Effect of Outsourcing Strategy on the Supply Chain Performance of Public Universities in Western (Published)
Supply chain management as a discipline has attracted both international and national business attention. The current global and local business environment is challenging. The challenges are brought about by global and local economic and political environment, stiff competition and technological disturbances. Amidst such challenges, investigation of supply chain strategies and supply chain performance in organizations has become imperative. Reviewed studies link supply chain management strategies and supply chain performance though limited studies have been done about public universities in Western Kenya. The main purpose of this study was therefore to establish the effect of outsourcing on the supply chain performance of public universities in the Western Kenya region. The study was anchored on resource-based theory. The correlational research design was adopted to guide the study. The study adopted a census approach to data collection; all 82 staff in procurement and finance departmentsin the ten public universities in Western Kenya took part in the study. The data was collected by use of questionnaires and scheduled interviews. A multi- model approach was adopted. The validity of the study was assessed by the use of expert opinion and the reliability of the research instrument was assessed by undertaking a pilot test where a threshold of 80% Cronbach’s statistics was applicable. Data analysis utilized descriptive statistics, inferential statistics and structural equation modelling methods. Quantitative findings were presented using tables while qualitative results were presented in verbatim reports and discussed. The study will offer insights to scholars, professionals in the procurement discipline and policy makers among others.
Keywords: Public Universities, outsourcing strategy, supply chain performance
Effects of Curriculum on the Performance of Architecture Students in Building Structures in Southwestern Nigerian Public Universities (Published)
Students’ performance in Building structures courses have been observed to be generally low with their corresponding inadequate application of Structures knowledge in Architectural designs. There are many factors that may be responsible for this in which the curriculum used to teach the students is inclusive. This issue has not been adequately investigated. This study therefore analysed the effects of curriculum on the performance of Architecture students in Building structures in Southwestern Nigerian public Universities, with a view to improving on the performance of the students. The study employed descriptive survey. Five public universities approved by the National Universities Commission and Architects Registration Council of Nigeria namely: FUTA, LAUTECH, OAU, UNILAG and OOU were purposively sampled. The curricula of these selected universities were collected and reviewed with past examination questions and results on Building structures courses. The study revealed that curricula of all selected schools were in line with NUC and ARCON standards. The questions given to students’ during examinations were also standards and in line with the contents in the curricula in all selected universities. The study also revealed that the performance of the students in the courses was generally low across the selected universities. The study concluded that the curricula of schools selected are standard and good to train the students but should be re- evaluated to provide better alliance with the studio works (Architectural designs). The study recommended that topics not vital or relevant for students’ development in the contents should be removed to reduce overloading of works on students. There is need to reduce calculations or reduce calculations given to students’ during examinations to improve the performance of the students. Finally, periodical review and updating of curriculum are recommended to broaden the students’ knowledge in order to train high quality, talented students in Architecture and to meet the present and future trend development globally.
Keywords: Curriculum, Performance, Public Universities, architecture students, building structures