MSIT Theses and Dissertations (2011)

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Achieving corporate agility through online social networks : a framework for Strategic Business Networks
(Strathmore University, 2011) Kilonzo, Daniel M
When a computer network connects people or organizations, it is an Online Social Network. Yet the study of such computer-supported social networks has not received as much attention as studies of online person-to-person interaction and computer-supported communication within organizations. The purpose of this research was to examine the effectiveness of Online Social Networks as business enablers. It reviews the prevalent online networks in use today, why they are preferred over others and applies them to business processes to determine the value they bring to the business. Finally, the information gathered from the research was used to define a framework to guide organizations on how to successfully implement Online Social Networks to achieve a strong business or marketing network strategy. The study applies a qualitative and quantitative approach. The quantitative approach employed the use of an online questionnaire aimed at collecting data to establish usage trends of Online Social Networks. The qualitative aspect entailed collecting and analyzing data form businesses that had OSN presence on Rupu.co.ke, OSN application. The results of the investigation revealed that businesses which had Online Social Network presence based on the framework developed indicated positive growth in visibility, profits, customer relationship management and as a result general performance.
Architecture design model for E-Iearning
(2011-06) Barasa, Situma D.
Education and Training is recognized as fundamental to the success of Kenya vision 2030. The use of Information and Communication Technology (lCT) is assumed to transform learning in learning institutions. E-learning being one of the modes of content delivery in learning has gained acceptance in educational institutions in Kenya. However key challenges associated with e-learning in education include quality, equity, relevance and standards thereby presenting various challenges in the Kenya educational institutions with regard to its implementation. This study tried to undertake a needs assessment to establish the learning resource requirements, teaching and learning activities and assessment methods suitable for e learning. The study used online users specifically in educational institutions within Nairobi County as the target population. The study employed a survey research design. Findings suggested that there are differences in e-learning requirements across educational institutions thereby posing a great danger in terms of educational standards, quality and equity. Findings also show that various social network;" though popular have not been fully integrated in our e-Iearning system. New methods of content delivery suggested go along way in improving learning processes hence the quality, access, standards and relevance of education is harnessed. An architecture design model for e -learning a product of an e-learning needs assessment forms the benchmark for e-learning for institutions of learning. The findings and recommendations from the study will eventually may be used to reform e-learning programmes and improving on tutor proficiency for quality online instruction in institutions of higher learning. The findings of the research may go along way to assist education policy makers to make decisions that improves the quality of education in terms of continuing opportunities for learners, high rate of transition, equity, retention and completion, and accelerated learning.
Assessment of the Impact of ICT Education on the Livelihoods of Students from Tertiary Institutions In Kenya:
(2013-11-15) Wamicha, Elizabeth W.
Over the last few years there has been a surge in the number of ICT courses available to the market. A higher number of citizens are now taking up these ICT to get well paying jobs or get promotions within their jobs all with the aim of increasing their overall livelihood. This study examined a sample of ICT courses available in the market. This study went on to determine the variables that affect the livelihoods of the students using the livelihoods model and data obtained from responses of a sample group of fulltime and part time students and alumni. The study then developed a framework that can be able to further analyze the impact of ICT tertiary education on the livelihood of the student. The study used the livelihoods model as the conceptual model. The variables used in the study were derived from this model. These variables included the vulnerability context, the human, social, physical and financial capital of the student and the policies and processes of the tertiary institution. A purposive sampling technique was used during the data collection process. The sample was made up of fulltime and part time students and alumni. The findings of the research were mainly the need for universities to become less autonomous and develop relationships with industry and with top universities. The proposed model can be used in assessment of impact of livelihoods of the students and can be applied in the following parts by the tertiary institution. The first part is the determination of the vulnerability context within which the student operates, followed by the second part that is the methods which the institution can use to maximize the human, social, financial and physical capital of the student. The third part outlines the adjustment of institutional policies and procedures to go hand in hand with market demands for graduate students. The fourth part which is the livelihood strategies involves a feedback mechanism for current and past students which the universities can use to monitor the performance of their students once they enter the job market. The outcome of the use of the proposed framework is strengthened relationships with industry and with top universities worldwide and increased accountability to stakeholders of the university which include the students, the teaching staff, the industry and the government with its vision 2030 project.
Cost Effective News Gathering Technique in Kenya Using Terrestrial Broadband IP Links
(2013-11-18) Njoroge, Benson W.; Sevilla, Joseph; Marwanga (Dr.), Reuben; Kiraka, Ruth
This study aims to understand the methodologies and challenges of the current news gathering techniques used by broadcasters in Kenya and provide guidelines and methodology for development of an economical and cost-effective alternative technique. The research adopts both an analytic and applied approach. The analytic approach aims to review and analyze the existing methodologies and techniques and the challenges associated with them. The Applied approach aims to provide a guideline and methodology for a cost-effective alternative technique using locally available computer hardware (Video input and output cards), software (MPEG4 encoders and decoders) running over terrestrial broadband IP Links. The findings indicate that majority of the broadcasters in Kenya use the traditional satellite based news gathering technique (Digital Satellite News Gathering) which exhibit expensive and proprietary hardware systems and software. These techniques are always constrained by resources such as satellite bandwidth, hardware equipments and qualified manpower. The designed cost-effective alternative technique delivers the same video quality with significantly low capital expenditure and operation costs. The cost effective technique provides good foundation for future research and development of low cost commercial news gathering systems that run on broadband IP links. Additional research and experiments are recommended for development of similar but robust, versatile and automated systems that have the encoding software embedded in the operating systems code (such as Linux and UNIX) in a scenario where the encoder and decoder computers powers on without I/O devices and starts the services at boot time. The developed technique provide the broadcasters in Kenya and other developing countries with a cheaper alternative news gathering systems that can be used where reliable and fast terrestrial fibre, microwave, WiMax , 3 G or 4G links exists. For guaranteed service, the broadcasters should ensure they use robust computers suitable for outdoor use and the bandwidth available on the terrestrial links is over 2 Mbps for video and 128 Kbps for audio. This study shows that for the fist time, the terrestrial IP broadband networks in the region can be used for news gathering services by broadcasters using low cost equipments. The economic sense of using computers shows the news gathering service can be available to broadcasters regardless of cost and resource constraints.
Creating business value with Information Technology in tourism sector
(2013-11-14) Mwangi, Gachonde O.
Information Technology deployments and automation in organizations are often associated with many factors in consideration in order to determine whether they will assist the organization realize business value. Especially, tourism players in Kenya have not fully benefited from the value created by deploying Information Technology in the organization. The purpose of this research is to determine which organizational processes and procedures are candidates for automation in order to achieve business value in an organization. A concept to support the research will be derived from these processes and procedures which will form a framework that can be applied across the organization to achieve business value.This research addresses a perpetual problem that faces organizations in tourism of how to improve business value created by Information Technology. The research examines the current organizational workflow of the processes and procedures for various organizations in an approach that clearly shows the inefficiencies created. The objectives are to assist tour operators in Kenya to achieve business value created by the implementation of IT both to the organization and to contribute to the development of frameworks in academic research targeting IT business value. In management, business value is the intangible value in a business, above the value of its tangible assets. This research conducted a workflow examination on various organizations in the tourism sector, and the findings/results have revealed that majority of the manual processes in the organization can be automated to achieve the objectives of this research. An IT framework/model is proposed to aid the translation of these processes into business value namely improved tum-around time, availability of accurate and useful information, effective utilization of organizational resources, efficient organizational processes, improved performance and being competitive. The proposed framework/model in this research combines these model components in an input output procedure ensuring all aspects of the organization have been considered in order to achieve IT business value as the result. The model details the main components, sub-components, effects of presence, absence, outputs and measurement metrics that determines the overall effect of achieving IT business value if an organization adopts the model.
Development of a collaborative learning system in low resource environments in Kenya
(2013-11-14) Kinyanjui, Njoroge T.
The fields of Learning Management Systems (LMS) and Learning Content Management Systems (LCMS) are full of open source and commercial products including Blackboard, WEB CT, and Moodle, These systems are tutor-oriented, not designed to facilitate personalized learning support for an individual learner. Teachers and students, frustrated with current LMS, need a new, innovative, user-friendly alternative to encourage and empower students to take control of their education, and teachers to explore new styles of teaching, depending on their students' needs. Most of the students in the developing world suffer from limited English proficiency, in addition to limited computer skills and IT-resources access. These obstacles compose a barrier to, and impose limitations on the design and implementation of E-learning systems. The main aim of this study was to develop a collaborative learning system that can be used in low resource environment in Kenya. From the existing literature there is lack of a collaborative learning system in these environments, study was done through questionnaires, interviews and observation to establish the requirements of a collaborative learning system,based on this, a prototype for a simple,learner-oriented collaborative learning system was developed to facilitate the learning process to both the teachers and student. The proposed system enables the student (even with moderate English level and general IT knowledge) to navigate through the system, and collaborate through simple tools such as group chat, post and access forums, manage individual profile, post comments to the teachers, access video and audio contents as well as communicate with fellow students among other provided tools. The proposed prototype was made available to the students and teachers to examine and evaluate. feedback was analyzed and an enhancement was done on the prototype to meet the specific users' requirements. From the research it showed that there is a high need to implement the collaboration between teachers and the students, in analyzing collaborative learning on the web, its clear that we need to learn and understand more about how the learner interacts with the media and how the web affects the learner and learning outcomes. The learners and desired learning outcomes should be the ultimate focus of developing successful collaborative learning on the web.
An e-learning infrastructural model for Kenya's higher education sector
(Strathmore University, 2011) Mbuthia, Isaac M
The problems that plague the higher education sector in Kenya have become a major talking point in the news media, academic forums and even in social forums. The fact that the country is unable to cope with the increasing demand for university education is a reality that requires an elaborate and effective solution. It is on this premise that this research work was undertaken. The main objective of this study was to explore the socio-economic and education related problems that qualified students face while seeking university education in Kenya and to assess whether and how e-learning could mitigate those problems. The research adopted qualitative and applied research methodologies in fulfilling the research objectives. The research methods included questionnaires, interviews and written texts and documents. The target group of the first two methods was the post Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) students who have qualified for admission to universities to undertake degree courses but have not secured any places. The research assessed the adoption of e-learning in various countries as well as the infrastructural components that would be required to implement a proper e-leaming platform. Data was gathered to assess the level of access by the post-KC SE students to certain infrastructural components such as the Internet and computers. Based on the findings of the research, an e-learning infrastructural model was developed that would best serve the higher education sector in Kenya. The research recommends that universities adopt the proposed infrastructural model of e-learning to widen the level of access to university education in the country.
Effects of business process automation in a revenue collection agency : a case study at Kenya Revenue Authority
(Strathmore University, 2011-06) Mbugua, Irene N.; Ismail Lukandu; Kiraka, Ruth; Marwanga (Dr.), Reuben
The effects and contributions of adopting Information Communication Technology (ICT) by organizations have been on a rise in recent times. However, the anticipated end results are most often not realized due to automation challenges which include resistance from employees, lack of standards and policies that govern the automation process. Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) embraced Information Technology (IT) as an enhancement of revenue collection strategy since the year 2005. The general research objective was to establish improved KRA operations as a result of the adoption of IT; other specific objectives were to find out the challenges faced and possible solutions during the process of automation. The research was also to come up with a conceptual model that can be used for Automation of business processes in revenue collection agencies and organizations. A descriptive survey design was adopted utilizing both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The approach aimed at getting information that describes a situation, behavior, attitudes of the individual and the community in revenue collection environment hence the target population of this study was the staff at KRA. Both qualitative and quantitative data was collected for the four objectives. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to aid the analysis of quantitative data. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic method by grouping the information provided by the respondents into similar themes. In terms of findings, about 71.1% of operations e.g. communication between KRA and CBK, tax collection, Vehicle registration, Filing of tax returns were recorded to have greatly improved. About 18.4% of processes have not improved and about 10.5% remaining the same. About 75.7% of the respondents felt that the adoption of ICT has had a remarkable change in the revenue collection efficiency. Some of the conclusions made from the findings of the study are that increased revenue collection was the highest by 22% translating to about Kenya shillings 12.53 billion in 2009110, followed by 20% in general authority's operations as a result of automation. There was also improved audit trail at 19% while staff efficiency 15%. Some improved factors were international trade and relations at 14% and 10% respectively. This research developed an effective automation model that described how best the automation can take place in a revenue collection environment.
Evaluation of the use of internet in students' : case study of hostels around Strathmore University
Gathenya, Esther Nyokabi; Ateya, Ismail Lukandu
The research investigates the use of Internet by undergraduate students in Strathmore University with a specific look at availability and use of Internet in their halls of residence.A questionnaire survey is the research method that was used for data collection. Questionnaires were distributed to undergraduate students in six hostels around Strathmore University.The findings of the study reveal that the Internet is not extensively used by undergraduate students in their halls of residence. Students prefer using modems to connect to the Internet since the hostels rarely provide the services. The research also examines the equitable access to the Internet, as students mostly rely on private/commercial Internet cybercafés – both on and off campus – for their access and use. The findings of the research also reveal the need for having Internet services in student’s hostels and the use of the Internet in university for optimal utilization of electronic information sources.The research is useful for those in decision-making roles as it reveals the need for the provision of relevant Internet infrastructural facilities in Kenyan hostels around institutions of higher learning and sustainable access to the Internet by the students to support their academic activities.
An exploratory study on the usage of M-payments by small and medium business enterprises in Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2011-09) Kimathi, Vella G. N; Lukandu, Ismail Ateya; Marwanga (Dr.), Reuben; Kiraka, Ruth
The aim of this study was to identify the key aspects of the currently available m-Commerce systems, and, in particular, identify what the drivers were for a successful implementation. The study was to look at the technology, market & competition, regulatory and network load issues with a view to explore on the usage of m-payments by small and medium business enterprises in Kenya. This study has necessarily taken a high-level look at the emerging second hand clothing industry imitumba businesses) and in the process has identified the difficult issues that will impact the success of new implementations, such as m-commerce, in the African market(s). The rapid spread of mobile phones means that the number of mobile users may exceed the number of banked people in many low income countries. Mobile phones can also offer a communications channel for initiating and executing on-line financial transactions. This channel may not only reduce the cost of financial transactions for provider and customer, but also allow new entrants to the financial sector, and new relationships to be formed for distributing services. These changes hold the prospect of accelerating access to financial services on the back of the mobile infrastructure. This research investigates the extent to which the expansion of mobile telephony is likely to lead to the expansion of access to appropriate financial services in developing countries, especially Africa. The objectives of this study are to determine how the current m-payment habits are being perceived by entrepreneurs in Kenya, to establish whether reaching the small and medium business entrepreneurs through m-payments will be the ultimate driver towards an entrepreneurship boom in Kenya and to determine which business model can support m-payments for online transactions. The researcher of this paper acquired data for analysis in order to, firstly, find out how the current m-payments habits are being perceived by entrepreneurs in Kenya. Therefore, she conducted a survey through questionnaires to evaluate feasibility of the Bottom of the Pyramid (BOP) population doing transactions through m-payments. The study discovered that small businesses are using money transfer systems for transactions, and this has lead to the rapid growth of establishments and low cost of operations for small businesses. It was concluded that the usage of mobile payment systems shall lead to an explosion of small business set-ups in Kenya and Africa at large.
Formulating value proposition for a java mobile application : a case study for Kenya
Irura, Mark Gachara; Acosta (Dr.), Freddie
This research focuses on the value proposition of a Java mobile application (Tex2+) as perceived by end users (customers) and three kinds of business customers – a Kenya government parastatal, a financial institution and a GSM provider. There have been problems previously; firstly, is the issue of expensive costs using short messages. Secondly, there are problems that have existed for mobile developers in the mobile business ecosystem, namely; multiple platforms, lock-in practices, poor alignment of software to business processes and poor market place practices by participants. Thirdly, there is a business model problem; how does one merge economic theory and technology to arrive on a profitable business model? The research observes that a developer can promote his application directly to Kenyan end users – positive network effects lead to more value in the network. But they should not forget to incorporate businesses in their approach to value proposition.
A generic mobile agriculture architecture: a case study of dairy farming
(Strathmore University, 2011) Gichamba, Amos Njihia
The high penetration of mobile phones in the Kenyan market has given lead to the opportunity to use mobile devices for economic activities such as agriculture. With Kenya geared towards the accomplishment of Vision 2030, agriculture has been identified as one of the supporting component of the social and economic pillars of Vision 2030. This means that the success of agriculture in Kenya will accelerate the realization of Vision 2030. One of the key agricultural sectors in Kenya is dairy farming . Even though this sector contributes highly to the country's GDP, it is faced by immense challenges including poor market information, lack of collaboration platforms for the various stakeholders, lack of easy access of information and manual processes in produce data collection and access. The aim of this paper was to determine the extent of usage of M-Agriculture applications in Kenya, to determine the design requirements for an M-Agriculture architecture and to propose an M-Agriculture architecture. The paper also highlighted on the development of an M-Agriculture application suite. The findings of the study suggest that there are present implementations of mobile agriculture in developed countries while developing countries like Kenya have only a few cases . However, the study established that the usage of m-agriculture applications has great potential in enhancing business processes among various stakeholders of the dairy industry. The result of the study is the design and implementation of a mobile agriculture architecture that is applicable in dairy farming. This research provides a comprehensive approach on how to develop systems using mobile technology that integrate with existing systems. Future researchers can use this architecture as a starting point in developing mobile agriculture frameworks and models , while system developers in the area of mobile agriculture can be able to use this architecture to develop mobile systems in agriculture.
Impact of Information and Communication Technology investment on organizational performance
(2013-11-13) Gakuo, Robert K.; Marwanga (Dr.), Reuben; Kiraka, Ruth; Acosta, Freddie
The impact of information and communication technologies (lCT) investment on business performance has been a major research subject for long time. Until the mid 1990s there was little empirical evidence of a positive and statistically significant relation between lCT investment and business performance (lCT Productivity Paradox). Subsequent research, conducted mainly in a few highly developed countries, provided some empirical evidence of a statistically significant positive contribution of lCT investment to some measures of business performance, which increases if ICT investment is complemented by 'co-investments' that create some complementary 'intangible assets', such as new work practices, business processes, organizational structures and skills. This research examines the impact of information and communication technology (lCT) investment on performance at Nairobi Water Company. The research design that was adopted was descriptive research. The target population constituted lCT technical and management staff; Billing technical and Management staff; Engineering technical and Management and Finance management staff who are mainly rCT systems owners at NCWSC Nairobi. The research developed organizational performance survey indicators that were used to assess the impact of rCT on NCWSC performance. It was clear that majority agreed that rCT has enhanced the company revenue. The observations showed that investments in rCT substantially increased the average organizational performance of companies, since 2007 when NCWSC embarked on an rCT development strategy various milestones have been achieved and the company overall revenue improving. As far as recommendation are concerned staff need to be trained, this will address Change Readiness, Seeding of Change, Capacity Building, Monitoring and Review and Sustaining Change with regard to processes, roles, boundaries and structures, mind set/attitudes. Change management needs to be tied to staff appraisal. The process should include the change management program to cover programme selection, control and evaluation.
Key factors influencing the alignment between information technology and business objectives
(2013-11-18) Dalal, Mohammed J.
The need for alignment between IT and Business objectives has been identified by many researchers and practitioners as being of major concern to most organizations today. As a result, there have been quite a number of studies that have mostly covered the meaning of alignment, its dimensions, models or frameworks that can be used to ensure desired levels of alignment and how alignment can be measured. This thesis aims to find out what are the key factors, based on six alignment dimensions i.e. social, technical or intellectual, integrated, strategic, structural and financial that influence alignment of IT and business objectives. The researcher made use of the descriptive survey methodology to collect, analyze and interpret data relevant to the research objectives. A questionnaire with open-ended questions was used to collect the data but through personal interviews conducted by the researcher. Subsequently, the data was qualitatively analyzed through the use of content analysis approach. The research outlines the relationship of the key alignment factors to all the alignment dimensions; including two that have been included by the researcher i.e. structural and financial dimensions. This provides a wider coverage for research especially on the structural and financial dimensions that have previously not extensively been researched on. The study conducted has a direct implication to the Kenyan banking industry. The research provides Kenyan banks with a good view of the value of alignment in the Kenyan context. It also highlights the reasons why most banks have alignment gaps and what can be done to correct this anomaly and eventually result in the successful achievement of corporate objectives. This research provides the first view of key factors that help in ensuring alignment between IT and business objectives within a Kenyan banking institution. The research also outlines for the first time the key factors based on the alignment dimensions. This provides a view of which dimensions contribute the best factors that subsequently have a positive impact on alignment.
Reinventing the hospitality industry through ICT shared services
(Strathmore University, 2011) Mackenzie, Janet K.
The hospitality industry has widely adopted Information Communication Technology (lCT) to reduce costs, enhance operational efficiency, and most importantly to improve service quality and customer experience. An appropriate diffusion of the information and Communication Technologies (lCTs) in this sector can improve the social and economic impacts, from which many citizens and organizations in developed and developing countries can benefit. This research analyzes the digital divide and proposes an integrated theoretical model to explore the relevant factors that lead to determining and defining the scope of a shared service implementation process. It integrates the technical, social, and motivational aspects to identify a number of key changes in Information Communication Technologies that gradually revolutionize the hospitality industry. All stakeholders related to hospitality / therefore gradually see their role being changed and new opportunities and challenges emerging. The research demonstrates that the future of eHospitality through ICT shared services will be focused on consumer centric technologies to ensure that the new sophisticated and experienced consumers are served. Only hotels that appreciate the opportunities ICTs bring and manage their resources successfully will be able to enhance their innovation and competitiveness in the future to interact effectively in a global eHospitality environment.
The role of Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) of information security measures for investment justification
(Strathmore University, 2012) Yedji, Mabngsoua
The research study was conducted within Kenyan environment on the role of Cost benefit analysis of information security for investment justification. The cost benefit analysis (CBA) of Information security is unfortunately a very difficult task for the Information Technology (IT) manager when it comes to justifying quantitatively its investment. In this research, a descriptive (qualitative and quantitative) and design research was undertaken which aims to develop a framework of CBA for information security project justification. The main objective of the research is to bring together senior management and IT managers on common ground of understanding based upon the comprehensive cost benefit analysis framework during information security investment justification. A purposive sample of IT and non-IT managers was used to select a representative population. The methodology used to collect the sample’s view is a survey through questionnaire and interview. It has been added in the list of one-off costs the user compliance budget which is usually overlooked in many information security projects. The user compliance cost is accepted by 70% of IT managers and 80% of non-IT managers. The CBA is important in information security (InfoSec) justification of project. That is the viewpoint of 80% of non-IT managers and 50% of IT managers. The role of CBA is determined also in this research and set a basis ground for informed decision. The developed framework is based on the quantitative risk assessment, return on information security investment and return of attacker from a successful attack of information security mechanism. It was validated through a consultative and approval process with professionals in the different sectors of industries. The outcome of this research can help and be a reference for the business organization managers when they are discussing and justifying investment in information security.

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