University of Embu Digital Repository
- • A central hub for preserving and sharing the University’s scholarly works.
- • Showcases theses, dissertations, research papers, and publications.
- • Promotes open access to research and academic knowledge.
- • Enhances global visibility through Google Scholar and OAI-PMH.
- • Ensures long-term digital preservation of academic content.
- • Supports the University’s mission of research, innovation, and learning.
Important Links
Recent Submissions
Entrepreneurial Supply Chain Practices, Healthcare Financing and Performance of Public Hospitals in Kenya
(UoEm, 2025-08) Ndung'u, Hellen Njeri
The Kenya Vision 2030 development blueprint aspires to promote good health and
well-being. Consequently, the Government of Kenya has instituted reforms aimed at
achieving good health. These reforms include the establishment and revamping of the
Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) and a recent establishment of the Social
Health Authority. Despite these reforms, there is poor performance in the public
hospitals in Kenya. To ensure efficient, financially viable and relevant service delivery,
the entrepreneurial supply chain is critical, in public hospitals. Therefore, the study
focused on entrepreneurial supply chain practices, healthcare financing, and the
performance of public hospitals in Kenya. Specifically, the study investigated the effect
of innovative inventory management on the performance of public hospitals in Kenya,
the influence of proactive strategic sourcing on the performance of public hospitals in
Kenya, and the effect of risk taking on the performance of public hospitals in Kenya.
The study also sought to establish the moderating effect of healthcare financing on the
relationship between entrepreneurial supply chain practices and the performance of
public hospitals in Kenya. The study used resource orchestration, resource dependency,
and Schumpeterian entrepreneurship theories. The study adopted a positivism
philosophy and utilised descriptive and explanatory research designs. The study's target
population was 243 public level 4, level 5 and level 6 hospitals in Kenya. The sample
size was 151 public hospitals selected through proportionate sampling and simple
random sampling techniques. The unit of observation was 302 respondents. The study
utilised primary data collected through a semi-structured questionnaire, whose validity
was evaluated using face and content analysis, while reliability was checked through
the use of Cronbach Alpha with an acceptable coefficient value of 0.7. The collected
data was analysed descriptively and inferentially, while qualitative data was analysed
thematically using content analysis. The findings revealed that innovative inventory
management, proactive strategic sourcing, and risk taking have a positive and
statistically significant relationship with the performance of public hospitals in Kenya.
The study revealed a statistically significant moderating effect of healthcare financing
on the relationship between entrepreneurial supply chain practices and performance of
public hospitals in Kenya. The study concluded that the adoption of entrepreneurial
supply chain practices improves performance of public hospitals and therefore
recommends the chief executive officers and medical superintendents of public
hospitals to adopt innovative inventory management, proactive strategic sourcing and
risk taking as they promote healthcare service delivery, enhance hospital financial
viability, reduce operational costs, enhance hospital reputation and increase
effectiveness. The study recommends the Ministry of Health, Social Health Authority,
Treasury and County Executive Committee member for Health in the county
governments to institute policies and reforms that promote entrepreneurial supply chain
practices and sustainable healthcare financing in order to improve the performance of
public hospitals in Kenya.
Investor Psychological Biases and Volatility of Share Price in Nairobi Securities Exchange, Kenya
(UoEm, 2025-02) Karugano,Ruthlily Wanjiru
The importance of financial markets in an economy cannot be understated. The markets contribute to economic growth through resource allocation and liquidity creation for businesses. The merits are perfectly achieved if the markets are efficient and information about the market reaches the market participants in a timely and accurate manner. Kenya’s securities market has experienced high share price volatility in the recent past, leading to unfavorable outcome to investors. While the investors in the financial market expect to reap optimal returns, this has not been the case due to their decisions, which are inconsistent, irrational and misjudged. Investor’s psychological biasness is the contributing factor to the irrational decisions by investors in financial market. This study therefore aimed at investigating the effect of psychological biases on the volatility of the share price among the listed companies on the Nairobi Securities Exchange. The study aim at controlling share price unpredictability among the listed stocks. The study employed efficient market hypothesis, prospect and irrational theories, and behavioral finance theory in examining the psychological biases and share price unpredictability nexus. A causal research design was employed on 59 corporations registered in the NSE between 2014 and 2023. Panel GARCH model was adopted by the current study as the estimation model to appropriately capture the share price volatility. Based on the hypothesis that investor psychological biases (overconfidence, loss aversion, and mental accounting) influence share price volatility, this study revealed the following; First, that there exists a negative and significant relationship between overconfidence and volatility of share price. Secondly, the study revealed that loss aversion had a negative significant effect on the share price volatility across the manufacturing and processing, commercial Services, and pooled (sum of the two categories). Third, that mental accounting has a positive and significant effect on the share price volatility across the manufacturing and processing, commercial services, and pooled NSE-listed companies. The study findings provide policymakers with the needed information on the role psychological biases on managing share price volatility. The findings also enhance investors’ knowledge on psychological biases, help them to respond appropriately to avoid such biases while making investment decisions. Lastly from an empirical perspective, the outcome of this study contribute to literature and existing knowledge by revealing the relationship between investor psychological biases and the share price volatility.
Investor Psychological Biases and Volatility of Share Price in Nairobi Securities Exchange, Kenya
(UoEm, 2025-02) Karugano, Ruthlily Wanjiru
The importance of financial markets in an economy cannot be understated. The markets contribute to economic growth through resource allocation and liquidity creation for businesses. The merits are perfectly achieved if the markets are efficient and information about the market reaches the market participants in a timely and accurate manner. Kenya’s securities market has experienced high share price volatility in the recent past, leading to unfavorable outcome to investors. While the investors in the financial market expect to reap optimal returns, this has not been the case due to their decisions, which are inconsistent, irrational and misjudged. Investor’s psychological biasness is the contributing factor to the irrational decisions by investors in financial market. This study therefore aimed at investigating the effect of psychological biases on the volatility of the share price among the listed companies on the Nairobi Securities Exchange. The study aim at controlling share price unpredictability among the listed stocks. The study employed efficient market hypothesis, prospect and irrational theories, and behavioral finance theory in examining the psychological biases and share price unpredictability nexus. A causal research design was employed on 59 corporations registered in the NSE between 2014 and 2023. Panel GARCH model was adopted by the current study as the estimation model to appropriately capture the share price volatility. Based on the hypothesis that investor psychological biases (overconfidence, loss aversion, and mental accounting) influence share price volatility, this study revealed the following; First, that there exists a negative and significant relationship between overconfidence and volatility of share price. Secondly, the study revealed that loss aversion had a negative significant effect on the share price volatility across the manufacturing and processing, commercial Services, and pooled (sum of the two categories). Third, that mental accounting has a positive and significant effect on the share price volatility across the manufacturing and processing, commercial services, and pooled NSE-listed companies. The study findings provide policymakers with the needed information on the role psychological biases on managing share price volatility. The findings also enhance investors’ knowledge on psychological biases, help them to respond appropriately to avoid such biases while making investment decisions. Lastly from an empirical perspective, the outcome of this study contribute to literature and existing knowledge by revealing the relationship between investor psychological biases and the share price volatility.
Resilience of Nitisols And Ferralsols To Erosion As Influenced By Levels Of Soil Organic Carbon In Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenya
(UoEm, 2025-09) Mercy Kangai Rugendo
Declining soil fertility resulting from nutrient losses due to erosion is a major constraint to agricultural productivity and food security among smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Managing soil organic carbon (SOC) levels is a promising strategy to mitigate erosion since SOC directly influences soil structure, water retention, infiltration, and nutrient cycling. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different SOC levels under varying simulated rainfall intensities on water retention, infiltration rates, runoff volume, sediment yield, and nutrient losses in Nitisols and Ferralsols soils found in Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenya. The research was conducted in farmers’ fields located in Chuka and Tharaka-South sub-counties, representing the Nitisols and Ferralsols, respectively. Soil samples were analyzed and categorized into low (1.0 to 1.5), moderate (1.6 to 2.5) and adequate SOC (above 2.5%) content. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design arranged in randomized complete block design, where SOC levels were main plots and rainfall intensities were the sub-plots. Rainfall intensities of 80, 100, and 120 mm/hr were simulated on 1 m² experimental plots fenced with corrugated iron sheets to accurately collect runoff and sediments. Key parameters measured included runoff volume, sediment yield, soil bulk density, hydraulic conductivity, and water retention. Runoff and sediment samples were analyzed for primary and secondary macronutrient concentrations using standardized laboratory methods. The collected data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey’s Honest Significant Difference (HSD) test. Pearson correlation analysis was performed to examine the relationship between the different variables of interest. The findings revealed that higher SOC levels significantly reduced runoff volumes and sediment losses across both soil types and all rainfall intensities. Specifically, soils with high SOC exhibited a 40–55% decrease in runoff and a 35–50% reduction in sediment yield compared to low SOC soils. Runoff and sediment volumes were also significantly higher in Ferralsols than in Nitisols. Water retention and infiltration rates improved markedly with increased SOC, indicating enhanced soil physical properties. Nutrient losses, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, were lower in plots with higher SOC, demonstrating improved nutrient retention capacity. Pearson correlation analysis confirmed a strong positive (r = 0.85) relationship between runoff volume and sediment loss, underscoring the importance of reducing runoff by improving infiltration. The study concluded that enhancing SOC levels is essential in improving soil resilience against erosion, enhancing water availability, and conserving nutrients in Nitisols and Ferralsols. Sustainable agricultural practices such as organic amendments, that build SOC should be promoted to improve soil health and agricultural productivity. These results make a clear practical case: prioritize SOC-building practices (residue retention, organic amendments, cover crops, reduced tillage) to reduce runoff, sediment, and nutrient losses from Nitisols and Ferralsols.
A Longitudinal Study of Holland’s Personality Types, Occupational Consistency, Congruence, And Occupational Satisfaction in Kenya
(UoEm, 2025-06) Waruita, Ann Gathigia
Students' career choices at the university-level allow them to search for jobs after
completion. The personality types of individuals influence the choice of a career
pathway, thus, influencing the decision of choosing of a degree program that matches
the vocational interests. In Kenya, there are rising levels of unemployed graduates and
others employed in careers that are not aligned with their degree of study at the
university level. Graduates in mismatched occupations are often dissatisfied with their
careers thus leading to low productivity. This study sought to examine the persistency
of the Hollands personality types, congruence of career choices, choice of work
environment, consistency of career choices after completing degree programs, and the
degree of occupational satisfaction. The theoretical framework was based on Holland's
theory. Persistency of personality types, consistency of career occupations,
congruence between personality and occupation, choice of work environment and
occupational satisfaction was investigated. The study employed a longitudinal cohort
research design to access participants involved in a previous study carried out in 2012,
from which 122 participants were accessed. This being a longitudinal study, the sample
was considered appropriate. Data was collected using an adapted Holland's SelfDirected
Search
4
Edition questionnaire and an interview schedule. Quantitative data
collected was analyzed using descriptives, logistic regression and correlation analysis.
The findings were presented in graphs, tables, and pie diagrams. Researcher
transcribed qualitative data from the interviews, organized the data into meaningful
groups, and finally coding was done. The researcher arranged the coded information
thematically and was presented narratively. The study’s results demonstrated that a
positive significant relationship exited between persistency of personality types and
occupational satisfaction at p<0.05; the moderating effect of choice of work
environment was statistically significant on the relationship between personality types
and occupational satisfaction at (p<0.05); congruence has a positive significant
mediating effect on the relationship between personality types and occupational at
(p<0.05) and consistency has a positive significant mediating effect on the relationship
between personality types and occupational satisfaction at (β=0.254, p<0.05).
Consequently, the study concludes that persistency of personality types influence
occupational satisfaction; choice of work environment moderates the link between
occupational satisfaction and personality types. Occupational congruence and
consistency influences occupational satisfaction positively. This results denotes that,
persistency, congruence, consistency and choice of work environment influence
employees’ satisfaction. The results of this study will inform policy decision-making
concerning job placements, career choices, and retention of employees at the
workplace. Further, the findings will go a long way in addressing the mismatch
between the degree programs selected at college levels and the available job
opportunities in the market. The study suggests further research on a similar study at
intervals of 5years to provide the trends in persistency of personality types and
consistency of career choices over a period of time. In addition, a comparable research
is recommended with a larger sample size over a period of time to determine the
reliability of the Hollands SDS instrument amongst the Kenyan population.