The  goal  of  this  study  was  be  to  provide  structured  literature  review  (SLR)  and  systematic  insight  of  lean  manufacturing  practices,  identifying  gaps  in  knowledge  and  directing  future  research  in  the  discipline  of  lean  manufacturing.  The  study  objectives  were  to:  determine  various  research  designs,  research  methods  and  data  analysis  methods  that  have  been  adopted  to  evaluate  the  practice  of  lean  manufacturing;  evaluate  publishers,  themes,  university  of  author  affiliation  geographic  locations,  and  industry  engagement  evolving  all  through  the  years  and  to  establish  research  issues  that  will  inspire  research  paradigm  for  future  researchers  in  the  discipline  of  lean  manufacturing.  This  study  identified  and  synthesized  information  from  academic  articles  based  on  their  data  analysis  techniques,  research  designs  and  methods,  industry  engagements,  geographic  locations,  university  of  author  affiliation,  publishers  and  year  of  publication.  Online  database  collection    over  the  past  25  years  focusing  on  lean  manufacturing  from  1996  to  2021  were  explored  with  aid  of  the  keywords  “lean  manufacturing”,“  lean  manufacturing  practices”  and  “lean  manufacturing  systems”  in  the  title  and/or  abstract  to  provide  a  full  list  of  journal  articles.  The  review  provided  better  understanding  of  the  current  state  of  research,  dimensions  and  future  directions  of  research  in  the  lean  manufacturing  field.  A  total  of  126  articles  were  retrieved  based  on  this  method  and  data  was  retrieved  from  a  set  of  variables.  In  the  last  25  years,  there  has  been  a  gradual  increase  and  concentration  of  researchers  focusing  on  the  lean  manufacturing  field.  As  globalization  progresses,  it  is  widely  recognized  that  best  practices  need  to  be  implemented  because  of  scarcity  of  resources.  This  study  revealed  that  33.33%  of  the  journals  in  this  area  of  study  were  survey  based  and  this  trend  in  research  indicates  development  of  the  multi-criterion  decision-making  and  structural  equation  modelling  methods.  The  study  revealed  that  86  articles  were  from  between  2010  –2014  and  2016–2021  of  the  total  summation  of  126  articles  published.  This  study  paper  was  narrowed  in  reviewing  academic  journals  from  online  academic  archives,  with  the  words  “lean  manufacturing”,  “lean  manufacturing  practices  “and  “lean  manufacturing  systems”  in  their  title  cam  abstract.  Similarly, high quality peer-reviewed journal articles were rated.  Other  scientific  sources  such  as  books  and  conference  papers  are  not  considered  in  this  paper.  This  review  provides  a  better  understanding  of  the  current  state  of  affairs,  trends  and  future  research  direction  lean  manufacturing  field. 

The performance of geothermal development company has been declining in an environment where resources are scarce and needs have been mounting. The study therefore sought to assess the effect of staff involvement on employee performance of geothermal development company in Nakuru County, Kenya. The study was informed by the concept of stakeholder theory. The study used a descriptive research design. The target population of the study was 1097 employees at GDC Nakuru County.  The study used Nassiuma’s (2000) formula to get a sample size of 100. The study further adopted a stratified random sampling from which the samples were allocated to various categories according to their relative sizes in the targeted population. Questionnaires were used to collect primary data desirable for the study. Reliability of the data collection instrument in this study was enhanced by pre-testing the questionnaire with a selected sample which was not included in the main study. Cronbach's Alpha was used to determine reliability of the research instrument. Quantitative data was analyzed through SPSS Version 24. Descriptive and inferential statistics was employed in the study. Descriptive statistics involve the use of percentages, frequencies, mean and standard deviation. Inferential statistic involved the use of correlation analysis and regression analysis. Presentation of the study was done using table. The findings indicated that there is a moderate relationship between staff involvement and employee performance in geothermal development company in Kenya (r=.382 and p<0.05). In addition the study concluded that staff involvement is significantly related to employee performance in geothermal development company in Kenya. From the conclusion the study recommended that Geothermal Development Company should actively involve employees in decision making this will make them feel as part of the organization this will consequently enhance their productivity.  

Graphic design (GD), known for its capacity to inform, educate, persuade, and build brand loyalty in advertising, is poorly perceived and applied in small enterprises. Studies show that only 15.6% of GD is used in form of in fliers, brochures, contact cards, photo albums, and signage, which is too weak to create an effective brand presence by Small Furniture Enterprises (SFEs). Economic status reveals that 49.2% of small enterprises do not use any form of posters, flyers, brochures, and packaging design. It is perceived to be unnecessarily expensive despite the many opportunities that big furniture firms have taken advantage of. This situation is the case in Nairobi County, the capital city of Kenya and an important economic hub for regional trade. The application of GD in advertising by SFEs in this region is crucial because the area has a higher concentration of SFEs with significant influence on other small furniture enterprises across the country. A sample size of 273 Small Furniture Enterprise Managers (SFEM) and 9 Small Furniture Enterprise welfare Leaders (SFEWL) was used. Questionnaires and interviews were used as methods of data collection.  Quantitative and qualitative data were collected using questionnaires, interviews, and observation methods. Out of 273 questionnaires administered, 89.7% were returned and found adequate for the study. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively and presented through frequency polygons, tables, bar charts, and pie charts. Qualitative data were coded, cleaned, analyzed, and presented using patterns and themes. Findings revealed design opportunities in SFE’s visual communications, especially branding and advertising. Consumers’ need for various and accurate information, education, and persuasions provide GD opportunities in SFEs. Findings revealed opportunities in advertising, packaging, photography, fabrics, stationery, branding, and signage, all graphic design fields. The study found photographs to be the leading forms of graphic design imagery used in SFE advertising. However, photos used are sourced from business vendors or recorded by enterprise owners, managers, or employees with devastating poor qualities. Some photos are downloaded from the internet or acquired from customers’ samples, while others are borrowed, cutouts, or scanned from existing publications. These scenarios offer immense opportunities in photography and related photographic manipulations in the design processes. Therefore, the study recommends that small enterprise stakeholders and graphic design professionals use available opportunities in graphic design to enhance the quality and quantity of advertising in SFEs.

The demonstration was undertaken in Duma and Enchete kebeles of Bene-Tsemay woreda with the objectives of introducing and popularizing improved lablab intoritum specie forage production technology and assessing agro-pastorals perception towards the technology. Site selection was undertaken purposively based on access to irrigation facilities, potential for livestock production, and access to suitable land for forage production. A total of 23 agro-pastoralists were selected purposively based on their willingness to participate on demonstration. Training was offered to participant agro-pastoralists and members’ of farmers research and extension groups at each kebele’s pastoralist training center. Each participant agro-pastoralists allocated an area of 10m x 20m plot of land and sowed seeds with rate of 15kgha-1at spacing of 50cm between rows and 30cm between plants. Periodic supervision and monitoring of the fields was done by researchers whereas frequent follow-up and support was carried out by development agents and members of agro-pastoralist research and extension group of the respective kebeles. Agro-pastorals perceptions towards the technology were collected and also analyzed using likert-scale ranking. Relevant feedbacks were collected from participant agro-pastorals and summarized. Result of this demonstration revealed that fresh biomass yield, short maturity period and intake by animals were mostly liked attributes of the technology. Moreover, during dry season high biomass yield of the forage increases the dry matter requirement for supplementation to livestock in the areas. Therefore, the improved lablab forage production practices should scale-out in the areas with similar agro-ecologies

This study examined the relationship between CEO-Board Collaboration, ethical leadership and performance of private security firms in Kenya. The study is grounded on the Agency Theory. The study applied descriptive analysis with a positivist approach. The study participants were members of Kenya Security Industry Association (KSIA) and Protective Security Industry Association (PSIA), since they have representation in Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) board. The private security firms have a complement of 896 (336 board members and 560 managers) according to the Human Resource departments in the private security firms to be studied. The study sample size was 384 respondents. The qualitative data was analyzed by the use of content analysis.Results revealed that all the corporate governance practices had a positive and significant relationship with performance of private security of firms in Kenya. The study concluded that corporate governance practices had the potential of positively influencing performance of security firms in terms of profitability, customer satisfaction and market share. The results support the current theories related to the study. Consequently, this study provides security firms with insights of how to improve performance through the adoption of appropriate corporate governance. This could go a long way in ensuring there is improved performance of private security firms in Kenya.