http://localhost/xmlui/handle/123456789/1282 SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, SCHOOL OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP, PROCUREMENT AND MANAGEMENT,SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION AND DEVELOPMENT STUDIES, Thu, 06 Aug 2026 16:07:36 GMT 2026-08-06T16:07:36Z http://localhost/xmlui/handle/123456789/7088 Social Media Influencers’ and the Decision Making of Domestic Tourists in Kenya Mohamed, Asmahan Zulekha Social media has manifested to be a powerful form of media capable of influencing consumer decision-making over the past few years. The increased use of social media has also led to the development of high profile individuals who have a huge following on different social media platforms and applications and who can influence the people on matters of a given industry. The use of the social media influencers in the promotion of tourism activities is evident and more widely used today. Many tourism and tourist related business now actively use social media to drive clients to their establishments more than ever before. This study aimed to examine the effect of social media influencers on the decision making of domestic tourists in Kenya. The study had two target populations, the social media users and tours and travel companies that use social media influencers to promote their businesses. A mixed method research design was used and the study made use of questionnaires and interviews to collect data which was later analysed to achieve the objectives set out. The study population was drawn from Nairobi and Kiambu Counties. Data was collected from 399 respondents through questionnaires and 10 key informant interviews. The findings of the research indicate a moderate relationship between source credibility and the decision-making of domestic tourists in Kenya. Source attractiveness revealed a strong relationship with decision making of domestic tourists in Kenya. Moreover, there is a moderate relationship between source power and the decision-making of domestic tourists in Kenya. Finally, there is a very strong relationship between source metrics and the decision-making of domestic tourists in Kenya. The study further found that persuasive techniques as a moderating variable positively influences the decision-making of domestic tourists in Kenya. The study recommends that stakeholders should adopt an adaptive approach by regularly monitoring the effectiveness of influencer-led campaigns and adjusting strategies based on changing trends and audience preferences. This ensures that campaigns remain relevant and impactful in the dynamic landscape of travel and tourism. Since women play a leading role in making travel decisions, as revealed by this study, tourism-related businesses—like travel agencies, hotels, and tour operators— ought to create targeted campaigns that appeal directly to female audiences. Additionally, tourism stakeholders should give priority to influencers who demonstrate clear credibility and a strong connection with their audience. Finally, stakeholders should integrate persuasive strategies into the design of their social media campaigns. Techniques like liking, reciprocation, and social validation should be strategically embedded within influencer content, as they play a key role in shaping audience responses PhD in Mass Communication Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://localhost/xmlui/handle/123456789/7088 2026-08-06T00:00:00Z http://localhost/xmlui/handle/123456789/7084 Green Logistics Practices and Performance of Food and Beverage Manufacturing Firms in Kenya Nthiwa, Charles Mamu Despite contributing significantly to the economy of the country, the food and beverage manufacturing firms face challenges in optimizing performance. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of green logistics practices on the performance of food and beverage manufacturing firms in Kenya. Specifically, the study examined the influence of reverse logistics, green warehousing, green packaging and green distribution on the performance of food and beverage manufacturing firms in Kenya. The study examined the moderating influence of absorptive capacity on the relationship between green logistics practices and the performance of food and beverage manufacturing firms in Kenya. Theoretical framework was guided by the complexity theory, ecological modernization theory, resource dependence theory and natural resource-based view theory. The research utilized the positivism research philosophy. A correlational cross-sectional survey research design was employed to test non-causal relationships among study variables without controlling any of the variables. The proportionate stratified random sampling technique was used to select a sample size of 141 food and beverage manufacturing firms from a target population of 217 food and beverage manufacturing firms in Kenya. A pilot study was conducted to determine the validity and reliability of the constructed survey questionnaire. A cross-sectional survey approach was used for the collection of primary data. Data processing was conducted prior to the data analysis. Data analysis utilized the descriptive and inferential statistics. The correlation results indicated that reverse logistics, green warehousing, green packaging and green distribution had positive and significant relationship with the performance of food and beverage manufacturing firms in Kenya. The regression results indicated that reverse logistics, green warehousing, green packaging and green distribution had positive and significant influence on the performance of food and beverage manufacturing firms in Kenya. The regression results indicated that absorptive capacity had a positive and significant moderating influence on the relationship between green logistics practices and the performance of food and beverage manufacturing firms in Kenya. The study recommends that managers and practitioners should consider a holistic reassessment and implementation of the green logistics to foster the performance of the food and beverage manufacturing firms. The policymakers should consider initiating a review of the existing policies to motivate the managers and practitioners to consider a holistic reassessment and implementation of the green logistics to foster the performance of the food and beverage manufacturing firms. Future research should examine the influence of green logistics on firm performance with absorptive capacity as a moderator in other sectors or contexts. PhD in Supply Chain Management Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://localhost/xmlui/handle/123456789/7084 2026-08-06T00:00:00Z http://localhost/xmlui/handle/123456789/7078 Dynamic Capabilities, Organizational Structure and Performance of Referral Hospitals in Kenya Achiambo, Richard Ongwary The healthcare sector in Kenya faces challenges such as inadequate financing, limited medical supplies, workforce shortages, low patient satisfaction, and long waiting times, which hinder service delivery and overall productivity. While dynamic capabilities have been linked to organizational performance in private sector firms, their effect in Kenyan referral hospitals remains underexplored. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the relationship between dynamic capabilities and the organizational performance of referral hospitals in Kenya. Specifically, it investigated how knowledge management capability, strategic collaboration capability, talent management capability, ICT capability, and organizational structure relate to the performance of referral hospitals in Kenya. The study was anchored on knowledge based theory, systems theory, resource-based view theory, technology acceptance theory and dynamic capability theory. Using descriptive research design and explanatory research design, the study targeted 47 county referral hospitals and 6 national referral hospitals in Kenya. The target population included CEOs/Chief Administrators, Medical/Clinical Services In-Charges, and Nursing In-Charges from both county and national referral hospitals. Due to the manageable size of the target population, a census was conducted, meaning all individuals within the target group were involved in the study. Primary data was gathered through semi-structured questionnaires, and a pilot test was performed to ensure the reliability and validity of the research instrument. Both qualitative and quantitative data was generated in the research. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse quantitative data with the help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 24). Descriptive statistics included frequency distributions, means, standard deviations, and percentages, with findings presented in charts, graphs and tables. Qualitative data were processed through thematic analysis and presented in prose form. The relationships between independent and dependent variables were explored using multivariate regression and correlation analyses. The study found that knowledge management capability, strategic collaboration capability, talent management capability, and ICT capability each had a positive and significant effect on the organizational performance of referral hospitals in Kenya. The study also found that organizational structure had statistically significant moderating effect on the relationship between knowledge management capability, strategic collaboration capability, talent management capability and ICT Capability on the organizational performance of referral hospitals in Kenya. The study recommends several strategies to enhance strategic collaboration in Kenyan referral hospitals, such as establishing clear frameworks for partnerships, improving infrastructure, and offering comprehensive training. To improve talent management, hospitals should enhance compensation packages, invest in development programs, and benchmark against industry standards. In knowledge management, partnering with educational institutions and investing in knowledge-sharing tools is essential. For ICT capability, hospitals should upgrade infrastructure, ensure cybersecurity, and provide continuous training. Lastly, to improve organizational structure, decentralizing decision-making, fostering leadership development, and reducing bureaucracy are key to enhancing hospital performance. PhD in Business Administration (Strategic Management) Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://localhost/xmlui/handle/123456789/7078 2026-08-06T00:00:00Z http://localhost/xmlui/handle/123456789/7076 Human Resource Management Practices and Employee Retention in the Teaching Hospitals in Ghana Anokye-Larbey, Diana The drive of the study was to examine human resource management practices and employee retention in the teaching hospitals in Ghana. The specific objectives were to assess Human Resource Recruitment on Employee Retention, Human Resource Training on Employee Retention, Human Resource Employee Appraisal on Employee Retention, Human Resource Data Management on Employee Retention, with a moderating variable of HR policy. The study draws from resource-based view theory, human capital theory, equity theory of motivation, organizational information processing theory, transformational leadership theory, and job embeddedness theory. The study deployed quantitative research design with a population of 605 and a sample size of 240 respondents from the HR unit in the teaching hospitals in Ghana. With the use of SPSS 2.0, data was examined quantitatively drawing through descriptive and inferential statistics. Inferential analyses included correlation analysis, linear and multiple linear regression analysis to test hypotheses at a significance level of 0.05, descriptive analyses were used to determine frequencies, percentages mean, maximums, minimums and standard deviations. The study concluded that HR recruitment, HR training and HR employee appraisal statistically were significant to predict employee retention in the teaching hospitals. The recommendations of the study were that the teaching hospitals review the recruitment of medics from 4 years to 2 years. That the allocated budget of training be increased to cater for the training of all cadres of staff, specifically the nurses, for further education to become physician assistants. That HR team should implement a continuous feedback practice as a strategy for communicating employee appraisal issues and retention. That management invests in technological advancement to upskill employees. That a compensation review committee to oversee the compensation plan by incorporating the workload analysis for fair compensation. Ph in Human Resource Management Tue, 04 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://localhost/xmlui/handle/123456789/7076 2026-08-04T00:00:00Z