The production of artisanal dimension stone in Nairobi: A factor analytic study
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
leveloftheirinfluenceintheinputenvironmentofartisanalstoneproducerorganizations.
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
processthatreducedthe27variablesintofourunderlyingcomponentsthatareactionable.
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 applicableproductiontechniques. 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
enablingenvironmentfortheproductionofartisanaldimensionstone.Thestudysuccessfully
applied socio-technical systems theory and factor analysis, two well-established
instruments, to an informal systems phenomenon.
KEYWORDS artisans; stone blocks; inputs; socio-technical perspective; Nairobi
Citation
Journal of Urban Technology, Vol. 20, No. 4, 99–118,2013Publisher
University of Nairobi
Description
Journal Article