An integrated resource planning (ERP) system is essential for automation of manual routine tedious organizational processes.  It is meant to improve efficiency and effectiveness at work. However, implementation of such systems, if not properly organized and appropriate strategies put in place to ensure its success, may take unnecessarily longer time than anticipated, or the whole system abandoned all together. This study sought to establish the most effective strategies that ensure successful and timely integrated system implementation.  Systems theory and Process theory approaches were used to anchor the study.  Case study was adopted as the research design.  The population of the study comprised twelve (12) departments within Co-operative University of Kenya where different system modules were rolled out for implementation. Primary data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires. Since data collected was largely categorical in nature, Chi-square was used to analyze relationship between variables.  It was established that personal interest and optimism is the most influential strategy in determining success and pace in integrated system implementation. The key recommendation that the study offers as insight to policy makers, body of theory and practitioners is the need to deliberately concentrate on strategies that induce personal interest and optimism among employees so as to ensure success during implementation of a new system or change.

Safe transport is an essential element to the development of an economy of any country. Transport enables movement of people, services and goods, from one location to another one. In Kenya, majority of the population who travel beyond three hundred (300) kilometres commonly use long distance bus service. Travelling for a long distance in a poorly maintained bus can be quite uncomfortable. Some buses are normally over-packed with hard seats, poor ventilation, overly slow or overly speedy and poor sanitation. Consequently, long distances need the most comfortable travelling medium to at least not get over exhausted. In product differentiation strategy, a firm seeks to be unique in its product offing compared to its competitors. This study sought to contribute to knowledge by assessing the influence of differentiation strategy on performance of long-distance bus companies in Kenya. Porter’s generic strategies are the main model anchoring the study. Cross-Sectional survey was used as research design. The population of the study consists of fifty one (51) registered and licensed long distance bus companies in Kenya. Primary and secondary data were collected by the use of a structured questionnaires and review of regulatory bodies’ websites and availed documents. Correlation and regression analyses were used to test hypotheses. Not all organizational performance determinants were included but balanced score card was appropriately used to reflect non-financial and financial indicators. Results show that safety strategy has the most significant influence on performance of long-distance bus companies in Kenya. This was followed by comfort and reliability respectively. The significance of safety measures when it comes to transporting people is quite critical. The central recommendation that the study offers as impetus to strategic management body of knowledge, transport companies and policy makers is the need to consider safety measures as the most essential differentiating features in transport management in order to win the confidence and loyalty of passengers thus enhance performance. The major limitation of this study is that primary data was gathered from three (3) bus company managers only per company. However, additional secondary data was used to validate primary data hence reduce common bias.

Women in Baragoi Division in Samburu North have had to contend with internal wars involving cattle raids were many of them are caught in between the wars. Added to these is the harsh economic environment where economic activities and businesses are disrupted by frequent raids. Furthermore the situation is compounded by unfavorable climate where very little food for sustenance can grow. Despite these adverse conditions, the women in Baragoi division endure and survive as they take care of their families while gainfully engaged in micro and small enterprises. Given that more established entrepreneurs and the Kenyan government has made insignificant effort to empower pastoralist women and youth, what then drives pastoralists' women entrepreneurs? This study therefore sought to establish the survival or coping strategies which keep these women entrepreneurs going on with their businesses in such life threatening environment and possible support mechanisms. The main objective of the study was to establish the coping strategic options among women entrepreneurs in Baragoi Division in Samburu North Kenya. Cross sectional survey was adopted as the study design. The population constituted 14419 women across 15 sub-locations within Baragoi division. Proportional sampling technique was used to sample 389 respondents. Descriptive statistics and cross tabulation were used to analyze data. The study established that women entrepreneurs face a number of challenges, the main one (37.5%) being insecurity. The main coping strategy to counter the insecurity challenge was established as group movement at 20%. It was concluded that for women pastoralist entrepreneurs to survive, the stakeholders need to combine efforts and ensure safe environment and general support especially towards women entrepreneurs who are significant contributors to the economy and main players in family support.

Kenya is a country that is mainly dependent on the agriculture sector for livelihood. Smallholder farmers through Coffee Cooperative Societies play a central role in socio-economic development, particularly in agricultural production, processing, and marketing. The vibrant and dynamic cooperative movement enhances food security, wealth creation, and poverty eradication. FAO report indicates that youths in Kenya are a critical component of the productive population and their input can be harnessed to enhance economic development. However, Kenyan youth has not actively embraced agriculture, due to the involvement of manual labour and poor returns. This study sought to establish factors affecting youth participation in coffee cooperative societies in Machakos County, Kenya. Eighty (80) youth from the eight (8) coffee cooperative societies working under Sustainability Kenya Limited Networks -AGRIFI Project in Machakos County were involved in the study. Focus group discussion (FGD) was adopted to gather in-depth data. Older men’s domineering culture, lack of succession planning, resource allocation challenges, and a negative attitude that associates agriculture with the elderly, the poor, the illiterate, and rural folks, were identified as the main factors impeding active participation of the youth in coffee cooperative societies. The study observes that covid-19 has shaken the whole world, setting in motion unavoidable waves of change, with a wide range of uncertain trajectories in the future. The whole world has moved drastically toward online channels to cope with pandemic challenges. The study strongly recommends deliberate attempts to incorporate technology into agriculture as a strategy of motivating the youth to engage in agriculture and associated cooperatives, thereby increasing agricultural production. Young people easily embrace new ideas, experiment with new practices, and are often devoid of technophobia. They are a potential vital force for innovation in cooperative societies and can contribute immensely to the well-being of farmers, families, and to the local communities.

This study sought to contribute to knowledge by assessing the moderating effect of resource conditions on the relationship between linkage strategies and performance of universities in Kenya. Resource based view was used as the main theory anchoring the study. Cross-Sectional survey was adopted as the research design. The population of the study consists of sixty five (65) public and private universities incorporated in Kenya. Out of this, a sample of forty seven (47) universities which had undergone at least one graduation cycle was taken. Primary and secondary data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires and review of existing university documents and regulatory bodies' websites respectively. Correlation and regression analyses were carried out to analyse data and to test hypotheses. Although it was not possible to include all the determinants of institutional performance, balanced score card was appropriately used to represent financial and non-financial aspects that constitute performance indicators. It was established that resource conditions have enhancing moderating effect on the relationship between linkage strategies and university performance in Kenya. The significance of firm resources and linkage components in strategy formulation and implementation cannot be overlooked. The key recommendation that the study offers as insights to theory, university authorities and policy makers, is the need to consider firm resource conditions as critical determinants during strategy formulation and implementation process in order to enhance university performance. The main limitation of this study is that primary data was collected from only one respondent per university but common methods bias was mitigated through the use of additional secondary data to validate primary data.