Chandaria School of Business

By Thomas Ngui

On Friday, September 15, Chandaria School of Business (CSO) launched the African Journal of Business and Development Studies- a public online open access journal covering topics in Business and Management Studies and Economic and Development Studies.

Speaking during the launch of the event, Prof. Amos Njuguna, DVC Transformational Teaching, Learning and Research, pointed out that the launch of the journal is a step into the right direction to grow the visibility of CSOB and the university at large. He also said that the journal will go a long way in reducing the negative effects of predatory journals.

Prof. Njuguna emphasized the importance of conducting and publishing research that is aimed at solving societal problems through engaging strategic partners internally and externally. He further urged CSOB to leverage on digital platforms and work with external publications to boost the journal’s international view. Additionally, he confirmed that his office will accord CSOB the necessary support for the journal to be successful.

Dr. Timothy Oketch, Dean CSOB thanked the participants as well as the journal committee saying that the journal will place CSOB and the University in the academic map locally, regionally and globally.

Prof. Veronicah Kaluyu, Assistant Professor of Strategic Management, who chaired the Journal Committee, gave an overview of the journal as well as the journey to successfully launching the journal. Prof. Kaluyu pointed out that the first call for papers will be in October this year. She also said that contributors of the journals will enjoy many advantages including exposure to international scholarship, ethical publication process, wider and broader readership among others.

In his remarks, Prof. Peter Ngure, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs, St. Paul’s University, said that it is important for CSOB to index the journal and register it in SCOPUS adding that this will enhance the reputation of the researcher, department and the university as well.

Dr. Katindi Sivi, Founder, LongView Consult & LongView Futures Foundation, Master of Science in Organizational Development (Class of 2010), emphasized the need for institutions to invest in research, saying that if we do not invest in research then those who invest in research will determine what will be published in the journals. She also encouraged contributors of journals to avoid jargon and wordiness to make the journals attractive to the readers.

In the same vein, Prof. Fred Ochieng, Director, Ripple Effect, mentioned that the journal should point out areas where there are research gaps and co-opt practitioners from the industry in the editorial board. He further said that there is need to be agile and respond to scholars in time for the journal to be successful.

Prof. Mellitus Wanyama, Executive Director and Founder, Utafiti Foundation, explained to participants how to identify predatory journals terming lack of indexing, cheap charges to publish in the paper and non-existence or quacks heading the editorial board as the most common identifiers. He further stressed the need to ensure scholarly hygiene, double peer review, emphasis on metrics as well as consideration of artificial intelligence.

The event also featured a walkthrough of the journal website by Mr. Horace Okoth, Librarian-Archives & Repository Services.

The event was also attended by Prof. Damary Sikalieh, Professor, Management & Entrepreneurship, Prof. Teresia Linge, Associate Professor, Management, Prof. Caren Ouma, Associate Professor, Leadership and Management, Dr. Michael Kihara, Associate Dean, School of Graduate Studies, Research and Extension among others.

The Journal Committee members comprised of Prof. Veronicah Kaluyu, Assistant Professor of Strategic Management, Prof. Allan Kihara Professor, Strategic Management, Dr. K'Aol George, Professor of Management and Entrepreneurship and Human Resource Development, Dr. Mary Mutisya, Assistant Professor, Hospitality and Tourism, Dr. Fredrick Odoyo, Assistant Professor of Finance and Accounting and Dr. Thomas Ngui, Associate Professor Leadership.