, DR ASSUMPTAH KAGIRI

International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research 

ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)

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Abstract:  Uttarakhand is one of the worst disaster prone states of the India. The state is prone to disasters due to number of factors; both natural and anthropogenic, including adverse geo-climatic conditions, topographical features, environmental degradation, population growth, non scientific development practices etc. In the present paper, an attempt has been made to study detail physiographical aspects of flood disaster in uttarakhand, which itself are west part of the uttarakhand - 1. Dehradun, 2.Haridwar, 3.Garhwal, 4.Tehri-garwal, 5.Rudraprayag, 6.Uttrakashi. For detailed study, we used the geographical information system (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) techniques were applied to prepare various thematic maps for the study area. Land use/ land cover, Geomorphology and lineament maps were prepared by visual interpretation from IRSP6 LISS-III Imagery. Slop and aspects, drainage density map was prepared from drainage map using SOI topographical sheet on 1:50,000 scale, lineament intersection and lineament density maps were derived from the lineament map, soil map prepared for existing soil survey and agriculture department map. All the above thematic maps were digitized and converted into real world-co-ordinate system on ARC GIS. GIS overlay analyses were carried out and hazards map was prepared. These studies are very useful for mitigation and management of flood disaster in uttarakhand.

Keywords: Flood, GIS, Drainage, Lineament, Intersection, Thematic, West, Factors, Degradation, Condition.

Title: CAUSES OF FLOOD DISASTER IN UTTARAKHAND (WEST) A- PHYSIOGRAPHICAL ASPECTS

Author: E. Hemavathy

International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research 

ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)

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