Books, Book reviews and Book Chapters

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A collection of books, book reviews and book chapters by Riara university staff.

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Characteristics of the African Buyer’s Purchase Behaviour
(Emerald Publishing, 2018) Thaisaiyi Zephania Opati
This chapter examines the trends and issues in the purchase behaviour of African buyers as a contribution to the literature on consumer behaviour and management from an African perspective. The objectives of the chapter include investigating the nature of African buyers’ purchase patterns; examining the cultural influences on African buyers’ purchase behaviour; documenting African buyers’ path to purchase; and comparing African and non-African buyers’ purchase behaviours. The data used in the chapter were gathered from Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa through surveys, a focus group discussion and a key informant interview in order to generate findings that represent various regions of Africa. Findings reveal that African buyers purchase mostly consumables for household consumption. Price bargaining is also a common feature among African buyers. Findings further indicate that nature of households, local culture and the use of technology are some of the factors that influence African buyers’ purchase behaviour. The data also showed that information gathering and involvement of others are essential in the purchase path of African buyers. The chapter created a model to depict these various issues and made recommendations for managers, educators and policymakers in Africa on the subject matter.
Conflict Resolution and Freedom in Africa
(Lexington Books, 2021-08) Onditi, Francis
Peacebuilding in Africa: The Post-Conflict State and Its Multidimensional Crises argues that building enduring peace in post-conflict states in Africa requires comprehensive, state-specific approaches that address the multidimensional crises that generated civil conflict and instabilities in these countries. Contributors examine states such as Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Sudan to demonstrate that peacebuilding projects in each of these states must address the cultural, economic, political, and social root causes of their respective underlying civil conflicts. In addition, contributors prove that peacebuilding projects must be shaped by the centrality of human security: the respect for ethno-cultural diversity, the advancement of human material well-being, the protection of political rights and civil liberties, and the redesigning of the military and security architecture to ensure the safety of all citizens from both internal and external threats.
Conflictology
(Lexington Books, 2020-05) Onditi, Francis
Over the past three decades scholars, students and policy makers studying and engaged in conflict resolution have veered between conflict management and resolution. However, the changing nature of conflict, which is taking the form of radicalization and extremism are deeply rooted in individual's ideology, personalities and genes, hence, rendering the conventional macro-level power balance analytics obsolete. The psychology and human genetics are at the center of this evolution. This shift in conflict trends and methods of warfare in Africa and the world over demands that we search for alternative approaches, mechanisms, and innovative response. It is against this background that this new book initiates a fundamental debate on how interdisciplinary adventure could increase the understanding off man-kind and the socio-biological systems surrounding man, hence, the emphasis on the discispline of Conflictology to embody scientific approaches, methods and prescription to conflict resolution. For instance, does individual's gene influence human behaviours, such as "hate"? If so, can this be corrected through gene transposition? If human relations should be anchored on "peace", what are these genetic and behavioural factors that create "hate" and "violence"? How then, should such a gene or neurobiological system be altered in order to prevent extremism and radicalization?
Contemporary Africa and the Foreseeable World Order
(Rowman & Littlefield, 2019-04-01) Onditi, Francis; Ben-Nun, Gilad; D'Alessandro, Cristina; Levey, Zach
Contemporary Africa and the Foreseeable World Order sheds light on the place of "Africa Agency” in the competitive and changing global system. This book provides scholars, policymakers, and other stakeholders studying and working on African issues with innovative solutions, strategies, knowledge, insights, case studies, and analyses to support decision-making on how best African states should position themselves in the dynamic global system in order to influence key decisions. Featuring themes such as the African Union (AU) and the consequences of the discovery of oil in the non-traditional oil exporting countries, the editors and contributors have demonstrated why and how Africa’s position in the foreseeable world order is largely dependent on the influence of both existing and emerging world powers.
Developing University Entrepreneurial Ecosystems in Sub-Saharan Africa
(World Scientific Publishing, 2025-01) David Kirop; Michael Zisuh Ngoasong; Isidora Kourti; Roselynn Kainyu
We draw on the academic literature on university ecosystem, digital platforms, and professional identity development to conceptualise how we exploited digital platforms for entrepreneurship educators in an SSA university context. To illustrate, we present the Accelerating Entrepreneurship Support in Universities Accelerator Programme, the first pilot developed and applied at Riara University. The design of the programme, the delivery method, and the skills and competencies taught and developed by student entrepreneurs reveal the complexities of reinforcing an undergraduate programme in a Kenyan university and the tools needed to address the said complexities. Our reflections provide insights for mainstreaming entrepreneurship in SSA universities to ensure the development of professional identity within entrepreneurship programmes.
Developing “Social Pendulum Theory of Access” to Explain the (Un) changing Urban Geography
(Palgrave Macmillan, Cham, 2022-08-22) Onditi, Francis
The aim of this chapter is to provide some insights drawn from our experiences theorizing about the access mechanisms in urban slum spaces and, in doing so, to shed some light on the current state of access in the context of a rapidly changing urban demographics. In the last four decades (1989–2019), Nairobi has experienced change from simple settlements of urbanites to a complex galaxy of people competing for ever-shrinking space and the diminishing resources. This change has induced evolution of new coping strategies among residents, including micro-migratory activities along the swing-like patterns in search of livelihoods and identity. This swing-like movements are antithetical to the existing access mechanisms, which tend to rely on fixed residential regime (in situ). In this changing phenomenon, access can no longer be narrowly defined as the “right to benefit from things” or merely “bundle of powers”; rather, it should be framed to accentuate the pendulum-like swings. Hence, our proposed theory of access is based on this pendulumic analogy.
Digital Ecosystems for Public Enterprises: Prospects and Challenges
(IST-Africa Institute and IIMC, 2020-04) Oduor, Collins O.; Shikongo, Simon; Iyawa, Gloria E.; Osakwe, Jude O.; Ujakpa, Martin; Amunkete, Katazo
A Digital Ecosystem is a digital platform that connects stakeholders and institutions with similar interests. Digital Ecosystems have been applied in different contexts, including health and business. This paper investigated the prospects and challenges of implementing a Digital Ecosystem to support public enterprises. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 20 participants. The findings suggest that the current infrastructure is suitable for implementing a Digital Ecosystem, however, more resources and tools such as high-speed Internet, high-end computers as well as security features are needed to facilitate the efficient functioning of a Digital Ecosystem for public enterprises. The benefits of implementing a Digital Ecosystem to support public enterprises include improved access to information and improved communication between public enterprises. The findings also revealed that a Digital Ecosystem could support teamwork, monitoring, evaluation and effective decisionmaking processes as the information required for decision making would be readily available. The potential challenges of implementing a Digital Ecosystem for public enterprises include lack of skills, lack of funds, organisational resistance to change and lack of awareness of the benefits of a Digital Ecosystem for public enterprises. In order to overcome these challenges, it is recommended that institutions of higher learning incorporate Digital Ecosystems into their curriculum, create awareness of the benefits of Digital Ecosystems to support public enterprises through social media platforms and government websites as well as provide specialised training to current employees in public enterprises. The findings of this study will inform key stakeholders in public enterprises on the prospects of implementing a Digital Ecosystem.
Employing Artificial Intelligence and Algorithms in the Digital Lending Industry: Measuring and Managing Risky Consumer Behaviour
(IGI Global, 2020) Thaisaiyi Zephania Opati
Lenders employ AI and algorithms in analyzing the potency for loan advancement. AI and algorithms are seen as efficient, and banks seem to be adopting or exploring the AI applications and algorithms to manage risk and cut bottom line cost, thus replacing costly, laborious, and repetitive activities along the value chain. The chapter offers practical solution to the practitioners and stakeholders on identifying customers associated with consumer risky default behaviors. It then advises on how to deal with these issues and what banks should employ to curb risky borrowing behavior.
Ethical New Product Development: A Case of Digital Loans Products in Kenya
(Emerald Publishing, 2022) Thaisaiyi Zephania Opati
Kenya basks of a vibrant digital financial sector from her mobile and digital financial services that have led to financial inclusions. On the flip side of it, the Kenyan digital loans sector is facing ethical scrutiny from all and sundry. Issues that are arising include a customer base being trapped in the debt trap, inflated pricing model, high interest rates, and short-term loan tenures. The sector is shrouded in poor transparency and many consumer rights infringement. Undeniably, providers inadvertently breach consumers' right to privacy and tend to promote ‘push loans’ with unsolicited messages to the vulnerable. Additionally, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in determining the suitability of loan applicants via algorithms is seen to be intrusive. With consumer data being mined from the mobile phone, data utilisation, mobile payment usage, airtime usage without users' express consent, it renders the sector an unethical jungle for hunting consumers. Furthermore, consumers who by default end up receiving aggressive uncouth and unprofessional treatment in a bid to recover the unpaid loans. New Product Development (NPD) should, therefore, listen to the consumer's voice for ethical concerns to be reflected in the final product. Thus, marketers should endeavour to give ethical dimensions in NPD a measurable attribute by constantly reviewing it. This chapter examines the ethical implications of developing digital loans in Kenya.
Fairness Dilemmas of Location-Based Gig Work: Case Study of East African Countries.
(Palgrave Macmillan, Cham, 2024-08-01) Mugendi-Kiarie, R,
In recent times, the digital gig economy has experienced an exponential growth due to various factors including limited opportunities for full-time employment and preference for flexibility by the workers. For the operators who manage the gig platforms, they have benefited from reduced overhead costs, leading to substantial profits. However, decent gig work has been a problem mainly because the employment-related impacts that are associated with the gig economy have not been fully exploited to provide a win–win solution for both the worker and the employer. For location-based gig work, the gig worker must be present at the specific location to offer the services. The platform operators treat the gig workers as independent contractors thus denying them the benefits that they would enjoy if they were classified as employees. This chapter has utilized qualitative research through the review of real-life case studies on the location-based gig economy in some of the East African Countries with the aim of identifying the challenges and gaps in this kind of work and possible remedies to ensure that fairness prevails when providing location-based gig work.
Gender equality as a means to women empowerment? Consensus,challenges and prospects for post-2015 development agenda in Africa
(Routledge, 2015-08-26) Onditi, Francis; Odera, Josephine
In this paper, we have examined gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE) as reflected in the millennium development goals (MDGs) as well as the conceptualization and localization of the sustainable development goals (SDGs). The paper adopts Amartya Sen’s women agency conceptual framework to advance the thesis of this article that while there is general consensus on achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment, the MDGs adopted in 2001 fell far short of fulfilling this consensus and that the incoming SDGs must respond to fundamental issues of GEWE from both quantitative and qualitative perspectives. This paper addresses the issues of conceptualization, context, and design of MDGs and how lessons learnt in its implementation inform SDGs. The question is, will GEWE maintain any pride of place? Analysis in the paper reveals that qualitative indicators such as human rights, equity, and capabilities were silent in the MDG design, constructs, and implementation. The paper suggests that the understanding and putting in place of mechanisms for continuous assessment of the human-centered indicators, such as quality of life, as part of the SDGs’ localization efforts portend increasing effectiveness of SDGs toward addressing gender-sensitive issues of social exclusion, inequality, and resource distribution, which have a great bearing on sustainable development.
Gender Inequalities in Africa’s Mining Policies
(Springer Singapore, 2022-04-18) Onditi, Francis
This book develops a discursive ‘equalitarian’ theoretical framework for studying African mining ecosystem issues and policy interventions. The theory of ‘equalitarianism’ is developed as an alternative to the reductionist approach that has dominated post-colonial debates about the classical jus ad bellum requirements to empower women in development spaces. However, the classical approach narrows the debate down to “women issues,” rather than the ‘whole-of-society.’ As a consequence of this reductionism, women continue to be devalued in the mining sector, characterized by poverty traps, power struggles, and a lack of capacity to engage in large-scale mining (LSM) activities. This book advances principles for a holistic approach, and spells out the implications for women across the mining value chain. Drawing on moral scholarship, the book poses that for women to gain access to strategic spaces in the mining sector, the drive for empowerment must be embedded within ‘whole-of-society’ principles. This book is of interest to scholars researching gender policy, public policy, political philosophy, conflictology, and human geography. It also offers practitioners a guide for evaluating their policy work on mainstreaming gender in the mining sector, presenting options for financing, forging partnership and planning for an inclusive economic development in Africa, and beyond.
Geoeconomic Shifts and Strategic Business Responses
(IGI Global, 2026) Kiarie, R. M.
Increased international trade has led to interconnection of supply chains across continents and countries. With the disruptions existing in the global economy, the domestic economies of many countries feel the resulting impact whenever there are any major world events that intertwine with the supply chain, for example, the adoption of green supply chain practices, disruption of shipping logistics, and economic trade wars. While the developed countries have made noticeable movements in moving towards green supply chains, countries in Africa and more specifically East Africa are yet to make substantial changes. In this chapter, green supply chain management has exhibited quantifiable benefits that range from reduction in CO2 emissions, reduction in waste, cost savings arising from use of clean energy, incorporation of local sourcing, and sourcing from suppliers who would be classified as disadvantaged from an economic perspective.
How "Organized hypocrisy" within the standby force is pulling African institutions from the global influence
(Rowman and Littlefield, 2019-08-12) Onditi, Francis; ; ;
Organized hypocrisy (henceforth shortened to OH) as a concept brings to the fore the importance of understanding how organizations manage conflicting forces. These forces might otherwise render an organization incapable of effective action and threaten its capability to deliver on its mandate. Much of these organizational dynamics can be understood and illuminated in terms of institutional evolution. Since the restoration of the African Union (AU) in 2002, the continental body and associated institutions have been evolving steadily. In spite of this progress, the organization has been perceived as being too bureaucratic and hypocritical, particularly after the AUs regional mechanism the African Standby Forces (ASFs) failed to achieve the full operational capability in 2015.
Human Security and Sustainable Development in East Africa
(Routledge, 2022) Onditi, Francis
This chapter analyzes the case of Somali refugees in Kenya to illustrate how securitization by a state actor may contribute to human insecurity and explores alternative approaches that enhance human security. Even though Kenya appears determined to get rid of the terror threats for both security and economic reasons, lack of adherence to the deontic rights of refugees, leads to the formation of identities such as the intra-resistant refugee terrorists. This symbolizes a deepening of criminal networks and civil disobedience, resulting from the securitization of the refugee crisis, at the expense of human security approaches. The existing counter-terrorism strategies in the context of the refugee management regime in the country are military-driven with limited consideration for human security pillars. However, to successfully deal with the menace on a long-term basis, it is imperative to develop a grand strategy that encompasses preventive measures, including the synchronization of strategies between state and non-state actors.
Illusions of Location Theory: Consequences for Blue Economy in Africa
(Canadian Journal of African Studies / Revue canadienne des études africaines, 2023-04-23) Onditi, Francis; Yates, Douglas
This book was conceptualised in response to pressing concerns arising in Africa related to land and maritime boundary disputes, the fragility of landlocked countries and how these issues of “location” – in its broadest sense – impact on the development of the blue economy in Africa. This also relates to concerns about the “limits to growth” expressed nearly fifty years ago by the Club of Rome (Meadows et al. Citation1972, 23) as follows: If the present growth trend in the world population, industrialization, pollution, food production and resource depletion continue unchanged, the limits to growth on this planet will be reached sometime within the next one hundred years. The most probable result will be a rather sudden and uncontrollable declining in both population and industrial capacity. The blue economy (also known as blue growth) has emerged as one of the alternative models of development to ensure inclusive growth and prosperity in the world (see Attri and Bohler-Muller Citation2018). Editors Onditi and Yates essentially focus on the intersections between location theory and the blue economy by gathering the viewpoints of scholars and practitioners across numerous disciplines, including experts in international relations and international law, political science, geography, environmental studies, economics, African affairs, and peace and development studies, aimed at understanding these complex and intertwined concepts in a world facing food, water and energy insecurity and increasing regional and sub-regional conflicts. Illusions of Location Theory tackles these issues in three parts: Section I: Coastal–Hinterland Epistemologies; Section II: Coastal–Hinterland Continuum; and Section III: Smart Blue Economies. The dominant theme in Section I, which shapes the book, is around re-thinking location theory to include aspects of inter-state relations, and the impact of divisions, inequality, spatiality and geopolitics on the blue economy.
Impact of Mobile Payment Applications and Transfers on Business
(IGI Global (Business Science Reference)., 2019-12-20) Thaisaiyi Zephania Opati; Dr. Martin Kang'ethe Gachukia
Since M-PESA, the first African mobile money platform, was launched by Safaricom in Kenya in 2007, the growth of mobile money transfer (MMT) has adopted a quantum leap in growth in certain developing countries. For instance 96 percent of households currently outside Nairobi [Kenya] have at least one M-PESA account (Logan, 2017). This adoption is significant and is currently changing and upsetting the financial landscape of these nations where the MMT has been adopted. Agrawal (2009) defines mobile money transfer as the use of a mobile phone in order to transfer funds between banks or accounts, deposit or withdraw funds, or pay bills or use of a mobile device to purchase items, whether physical or electronic. Accordingly, Orozco (2003) illuminates that MMT service is an aspect of a broader concept emerging in the electronic payment and banking industry referred to as Mobile banking. Irrefutably the double-digit growth of MMT in Africa has been credited to the progression of the platform beyond peer-to-peer mobile payments to include paying for shopping, utility bills such as school fees, water, rent and electricity, receiving dividends, and diaspora remittances. This trend has led Logan (2017) to admit that the impact of MMT to poverty reduction a definite result of improved financial behavior – by facilitating easier transactions and safer savings – and changes in the occupational choice of users. This trend has forced corporates to adopt mobile money linkages and transactions to maintain their market share heavily due to consumer convenience posed by MMTs. For instance, Kenya Power a power utility company in Kenya estimates that 80 per cent of the utility’s 654,953 pre-paid customers buy electricity tokens through mobile money platforms. Kenya Airways, the Kenyan national carrier has adopted mobile money payments now make up one per cent of total air ticket sales in 2015 .Without a doubt the as the World Bank (2009) notes the primary function of MMT services has been to reduce the costs of making payments from one individual to another, especially across large distances . Adam and Walker (2015) posits that as a result mobile money tends to increase the macroeconomic stability of the countries contrary to popular expectations that it would destabilize the conduct of monetary policy in those countries. For instance M-PESA as part of economic expansion and customer convenience the transaction costs in Kenya has significantly reduced for instance, during its launch the average distance to the nearest bank was 9.2 kilometers, eight years later in 2015 the average distance to the nearest M-PESA agent was a mere 1.4 kilometers (Logan,2017). MMT tends to increase the velocity of money in circulation because it cuts the transactions and time costs of making retail payment prompting efficiency of transactions desired by customers (Nampewo & Opolot, 2016). MMTs triumphs in Africa have been tried and tested and they are being replicated around the world. Recent inventory by the social venture credit SMS suggests that there are at least 23 distinct MMT, operating or pending in 20 countries following the success of MPESA (Pulver, & Gunnar, 2009). These places include Greenfield deployment in Indonesia launched in 2009 and the SMART Communications’ Island Activations Program in the Philippines. M-PESA like infrastructure was even adopted by the leading Afghan mobile network operator, Roshan, anticipate building an M-PESA-like infrastructure in Afghanistan by end of 2010 (Pulver & Gunnar, 2009). Mobile money users are able to form more diverse risk-sharing networks, it’s not surprising that users, compared with non-users, tend to receive more remittances from more people (Logan, 2017). Kamukama and Tumwine (2012) notes that the proliferation of mobile payments may disadvantage commercial banks by weakening their liquidity positions but they are now adopting the same platform to do business efficiently. MMT is vital in enabling households to lift themselves out of extreme poverty (Logan, 2017). The innovations in the financial sector, including mobile money, have been shown to have statistically significant positive long-run effects on money velocity in Uganda (Nampewo & Opolot, 2016). The intention of the authors of this book is to bring to the fore an in-depth assessment on the impact of mobile payment applications and transfers on business and customers; keenness has to be drawn on how the emergent area of mobile money technology has changed relationships in business organizations and consumers. Mobile payment applications have spawned the world over and have been adopted to varied business needs and settings particular to Sub-Saharan Africa. The advent of MMT has had a significant impact and has borne a momentous stride on business entities and the general economic systems although with a considerable resistance due to complacency in use of cash and card systems; security assurance in mobile transactions, underlying risks associated to innate ability to data privacy. The impact of mobile payment applications and transfers on business and customers is therefore current and appealing to all stakeholders whether in the Telcom industry, management, mobile money operators as well as policy analysts; all will find this book being a valuable tool for career development, practitioners and academics.
Managing the Healthcare Product
(Routledge/Productivity Press, 2019) Meru, Abel Kinoti; Muriithi, John; Wandera, Emmanuel Okunga; Kinoti, Maru Wanjiru
Despite the importance and success of marketing in various sectors of the economy, healthcare marketing has not been considered as a core business strategy. Particularly in Africa, health practitioners, due to the professional nature of their occupation, believe that non-medical practitioners may not understand its administration and basic applications in order to craft a good marketing strategy. However, with the growth of the health sector in other parts of the world and the role it plays in the wellbeing and economic development of the people and the nation, in addition to innovations in healthcare service delivery, marketing is fast becoming a strong concept of practice in the healthcare sector. This chapter evaluates marketing issues relating to healthcare products, customers and the latest healthcare innovations and design, among other things. Through healthcare product marketing, a robust customer–seller relationship can successfully be developed. The healthcare customer, in the chapter, has been defined to include patients, doctors and clinical officers, as well as the payer (patient, parents, friends, institutions, government and private insurance companies). This chapter also considers recent developments in health technologies in the world such as telemedicine, m-health, and smart technologies which can usher in a new dawn in Africa by closing the physical geographical distance affecting provision of healthcare, thereby easing the quest for health for all. This, is the aim of marketing the healthcare product.
Masculinity in Congolese Society
(Palgrave Macmillan, Cham, 2021-08-21) Onditi, Francis; Odera, Josephine
Hegemonic masculinity is identified as one of the norms in some African societies, undermining the fight against gender inequality and violence. This chapter, therefore, explores hegemonic masculinities and their flip side—positive masculinity—and how the latter is reshaping the gender equality narrative. The chapter presents a unique case study example of these types of masculinities from fragile and conflict-affected country (FCAC) situations in Africa. In particular, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is given as an example of where positive masculinity emerges as a potential agent of social change that, if utilized effectively, could lay the foundations for effective implementation of UNSCR 1325 and other frameworks that seek to empower and protect women. The discussion in the chapter utilizes some of the latest scholarship on masculinities (James Messerschmidt, 2019) and societal cultural orientation, and considers the factors that create and recreate hegemonic masculinity in conflict-prevalent locations. This chapter uniquely brings out the evolution of positive masculinity in Congolese society, presenting six ways in which hegemonic masculinity is sustained in FCAC countries and the threats it poses to the implementation of the various Women, Peace and Security frameworks.
Open Innovation in Government Services: An Empirical View of Citizens’ Participation
(IST-Africa Institute and IIMC, 2020) Oduor, Collins O.; Iyawa, Gloria E.; Ujakpa, Martin; Osakwe, Jude O.; Murotua, Ennethe; Suresh, Nalina
The purpose of this paper was to investigate the perception of citizens on their participation in open innovation in government services. This is a quantitative study that applied descriptive statistics in analysing the findings. Participants were selected from the general public and several governmental organisations. The findings suggest that the participants believed that citizens’ participation in open innovation could lead to innovative solutions, simple access to government information, effective service delivery, speedy and responsive public service delivery. Participants also believed that involving citizens in governance could reduce the potential failure of government policies. However, the majority of the participants did not believe that citizens’ participation in open innovation would lower costs in terms of service delivery. It was recommended that further studies should be conducted to create awareness of the benefits of citizens’ participation in open innovation in government services in terms of reducing costs of public services. The findings of this study will inform government policy makers on citizens’ participation in open innovation in government services.

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