An Investigation on the Decrease in Productivity among University Graduates in the Job Sector

By

Wilberforce Opanga

A Research Proposal Submitted to the School of Theology Education and Arts in Partial Fulfilment of the

Requirements for the Award of the Degree of BSc Computer Science

Kabarak University

2010

Table of Contents

Declaration .......................................................................................................................... 3

Approval ............................................................................................................................. 3 Abstract ............................................................................................................................... 4 Chapter One: Introduction .................................................................................................. 5

1.1 Background to the study ........................................................................................... 5 1.2 Statement of the problem .......................................................................................... 5

1.3 Objectives of the study.............................................................................................. 5 1.4 Hypothesis................................................................................................................. 5 1.5 Significance of the study ........................................................................................... 5 1.6 Scope and Limitations of the study ........................................................................... 5

1.7 Definition of terms .................................................................................................... 6 1.8 Theoretical framework .............................................................................................. 6

Chapter two: Literature review ........................................................................................... 7 Chapter three: Research methodology ................................................................................ 8

3.1 Research design ........................................................................................................ 8

3.2 Target population ...................................................................................................... 8 3.3 Sampling procedures ................................................................................................. 8

3.4 Data collection .......................................................................................................... 8 3.5 Data analysis and interpretation ................................................................................ 8

Chapter Four: Work plan ................................................................................................... 9

4.1 Work plan.................................................................................................................. 9 4.2 Budget ....................................................................................................................... 9

Reference list .................................................................................................................... 10

Declaration

This is my original work and has not been presented for the award of any degree in any

other institution of higher learning.

Name Signature Date

Wilberforce Opanga

Approval

This research proposal has been submitted for examination with my approval as a

university supervisor

Name:

Signature:

Date:

Abstract

Poverty levels in Kenya have since independence been on the increase while production

rate has been declining tremendously. This is partly attributable to minimum input in

economic development by university graduates. This study intends to establish whether,

and if so, the reasons why and how the failure by university graduates to gainfully get

involved in national economic development has led to high poverty levels as well as low

productivity. It is expected that the study will provide some long lasting solutions to the

phenomenon that will help boost the rate of development in Kenya thus putting the

country in league of rapidly developing countries. The study will apply various methods

in collecting and analyzing data

Chapter One: Introduction

1.1 Background to the study

Kenya’s education sector has since independence witnessed a tremendous growth in the

university sub sector, in terms of the number of students admitted and the variety of

programs offered. Many students have been certified to be qualified yet when they get to

the job market they have tended to fail to deliver as per their employers’ expectations.

This is clearly seen in the low development rate in our country.

1.2 Statement of the problem

An analysis of information from the Mass Media and the internet has revealed that the

rate of production from university graduates in Kenya has gone down yet no systematic

research has been conducted to establish the reasons behind this decline.

1.3 Objectives of the study

(a) To establish the reasons behind the low production by university graduates on

job market.

(b) To propose how the production of university graduates in the workplace can

be improved.

1.4 Hypothesis

Low productivity among university graduates has lead to low high poverty levels in

Kenya.

1.5 Significance of the study

It is expected that the study will establish the causes of low production in relation to

university graduates in Kenyan workplaces based on which measures to arrest the

anomaly will be ascertained. This will go along way in making graduates more gainfully

involved in national development. In the long run the country will realise more

productivity and minimal poverty levels.

1.6 Scope and Limitations of the study

There are many factors that lead to low production but due to time and monetary

constraints, the scope of this study will be the contribution of university graduates to

economic production. Data will be drawn from a representative sample of graduates

drawn from three public and three private enterprises in Nakuru Town in the Rift valley

Province.

1.7 Definition of terms

********

1.8 Theoretical framework

The study will be conducted under the framework of Douglas Mac Gregory’s theory X on

employee's motivation. According to this theory, an average person:

Dislikes work and attempts to avoid it

has no ambitions, wants no responsibility and would rather follow

than lead

is self-centered and therefore does not care about organizational

goals

Resists change

is Gullible for money and not particularly intelligent

Essentially Mac Gregory’s theory X assumes that people work only for money and

security. The study will strive to establish to what extent at this time in development

Kenya’s graduates are governed by this theory and how the basics of the theory can be

employed by the country to make university graduates more productive.

Chapter two: Literature review

Chapter three: Research methodology

3.1 Research design

The study will be conducted using a questionnaire survey conducted by the study team.

Pertinent issues arising from the questionnaire survey will be pursued and clarified

through probing questions posed to the interviewees by the study team.

3.2 Target population

The target population will be composed of: government and private sector enterprises

employing university graduates.

3.3 Sampling procedures

Probability sampling, precisely simple random sampling will be used to draw the study

sample.

3.4 Data collection

Data will be collected directly from the respondents by the study team using

questionnaires.

3.5 Data analysis and interpretation

Chapter Four: Work plan

The study will be conducted in twelve months commencing March, 2010 as detailed in

table 4.1.

4.1 Work plan

Period Activity

February to March Writing the proposal

March to April Defend the proposal

April to September Collect data

September to October Analyze the data

October to November Type and print the report

November to December Present the report

December to January Defend the report

January Publish the report

4.2 Budget

Item Cost Total

Hire a van for six months 10000 per month 60000

Fuel for the van In six months 6000 per month 36000

Accommodation for seven people

in twelve months

30000per

month 360000

Catering for seven people in

twelve months 35000 420000

Typing and printing the

questionnaires 1500 1500

Typing and Printing the

Report 2500 2500

Allowance for seven people in

twelve months 14000 per month 168000

Grand total 1048000

Reference list

Douglas McGregor. 2006: The Human Side of Enterprise: McGrow Hill Publishers.

New York