Journal of Social Sciences, Business and Technology (JSSBT)

Long-Term Debt Financing and Financial Performance of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Bungoma County Kenya

2024-07-26T14:58:00+00:00

The study sought to investigate the effect of long-term debt financing on financial performance of SMEs in Bungoma County Kenya. This was due to the high failure rate of SMEs in the county and country at large despite the significant contributions they make towards economic growth and job creation. SMEs were targeted as no study had been done on the topic focusing on small enterprises. The study was anchored on trade-off theory. Descriptive research design was then used. The study area was Bungoma County located in western Kenya with an approximate size of 2207KM2. A sample of 368 licensed SMEs retail shops were selected using simple random sampling method from the target population of 4721 licensed SMEs retail shops operating in the county. Structured Likert scale questionnaires were used to gather data from SMEs managers and owners. The pilot study was carried out to evaluate the validity and reliability of the data collection tools. Descriptive statistics including the mean and standard deviation and Inferential statistics including correlation and regression were used. Descriptive statistics revealed that most SMEs employ long-term debt financing in the county. Similarly, most SMEs had an increase in financial performance as shown by return on equity, return on assets, and return on capital employed. From inferential statistics, the correlation results demonstrated a positive relationship between long-term debt financing and financial performance (r=0.651). The overall regression model was also statistically significant (p=0.00<0.05). Similarly, long-term debt financing had a statistically positive and significant effect on the financial performance of SMEs (β1=0.265 p=0.000). The study then recommended the government to develop policies that will direct SMEs to boost their usage of long-term debt financing. The SMEs' managers and owners were also recommended to adopt strategies that increase
the usage of long-term debt financing in their businesses.

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Indigenous Rainmaking Practices and Climate Change: The 'Kìlumì' Ritual of Kenya's Kamba Community

2024-07-26T16:00:37+00:00

Rainmaking rituals have been an integral part of Kenyan cultures for centuries, serving as a means to invoke rain during times of drought. While these practices may seem outdated or superstitious, they remain deeply rooted in cultural heritage. This research examines the "Kilùmì," a traditional rainmaking practice of the Kamba community in Kenya, as a potential tool for mitigating climate change and enhancing climate resilience. The study is grounded in the theoretical frameworks of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS), Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), and Ethnoecology, which explores how indigenous communities perceive, classify, and manage their natural resources, including traditional practices related to weather phenomena and climate patterns. Using an ethnographic approach and purposive sampling, the researcher interviewed 17 individuals aged 75-83 years, including rainmaking practitioners, community leaders, and elders who believe in the ritual's efficacy. Through qualitative analysis, the study explored the cultural significance of the Kilùmì ritual and its potential role in climate change adaptation and mitigation. The findings reveal that the Kilùmì rainmaking ritual is a viable solution with the potential to support climate change adaptation efforts. The study recommends the inclusion of the Kilùmì ritual in community-based climate change initiatives and the integration of traditional rainmaking practices into national climate change action plans. Incorporating traditional ecological knowledge into adaptation strategies and fostering collaboration between indigenous knowledge holders and scientists are highlighted as key takeaways. The study emphasizes the need for inclusive and sustainable solutions that address climate change while preserving cultural diversity and embracing the interaction between indigenous and scientific knowledge. Further research is recommended to explore the challenges associated with integrating indigenous and scientific knowledge in climate change practices.

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Online Education as a Strategy for Mitigating Climate Change: A Cross- Sectional Survey of ODeL Centers within Kenyan Universities

2024-07-26T15:13:30+00:00

Climate change has emerged as one of the most pressing challenges of our time, necessitating urgent and comprehensive action. Education plays a vital role in fostering awareness, understanding, and action on climate change. With the advent of online education, there is an opportunity to harness its potential in addressing climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts. This study sought to provide insights into the role of online education in mitigating negative effects of climate change. The study is anchored on Systems Thinking theory which involves understanding the intricate relationships between various factors like energy consumption and policy frameworks, and how they contribute to promoting sustainable educational practices, reducing carbon emissions, and enhancing climate change resilience. The key research question was: To what extent has online education contributed as strategy for mitigating climate change? A census survey of seventy-three (73) Universities in Kenya was undertaken with the in-charge ODel Centers as the respondents. An online questionnaire with both structured and open ended questions was administered to gather data on ODeL Directors’ perceptions on online education as critical strategy for mitigating negative effects of climate change. Fifty-nine (59) respondents (80%) completed the survey tool. Qualitative data was analyzed by the use of NVivo version 12 while quantitative data was descriptively analyzed through the use of frequencies, percentages, measures of central tendency and measures of dispersion. The main study finding is that a majority (82%) of ODeL directors perceive ODeL as a critical driver for fostering a climate-friendly educational practices and that online education has significantly contributed in promoting climate-friendly practices, enhancing environmental awareness and increasing climate change resilience. The study recommends that learning institutions need to integrate remote education as a means of mitigating climate change.

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