Search within this community: http://repository.anu.ac.ke/handle/123456789/885 2026-07-14T03:27:44Z 2026-07-14T03:27:44Z Obwatho, Simon http://repository.anu.ac.ke/handle/123456789/1040 2026-07-08T11:30:45Z 2019-12-01T00:00:00Z

Advancing Strategic Planning For Families: Refacing Family Planning And Family Economics. Obwatho, Simon The concept of strategic thinking has failed to take its due place among families. While, organizations continue to execute robust and increasingly complex strategic plans, families endure in the tradition of extemporary, ad hoc short term and uncalculated long term decisions. This paper gives a blow-by-blow account of the historical and contemporary developments that have led to body of knowledge and general presuppositions concerning family planning as widely understood today. It sustains the opinion that the concept of strategic planning needs to be advanced among families. Meanwhile, this paper opines that “family planning” as is currently regarded, needs to be reviewed in terms of naming and disciplinary content to create a fit within its due scope under healthcare. Journal: MIND Journal Issue Year: 2019 Issue No: 7 Page Range: 1-8 Page Count: 8 Language: English

2019-12-01T00:00:00Z Obwatho, Simon http://repository.anu.ac.ke/handle/123456789/1039 2026-07-08T11:08:58Z 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z

Antecedents of success among micro and small enterprises: A comparative analysis of Ongata Rongai, Kajiado County, Kenya and Nampa, Idaho, USA. Obwatho, Simon This comparative study sought to examine the success factors among micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in Ongata Rongai, Kajiado County Kenya, and Nampa, Idaho, USA, within their distinct socio-economic landscapes. Ongata Rongai, originally a peri-urban settlement near Nairobi, has become a commercial hub where MSEs are crucial for job creation and poverty alleviation despite facing challenges like limited financial resources and inadequate infrastructure. Conversely, Nampa has diversified from agriculture to a robust economy with better financial access and support services, focusing on business growth, market penetration,and personal fulfillment. The specific objectives of this study included to assess how entrepreneurs in micro and small enterprises define and perceive business success, the extent to which entrepreneurship in micro and small enterprises is perceived to reduce poverty, the role of trade secrets in the competitive advantage, the predictors of success, and the key success factors among micro and small enterprises in Ongata Rongai, Kenya, and Nampa, Idaho USA. A mixed method research design was used, combining qualitative and quantitative data from MSEs with fewer than 20 full-time employees. Non-probability sampling included purposive, snowballing,self-selection, and convenience sampling. The study had 138 respondents from Nampa and193 from Ongata Rongai. Findings revealed distinct differences: Ongata Rongai emphasized economic stability, community upliftment, and trade secrets, while Nampa focused on growth,innovation, and personal fulfillment. Both regions valued profitability and sustainability,influenced by their cultural and socio-economic contexts. Quantitative analysis highlighted these differences, with Ongata Rongai prioritizing trade secrets for competitive advantage and Nampa emphasizing financial resources, marketing strategies, and government support.Recommendations include improving financial resources, technology, and marketing strategies through funding, training, and legal support. Specifically, Ongata Rongai needs investment in infrastructure, technology transfer, and market access. Entrepreneurs should focus oncustomer-centric approaches, strong business networks, and creative innovation. Further studies should explore the role of trade secrets, cultural impacts on business growth, and the effectiveness of international partnerships in local entrepreneurship. Journal: MIND Journal Issue Year: 2024 Issue No: 17 Page Range: 1-27 Page Count: 27 Language: English

2024-01-01T00:00:00Z Obwatho, Simon http://repository.anu.ac.ke/handle/123456789/1038 2026-07-08T10:33:37Z 2024-12-04T00:00:00Z

Obwatho, S. (2024). Antecedents and consequences of accreditation among business schools and programs in Eastern Africa. Hong Kong Review of Belt and Road Studies Obwatho, Simon This study delved into exploring the antecedents and consequences of accreditation within business schools in Eastern Africa, with the objective of offering valuable insights into the current accreditation landscape, levels of awareness, barriers, and perceived advantages. Leveraging Legitimacy Theory as a theoretical foundation and drawing on empirical studies from diverse contexts, the research provides an in-depth understanding of the challenges and practices related to accreditation in the region. Through a mixed-methods research design that combined survey questionnaires and semi-structured interviews targeting a representative sample of business schools in the area, it was found that there is a low rate of full accreditation and a lack of established quality assurance measures. Notable barriers were found to include limited awareness of accreditation processes, resource constraints, administrative complexities, and governance lapses. The correlation analysis underscored the interplay of institutional and external factors affecting decisions on accreditation. Recommendations for practice and policy highlighted include the need for tailored educational programs, efficient resource allocation, simplified accreditation procedures, and incentives for accreditation. Moreover, the study emphasizes the significant role that international organizations such as UNESCO, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the European Union, and the African Development Bank can play in addressing these challenges. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is particularly highlighted as a crucial platform to enhance the strategic impact of education within the accreditation context. Future research avenues include examining individual institutional challenges, conducting comparative analyses across regions, investigating long-term effects, exploring stakeholder perspectives, and proposing innovative accreditation approaches.

2024-12-04T00:00:00Z Obwatho, Simon Ph.D http://repository.anu.ac.ke/handle/123456789/1037 2026-07-02T06:08:39Z 2025-12-24T00:00:00Z

Factors Affecting the Growth of Internationalization Among Universities in East Africa: Opportunities and Challenges in the Context of the Belt and Road Initiative. Hong Kong Review of Belt and Road Studies Obwatho, Simon Ph.D This study investigates the factors influencing the growth of internationalization among universities in East Africa, specifically in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi, within the strategic context of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The BRI’s emphasis on infrastructure development, trade connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges has amplified opportunities for East African higher education institutions to deepen global linkages. Drawing on a mixed-methods design, the study collected data from university administrators, faculty, students, policymakers, and international office staff. Findings indicate that regional cooperation under the East African Community (EAC), the widespread use of English as a medium of instruction, and engagement in global research networks have significantly advanced internationalization. The BRI has further expanded prospects for cross-border academic mobility, joint research with Chinese universities, and harmonized academic programs that align with global standards. East African higher education institutions face significant challenges to internationalization, including inadequate infrastructure such as student housing and ICT facilities, limited funding and lack of dedicated internationalization budgets, and bureaucratic visa and immigration processes that hinder mobility. Delays in documentation have left some international students in prolonged undocumented stays, restricting movement for fear of arrest. Other barriers include language diversity, curricular mismatches, and slow recognition of foreign qualifications even within EAC states. Universities with stronger BRI partnerships reported higher research output, greater mobility, and improved access to advanced technologies. The study recommends harmonized regional and bilateral policies with BRI partners, the establishment of targeted funding schemes, investments in modern learning infrastructure, and intercultural competence training for staff. Such measures are essential to leverage the BRI as a catalyst for positioning East African universities as competitive and globally relevant players in higher education. Ph.D., Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic & Student Affairs, Africa Nazarene University, Nairobi (Kenya)

2025-12-24T00:00:00Z Obwatho, Simon Ph.D http://repository.anu.ac.ke/handle/123456789/1033 2026-07-01T09:25:40Z 2025-12-15T00:00:00Z

Structured supervision planning in master’s research: exploring institutional practices and stakeholder experiences in African universities. Obwatho, Simon Ph.D This study examined the practices, experiences, and institutional support structures related to structured supervision planning within master’s degree programmes across selected African universities. Using a mixed-methods research design, data was collected from 362 respondents 214 master’s students and 148 supervisors through structured questionnaires featuring Likert-scale items and open-ended questions. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively, while qualitative insights provided contextual depth on supervision dynamics. Findings show that both supervisors and students recognize structured supervision planning as essential for improving research progress, clarity of expectations, and overall thesis quality. Supervisors reported higher levels of engagement in co-developing supervision plans, clarifying deliverables, and encouraging student responsibility. Students affirmed the benefits but noted inconsistencies, particularly in their involvement in developing milestones and in the regular review of supervision plans. Institutional support was perceived as moderate, with existing policies insufficiently communicated, limited digital tools for supervision management, and minimal monitoring or accountability mechanisms. Comparative analysis revealed perceptual gaps between supervisors and students regarding collaboration, clarity, and institutional backing. Both groups agreed, however, that structured planning enhances motivation, confidence, and timely completion of research. The study concludes that while structured supervision planning is valued, its implementation remains uneven across institutions. The paper recommends strengthening institutional frameworks, providing targeted training for supervisors, adopting digital supervision management systems, and embedding structured planning within quality assurance processes. These interventions can enhance consistency, efficiency, and research outcomes, contributing to a more supportive and sustainable postgraduate supervision environment in African higher education.

2025-12-15T00:00:00Z Boiyo, Victor K. http://repository.anu.ac.ke/handle/123456789/887 2023-01-10T08:29:37Z 2022-12-16T00:00:00Z

A Synthesis of Innovative Approaches and Implementation of Career Services in Kenyan Universities and Colleges Boiyo, Victor K. Though there are many reasons for unemployment in Kenya, lack of technical competencies and skills has been flagged as one of the major reasons. This revelation triggered the Ministry of Education to roll out the establishment of the Office of Career Services (OCS) in all universities and tertiary institutions in 2018. The objective of this paper was to evaluate the progress made in the implementation of career services offices in colleges and universities in Kenya and to identify innovative approaches adopted. Primary data was collected by interviewing career services officers in selected institutions while secondary data was collected through a synthesis of relevant research and publications. Quantitative and qualitative data collected were analyzed using mixed methods and presented in summaries, tables, and percentages. The study found out that the three major and common factors driving change in career services are reforms in the education sector, changes in the labor market, and globalization. Regarding the implementation of the office of career services, 88% of the institutions placed internships and attachment programs as very important areas of focus. It was further found that only 8% of the institutions consider innovation programs as a very important element of the career services office. Furthermore, the study found that in the adoption and use of technology, 60% of the institutions rated high use in the adoption of technology in training while only 6% rated high use in the adoption of labor market information systems. It was noteworthy that 100% of the participating institutions had adopted technology in the provision of career services information to students. The study also found that 60% of the institutions somewhat consider the role of parents in students’ careers while 40% did not. This paper observed that successful implementation and delivery of career services in Kenya requires the adoption of innovative approaches in methods of delivery, adoption, and use of technology, robust and responsive partnerships, and redefining the role of all stakeholders including parents and guardians in students’ career development journey. It is thus recommended that these four areas should be delivered in a way that allows for education and training systems to be responsive to the skills for the future.

2022-12-16T00:00:00Z Boiyo, Victor K. http://repository.anu.ac.ke/handle/123456789/886 2026-05-14T13:50:15Z 2022-12-16T00:00:00Z

A Synthesis of Innovative Approaches and Implementation of Career Services in Kenyan Universities and Colleges Boiyo, Victor K. Though there are many reasons for unemployment in Kenya, lack of technical competencies and skills has been flagged as one of the major reasons. This revelation triggered the Ministry of Education to roll out the establishment of the Office of Career Services (OCS) in all universities and tertiary institutions in 2018. The objective of this paper was to evaluate the progress made in the implementation of career services offices in colleges and universities in Kenya and to identify innovative approaches adopted. Primary data was collected by interviewing career services officers in selected institutions while secondary data was collected through a synthesis of relevant research and publications. Quantitative and qualitative data collected were analyzed using mixed methods and presented in summaries, tables, and percentages. The study found out that the three major and common factors driving change in career services are reforms in the education sector, changes in the labor market, and globalization. Regarding the implementation of the office of career services, 88% of the institutions placed internships and attachment programs as very important areas of focus. It was further found that only 8% of the institutions consider innovation programs as a very important element of the career services office. Furthermore, the study found that in the adoption and use of technology, 60% of the institutions rated high use in the adoption of technology in training while only 6% rated high use in the adoption of labor market information systems. It was noteworthy that 100% of the participating institutions had adopted technology in the provision of career services information to students. The study also found that 60% of the institutions somewhat consider the role of parents in students’ careers while 40% did not. This paper observed that successful implementation and delivery of career services in Kenya requires the adoption of innovative approaches in methods of delivery, adoption, and use of technology, robust and responsive partnerships, and redefining the role of all stakeholders including parents and guardians in students’ career development journey. It is thus recommended that these four areas should be delivered in a way that allows for education and training systems to be responsive to the skills for the future.

2022-12-16T00:00:00Z