mainly to economic and managerial
factors.
To enhance knowledge of the Kenyan
clothing sector, my study delved beyond
the economic and managerial factors
that most studies have attributed to the
challenges facing the local industry by
providing an international marketing and
consumer behaviour dimension.
Assessing product origin phenomenon
affecting local clothing brands has helped
to understand related factors within
the country-of-origin context as well
as offer a new and valuable dimension,
already applied in other parts of the globe
to comprehend challenges in Kenya’s
clothing industry.
Can you share some stories
about people you met while
researching for this book?
My long-time friends, Maina Warutere
and Elijah Ireri, equally gave immense
encouragement and logistical help while
researching for this book. God and the
rest of my Family, also gave me great
stimulus throughout my study.
imported products. I was equally inspired
by the fledgling 'buy Kenya, build Kenya'
initiative which seeks to promote purchase
of local products to create employment
and grow our economy.
First, I worked very closely with my PhD
Supervisors, Professor Francis N. Kibera
and Professor. Justus M. Munyoki, whose
scholarly guidance was exemplary and
momentously inspiring. I also met some
of the respondents who participated in
this research, and whose enthusiasm,
cooperation, understanding and patience
motivated me abundantly. Who are some of your
Why did you choose to study favourite authors that you feel
this field of your interest? Was were influential in your work?
it your childhood dream job? What impact have they had on
your writing?
I worked lengthy hours including
weekends and holidays with my Research
Assistants, who diligently assisted me in
data collection, data entry, data analysis,
partial formatting and proof reading of
the final thesis report. I am honor-bound
to all my lecturers and fellow students
in the PhD program, for rendering an
enriching experience to share and procure
knowledge. As alluded to earlier, there are a number
of authors who have studied the country-
of-origin phenomenon. I would say
those with the greatest influence in my
work are Batra et al., 2000; Yim et al.,
2007; Klein et al., 1998; 2007; Opoku
& Akorli, 2009 and; Elliott & Cameron,
1994. Their writings on the COO concept
formed a strong foundation for my work
particularly given that they pointed out
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My childhood dream as inspired by my
late mum, Lucy Wanjiru, was to attain the
highest level of education. She struggled
single handedly to pay school fees for
me and my four siblings. I therefore
felt that the best way to honour her
and encourage my children to aspire for
academic excellence was by undertaking a
pioneering study in Kenya that would help
come up with solutions to the clothing
industry and other sectors affected by