The Production of Artisanal Dimension Stone in Nairobi: A Factor Analytic Study

O. A. K'Akumu

Journal of Urban Technology, 2013, vol. 20, issue 4, 99-118

Abstract: The study looked at the opportunities and constraints facing artisanal units involved in the production of dimension stone. Twenty-seven observable variables were derived from literature and developed into a questionnaire with prompts to indicate the level of their influence in the input environment of artisanal stone producer organizations. The questionnaire was administered to 148 key stakeholders involved in the production and use of dimension stone in Nairobi. Factor analysis was applied to the responses, a process that reduced the 27 variables into four underlying components that are actionable. The four underlying components that the 27 variables have been reduced to are: hostile policy environment, perceived negative impacts associated with quarrying, easily obtainable inputs, and simple and easily applicable production techniques. The study concludes that the constraints outweigh the opportunities available for these producers. Policy makers should therefore look into the four underlying components so as to enhance the enabling environment for the production of artisanal dimension stone. The study successfully applied socio-technical systems theory and factor analysis, two well-established instruments, to an informal systems phenomenon.

Date: 2013
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
http://hdl.handle.net/10.1080/10630732.2013.855510 (text/html)
Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:taf:cjutxx:v:20:y:2013:i:4:p:99-118

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
http://www.tandfonline.com/pricing/journal/cjut20

DOI: 10.1080/10630732.2013.855510

Access Statistics for this article

Journal of Urban Technology is currently edited by Richard E. Hanley

More articles in Journal of Urban Technology from Taylor & Francis Journals
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Chris Longhurst ().