SU+ Digital Repository

SU+ is an online repository for the preservation and promotion of assorted digital content at Strathmore University

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Conferences / Workshops / Seminars + 474
Documents and Proceedings of Conferences, Seminars, Workshops (and more) held at Strathmore University
Digital Archives 178
Assorted collections of resources covering various subject themes contributed by Faculty and Library Staff
Reports / Policies + 10
Public reports and policy documents
Research / Researchers / Publications 4433
Researcher Profiles / Conference presentations / Published research articles / Faculty and Corporate research outputs
Strathmore Heritage Collection 41
A digital chronicle of the History of the University presented through a mix of pictures, videos and digitized publications

Recent Submissions

Factors influencing the use of modern technology by microfinance banks and Credit-only microfinance institutions
(Strathmore University, 2024) Kivati, W.
Financial inclusion aims to ensure that everyone, including the poor, has access to financial services, thereby promoting economic growth and development. Financial institutions have adopted new technologies to accelerate financial inclusion. These technologies include cloud computing, blockchain, artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning and robotic process automation. However, given that technology adoption depends on various aspects from the rate of technological changes, institutional features, products and even the nature of clients for microfinance banks and institutions, there is little empirical evidence on the rate of adoption and relevance of new technologies by microfinance banks and credit only institutions. The three main objectives of the study were first, to assess the level of adoption of new technologies in financial inclusion, identify organizational features that influence the type of new technologies adopted and obtain the perspectives of the microfinance banks and credit-only institutions on these new technologies. This study was anchored on Diffusion of Innovation and Financial Intermediation theories, The main population was 13 Microfinance banks licensed by the Central Bank of Kenya as at December 2022 and the 34 Credit only microfinance institutions as listed by the Association of Microfinance Institutions in Kenya in 2022. Primary data was obtained using an online questionnaire and secondary data was obtained from available annual reports for 2022. Both descriptive and multivariate analysis were carried out aided by multinomial logistic regression to establish the organizational factors that may influence the adoption of new technologies. Response was obtained from 39 organizations. Key findings were that all organizations have adopted artificial intelligence, which is ranked as the best technology to promote financial inclusion. However, even though other technologies have been adopted, robotic process automation was the least adopted. Board size reported a significant and positive association with machine learning technology, while profitability, poor asset quality and capital adequacy reported a significant and positive association with deep learning technology. Microfinance banks have adopted cloud computing at a lower rate as compared with credit only microfinance institutions, while MFBs adopt deep learning at a higher rate than that of Credit Only Microfinance institution. Finally, more older organizations have adopted cloud computing as compared to the younger ones. Respondents explained that the main motivation for adopting new technologies was to expand the customer base and reduce operational costs. However, the major challenge of adopting new technologies was costs, due to resource constraints by Microfinance banks and Credit only financial institutions. The key concern for respondents was the fact that customers prioritize using new technology to borrow, with little use of the other services in financial inclusion. These findings are important as they provide empirical evidence on the best technology that aids financial inclusion and areas where key stakeholders can focus to enhance the use of new technologies to promote financial inclusion. Further studies are necessary to include all stakeholders in financial inclusion, with main stakeholder being the customer, to determine the customer experience.
An Evaluation of the prioritization of sustainable finance projects by commercial banks in Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2024) Riziki, R. W.
Commercial banks in Kenya are increasingly turning their attention to sustainable financing, influenced by global trends in sustainable finance and increasing focus on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors. While this shift indicates a positive direction towards sustainable financing and resource availability to meet the country's sustainable development goals, it remains unclear whether banks have prioritized financing for renewable energy, green infrastructure, social impact projects and other sustainable endeavors. Therefore, this study aimed to achieve the following specific objectives: to determine the prioritization of sustainable finance projects by commercial banks in Kenya; to establish the effect of bank characteristics on prioritization of sustainable finance projects by commercial banks in Kenya and to examine the effect of managers’ perspectives on prioritization of sustainable finance projects by commercial banks in Kenya. The target population comprises 38 business development managers from commercial banks, as they play a direct role in implementing sustainable finance practices within commercial banks in Kenya. The collection of primary data was facilitated through semi-structured questionnaires, whereas secondary data was primarily sourced from the annual supervisory reports and audited financial statements of commercial banks for the year 2022. Descriptive and multi-linear regression statistical analyses used to analyze the collected data. The peer emulation theory of sustainable finance and the system disruption theory of sustainable finance provided anchorage to the study. The study is significant for policy managers in the financial sector, both at the commercial bank and government levels, and for scholars, the study contributes to a deeper insight on priority areas for sustainable project finance and factors influencing managers' perceptions of green financing beyond profitability considerations. The study established that commercial banks prioritized education, health and enterprise projects while bank characteristics and managers’ perception were all found to have significant effect on periodization of sustainable finance projects. It was recommended that commercial banks need to identify the various challenges in adaptation of sustainable finance to ensure that all drawbacks are addressed and that the Commercial Banks establish priority areas and projects for sustainable finance.
Factors influencing SMEs' coping strategies to climate variability and change in Kajiado County
(Strathmore University, 2024) Halake, G. D.
This study was undertaken in Kajiado county to determine the influence of awareness and knowledge, resource availability, technology capacity and size of the organization on SMEs' coping strategies to climate variability and change. The research design utilized for the study was descriptive. The research targeted registered SMEs in Ongata Rongai Sub County, with 372 SMEs according to the records in the sub-county. Due to the limited number, a census of all the SMEs was conducted and the owners of the SMEs were the respondents. The collection of primary data involved the utilization of structured questionnaires that incorporate a series of closed-ended questions. The study used a multivariate probit (MVP) to determine how the independent variable relates to the dependent variable, The results show that SMEs in Kajiado County adopt coping strategies to climate variability and change as complements. Results also show that the availability of financial resources, access to climate change information, technology capacity and organization size are the major determinants of the coping strategy adopted. In Kajiado County, where the impacts of climate variability and change are increasingly evident, fostering awareness and knowledge among SMEs is pivotal for economic resilience and environmental sustainability. Implementing a series of recommendations can significantly contribute to a positive impact on climate adaptation and mitigation efforts. Targeted awareness campaigns should be initiated, specifically designed for SMEs operating in the region. These campaigns facilitated through collaborations with local environmental organizations and community leaders, aim to educate businesses about the current and potential implications of climate change. Workshops, seminars, and training sessions can serve as valuable platforms for disseminating information on climate-resilient business practices. Harnessing available technology is pivotal for SMEs in Kajiado County to effectively cope with the challenges posed by climate variability and change. There is a need to promote the adoption of climate-smart technologies among SMEs. This involves encouraging the use of advanced weather forecasting tools and data analytics that provide real-time, localized information on climate patterns.
Effect of customer relationship management strategies on the competitive advantage of Savings and Credit Co-operative Societies in Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2024) Booker, J. A.
The need to sustain competitiveness has seen businesses embrace customer relationship management strategies to gain competitive advantage. Saccos utilize CRM strategies to enhance customer loyalty besides attracting and retaining customers. Although Saccos in Kenya have embraced the adoption of CRM as a strategy to enhance their competitiveness, it is not clear whether these strategies affect their competitive advantage. The goal of this study was to establish the effect of customer relationship management strategies on Saccos' competitive advantage in Kenya. The specific objectives of the study included determining the effect of operational CRM strategy on the competitive advantage of Saccos in Kenya, determining the effect of analytical CRM strategy on the competitive advantage of Saccos in Kenya, and establishing the effect of collaborative CRM on the competitive advantage of Saccos in Kenya. The study was underpinned by two theories: the Trust Commitment Theory and the Resource-based View Theory. Different studies show that the SACCO sector in Kenya has embraced the adoption of CRM but not much has been done to explore the role of CRM in influencing their competitive advantage. A descriptive research design was utilized to meet the objective of the study. The target population for the study were the 174 licensed deposit-taking Saccos that operate in Kenya. The study focused on Saccos licensed and operating within Nairobi County. 47 Saccos are licensed and operate in Nairobi County. The 47 Saccos formed the study sample. A total of 188 respondents from the human resource department, marketing and sales departments, operational department, and IT department of Saccos licensed and operating within Nairobi County were targeted. Primary data was collected from the respondents using questionnaires as data collection tools. The collected data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 20. The study realized a response rate of 68%. Operational CRM strategy was found to play a key role in ensuring that Saccos can collect customer interaction data and utilize the analyzed data to respond to market changes appropriately. Analytical CRM strategy was found to positively influence competitive advantage by ensuring that firms align their products to customer needs and appropriately respond to emerging market trends. A collaborative CRM strategy was found to enhance the effectiveness of collecting and analyzing data across Saccos, hence enhancing competitive advantage. The study findings thus demonstrated that the CRM strategies (operational, analytical, and collaborative) positively influence Saccos' competitive advantage in Kenya. The study recommends that policymakers at Saccos should promote policies that enhance the adoption and integration of CRM strategies in their operations. The limitation for the study was that the data collection process was extremely time consuming due to unwillingness of some participants to share information, necessitating numerous follow-ups.
Effect of market integration and access on food security among smallholder sorghum farmers in Machakos County
(Strathmore University, 2024) Amusengeri, R. K.
Smallholder farmers are critical to developing countries food security. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of market integration (horizontal and vertical) and access on food security among smallholder sorghum farmers in Machakos county, Kenya. This study was guided by two theories: the Transaction Cost Economics Theory (TCE) and Entitlement Approach (EA) to food security. Data was collected using structured questionnaire from 240 smallholder sorghum farmers which was representative of the target population. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse data collected from the participants. Farmers contracts and farmers cooperatives were used as proxy for vertical and horizontal integration. Farmers Access to Market Index (FAMI) which considered proportion of households reporting sorghum sales, total quantity of sorghum sales per household, and the proportion of sorghum quantity sold to input suppliers was employed as a proxy for market access. The Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) survey and subjective measures were used to analyse household food security. Probit regression model was applied to analyse the determinant variables. This study found a high prevalence of food security among highly educated households. Further, this study revealed that farmers contracts, cooperative membership and sorghum sales had a significant inverse relationship with food security, due to structural constraints, lack of institutional support and insufficient productive resources experienced by the smallholder sorghum farmers. Therefore, this paper recommends that the county and national government launch initiatives to raise awareness about the importance of drought-resistant sorghum crop in improving household food security. To fully realise the potential benefits of farmers contracts and cooperative memberships the government ought to first focus on addressing the challenges the smallholder farmers face in sorghum production and marketing. Second, establish contractual frameworks and cooperative management structures aimed to support smallholder farmers to produce more efficiently and access more reliable markets, through their contractual and cooperative membership arrangements. The government and policy makers to establish and implement policies that effectively organise the sorghum market to make the crop more competitive for farmers to produce and market, and ultimately improve their household food security. KEY WORDS: Vertical Integration. Horizontal Integration. Market Access. Food Security. Markets. Smallholder Sorghum Farmers.