MAPE Theses and Dissertations (2016)

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    Public Procurement Oversight Authority : an assessment of its effectiveness in fighting corruption and promoting ethical practices in public procurement in Kenya
    (Strathmore University, 2016) Gachoka, Paul M.
    The debate on corruption and financial impropriety has been raging in Kenya for the past 20 years. Procurement processes by public institutions has been identified as the main conduit for loss of public funds in the various reports by both the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and the Public Procurement Oversight Authority. As part of the reform process to address this problem, the Public Procurement Oversight Authority was established. This study focused primarily on an in-depth assessment of the PPOA and its effectiveness in fighting corruption and promoting ethical practices in public procurement in Kenya. It makes recommendations aimed at strengthening the institution. This study adopted a descriptive study design. Purposive sampling was used to select the study subjects and a total of 84 respondents were interviewed. Descriptive statistics was used to generate data on study variables and inferences made on the performance of the PPOA.Content and thematic analysis was used to analyze qualitative data on views and perceptions of the respondents. The findings show that the number of cases on corruption in Public procurement has increased since the establishment of PPOA.This may not necessarily mean that PPOA had failed with regard to promoting ethical practices. In fact,the study revealed that PPOA’s performance was good and had achieved majority of targets set for the year especially on conducting Audits and assessment. The increasing trend could be as a result of expanded democratic space in Kenya since the enactment of the Constitution 2010 and the growth of the media which has made dissemination of information easy and the effect of the economic growth within the same period, which may have translated to more procurement. In addition, the findings revealed a well-defined institutional framework and elaborate structures put in place by PPOA. The PPOA has the capacity and strategies to fight corruption and promote ethical behavior in the procurement process. However, there is need to strengthen it by increasing the human capacity and resources, improve communication, intensify follow-ups on audits done and enhance collaboration with other institutions like EACC and DPP for strict law enforcement. In addition, this research recommends collaboration with educational institutions to specifically incorporate ethics in the learning curriculum in order to mould individuals at an early stage. Also, further research should be done to assess the interaction of PPOA with the county governments and the impact on its capacity.
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    An Investigation into the Work Ethic of Millennials Using a Wojtylan Model
    (Strathmore University, 2016) Njuguna, Caroline Wambui
    Various studies have explored perceptions of work ethic outside the original Protestant Work Ethic developed by the German sociologist Max Weber, which has certain limitations in terms of appreciation of the value of work for the human person. In response to this problem, the present study developed and piloted a new model for evaluating work ethic based on Karol Wojtyla’s writings on work. This model was used to establish the work ethic of Strathmore University fourth year students who form part of the millennial generation. This generation was selected because research carried out both globally and in the Kenyan context shows that the presence of millennials in the workplace is a cause of concern due to the diversity of their expectations about work as compared to previous generations. At the same time, studies on the work ethic of millennials have given rise to diverse and often contradictory findings.Professional work was the focus for this study. The case study used a mixed methods research design employing both quantitative and qualitative data collection tools. The findings gathered from questionnaires and focus group interviews were analysed using a Microsoft Excel spread sheet and according to themes. The findings were further evaluated from the perspective of the Wojtylan model. The Wojtylan model provides a new contribution to the literature on work ethic. The outcomes shed light on the work ethic of Strathmore University students. For example working so that they can earn a living so as to provide for self and family is amongst the most important aspects of work for them. Followed by the ability to be creative. These outcomes may be used in making recommendations to the relevant stakeholders such as the students themselves, employers and parents. It may also be of use to the Strathmore University Career Development Services office.
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    Impact of cultural diversity on the practice of dispute resolution and mediation in the Kenyan legal sector and a quest for professional and ethical stability
    (Strathmore University, 2016) Gross, Anthony
    In general terms, it may be said that dispute resolution among legal practitioners in Kenya relies heavily on cross cultural communication and negotiation practices and techniques. This cultural diversity poses unique challenges that may affect dispute resolution as well as jeopardise the attainment of justice. It seems essential to grasp a deeper understanding of the impact of this cultural diversity between African and European cultures commonly referred to as African and Western cultures of both genders in the daily practice of law whether within litigious or acrimonious disputes as well as in the alternative dispute resolution mechanism of mediation. Misunderstandings whether deliberate or by virtue of vocal or expressive communication or whether by tone of facial manifestation, occur as a result of a subjective perception by individuals of one culture of what is the truth and therefore the reality of any given circumstance, which often is not shared by a practitioner from another culture. Such subjectivism appears to be a by-product of the English legal system which propounds an adversarial system of legal practice aiming at a win-lose paradigm, and whose priority would seem to be win at all costs. However, it seems of paramount importance to understand and accept other people’s pints of view in the interest of peace and so as to avoid conflict. This approach may appear to be more acceptable inter-cultural way of behaving, practicing law and resolving disputes. It is in the pursuit of this objective that this study has analysed, differentiated and compared cross cultural trends and tested the perception of legal scholars on the premise that the cultural diversity impacts on the dispute resolution practice. The study arrives at the conclusion that it seems logical and acceptable to search for and espouse a tested moral standpoint of virtue ethics which is of universal acceptance and has cross cultural application and thus contribute to the search for justice in our society.
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    An Investigation into the Virtues of Airline Pilot Training
    (Strathmore University, 2016) Arodi, Justus
    That the world has become a global village can be seen in the exponential rise in air travel over the last few years and this trend is expected to continue into the foreseeable future. Aviation industry has done a lot, especially in the realms of training and aircraft design to improve safety. The industry should not just maintain the current level of safety but improve it further. Besides enormous associated costs, accidents still occur. This study sought to show that ethics, particularly Aristotelian virtues in pilot training, can not only improve quality but also enhance efficiency and consequently minimize costs. The study set out to investigate if the people involved in pilot training consider virtues to be necessary for pilot training; which virtues they consider as most important; and how the virtues could be incorporated in a pilot training scheme. Descriptive survey design and naturalistic designs were used. Students and instructors/managers were randomly and purposively sampled using questionnaires and interview guides. Though scarce, the related literature was also reviewed. The findings of the literature review and questionnaires/interviews both confirmed that indeed virtues are needed in pilot training. All the cardinal virtues are preferred though in varying order of preference by the different categories of respondents. The study found that virtues can be incorporated in pilot training schemes through classroom training, through role models and reward and punishment for desirable and undesirable habits respectively, and through a dedicated code conspicuously displayed in training venues; but not through ruthless enforcement by punishment. The study recommended virtue training to be adopted by airlines as it enables pilots to easily observe regulations and comply with the tenets of Crew Resource Management among other benefits such as happiness and good working relationships which can enhance error management and greatly reduce accidents. Further research was recommended on how airlines and regulators can monitor compliance with virtues among pilots. Properly adopted, virtues can not only make training efficient but also help produce better pilots and consequently safer flight operations.