MBA Theses and Dissertations (2016)
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Browsing MBA Theses and Dissertations (2016) by Subject "Business"
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- ItemAnalysis of factors affecting succession management of family-owned enterprises in Nairobi County(Strathmore University, 2016) Gitiche, Paul MwangiSuccession Management is an important event in the life of a family enterprise. The strategies employed in the succession have been observed to have a significant influence on the survival and performance of family businesses. Against the background of minimal research on family-owned business succession in Kenya, coupled by the important position the family enterprise holds in the economy, this study aimed at determining factors affecting succession management in family-owned enterprises within Nairobi County. The study was guided by the following variables; founder leadership style, mentorship programs and successor attributes. A descriptive research design was used in the study. The population of interest was based on the number of family-owned businesses operating in Nairobi County. A quota sampling method was used to select samples for the study. Based on a confidence level of 95%, a representative sample size of family-owned enterprises operating in the County was determined. Structured questionnaires were used to collect the relevant data for the study. Descriptive survey designs were used in the study. The data analysis was both quantitative and qualitative. This study informed best practices in family enterprise succession to ensure smooth transition in management of family-owned businesses. In the analysis of the founder’s leadership style influence on succession management, over 73% of respondents believed that it does to a great extent. 78% of the respondents indicated that successor to their respective organizations had been proposed and most of them viewed the successor attributes as an important factor influencing succession management in family-owned enterprises in Nairobi County. Family-owned business should enhance professionalism in the running of family businesses. Also, providing training for those in leadership positions including the founders, on the value and necessity of succession management would increase the likelihood of a stronger commitment to succession process.
- ItemAn assessment of market and macro factors that affect forecasting in fast moving consumer goods companies – a case study of Glaxosmithkline(Strathmore University, 2016) Haria, Binita RishiForecasting creates an estimation of future demand. Forecasting enables businesses to survive and companies to compete in today’s market, by coming up with new advantages, as global competition grows stronger. Despite the vitality of forecasting, GlaxoSmithKline is facing forecasting–related challenges, whereby even after forecasting demand and supply, and reviewing on a monthly basis, a shortfall is experienced month on month and hence consumer dissatisfaction. The purpose of this study was to assess the market and macro factors that affect forecasting in GlaxoSmithKline. The specific objectives were to assess the effects of different market factors and macro factors on forecasting at GSK. Cross sectional research design was used with the population as employees of GSK who are directly involved in product forecasting. The population included production planning team members, sales, marketing team members; demand forecasting team members and the distribution team of GSK. Data collection involved the use of a structured questionnaire which was administered to the respondents by the researcher. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. The reliability tests of the research instrument were carried out and the overall Cronbach’s alpha for market factors which were the independent factor was (0.894), macro factors which were the intervening factor was (0.921) –and accurate market forecasting which was the dependant variable was at (0.943). The findings of the study were that macro factors significantly impacted forecasting at GSK. Market factors impacted on forecasting in GSK, though not rated as highly as macro factors. The study concluded that macro factors like the political indicators, consumer’s purchasing power, seasons, promotions, holidays and festivals greatly impacted on forecasting at GSK. The study also concluded that the methods GSK uses to make up for inaccuracies included the use of historic data and reviewing the forecast to cater for the changing trends. The recommendations of the study were that GSK should assess the various political actions that may affect the future forecasting of products. For accuracy in forecasting, GSK should consider the impacts of consumers buying behaviour, competition from similar products, availability of cheaper substitutes, recency effects and consumer purchase power. An area for further research was need for a study on the effectiveness of the forecasting team in undertaking accurate forecasting of products at GSK.
- ItemEvaluating how industry collaboration affects growth of business incubators in Nairobi County(Strathmore University, 2016) Nyangau, Innocent NyakwaraBusiness incubators play a great intermediation role that enable SMEs to thrive and meaningfully contribute to economic growth. Business incubators like other firms go through a process of growth moving from a formative to a transcendental stage where they greatly impact the society and industries they serve. This process of growth of the firms is influenced by a myriad of factors, among them is the level of collaboration between players in its industry. While the impact of collaboration on the growth of firms has been documented in Europe and the America’s this has not been articulated within African and/or Kenyan environment and in particular in the incubation industry context. The study objective was to establish both the forms of growth of business incubators within Nairobi and the nature of collaboration practiced by these incubators in order to evaluate the effect of collaboration on the growth of these business incubators. This study utilised a qualitative design and data was collected through structured interviews to gain an in-depth knowledge and understanding on how incubators were collaborating and the impact this had on their businesses. A total of 20 participants were contacted and data was collected from 17 respondents which corresponds to an 85% response rate. Through qualitative data analysis the study established that indeed collaboration was yielding growth for business incubators through the transfer of knowledge and capacity building, the creation of strategic alliances allowing incubators to diversify products and markets, to reduce cost of operation and increasing awareness of business incubations which has attracted resources to the industry. The immediate implications of these findings is the need to develop a clear and concise strategy that will promote business incubation as an avenue for socio-economic development enabled by the expansion of the operating environment further accelerating growth of business incubators.