SU+ Digital Repository

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

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    The Influence of Corporate Social Responsibility on competitive advantage of food and beverage manufacturing firms in Kenya
    (Strathmore University, 2026) Mbae, F. M.
    Corporate social responsibility has increasingly been recognized as a strategic mechanism through which firms can enhance their competitive positioning; however, in the food and beverage manufacturing sector in Kenya, there remains limited clarity on how specific dimensions of CSR translate into measurable competitive advantage. While firms are under growing pressure to comply with regulatory standards, meet stakeholder expectations, and engage in social initiatives, the extent to which these efforts contribute to improved product quality, brand image, customer loyalty, and market share remains insufficiently understood. This study therefore examined the effect of corporate social responsibility on competitive advantage among food and beverage manufacturing firms in Kenya, focusing on four dimensions: economic, legal, ethical, and discretionary responsibilities. Competitive advantage was operationalized using non-financial indicators, namely product quality, brand image, customer loyalty, and market share. Guided by Carroll’s CSR Pyramid Model, which underpins the multidimensional nature of CSR, and the Resource-Based View theory, which explains how CSR can be transformed into strategic capabilities, the study adopted a positivist research philosophy and a descriptive cross-sectional survey design. The target population comprised all 217 food and beverage manufacturing firms registered with the Kenya Association of Manufacturers. The unit of analysis was the firm, while the unit of observation consisted of three respondents per firm drawn purposively from senior management, marketing or corporate affairs, and quality assurance or compliance functions, yielding a total sample size of 651 respondents. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire measured on a five-point Likert scale and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Out of the 651 questionnaires distributed, 422 were returned, representing a response rate of 64.8 percent. The regression results indicated that the CSR dimensions jointly explained a substantial proportion of the variation in competitive advantage (R² = 0.776), and the model was statistically significant (F = 361.764, p < 0.001). All CSR dimensions were found to have positive and significant effects on competitive advantage, with legal responsibility emerging as the strongest predictor, followed by economic, ethical, and discretionary responsibilities. The study concludes that CSR contributes significantly to competitive advantage, particularly through regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and ethical business practices. Based on these findings, the study recommends that firms prioritize compliance and efficiency-oriented CSR practices while strengthening ethical and discretionary initiatives to enhance customer trust and long-term competitiveness, and that policymakers reinforce enforcement of industry standards to support fair competition. The study further suggests that future research should adopt longitudinal designs to capture dynamic effects of CSR over time and incorporate financial performance indicators to complement non-financial measures of competitive advantage.
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    The Moderating influence of dynamic capabilities on the relationship between business model innovation and performance of insurance companies in Kenya
    (Strathmore University, 2026) Adede, P. O.
    Despite the increasing adoption of innovation and digital technologies in the insurance industry, many insurance companies continue to experience challenges in improving organizational performance, particularly in terms of customer satisfaction, operational efficiency, and market competitiveness. In Kenya, the insurance sector has faced persistent issues including low insurance penetration, limited product accessibility, and increasing competitive pressures. These challenges have necessitated greater emphasis on innovative business models, digital transformation, and organizational capabilities that can enhance performance outcomes and long-term sustainability. This study examined the moderating influence of dynamic capabilities on the relationship between business model innovation and performance of insurance companies in Kenya. The specific objectives were to assess the effect of business model innovation on organizational performance, examine the effect of digital transformation on organizational performance, and determine the moderating effect of dynamic capabilities on the relationship between business model innovation and organizational performance. The study was anchored on Dynamic Capabilities Theory, Resource-Based View Theory, and Diffusion of Innovation Theory, which collectively explain how firms build competitive advantage through strategic resources, innovation adoption, and organizational capabilities. An explanatory research design with a quantitative approach was employed. The study targeted all 63 insurance companies licensed by the Insurance Regulatory Authority in Kenya as of December 2023. A census approach was used, collecting data from 189 senior executives through structured questionnaires using a five-point Likert scale. A response rate of 78.8% was achieved, with 149 completed questionnaires returned. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and hierarchical multiple regression analysis to test the study hypotheses. The findings revealed that business model innovation had a positive and significant effect on organizational performance (β = 0.301, p = 0.000), while digital transformation also showed a positive and significant effect (β = 0.187, p = 0.022). The results further indicated that dynamic capabilities had a strong positive relationship with organizational performance (r = 0.586, p < 0.01). Moderation analysis showed that dynamic capabilities significantly strengthened the relationship between business model innovation and organizational performance (β = 0.168, p < 0.05), with the full regression model explaining 40.3% of the variance in performance. The study concluded that business model innovation and dynamic capabilities are critical drivers of organizational performance in Kenya’s insurance sector. Dynamic capabilities enhance the effectiveness of innovation initiatives by enabling firms to sense opportunities, seize innovations, and transform internal processes. The study recommends that insurance companies strengthen innovative product development, enhance customer-facing digital platforms, and develop systematic market sensing and competitive intelligence capabilities. Insurance companies should also prioritize capability development alongside innovation investments to maximize the performance benefits of business model innovation.
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    Determinants of financial distress in Deposit-Taking Savings and Cooperatives in Kenya: moderated by culture and firm size
    (Strathmore University, 2026) Nyamora, S.
    Financial distress among deposit-taking Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (DT SACCOs) is commonly reflected in an institution’s failure to adequately meet its financial commitments, often resulting in insolvency or major operational interruptions. Such challenges may arise from a combination of internal weaknesses and external pressures. In Kenya, several DT SACCOs have experienced collapse, leading to substantial losses for members. Without a clear understanding of the factors driving financial distress and eventual failure, the long-term viability of DT SACCOs remains uncertain. This study aimed to investigate the determinants of financial distress in deposit-taking savings and cooperatives in Kenya, while examining the moderating roles of organizational culture and firm size. Specifically, the study evaluated the influence of limited product offerings, management quality, and cash availability on financial distress among DT SACCOs. In addition, the moderating effects of culture and firm size were assessed. The research was anchored on Resource Dependence Theory and Agency Theory. A positivist research philosophy was adopted, consistent with the quantitative nature of the data. An explanatory research design was employed, utilizing secondary data collected through a structured data collection sheet. The study covered the period from 2019 to 2024, with the target population comprising all DT SACCOs registered and operational in Kenya by 2023. A total of 176 DT SACCOs formed the population, from which a random sample of 122 DT SACCOs was selected. Data analysis involved both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. The findings revealed that limited product offerings had a significant positive effect on financial distress in DT SACCOs. Management quality was also found to have a significant positive relationship with financial distress, while cash availability exhibited a significant negative effect. Further results indicated that firm size significantly moderated the relationship between financial distress and its drivers, whereas organizational culture did not demonstrate a significant moderating influence. The study contributes to theory by reinforcing Resource Dependence Theory through evidence that product diversification reduces vulnerability to distress, while also suggesting that resource accumulation alone may be insufficient without strategic deployment. In relation to Agency Theory, the findings affirm that effective governance and aligned managerial incentives play a critical role in mitigating financial distress.
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    The Moderating effect of stakeholder involvement on the relationship between regulatory framework and dental supply chain performance in Kenya
    (Strathmore University, 2026) Abdi, A. A.
    The dental healthcare sector plays a critical role in healthcare service delivery and public health outcomes. However, Kenya’s dental supply chain continues to experience procurement inefficiencies, counterfeit and substandard products, supply disruptions, regulatory compliance costs, and operational risks that affect the availability, quality, and affordability of dental healthcare services. Despite the importance of regulatory systems within healthcare supply chains, limited empirical research has examined how regulatory framework influences dental supply chain performance in Kenya. This study therefore examined the influence of regulatory framework on dental supply chain performance in Kenya, focusing on compliance requirements and risk management, while also examining the moderating effect of stakeholder involvement. The study was anchored on Regulatory Compliance Theory, Stakeholder Theory, and Contingency Theory. The study adopted a positivist philosophy and explanatory cross-sectional research design using a quantitative approach. Primary data were collected from 212 respondents drawn from Kenya’s dental supply chain. The sample comprised 158 respondents from operational organizations including public and private dental clinics, referral hospitals, and importers/distributors of dental products, and 54 respondents from regulatory institutions including Kenya Bureau of Standards, Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council, Kenya Revenue Authority, and Pharmacy and Poisons Board. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), correlation analysis, hierarchical regression, and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) through SPSS version 27 and LISREL 8.8. The findings revealed that compliance requirements significantly and positively influenced dental supply chain performance, supporting H1a, while risk management also had a significant positive influence on performance, supporting H1b. The results showed that organizations with stronger compliance systems and proactive risk management practices experienced better procurement efficiency, operational continuity, responsiveness, and product quality assurance. However, stakeholder involvement did not significantly moderate the relationship between regulatory framework and dental supply chain performance, leading to the rejection of H2a and H2b. The regression results further showed that the study variables explained 10.4% of the variation in dental supply chain performance. The study concluded that regulatory compliance and proactive risk management are critical strategic mechanisms for improving efficiency, accountability, resilience, and operational performance within Kenya’s dental supply chain. The study recommends strengthening compliance systems, supplier evaluation mechanisms, and coordinated regulatory oversight to improve supply chain performance and reduce operational inefficiencies within Kenya’s dental healthcare sector.
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    Exploring the adoption and associated challenges of anti-money laundering measures in the Kenyan financial technology sector
    (Strathmore University, 2026) Anyango, G.
    This study sought to investigate the adoption of Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Measures and the associated challenges within the Financial Technology (FinTech) sector in Kenya. The study was motivated by the grey-listing experience by Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in February 2024 which presents Money Laundering as a current social problem in Kenya. The researcher focused on the FinTech sector due to its accelerated growth specifically within the remittance space, which provides an avenue for placing money deposits and transfers, in the Money Laundering (ML) phases it would be considered to provide avenue for execution of Placement phase in the Money Laundering cycle. The study sought to (i) to explore how Kenyan Fintechs have adopted the Anti-Money Laundering measures, (ii) to examine the challenges in adoption of Anti-Money Laundering measures in the Kenyan FinTech sector (iii)to explore the perceived consequences of Anti Money Laundering compliance or non-compliance. Theories relevant to the study are Institutional Theory, Compliance Theory, and Deterrence Theory. The researcher adopted an Interpretivist approach and qualitative descriptive research design in this study with qualitative data collected at a single point in time in the period between October 2025 and November 2025. The objectives of the research were achieved by obtaining insights from 50 Fintech AML experts from a sampled population of 108 FinTechs. To complement the responses from the Fintech experts, further questionnaire was deployed to a group comprising of 4 diverse AML experts. The 4 groups consisted of AML regulators (Central Bank of Kenya &Financial Reporting Centre), financial crime experts, financial crime legal practitioners and AML academicians. Five (5) participants were used for each group, hence a target of 20 participants. A total of 60 responses were obtained comprising of 45 and 15 from the FinTechs and AML experts respectively. The study employed purposive sampling method to select participants, and data was collected structured questionnaires administered to the participants. The data was analyzed using thematic analysis to identify key themes and philosophies emanating from the study. The findings indicate that while anti-money laundering AML frameworks are in place, their adoption within the Kenyan FinTech sector remains uneven, constrained by limited regulatory enforcement, gaps in oversight of emerging areas such as cryptocurrency and informal digital finance, and inconsistent interpretation of regulatory requirements. Implementation is further hindered by high compliance costs, resource constraints, technological misalignment, operational complexity, and the prevalence of false positives. Despite these challenges, effective AML compliance is associated with significant institutional benefits, including enhanced reputation, improved regulatory relationships, increased access to cross-border markets, and reduced legal and financial risks. Conversely, non-compliance exposes firms to severe consequences, including financial penalties, license revocation, reputational damage, operational disruption, and heightened vulnerability to financial crime.