MBA Theses and Dissertations (2024)

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Analysing the forms of contract and the role that written and unwritten contracts play in the resolution of commercial disputes in Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2024) Mmbogori, A. G.
As the world develops, so do business dealings and interactions. These interactions can give rise to disputes, and the resolution of these commercial disputes is becoming more important to many businesses. In essence, a commercial dispute can be viewed as a dispute between two or more business people or entities. Commercial disputes generally arise when a term to a contractual undertaking is breached or there is a disagreement between parties regarding how contractual terms are interpreted. Once a commercial dispute emerges, parties can use a number of ways to resolve such disputes including negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or Court-based litigation. Regardless of the dispute resolution method chosen, contractual claims are easier to enforce when a written contract exists, yet, many businesses enter into contracts by word of mouth. This study aimed to analyse the legal contractual environment of conducting business in Kenya and determine the role of both written and unwritten or oral contracts in commercial dispute resolution. The study adopted a descriptive research design which targeted individuals and entities involved in commercial litigations for dispute resolution. Ten litigations were selected and analysed using the doctrinal legal research method. This study found that parties who conducted commercial transactions on the basis of oral or unwritten contracts had great difficulty in proving the terms of their agreement or even proving that a contract between them and their counterpart existed in the first place. In contrast, the study found that where a written agreement was provided, the Court tended to stick to the express terms of the agreement and did not allow parties to vary the agreed terms, even when one party argued that the terms of the agreement had been orally renegotiated. The particulars of the manner in which Courts look at contracts in Kenya have been explored throughout this study. Based on the findings, this research recommends observing the requirements of a valid contract and making sure the terms of the agreement are written and related records preserved including communication between parties being documented in writing.
Effect of government accountability on voluntary tax compliance of motor garages in Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2024) Nganga, A. W.
The effective functioning of a nation's government relies on resources to fulfill its duty of providing public goods and services to citizens. Taxation constitutes a significant portion of the country's internal revenue. However, implementing tax policies poses a considerable challenge, particularly in developing economies where a substantial part of the economy operates informally. Despite the informal sector being the primary employer in Kenya, most of the tax revenue is derived from personal taxes and value-added tax (VAT), not the informal sector. Apart from this, taxpayer apathy plays a significant role in influencing tax compliance. Yet many studies in this sector have been done in developed countries which are more transparent than countries in developing economies. To fill this gap this study therefore sought to establish the effect of government accountability on voluntary tax compliance of motor garages in Kenya. This research endeavors to explore the viability of the government creating a psychological understanding with merchants, particularly concentrating on those involved in wholesale and retail activities within the motor vehicle and motorcycle repair domain, commonly known as garages. The aim was to evaluate how the government's commitment to social, institutional, and economic accountability influences the voluntary adherence to taxation by these traders. This study was anchored on the legitimacy theory, the theory of predatory rule, and the fiscal exchange theory. The study used a census model to investigate all the 109 registered garages at the Kenya Motor Repairers Association. The study used the ordinary least square regression methodology and found that social and institutional accountability enhances voluntary tax compliance. Economic accountability was found not to have any statistical impact on voluntary tax compliance. KRA should therefore continue with their taxpayer education as this will lead to improvement in compliance. Additionally, the study found that tax audits enhance voluntary tax compliance, personal norms increase voluntary tax compliance while social norms affect tax compliance negatively. This implies that taxpayers comply because they fear tax audits, but taxpayers can also be negatively affected by the behaviors of peers not to pay taxes.
Effect of remote working on employee wellness among Non-Governmental Organizations in Nairobi City County, Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2024) Waisiko, C.
With organizations faced by diverse challenges that impede their competitiveness, focus has over time been on competitiveness and productivity. Remote working has also been adopted to allow employees work from home. In such arrangement, workforce welfare is neglected and various health problems are reported, causing less employee engagement, morale, and dissatisfaction and suboptimal outputs. Consequently, even the adoption of technology turns out counterproductive in firms. This study sought to determine the effect of remote working on employee wellness by analyzing employees in non-governmental organizations in Nairobi City County, Kenya. The study's specific objectives were to determine the effect of job-related factors, organizational factors, and work-life balance on employee wellness. The study followed a positivist research paradigm and applied a cross-sectional descriptive research design to quantitatively describe the relationships between the study variables. From the total population of 80,229 employees in the registered non-governmental organizations in Kenya, a sample of 398 was targeted. To achieve adequate response rate, the study targeted 7 respondents, which is 1 senior-level, 3 mid-level and 3 junior-level employees from each of the 60 international and national non-governmental organizations based in Nairobi County. Therefore, stratified random sampling was employed for an even representation of the 60 organizations. A convenient sampling technique was applied to choose participants based on availability. A pilot study targeting 40 employees from 6 organizations in Kiambu County was conducted. The firms used for pilot testing were not considered during the actual research. Adequate research quality concerning validity and reliability was achieved through Cronbach’s alpha. Data was analysed through SPSS. Regression analysis results indicated a weak relationship between the independent variables: job-related factors, organizational factors and work-life balance and the employee wellness. Based on coefficients, both Job-related and organizational factors were significant at 0.05 significant level. Similarly, work-life balance had a positive, statistically significant influence on employee wellness. The study concludes that job-related factors, organizational factors, and work-life balance have a weak joint effect on employee wellness. Work-life balance has a positive, statistically significant correlation with employee wellness while job-related and organizational factors have significant influence on employee wellness. Organizations should enhance job-related and organizational factors to enhance employee work-life balance which in turn improves employee wellness. Further research can be implemented to test the mediational role of work-life balance in the relationship between job-related and organizational factors and employee wellness.
The Influence of authentic leadership on employee wellbeing in the banking industry in Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2024) Njoroge, S. N.
In the contemporary organizational landscape, there is increasing attention on the influence of authentic leadership on employee well-being. This attention is due to the potential implications it has for both organizational effectiveness and employee satisfaction. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between authentic leadership and employee well-being within the banking industry in Kenya. The research was anchored on the theoretical frameworks of Leader Member Exchange Theory and Fiedler's Contingency Theory. The goal was to provide insights into how authentic leadership behaviors, including self-awareness, balanced processing, internalized moral perspective, and relational transparency, influenced different dimensions of employee well-being. The study used a descriptive cross-sectional survey design and employed judgmental sampling to select participants from different management levels across 39 commercial banks in Kenya. The sample size consisted of 195 managers from the various levels of management: Top, Middle, and Low. Data was collected using structured questionnaires that incorporated validated tools such as the Authentic Leadership Questionnaire (ALQ) for assessing authentic leadership dimensions, and components of Seligman's PERMA model for assessing employee well-being. The analysis involved descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and regression analysis to explore the relationships between authentic leadership behaviors and employee well-being dimensions. The reliability and validity of the instruments were assessed using Cronbach's alpha and content validity checks. The findings of this study contribute to both theoretical understanding and practical implications for fostering authentic leadership practices and enhancing employee well-being in the banking sector. Specifically, the study reveals significant positive relationships between authentic leadership traits, such as internalized moral perspective and relational transparency, and various dimensions of employee well-being. However, certain traits, like self-awareness, did not show significant relationships with employee well-being when analyzed together. Additionally, the study highlights the importance of further research to address gaps in understanding the specific dynamics of authentic leadership and employee well-being within the Kenyan banking context. While this study provides insights into authentic leadership and employee well-being in Kenyan banking, limitations exist. The absence of input from top executives and the focus on a specific industry limited the findings' generalizability. Additionally, clustering of responses around the neutral midpoint raised concerns about bias. Future research should address these limitations for a more comprehensive understanding.
Company characteristics of early adopters of Environmental Social Governance disclosures on the Nairobi Securities Exchange
(Strathmore University, 2024) Karanja, K. M.
The ESG concept brings together environmental, social, and governance issues in businesses. The concept of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting is gaining increasing attention in the global business community. ESG disclosures refer to a set of voluntary non-financial disclosures made by companies to provide stakeholders with information on their environmental, social, and governance performance. This research aimed to explore the characteristics of firms that are early adopters of ESG disclosures on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) in Kenya. The Central Bank of Kenya in 2021 introduced regulations requiring financial institutions to adopt climate risk guidelines to foster sustainable finance practices in the banking sector. Following this the Nairobi Securities Exchange developed guidelines on ESG disclosures for use by all NSE listed companies at least annually, with mandatory reporting beginning twenty ninth November 2022. Reporting has lagged at fourteen percent of NSE listed firms even five months past the mandatory deadline. The research had three objectives, namely - identify the firm characteristics that make firms early adopters of ESG disclosures, analyze the motivations and incentives behind firms' decisions to adopt ESG reporting practices, and assess the challenges and barriers faced by firms in adopting and implementing ESG reporting practices in Kenya. The research provided current practice information and discerned approaches to enhance compliance. The research utilized a mixed-method approach methodology, which combined both quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis methods. The quantitative research methods involved collecting financial data and analyzing the relationship between ESG reporting and firm characteristics using regression analysis. The qualitative research methods involve questionnaires to key stakeholders to gain insights into the motivations and challenges associated with ESG reporting. The target population for the study was the listed firms in the Nairobi Securities Exchange already adopting ESG disclosures before the November 2022 deadline. The researcher used a pre-designed questionnaire for primary data collection which was administered online through use of google docs because of the high response rates associated with the approach. The researcher also used secondary data derived from published annual reports of the listed companies to complement the primary data. Before the commencement of the data collection, there was a pilot study done by the researcher to test the study tool and validate it. Correlation analysis was used to examine the inter-relationship between the independent and the dependent variable. Regression analysis was used to examine the impact of the independent variables on the dependent variable and to identify the most significant predictors of early adoption of ESG disclosures. The findings of the research provided a better understanding of the drivers of ESG adoption and the challenges that firms encounter in implementing ESG reporting practices in Kenya. The research conclusions contributed to the development of policies and strategies that encourage ESG reporting among firms and improve the overall quality of ESG reporting in Kenya.
Influence of social missions on the performance of microfinance institutions in Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2024) Wangui, C.
Microfinance is regarded as a critical pillar of economic development mostly for developing economies. The sector plays a crucial role in alleviating poverty, mobilizing a savings culture, promoting financial inclusion, empowering women and youth, enhancing economic opportunity for low-income earners, and addressing social inequality. Yet, microfinance institutions face multiple challenges from high credit risks to limited access to capital. Despite these challenges, microfinance institutions are expected to maintain a triple bottom line and demonstrate social and environmental impact as much as they pursue financial success. These institutions operate on an unconventional business model so the dynamics of social and environmental responsibility may vary. Notwithstanding this revelation, the pursuit of social missions and its impact on the performance of microfinance institutions remains underexplored. This study aimed to address this gap by determining the effect social missions have on the performance of microfinance institutions in Kenya. Social mission, the independent variable, was represented by financial inclusion, healthcare missions, and sustainable practices with microfinance institution performance being the dependent variable. The stakeholder, institutional, and legitimacy theories underpinned this study, and a cross-sectional descriptive study was adopted as a research design. The target population constituted employees in managerial positions in 43 registered microfinance institutions in Kenya from whom a sample of 260 participants were selected using purposive sampling. Primary data was collected using questionnaires and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results of the study found that financial inclusion, healthcare missions, and sustainable business practices have a positive and significant effect on the performance. It, therefore, concludes that financial inclusion, healthcare missions, and sustainable practices are significant predictors of the performance of microfinance institutions in Kenya. Based on the findings, this research recommends that microfinance institutions should invest in social missions with a special focus on financial inclusion in order to boost overall performance. Also, since this research was limited to only three social missions, it recommends exploring other types of social missions.
Effects of ethical practices on the level of confidence in Kenya’s insurance sector
(Strathmore University, 2024) Macharia, L. O.
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of ethical practices on confidence in the insurance sector in Kenya. Although research indicates that ethical behaviour is crucial in forming trust and confidence, the current body of literature has not sufficiently addressed the nexus of insurance ethics -both business (supply side) and consumer (demand side) ethics- and its significant influence on confidence in the Kenyan insurance sector. The specific objectives addressed to achieve this purpose included to assess the effect of demand-side factors of insurance ethics on the confidence in the insurance sector in Kenya, to examine the effect of supply-side factors of insurance ethics on the confidence in the insurance sector in Kenya, and to examine the mediating role of the regulatory environment on the relationship between insurance ethical practices and confidence in the insurance sector in Kenya. The study was anchored on the social exchange and stakeholder theories. The specific objectives were achieved guided by the positivism research philosophy, quantitative method for data collection and analysis, and the descriptive research design. A sample of 400 insurance customers and 389 insurance professionals were surveyed. The customers were selected using simple random sampling while the insurance professionals were selected using stratified random sampling. A five-point Likert scale was utilised in the survey and data collected was analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings indicate the demand side factors of insurance ethics have no significant effect on confidence in the industry. Conversely, supply side factors of insurance ethics are positive significant predictors of confidence in the industry. Finally, the results indicate that regulatory environment fully mediates the relationship between supply side factors of insurance ethics are positive significant predictors of confidence in the industry. The study’s findings imply that the actions of insurers are useful in improving confidence levels in the sector, thereby improving the penetration levels, which have been quite low. Key words: Ethics, Insurance, Penetration rate, Confidence, Kenya
Effects of payer-provider automation technologies on operational performance of medical insurance providers in Nairobi City County, Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2024) Muiru, H. M.
In the face of rising competition in the health insurance sector, insurers are under increasing pressure to adapt and evolve their payer capabilities. The change towards a patient-first system, spurred by technological improvements and shifting customer expectations in the midst of medical inflation, has necessitated an examination of and transformation of insurers' operational. Health insurance providers are actively embracing payer-provider automated technologies to automate their operations, reduce administrative burdens, minimize errors, reduce risk and achieve significant improvements in operational efficiency. Despite the ongoing transformation in the insurance sector, there is limited empirical evidence on the effect of payer provider automation technologies on medical insurance operational performance. The aim of this dissertation was to bridge the identified empirical gap by investigating the effect of payer provider automation technologies on medical insurance providers operational performance in Kenya. In addressing this, the researcher observed the objectives of determining the effect of electronic data interchange platforms, claims processing automation systems, mobile patient apps and online portals payer provider automation technologies on medical insurance providers operational performance in Kenya. The beneficiaries of such a study span various stakeholders, including; the government, the health insurance sector players, the general public and academia. This study was anchored on three theories; the Diffusion of Innovation Model to highlight the stages via which technology diffuses through organizations and is eventually accepted to assist operational performance. The Technological Acceptance Model is used to explain the acceptance behavior of firms that embrace technology to enhance operational performance. Lastly, the Dynamic Capabilities Theory is instrumental in explaining and expounding on the dynamic nature organizations utilize both the external and internal resources to ensure optimal operational performance. Moreover, the study was based on a positivism research philosophy since it aligns with the core concepts and approaches that the study is anchored on. A correlational research design was used in this study. The study population comprised of forty-five (45) medical insurance providers in Kenya licensed by the Insurance Regulatory Authority as at December, 2022. The unit of observation was the senior management staff from different departments of the medical insurance providers. The departments in question are: claims, information technology, operations, general managers/ heads of departments and managing directors/executive officers. The sample size of the study was 244 senior management staff of the 45 medical insurance providers. As for data analysis and presentation, the data was analyzed using SPSS software. Descriptive and inferential statistics including correlation and multiple regression analysis was used to analyze quantitative data. The results of the regression analysis show that the effects of electronic data interchange, automation of the claims process, mobile patient applications, and online portals are statistically significant. Based on its findings, the study concluded that Kenyan medical insurance providers' operational performance is influenced by their adopted innovations since client preferences and business demands are constantly changing and that innovation uptake helps businesses gain a competitive edge. The results of the regression analysis show that the effects of electronic data interchange, automation of the claims process, mobile patient applications, and online portals are statistically significant. Finally, the study concludes that, payer provider automation technologies have been embraced by medical insurance providers, improving the organization's operational performance and increasing sales income, market share, and customer satisfaction in service delivery. Key words: Electronic Data Interchange, Automation of The Claims Process, Mobile Patient Applications, Online Portals, Medical Insurance Providers, Operational Performance
Influence of leadership development programs on employee engagement: a case of Strathmore University
(Strathmore University, 2024) Akoth, E.
There is a significant increase in the demand for programs that enhance leadership in the past decades. This popularity has led to a discovery of innovative and creative ideas that enhance the professional relationship that exists between employers and employees. Because leadership goes beyond management, more studies are focused on the competency and problems that occur in the work-life. Thus, the current study examined the influence of leadership development program on employee engagement in Strathmore University. Specific objectives were: To establish the influence of leadership development program design on employee engagement at Strathmore University. To determine the influence of Action Learning Projects in the Leadership Excellence Acceleration Program on engagement of employees at Strathmore University. To evaluate the influence of integration of Coaching in the Leadership Excellence Acceleration Program on employee engagement in Strathmore University. The study was based on three component theory of engagement and transaction leadership theory. The study applied descriptive research design and a census of 99 participants of leadership development program in Strathmore University. Primary data was collected through administration of questionnaires. Data was analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics while qualitative data was thematically analyzed. The findings were presented in figures and tables. Correlation analysis depicted that there was a positive statistically significant influence of leadership development program design on employee engagement at Strathmore University. It was revealed that there was a positive statistically significant influence of action learning projects in the leadership excellence acceleration program on engagement of employees at Strathmore University. There was a positive and statistically significant influence of integration of coaching in the leadership excellence acceleration program on employee engagement in Strathmore University. There is need for adoption of strategies that would enhance leadership program design so as to enhance connectivity with vision and mission of an organization and increase willingness and commitment to serve in Strathmore for long. Measures should be taken to integrate hand on and experimental approach in the curriculum so as to enable it to optimize its value contribution amongst its participants. There is need for agreement on measures and strategies that would nurture confidentiality and trust during the implementation of coaching program.
Effect of transactional and transformational leadership styles on nurses’ productivity in the selected public, private and faith-based hospital in Nairobi County, Kenya: the moderating role of task structure
(Strathmore University, 2024) Muriuki, N.
The main objective of this study was to assess the effect of leadership styles on nurses’ productivity in a public, a private and a faith-based hospital in Nairobi County and examine the moderating role of task structure to this effect. The study specifically sought to assess the effect of transformational leadership style and transactional leadership style, on nursing employee absenteeism in the selected hospitals in Nairobi County. The study applied a descriptive survey design to identify, analyze and describe the effects of leadership styles on nursing employee productivity in selected public, private, and faith-based hospitals in Nairobi County. These include the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), The Nairobi Hospital, and Mater Misericordiae Hospital. The collected data was analyzed by both descriptive and inferential statistics. From the regression of coefficients, it was confirmed that transformational leadership style has a positive and statistically significant relationship with employee productivity. This implies that changes in a unit of the aspects related to transformational leadership style leads to a change in employee productivity. It was also confirmed (from the regression results) that transactional leadership style has a positive and statistically significant relationship with employee productivity. This implies that changes in a unit of the aspects related to transactional leadership style leads to a change in employee productivity. The findings therefore, confirmed that there is a positive and significant moderating effect of task structure on the relationship between transformational leadership style and employee productivity. The study finds conclusive evidence that transformational leadership style has a positive and statistically significant relationship with employee productivity. It was also confirmed that transactional leadership style has a positive and statistically significant relationship with employee productivity. This indicates that when leaders adopt transformational and transactional leadership styles, they are more likely to inspire and motivate their employees, which results in increased productivity. Leaders who exhibit transformational leadership behaviors such as inspiring their followers, providing individualized consideration, intellectually stimulating their employees, and exhibiting idealized influence can enhance employee productivity. Similarly, leaders who use transactional leadership behaviors such as providing rewards, setting goals, and monitoring performance can also improve employee productivity Keywords: Transformational leadership style, transactional leadership style, nursing employee productivity, nursing employee absenteeism, task structure.
Determinants of private health insurance demand: a case of insurance companies in Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2024) Njoroge, A. N.
Health insurance is an important tool for promoting health and reducing the burden of healthcare costs for individuals and households. In Kenya, health insurance coverage remains low, with only about 20% of the population covered. This study aims to investigate the factors influencing private health insurance demand in Kenya, with a focus on the effects of education, employment status, and household disposable income. This study is anchored on the Grossman's model of healthcare demand and also leans on the Nyman’s model of private health insurance. Nyman's model emphasizes the role of income and price elasticity in determining healthcare demand, while Grossman's model proposes that an individual's health investment decisions are influenced by their human capital, time preference, age, environmental factors, and expected benefits of investing in health. The study adopted a longitudinal survey design, utilizing secondary data from various sources including the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, the Insurance Regulatory Authority, and the World Bank Development Indicators. The data covered the period from 2002 to 2022, allowing for the analysis of trends and changes in health insurance demand over time. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data and examine the distribution of health insurance coverage across educational levels, employment statuses, and income levels. Linear regression analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between health insurance demand and the independent variables of education, employment status, and household disposable income. Using the F-Statistic and R-squared the research concluded that education level, unemployment rate, and household disposable income jointly influenced health insurance demand significantly. Education was not a significant determinant, contrary to expectations and previous research. On the other hand, unemployment rate and household disposable income played crucial roles in shaping health insurance demand. A notable limitation of this study was the confined time frame. This limitation arose from the unavailability of data for the years preceding 2002 for certain data series.
Factors that influence women’s intention to lead family Businesses in Nairobi, Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2024) Ndolo, A.
In recent years, countries have sought more gender equality and acknowledged the unique contributions that women can make as business leaders and entrepreneurs. Women continue playing an invisible role where they work behind the scenes and take up administrative roles such as moderators and informal advisors. However, studies consistently indicate that family firms that have women leaders show improved performance. Despite family-owned enterprises presenting huge opportunities for female family members to lead, representation of women within these businesses’ leadership is still low. Against this backdrop, this study aimed to investigate the factors that influence women’s intention to lead family businesses in Nairobi, Kenya. The study achieved this aim by meeting three research objectives: to investigate the effect of attitude on women’s intention to lead family businesses in Kenya, investigate the effect of subjective norms on women’s intention to lead family businesses in Kenya, and to investigate the effect of perceived behavioural control on women’s intention to lead family businesses in Kenya. The theory of planned behaviour and the social cognitive theory were used to guide the study and fill the conceptual gap in the literature regarding the behavioural elements that drive women’s fundamental identity shift towards leadership roles in family businesses. Adopting a descriptive research design and a positivism research philosophy, survey questionnaires were used to quantitatively collect data to meet the research objectives. The research used purposive sampling to collect data from 169 2nd and 3rd-generation women kin in family businesses. Data was analysed using both descriptive and inferential analysis. The findings indicate that attitude is a positive but non-significant predictor of women’s intentions to lead family businesses in Kenya. In contrast, the findings have indicated that both subjective norms and perceived behavioural control are strong positive significant predictors of women’s intentions to lead family businesses in Kenya. Keywords: Theory of planned behaviours, attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, behavioural intentions
Factors influencing access to technology education programs for the visually impaired in higher learning institutions: a case of University of Nairobi
(Strathmore University, 2024) Gathu, S.
In Kenya, inclusive education takes into consideration people with physical disabilities but remains inaccessible to the visually impaired. In addition, while Technology Education Programs (TEP) have been improved to include people with physical disabilities, they have not taken into consideration the visually impaired. Institutions of higher learning in Kenya are behind in efforts to improve access to TEP among visually impaired individuals. Therefore, this study sought to examine factors influencing the accessibility of technology education programs among visually impaired individuals in institutions of higher learning in Kenya. The study sought to determine how the availability of trained staff, physical infrastructure, availability of teaching and learning materials and availability of assistive technology influence the accessibility of TEP among the visually impaired in institutions of higher learning in Kenya. This study was anchored on the social justice theory, the theory of social constructivism and the technology acceptance model. The study adopted a pragmatism research approach. In addition, the study used both an explanatory research design and mixed methods research design. Specifically, the study made use of concurrent triangulation design. The target population was 410 visually impaired individuals who are undertaking different courses in the University of Nairobi, 2,786 visually impaired individuals who have completed different courses in the University of Nairobi in the last 5 years, 12 staff in the School of Computing and Informatics, 5 staff working in the Disability Resource Centre at the University of Nairobi as well as heads of the 5 PVI associations in Kenya. Since the population of staff in the School of Computing and Informatics, staff working in the Disability Resource Centre and heads of PVIs was small and census approach was used. Slovin's Formula was used in the determination of the sample size for the current visually impaired. The study used systematic random sampling in the selection of the study’s sample size of 388 from the visually impaired. The research employed primary data collection methods, utilizing semi-structured questionnaires and a key informant interview guide. These instruments were designed to gather both qualitative and quantitative data. Qualitative data obtained from open-ended questions and key informant interviews underwent thematic analysis for a comprehensive understanding. On the other hand, quantitative data from the questionnaires was subjected to editing, coding, and entry into the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 22), a statistical software tool. Inferential statistics included Pearson correlation analysis and regression analysis. The study found that availability of trained staff had a positive and significant effect on the access to technology education programs among the visually impaired. In addition, physical infrastructure had a positive and significant effect on the accessibility of technology education programs among the visually impaired. Further, the availability of teaching and learning materials has a positive and significant effect on the accessibility of technology education programs among the visually impaired. Also, the study found that availability of assistive technology has a positive and significant effect on the accessibility of technology education programs among the visually impaired. The study recommends that staff members should receive training in disability awareness, specialized teaching methods, and the use of assistive technologies. The university should prioritize the installation of tactile surfaces and signage throughout the campus, including in classrooms, laboratories, restrooms, and common areas. Keywords: Assistive technology, Institutions of higher learning, physical infrastructure, Technology Education Programs, Trained staff, visually impaired
Assessing the effectiveness of the legal system in curbing policyholder fraud in Kenya’s motor insurance sector
(Strathmore University, 2024) Wangari, S. K.
The objective of this research was to examine the effectiveness of the legal system in curbing policyholder fraud in Kenya's motor insurance sector. The Insurance Act CAP 487, claims management guidelines, and the Penal Code CAP 63 represented the legal system, the independent variable, with policyholder fraud being the dependent variable. Deterrence theory and fraud triangle theory formed theoretical framework for the study. The study followed the positivist research paradigm and adopted an explanatory research design. The target population for the study constituted employees of the 34 registered motor insurance companies in Kenya, from which a sample of 102 respondents was selected using a stratified sampling technique. Primary data was collected using structured questionnaires. The survey was conducted in March 2024. Descriptive, correlation, and regression analysis constituted the statistical techniques for analyzing collected data via Microsoft Excel and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and findings presented using tables and figures. According to the findings, the effectiveness of the Insurance Act and the Penal Code in curbing policyholder fraud is weak and non-significant. However, the effectiveness of claims management guidelines is significant. Therefore, out of the three, this advises insurance firms to specially focus on guidelines for claims management in preventing policyholder fraud. This research also proposes policy changes aimed at strengthening the Insurance Act and Penal Code to improve their effectiveness in fighting insurance fraud. Also, since the three legal instruments covered in this study explains a small margin of policyholder fraud, this study suggests studying the effectiveness of other components of the legal system in curbing policyholder fraud in Kenya’s motor insurance sector.
Evaluation of how universities are seeking relevance through industry-led programmes in Nairobi, Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2024) Kadima, W. O.
The overarching aim of this research was to evaluate how Universities are achieving relevance through industry-led programs (ILPs) in Nairobi, Kenya. The research was centered around Institutional Theory and The Resource-Based Theory (RBV), which underpin ideas on how organizations change and tend to become similar over time as well as the view on organizational resources and capabilities; with a key emphasis of this research being around structures, systems, industry linkages and the changing value propositions. In doing this, the research utilized a mixed-method approach to examine how universities achieve relevance through ILPs. A total of 198 respondents consisting of deans, academic directors, strategy officers, business development managers, and faculty were surveyed in the study, with both primary and secondary data collected. The data analysis comprised thematic analysis, descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Reliability and validity were achieved through the evaluation of the plausibility of the variables in relation to the existing knowledge of their effect on performance within organizations. The novelty of the study can be viewed in the following ways; seeking to first enhance understanding of the changing value proposition of universities driven by industry programs and hence a framework upon which relevance can be built, and secondly to generate evidence on the variables relating to University-ILPs and their interplay to relevance within Universities. The research is also expected to contribute to the continuing discussion on curriculum development and the pre-existing government-research-teaching triple helix which seems to be broken. Findings suggest that, overall, ILPs contribute to university relevance. industry linkages, systems, structures, and value propositions all have a positive influence on university relevance. However, it is only industry linkages that have a significant impact. This research, therefore, proposes paying special focus on industry linkages for universities that wish to grow their relevance. Keywords: Relevance, Industry-Led Programs, Universities, Higher Learning Institutions, Resource Based View.
Determinants of sustainability disclosures among Non-Governmental Organisations in Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2024) Owilly, S. O.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the determinants of sustainability disclosure among non-governmental organisations in Kenya. The study was anchored on the stakeholder theory. Further, the study adopted a correlative research design and a mixed methodology and employed both quantitative surveys and a qualitative focus group discussion to collect primary data. The population for this study was the executive managers of leading NGO sector players in Kenya. Stratified random sampling was employed to collect quantitative data from respondents and seven randomly selected participants were included in the focus group discussion. Findings indicate that strategic posture is a positive significant predictor of sustainability disclosure in NGOs in Kenya. Governance attributes were found to be a positive put nonsignificant of sustainability disclosure of NGOs in Kenya. Stakeholder attributes were found to have the strongest positive and significant effect on NGO sustainability disclosure in Kenya. The results of the thematic analysis of the FGD support the results of the quantitative findings. The study makes a substantial contribution to the understanding of the specific context of NGO sustainability disclosure in Kenya, providing useful insights into the distinct strategic posture, governance, and stakeholder dynamics that influence reporting practices. It challenged conventional findings and discovered significant predictors of sustainability disclosure, resulting in a more nuanced knowledge of non-profit sustainability activities in developing countries. However, this study acknowledges the limitation of a correctional study where it is a challenge to establish the consistency of findings over time. Therefore, future studies could conduct longitudinal research monitoring the development of sustainability disclosure policies over time to provide a dynamic viewpoint of the third sector in Kenya.
Antecedents of telemedicine adoption in private health care facilities in Nairobi County, Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2024) Obura, S.
Telemedicine can change how healthcare is delivered globally and in Kenya, as it can allow healthcare service providers to provide better and coordinated healthcare to most communities that the current health services cannot reach. Its adoption in Kenya is limited; thus, the current study aims to examine telemedicine adoption in private health facilities in Nairobi County. Specifically, the study aimed to investigate the effect of technological factors on the adoption of telemedicine by private healthcare facilities in Nairobi County, while concurrently determining the effect of organizational and environmental dimensions on the adoption of telemedicine by private healthcare facilities in Nairobi County. The study was anchored on the TOE framework, applied descriptive research, and sourced primary data by administering 151 questionnaires. The study adopted descriptive and inferential statistics for data analysis and presented results in figures and tables. The study concludes that staff within hospitals possess relevant knowledge and skills to guide the implementation of technical systems, the hospitals have adequate staff with technical skills, and there is also a significant agreement on the sufficiency of resource provision to support investments in new emerging technologies within the hospitals. In addition, there are policies to guide the development of training manuals that enhance the infrastructural capacity of staff and systems that ensure they can maintain technological infrastructure. However, despite having systems in place to ensure that technologies adopted in the hospitals support reliable service provision, the staff preparedness to utilize new technical systems in service provision had the lowest mean score. The study concludes that sufficient human resources are available in the hospital to support the implementation of new technical systems and that the hospital has adequate equipment and facilities to adopt new technical systems in their operations. It further concludes that the organization has enough financial resources to support investment in new technology equipment and staff training, and there is sufficient demand for primary and specialized care within the hospital to justify the adoption of new technologies in service provision. The hospital management also routinely delegates duties to subordinate employees to ease decision-making. Similarly, management routinely reviews the existing structures to ensure alignment with their facilities' core objectives. The researcher concludes that the degree of competition in the private health industry is high and has pushed the hospitals to invest in emerging technologies; the competitive environment in the private health industry has exposed the hospitals to new standards and practices in the provision of healthcare; relevant government agencies have streamlined the regulatory environment, which has supported the assimilation of technology in private practice; relevant regulatory agencies provide the facilities with incentives to improve the digitalization of healthcare services, the increased demand for primary and specialized healthcare locally has exerted pressure on the hospitals to revolutionize service offerings and that various stakeholders in the health industry have enabled the facilities to integrate emerging technologies faster respectively. On technology adoption as the dependent aspect, the study concluded that due to various dimensions, the health facilities have clear and defined telemedicine strategies; they identify and adopt new technologies and processes that enhance their business models and improve the customer experience.
Chief Executive Officers' entrepreneurial risk-taking behaviour and non-financial performance of family-owned businesses in Nairobi, Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2024) Kosgey, S. J.
Family-owned businesses contribute to as much as 70-90% to the economies around the world through innovation, job creation, among other important ways. The management of family-owned businesses therefore ought to be given important consideration as this determines their success, and consequently, their contribution to the GDP. One important factor of success of family-owned businesses is the CEOs entrepreneurial risk-taking behaviour, which has been associated with both the financial and non-financial performance of family-owned businesses. The study sought to examine the influence of family and non-family CEOs entrepreneurial risk-taking behaviour on the non-financial performance of family-owned businesses in Nairobi, Kenya. The specific objectives were to compare how the characteristics of family and non-family CEOs influence entrepreneurial risk-taking behaviour, how risk-taking behaviour affects non-financial performance and to determine the moderating effect of business decision making on the relationship between entrepreneurial risk-taking behaviour and non-financial performance of family-owned business enterprises in Nairobi Kenya. This study, anchored on Upper Echelons theory and Agency Theory, applied descriptive cross sectional research design and sourced primary data among 100 CEOs of family-owned enterprises in Nairobi County. Descriptive and inferential statistics analysed the data. Results showed that there was an inverse and not statistically significant effect of age and education qualifications on the non-financial performance of family-owned businesses. Further, there was a positive and not statistically significant effect of CEO tenure on the non-financial performance of family-owned businesses. Business decision making had a positive and statistically significant moderating effect on the relationship between entrepreneurial risk-taking behaviour and non-financial performance of family-owned enterprises in Nairobi County. This study concludes that risk-taking behaviour should be encouraged within family firms as it yields positive performance outcomes, irrespective of the kinship of the CEO. It can be concluded that there is need for adoption, formulation and incorporation of structural frameworks for risk evaluation, innovation and channelling of energy into most viable options that would enhance long-term sustainability. It is recommended that family businesses should not have a bias when hiring a CEO. CEOs (whether family or not) should not shy away from engaging in risk-taking to enhance business performance. Key words: CEO Characteristics, CEO Entrepreneurial Risk-Taking Behaviour, Business Decision Making, Non-Financial Performance, Family-Owned Businesses, Family and Non-Family CEO.
Understanding the dynamics of private medical insurance uptake: a cross-sectional survey among social media users in Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2024) Okaka, D.
Kenya aims to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030, ensuring access to quality health services without financial hardship. Various prepayment mechanisms like private health insurance (PHI) can mitigate catastrophic health spending, yet their uptake remains low. This study examined factors influencing PHI uptake in Kenya through a cross-sectional analytic study with 440 participants (235 female, 205 male) aged 18-59 years. It aimed to provide context-specific evidence on strategies that can be tailored to increase the uptake of private medical insurance in Kenya. Study data was collected via an online self-administered survey, and both bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to ascertain relations between various variables in the study. A thematic analysis was also done to explore the challenges mentioned in accessing PHI via feedback from social media users. The study found that 70% of respondents had PHI, most of which was employer-provided. Although not reaching a statistical significance, PHI ownership peaked among those aged 30-39 years and was positively associated with higher monthly household income. The key barriers found to the uptake of PHI included a lack of information, high cost of premiums, lack of trust in the PHIs, and complex claim processes. Despite the high coverage in the study sample, gaps still remain for achieving universal coverage. The recommendations to PHIs include differentiated pricing strategies, reducing premiums altogether, targeting older adults and the informal sector, improving transparency, and enhancing communication. However, PHI alone may not achieve UHC, as evidenced from this study and others; thus, a tax-funded system should be considered for significant progress towards UHC.
Assessment of the influence of organisational structure on business process innovation of small and medium-sized supermarkets in Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2024) Maina, B. N.
Over the last 10 years, there have been significant challenges in the retail sector in Kenya. Four of the largest supermarket chains have collapsed, while some international outlets have pulled out. All local supermarkets start as small family businesses, most of which fail or remain small. A handful, however, have grown to be large enterprises. What differentiates these successful ventures, which scale from those that remain small or collapse, is not clear. However, what is clear is that the retail industry is hyper-competitive and volatile. Previous studies have indicated the influence of organisational structure on innovation. This is such that businesses that leverage their organisational structure and innovate can adapt to market changes and competitor actions while improving productivity and increasing business survival. However, there is a dearth of studies that examine the connections between organisational structure and business process innovation. Considering this dearth of studies, the purpose of this research was to assess the influence of the organisational structure on business process innovation adoption in small and medium-sized supermarkets in Kenya. the dynamic capabilities and the organisational learning theories anchored this study. The study adopted a descriptive research design and a positivism philosophy. A population of 340 supermarkets was used to draw a sample of 183 supermarkets. The sample was selected using the simple random sampling technique. The findings of the quantitative study indicate that formalisation, centralisation, and integration are positive but non-significant predictors of business process innovation in small and medium-sized supermarkets in Kenya. Overall, organisational structure is a nonsignificant predictor of business process innovation in small and medium-sized supermarkets in Kenya. This study questions previous conclusions regarding the relationship between centralisation, formalisation, and integration and BPI in organisations. This study’s findings call into question the conventional idea that organisational structure has a significant effect on business BPI. The managerial implications lie in a strategy shift away from a narrow focus on structural changes. Instead, small, and medium-sized supermarket managers should prioritise activities that are ingrained in their organisation’s culture. Managers may unlock their teams’ innovativeness by creating an atmosphere that prioritises employee engagement, fosters creativity, and promotes a culture of experimentation.

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