CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The internet makes it possible for workers in developing countries to provide in-person services
and compete directly with their counterparts in other nations. A lot of people possess handcraft
or skills such as Programming skills, Article writing, Graphics Designing and lot more. This has
had several major consequences, including increased job opportunities and the globalization of
the workforce. In some countries, for example, only half of the more than several students who
graduate annually are suitable for employment. Additionally, of these graduates, more than half
are not suited to their career choice (Wesangula, 2014). Most of these people are youth in their
20s and have just left school. Unfortunately, they cannot fill in positions as they have spent a lot
of their time in school and have no job experience to show (Mwangi et al., 2016).
Many youths in the end choose to go back into school and get more education – which is not
what they need. What they need is work experience and skills. The problem is that when
someone shows up at your interview with a PhD but only 2 years of work experience, the
employer gets worried. Can they be a good manager? Will they be able to navigate the
workplace dynamics? Can they deliver under pressure? Can they own up to mistakes and bring
viable solutions to the table?(Mwangi et al., 2016). And all of this question have a certain level
of validity to them, but every man/woman has had to start from somewhere, as a novice, an
apprentice to master, and with time gained experience to a certain level of competency.
The Information Age has affected the workforce in several ways. It has created a situation in
which workers who perform tasks which are easily automated are being forced to find work
which involves tasks that are not easily automated (Porter, 2015). Workers are also being forced
to compete in a global job market. Lastly, workers are being replaced by computers that can do
their jobs faster and more effectively. This poses problems for workers in industrial societies,
which are still to be solved. However, solutions that involve lowering the working time are
usually highly resisted. Castells (2014) said that Jobs traditionally associated with the middle
class (assembly line workers, data processors, foremen and supervisors) are beginning to
disappear, either through outsourcing or automation. Individuals who lose their jobs must either
move up, joining a group of "mind workers" (engineers, doctors, attorneys, teachers, scientists,

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professors, executives, journalists, consultants), or settle for low-skill, low-wage service jobs.
The "mind workers" are able to compete successfully in the world market and receive high
wages. Conversely, production workers and service workers in industrialized nations are unable
to compete with workers in developing countries and either lose their jobs through outsourcing
or are forced to accept wage cuts (Reich,2012).

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

It has been a very big problem for educated individuals to get promising jobs after graduation,
especially in this part of the world we find ourselves. Infect, due to the computer age we are in,
computer as replace virtually half of the work human being are suppose to do, thereby increasing
unemployment.

To those that are skilled, there has also been the problem of potential client not locating them and
giving them contract because they have no connection or links. Additionally, individual who
need their work to be done does not even know a professional to get his work done. This
therefore as create a lot of problem to the economy and young youth who are skilled and willing
to work.

1.3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this study is to identify the economical problems and challenges the skilled youth
of this country are facing, and therefore analyze the problem and then provide a suitable solution
to the problem.

1.4 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

General Objective

 To develop a handcraft freelancing community management system.

Specific Objectives

 To analyze and improve the existing system.

 To provide skilled youth a job exchange platform.

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  To connect clients both international and local with professionals
 To reduce unemployment rate.
 To improve the connection between clients and professionals by establishing online
presence of the bookshop.

1.5 SIGNIFICATE OF THE STUDY

Bookshops used to be very important place to visit. It is only place where we can find vast
collection of books. It is where we can get to buy books required by learning institutions. We can
also visit to see a compilation of the books written by our favorite author or simply check any
item on display and see which will grab our interest. Today, we can buy not only hard copies but
also soft copies called e-books line. We can read E-books on the computer as PDF file. There are
applications invented for mobile phones and tablets and that enable us to read writings on them
too. The problem with purchasing books online is that beforehand, we already know the part

1.6 SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

These research works concentrate on Handcraft freelancing community management System.

The system will be developed using PHP framework (Laravel) as it server side language, Vue.js,

Bootstrap as its front-end languages and Mysql for Data storage (Database). all necessary

method of data collection within the reach to ensure that system meet up to acceptable standard

has been put into consideration. The system will have only three roles which is the Professional

portal, Clients portal and the Admin portal. The skilled individual will be able to apply for job

online. The clients will be able to post new jobs, view those who apply for the jobs and message

them.

The study will be limited to the purpose of which it was developed. It might later incorporate

many features in the upgraded version.

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1.7 DEFINIITION OF TERMS

Handcraft
A work produced by hand labor

Freelance worker
It refers to a person who is self employed and is not necessarily committed to a particular
employer long-term

Computer

This is an electro-mechanical device that is capable of accepting data as inputs, stores it,
processes the data and outputs it as result or information.

Credit Card
Is a payment mechanism that enables consumers to make their online purchase.

Data
Data are raw facts which undergo processing and become information. They are also the simplest
unit of information that can stand on its own.

Digital Certificate
It is a certificate that enables a merchant to do on-line business and it is been issued by a
corporate body.

Gateway
This is a device that connects two computer networks that cannot be connected in any other way.

Hypertext Documents
They are documents written with HTML, ASP, ASP.NET, PHP, JAVA SCRIPT PAGES (JSP),
CODE FUSION, and PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES.

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Internet
It is an interaction of computer networks connecting other networks from computers, companies,
houses etc.

ISP
(Internet Service Provider): This is a company(s) that provides internet access to homes or
business users.

Merchant Account
It’s a contract under which an acquiring bank extends a line of credit to a merchant who wishes
to accept payment card association brand

MYSQL
This is relational database server that is ideal for both small and large applications.

PHP
This is a powerful server side scripting language for creating dynamic and interactive website.

Program
A program is a sequence of instructions written in a computer to execute a certain task and solve
a problem. A program must possess clarity, be specific, effective and user friendly.

WWW (World Wide Web)

It is a multimedia interface that connects us to resources such as documents, e-mails, chat, web
sites that are available on the internet with the computer.

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 CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 INTRODUCTION
The youth, more particularly the educated variety are embroiled in a dilemma after school on
whether to seek employment or contemplate the pursuing of a business venture in the face of
competition. Competition has made it incumbent upon business to strive to survive tough
economic times. Survival has seen retrenchments and layoffs hence pondering serious questions
on the future of youth(Omido, 2016). With the ever-growing number of competitors in the
marketplace, talent is the only differentiator. Capital is abundant while technology is easy to
access, but the brainpower of knowledge and experienced staff is the most important asset for the
modern, progressive organization. It is, therefore, alarming when more than half — 54.2 per cent
— of respondents say that their biggest challenge is retaining top talent, as talent retention
increasingly determines the success or failure of many organizations. Further, 50.3 per cent and
43.5 per cent of the employers say providing competitive compensation and managing
organizational changes, respectively, is a major hurdle (Ochieng’, 2015}
While 37.3 per cent face employee morale challenges, 24.9 per cent experience challenges in
recruiting high skilled applicants, 26.6 per cent have problems maintaining productivity levels,
25.4 per cent cite upward mobility for their employees as a challenge, 12.4 per cent mention
worker burnout, 16.9 per cent employee engagement and 11.3 per cent indicate that they have
experienced the challenge of cutting down on cost per hire (Ochieng’, 2015).
Figure 1 indicates the rates at which employers are willing to hire fresh graduates from both
public and private universities in Kenya. Figure 1 illustrates the percentages of students accepted
to a job after graduating from a public campus, with a sample size of eleven public universities
based here in Kenya.
Figure 1 : Public University Job Acceptance Percent ages(Adapted From Nation Kenya, 2015)
Figure 2 illustrates the percentages of students accepted to a job after graduating from a private
campus.With a sample size of ten private universities based here in Kenya.
Figure 2: Private University Acceptance Percentages (Adapted from Nation Kenya, 2015)

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2.2 TRADITIONAL APPROACH TO FREELANCE JOB ACQUISITION
With the rise in the use of the internet as a medium to helping us enhance the way we do
business, it has also revolutionized the way a job search is done. But as the internet impact
grows, traditional methods like classified newspaper advertisements, network of the people
around you, phone book directories, and such play yet a big role on the shift of job
seeking(Clements, 2016).

2.2.1 Job Acquisition Techniques

I. The Cold Cover Letter/Resume

It is estimated that 80% of the job openings are never advertised or published to the public:
rather they are filled with from internal postings, through people networking and resumes on a
file. 80% is a huge chunk of a market opportunity, which remain untapped. There are success
stories that exist using this method of job seeking, but the hugest disaster remains to the tedious
and time inefficiency that comes along with the approach(Clements, 2016). Potential
Advantages of Cover Letter Approach A) Gaining early consideration for a position that has
not yet been advertised B) Being part of a company’s upcoming expansion plans C) Creating a
job that previously did not exist D) Consideration to fill a position created by an upcoming
promotion, transfer, termination or resignation. E) Increase your network of contacts and having
your resume forward on for more possible considerations

II. The Classified Advertisements

It almost comes with no doubt to how the classified newspaper ads, are losing their place in the
job search industry, but there are still many jobs listed in the classified ads especially with local
companies and small businesses. Many forget that most countries are still built on the small
business owners so unless your heart is set on working for a major; regional, national or
international company then the classified ads may have your next job listed. One thing to
remember today’s small business can be tomorrows major corporation and how exciting to be
part of that growth. We recommend reviewing the major newspapers in your area and also pick
up the small local papers they also have local postings. (Clements, 2016)

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2.3 MODERN APPROACH TO FREELANCE JOB/TASK ACQUISITION
Job searching has seen a great change over the last 10 years or so. The reality is that the internet
has truly changed the dynamics of it all.There are aspects of your resume and online profile that
can easily date you if you do not take steps to update your approach. This puts you in danger of
rejection before you even manage to get an interview. There are aspects of your resume and
online profile that can easily date you if you don't take steps to update your approach. This puts
you in danger of rejection before you even manage to get an interview (“Traditional versus non-
traditional job search techniques,” n.d.).

2.3.1 Examples of Freelance Platforms

Whether most freelancers are looking for another way to pay the bills, seeking more professional
development opportunities or just love the freedom that freelancing offers, there is no question
that millions of people have discovered the benefits of professional freelancing. As trends like
the digital nomad lifestyle grow in popularity, the number of freelance resources out there has
increased as well(Madden, 2010). Below is a number of the well-known and established
freelancing platforms globally:
A) UpWork
With a whooping number of about 1.5 million clients, UpWork offers something for almost
every type of freelancer. UpWork accommodates both long- and short-term projects, hourly or
per project work, with expert level and entry level engagements. Regardless of where you are in
one’s career, UpWork caters for you(Johansson, 2015).

B) Toptal
Toptal offers, a distinctively different approach towards freelancing, Toptal is for seasoned,
talented freelancers. It includes a screening process, of which after passing one has access to
meaningful projects with great clients such as JP Morgan, AirBnB, and ZenDesk etc. and topped
with fair compensation (no low bid contests). Also after the screening process one has
opportunity to join the community for frequent meetings and tech weeks(Johansson, 2015).

C) FreeLancer

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Indifferent from most platforms, Freelancer in addition to access to a million different projects,
Freelancer allows you to compete with other freelancers in contests to prove one’s skill set. It
promotes a great way to which competitive and confident people at their expertise can contest to
prove their skill and acquire more clients(Firdaus, 2007).
Craigslist
Over the years, craigslist has been thought to be a platform for selling and buying malicious
things, it still remains a great platform to which freelancers acquire new clients. It offers the
flexibility to work with companies remotely or locally depending on the freelancers’
preference(Firdaus, 2007).

D) Guru
With Guru, they follow a different approach to freelancing and offer a way to which one can
easily showcase their past work experiences. To top it up they offer a daily job-matching feature
to make sure one does not miss out on any great opportunity available through their
platform(Johansson, 2015).

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 CHAPTER THREE
ANALYSIS OF THE SYSTEM / RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 METHODOLOGY
The project was developed following the systems development life cycle methodology with an
aim of solving the problem. This method was followed because it follows a simple yet efficient
means of development of the information system.
The software development life cycle (SDLC) is a framework defining tasks performed at each
step in the software development process. SDLC is a structure followed by a development team
within the software organization. It consists of a detailed plan describing how to develop,
maintain and replace specific software. The life cycle defines a methodology for improving the
quality of software and the overall development process. SDLC consists of following activities:
i. Planning: The most important parts of software development, requirement gathering
or requirement analysis are usually done by the most skilled and experienced software
engineers in the organization. After the requirements are gathered from the client, a
scope document is created in which the scope of the project is determined and
documented.
ii. Implementation: The software engineers start writing the code according to the
client's requirements.
iii. Testing: This is the process of finding defects or bugs in the created software.
iv. Documentation: Every step in the project is documented for future reference and for
the improvement of the software in the development process. The design
documentation may include writing the application programming interface (API).
v. Deployment and maintenance: The software is deployed after it has been approved
for release.

3.2 ANALYSIS OF EXISTING SYSTEM

It is a clear statement and a well-known adage that two heads are better of than only one. Hence
the need for the research works.
Apart from the problems existing from being manned by one man, there are other problems,
namely;

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  Difficulty in keeping record of quality books and daily transactions: Due to the quantity
of books that come there, difficulty in keeping accurate records occurs.
 Time wastage: This problem results in a waste of time in sorting out books
 Poor equipment: There are little or no shelves or counters to keep books for easy reach
and retrieval. It makes the whole hall untidy because books are scattered on the floor.
 Poor goods: Because of careless handling of books in dirty and stuffy environment, some
books look bad even at sale
 Slow services: There is always problem of slow service because of one shop keeper.
 Bad location: The location of this investment is off people’s route, hidden in a close knit
area. A lot of students don’t even know the school has a bookshop. This leads to constant
low sales.

3.2 ANALYSIS OF PROPOSE SYSTEM

In the process of evaluating the solution and the specifications of a detailed on-line based
solution, there is need for the system design. In designing the new system, the software and
hardware aspects were taken into considerations in order to produce a workable website that will
allow effective and efficient communication between the customer, the merchant and the
acquiring bank or acquirer.
Also the customer can make an order, make payments for the goods ordered, and the
goods/books will be shipped to him/her..

3.3 FACT FINDING METHOD

The fact finding method used during this research are as follow;
1. Review of related Document
Important document that has one or two things to do with the study were critically
studied and much need details with close relevancy to the study were taken care of and
noted.

2. Google Search Method

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 Google have been one of the best place to find details when it comes to making Research.
It links you to different reverences to discovered even this deepest search for your
research.

3.4 SYSTEM ANALYSIS

It is a process of collecting and interpreting facts, identifying the problems, and decomposition of
a system into its components.
System analysis is conducted for the purpose of studying a system or its parts in order to identify
its objectives. It is a problem solving technique that improves the system and ensures that all the
components of the system work efficiently to accomplish their purpose.

3.5 FEASIBILITY STUDY

 A feasibility study is a short, focused study, which aims to answer a number of questions:
 Does the system contribute to the overall objectives of the organizations?
 Can the system be implemented using current technology and within given cost and
schedule constrains?
 Can the system be integrated with systems which are already in place?

3.5.1 Technical Feasibility:

 Is the project feasibility within the limits of current technology?
 Does the technology exist at all?
 Is it available within given resource constraints (i.e., budget, schedule)?

3.5.2 Financial Feasibility:

 Is the project possible, given resource constraints?

 Are the benefits that will accrue from the new system worth the costs?
 What are the savings that will result from the system, including tangible and intangible
ones?
 What are the development and operational costs?

3.5.3 Operational Feasibility:

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Define the urgency of the problem and the acceptability of any solution; if the system is
developed, will it be used? Includes people-oriented and social issues: internal issues, such as
manpower problems, labor objections, manager resistance, organizational conflicts and policies;
also external issues, including social acceptability, legal aspects and government regulations.
In preliminary investigation feasibility study has three aspects..
 Technical Feasibility
 Operational Feasibilty
 Economical Feasibility
Technical Feasibility
Technical issues involved are the necessary technology existence, technical guarantees of
accuracy, reliability, ease of access, data security, aspects of future expansion.
 Technology exists to develop a system.
 The proposed system is capable of holding data to be used.
 The proposed system is capable of providing adequate response and regardless of
the number of users.
 The proposed system being modular to the administrator, if he/she wants can add
more features in the future and as well as be able to expand the system.
 As far as the hardware and software is concerned, the proposed system is
completely liable with proper backup and security.
Hence, we can say that the proposed system is technically feasible.
Operational Feasibility
If the system meets the requirements of the customers and the administrator we can say that the
system is operationally feasible.
The proposed system will be beneficial only if it can be turned into a system which will meet the
requirements of the store when it is developed and installed, and there is sufficient support from
the users
The proposed system will improve the total performance.
 Customers here are the most important part of the system and the proposed system will
provide them with a convenient mode of operation for them.
 The proposed system will be available to the customers throughout the globe.
 The proposed system will provide a better market for different dealers.

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Hence, the proposed system is operationally feasible.
Economical Feasibility
Economic Feasibility is the most frequently used method for evaluating the effectiveness of the
proposed system if the benefits of the proposed system outweighs the cost then the decision is
made to design and implement the system.
 The cost of hardware and software is affordable.
 High increase in the amount of profit earned by going global.
 Easy and cheap maintenance of the system possible.
 Very cheap price for going global.
Hence, the proposed system is economically feasible.

3.6 SYSTEM DESIGN

In here, the overall flow of the system is planned. Everything that resulted from the
requirements analysis will be carried over in this stage. This is where all the functionalities of the
system are planned.
In this, logical data flow diagrams will be used to analyze the existing system of the company.
System design is the process of defining the architecture, modules, interfaces, and data for a
system to satisfy specified requirements. Systems design could be seen as the application of
systems theory to product development. There is some overlap with the disciplines of systems
analysis, systems architecture and systems engineering.

3.7 OUTPUT DESIGN

A quality output is one, which meets the requirements of the end user and presents the
information clearly. In any system results of processing are communicated to the users and to
other system through outputs. In output design it is determined how the information is to be
displaced for immediate need and also the hard copy output. It is the most important and direct
source information to the user. Efficient and intelligent output design improves the system’s
relationship to help user decision-making. 1. Designing computer output should proceed in an
organized, well thought out manner; the right output must be developed while ensuring that each
output element is designed so that people will find the system can use easily and effectively.

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When analysis design computer output, they should Identify the specific output that is needed to
meet the requirements.
Select methods for presenting information.

3.8 INPUT DESIGN

The input design is the link between the information system and the user. It comprises the
developing specification and procedures for data preparation and those steps are necessary to put
transaction data in to a usable form for processing can be achieved by inspecting the computer to
read data from a written or printed document or it can occur by having people keying the data
directly into the system. The design of input focuses on controlling the amount of input required,
controlling the errors, avoiding delay, avoiding extra steps and keeping the process simple. The
input is designed in such a way so that it provides security and ease of use with retaining the
privacy. Input Design considered the following things:
1. What data should be given as input?
2. How the data should be arranged or coded?
3. The dialog to guide the operating personnel in providing input.
4. Methods for preparing input validations and steps to follow when error occur.
It is the process of converting a user-oriented description of the input into a computer-based
system. This design is important to avoid errors in the data input process and show the correct
direction to the management for getting correct information from the computerized system. 2. It
is achieved by creating user-friendly screens for the data entry to handle large volume of data.
The goal of designing input is to make data entry easier and to be free from errors. The data
entry screen is designed in such a way that all the data manipulates can be performed. It also
provides record viewing facilities. 3. When the data is entered it will check for its validity. Data
can be entered with the help of screens. Appropriate messages are provided as when needed so
that the user will not be in maize of instant. Thus the objective of input design is to create an
input layout that is easy to follow.

3.9 DATABASE DESIGN

Database design is the process of producing a detailed data model of database. This data model
contains all the needed logical and physical design choices and physical storage parameters

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needed to generate a design in a data definition language, which can then be used to create a
database. A fully attributed data model contains detailed attributes for each entity.

The term database design can be used to describe many different parts of the design of an
overall database system. Principally, and most correctly, it can be thought of as the logical design
of the base data structures used to store the data. In the relational model these are
the tables and views. In an object database the entities and relationships map directly to object
classes and named relationships. However, the term database design could also be used to apply
to the overall process of designing, not just the base data structures, but also the forms and
queries used as part of the overall database application within the database management
system (DBMS).

The process of doing database design generally consists of a number of steps which will be
carried out by the database designer. Usually, the designer must:

 Determine the data to be stored in the database.

 Determine the relationships between the different data elements.
 Superimpose a logical structure upon the data on the basis of these relationships.

Within the relational model the final step above can generally be broken down into two further
steps, that of determining the grouping of information within the system, generally determining
what are the basic objects about which information is being stored, and then determining the
relationships between these groups of information, or objects. This step is not necessary with
an Object database.

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Table 1: User Table
NAME TYPE FIELD SIZE EXTRA
Id INT 10 AUTO_INCREMENT

name Varchar 20

Last-name Varchar 50

membership Varchar 50

Referrer_code Varchar 100

Referral_code Varchar 100

image Varchar 100

email Varchar 100

password Varchar 100

Created_at DATE Nullable

Update_at DATE Nullable

Table 2: Works Table

NAME TYPE FIELD SIZE EXTRA

Id Int 10 AUTO_INCREMENT

name Varchar 100

Created_at DATE

Updated_at DATE

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Table 3: Works Table
NAME TYPE FIELD SIZE EXTRA
int
Id 10 AUTO_INCREMENT

User_id Varchar 70

Name Varchar 100

category Varchar 40

location Varchar 20

Min_price INT 10

Max_price INT 10

skill varchar 191

desc Text

files varchar
191
slug varchar 191

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Table 4: Skills table
NAME TYPE FIELD EXTRA

Id INT 10 Auto_increment

User_id INT 10

Work_id INT 10

Summary INT 10

Price INT 10

Created_at Timestamp Nullable

Updated_at Timestamp Nullable

3.10 SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE

Handcraft
Upload jobs Freelancing search jobs
Professionals
A Clients
Community
View Applicants Management Apply for jobs
System

Overall
Privilege
Admin

FIG 1: THE SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE OF THE PROPOSED SYSTEM

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3.11 SYSTEM FLOWCHART

Start

Index

Login

If Login

Search Job

Apply

Stop

FIG 2: THE SYSTEM FLOWCHART OF THE PROPOSED SYSTEM

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