MBA Theses and Dissertations (2023)

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A Study on the effect of Environmental Social and Governance adoption and bank characteristics on the financial performance of commercial banks in Uganda
(Strathmore University, 2023) Awuor, L.
Recent changes to corporate external reporting have sparked discussions around the need to evolve the practice. Reports by influential organizations suggest a need to incorporate forward-looking, nonfinancial, and soft information in financial reports for the benefit of all stakeholders, hence the emergence of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) disclosure requirements. In Uganda, the law does not require institutions to disclose ESG matters; this has, however, not deterred its voluntary adoption by players in the commercial banking sector. Most banks are, however, likely to face hurdles in compliance, and the lack of guidance on ESG disclosures makes it difficult for stakeholders to compare results across early-adopting organizations. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of ESG adoption and bank characteristics on financial performance in Uganda. Data from published financials and structured questionnaires was used to collect data from all the licensed commercial banks between 2012-2021. By employing a multivariate regression analysis, the study established that ESG has a slightly positive effect on ROE and a slightly negative effort on ROA. However, both relationships are not statistically significant. Therefore, this study has not approved or disapproved of any of the theoretical expectations of the two hypotheses that ESG positively or negatively affects financial performance. The relationship with bank characteristics has also shown that profitability positively and significantly affects ROE and ROA. Finally, the findings indicate that having ESG adoption enforced by regulatory bodies (both financial sector regulators and accounting bodies) would be the most effective way to ensure that banks in Uganda observe sustainable practices. Future studies could extend the investigations to longer periods to establish whether the current findings hold over time. Future research could also examine specific ESG factors in isolation, say environmental, social, and governance, to investigate their individual effects on the financial performance of Ugandan commercial banks. Keywords: Environmental, social, ESG reporting, sustainability disclosure, sustainability reporting, bank-specific characteristics, and financial performance.
Influence of supply chain management on the performance of distributors of fast-moving consumer goods companies in Kenya: a case of select key distributors
(Strathmore University, 2023) Rono, C.
The main objective of this study was to determine the influence of SCM on the performance of distributors of top FMCGs in Kenya. The study was guided by the following specific objectives: to determine the effect of inventory availability on the performance of FMCG distribution firms in Kenya, to assess the effect of order fulfillment on the performance of FMCG distribution firms in Kenya, to establish the effect of quality management on the performance of FMCG distribution firms in Kenya and to determine the effect of returns management on the performance of FMCG distribution firms in Kenya. This study employed a cross-sectional correlational research design and targeted 67 distributor firms which distribute the products of 4 major FMCG firms in Kenya. The population included the 42 Unilever Kenya distributors, 9 Colgate Palmolive Kenya distributors, 7 Reckitt Benckiser Services Kenya Ltd distributors and 9 L’Oréal Kenya distributors. The data was collected using structured questionnaires. The study managed to collect data from all 63 firms representing 100% response rate. The other four companies which had been included amongst the firms involved during pre-testing the questionnaire were not considered for the purpose of actual data collection. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 25 and the output showed positive coefficients for each independent variable as well as low significant values. This study established that the supply chain management has a strong positive effect on performance of distributor firms. This study concludes that SCM positively influences distributor firm performance. Also, the study concluded that inventory availability, order fulfilment, quality management and returns management have a significant effect on performance of the distributor firms individually. Based on the findings, the study recommends that producers, distributors and other players in the distribution chain to ensure goods reach the final consumers should work closely to ensure highly functional supply chain.
Effect of competitive strategies on the performance of oil marketing companies in Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2023) Gichuhi, L.
Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have been critical for the fuel industry cost as they are the ones who buys the fuel from the offshore suppliers, finances the import and ensure delivery to supply the country. Oil marketing companies play an important role in a country’s economy, and thereby the well-being of these businesses is a necessity for that country’s future success. This study aimed to determine the effect of competitive strategies on the performance of oil marketing companies in Kenya. It aims to evaluate the effect of cost leadership strategy, differentiation strategy and focus strategy on performance of oil marketing companies in Kenya. The study was anchored on Porter’s competitive advantage and resource-based view theory. Positivism was the philosophical foundation for this study. The research design that was used in this study is the descriptive cross-sectional design. The target population for this study was the 71 registered oil marketing companies in Kenya. The study applied census in targeting all the 71 companies due to the small population. Primary data was collected using structured questionnaire. The descriptive and inferential statistics was used in data analysis. Descriptive statistics comprised frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviations. The correlational analysis was used to determine the strength of the association between dependent variable and independent variables. The regression analysis was used to determine the effect of competitive strategies on the performance of oil marketing companies in Kenya. To present the findings, tables, graphs and charts were used. The respondents participated in the study voluntarily and their anonymity was ensured. The researcher ensured the respondents that the data was treated with privacy and confidentiality. The findings of this study showed that cost leadership, differentiation strategy and focus strategy have a positive and significant relationship with performance of oil marketing companies in Kenya. The study showed that Oil Marketing companies in Kenya have adopted these strategies to enhance their performance. The study suggests that the oil companies should study the market continuously. Further, the companies should be aware of what their competitors are up to. This would help the companies to make use the low-cost strategy without making loses by setting lower prices than those of competitors. Understanding the market would help the oil companies to differentiate its products better than competitors and the companies would know where to sell its products that is focus strategy.
Socio-economic factors influencing adoption of solar energy technologies: a case of households in Narok County
(Strathmore University, 2023) Agandi, V. O.
The energy sector in Kenya contributes significantly to the country's economic development by creating employment opportunities and raising people's living standards. However, there is slow adoption of renewable energy, especially solar energy in the country due to various socioeconomic challenges, which is now a major concern to the government because if this remains unchecked, it may derail the country in achieving vision 2030 and other development goals. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to examine the influence of socioeconomic factors (household income, education of household head, dwelling characteristics, and household demographic characteristics) influencing adoption of solar energy in Narok County. The specific objectives of the study include: to evaluate the influence of household income, education of household head, household dwelling characteristics, and household demographic characteristics on the adoption of solar energy technologies in Narok County. The study is anchored on Technology Acceptance Model, the Unified Theory of Adoption and Use of Technology (UTAUT), and the Energy Ladder & Stacking hypothesis. Descriptive research design was adopted with a target population of households in Narok County. Random sampling was applied in this study where 400 respondents were proportionally distributed across the 6 counties respondents randomly selected to participate in this study. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect the primary data. The data was analyzed into both descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive research design was used to determine socio economic factors that influence adoption of solar energy. Regression analysis was also used to identify which factors played a significant role in explaining adoption of solar energy technology in Narok County. The study findings show that there was significant positive correlation between all the socioeconomic factors of household income, education of household head, household dwelling characteristics and household demographics characteristics and the adoption of solar energy technology adoption in Narok County. The findings play a great role in not only extending frontiers of knowledge in green energy strategic business management and regulations research, but also in informing key players in making sound solar energy technology business environment decisions for better green energy adoption.
Effect of institutional factors on public procurement performance in commercial and manufacturing state corporations in Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2023) Mathias, K.
Empirical studies have shown that there is considerable evidence that public procurement performance in the country is deficient, as evidenced by poor allocation of resources, inefficiency in the process, gross negligence, non-adherence to procedures, untimely deliveries, unqualified personnel and incompetence of public administrators in Kenyan corporations. This study sought to examine how institutional factors influence procurement performance in parastatals. The study examined the impact of structure, management style, systems and staff on public procurement performance. The study was anchored on the Higgins model and institutional theory. The study was based on a positivist research philosophy with a descriptive research design. The population for the study was the 33 commercial and manufacturing state corporations in Kenya. The unit of observation was 165 respondents drawn from the strategy managers, finance managers, IT managers, human resource managers and procurement managers of each of the institutions. The study used a census survey of all respondents. The study used a structured research questionnaire. The research data was collected using physical questionnaires and Google forms. The research data collected was analysed using quantitative approaches such as descriptive and inferential analysis. The analysed research data was presented using graphs and tables. The findings revealed that there was a response rate of 95% (n= 114) between April and June 2022.Most of the respondents were procurement managers (26%) and finance managers (23%) in the companies. The results indicate that there was a statistically significant weak and positive association between structure, leadership style, staff and procurement performance within the state corporations. The correlation also showed a statistically significant moderate and positive association between system and procurement performance within state corporations. The results of the regression showed an R2 = .531 which indicates that at least 53.1% of the changes in the dependent variable (procurement performance) are determined by staff, leadership style, system, structure. The study also concluded that structure, system and staff of state owned commercial and manufacturing enterprises have a significant and positive effect on public procurement performance. The study further revealed that leadership style has a positive but insignificant effect on public procurement performance. Therefore, the results of the study indicate that institutional factors are key determinants of public procurement performance. Accordingly, a major focus should be placed on internal issues based on the factors examined in this study. However, more explanation is needed to further identify the specific issues in each organisation and possible structural patterns of problems. Key words: institutional theory, public procurement performance, Kenyan state corporations, Higgins model.
Influence of digital customer experience on customer loyalty in Kenya’s online retail sector
(Strathmore University, 2023) Nderitu, M. W.
The struggle for clients among retail outlets is getting more and more intense due to new business models in the sector and ongoing technological advancements, therefore it is becoming more and more important to preserve long-term connections with customers. The retail industry has been one of the global economy's growing sectors in recent years, with high growth rates in rich nations and exponential development in emerging ones. Increased rivalry and the introduction of new retailing formats, in addition to rapid expansion as a primary cause, are developing a new retail landscape. The general objective of the study was to establish the influence of digital customer experience on customer loyalty in Kenya's online retail sector. Specific objectives were to establish the influence of perceived value on customer loyalty in Kenya's online retail sector, to examine the influence of brand trust on customer loyalty, to determine the influence of services quality on customer loyalty, to establish the influence of convenience on customer loyalty and to examine the influence of product experience on customer loyalty in Kenya's online retail sector. This study was anchored on Diffusion Innovation Theory and Theory of Reasoned Action. This study used a descriptive research design. The target population was 10,000 online customers shopping in the major online retailers in Nairobi. The convenience sampling method was used to select the study sample. The study sample size was 385 respondents. The study used questionnaires to collect primary data. Quantitative data collected was analyzed by the use of descriptive statistics which include percentages, means, standard deviations and frequencies. The information was displayed by use of bar charts, graphs and pie charts and in prose-form. Data collected from open ended questions was analyzed using the content analysis method. Correlational analysis was conducted to determine the strength of a relationship between two, numerically measured, continuous variables. The study also carried out a multiple regression analysis to determine the influence of digital customer experience on customer loyalty in Kenya's online retail sector. The study established that perceived value, brand trust, service quality, convenience and product experience had a statistically significant relationship with customer loyalty in Kenya's online retail sector. The study recommends that the retailers should always ensure that their customers get value of what they purchase. In addition, they should always work with trusted brands and improve their service quality in order to enhance customer loyalty and meet customer needs. Further, customer loyalty would be deepened by increasing convinience through establishment of outlets in different regions. Moreover, the retailers should always ensure that they provide products of good quality to their customers to enhance their loyalty. The study was limited to perceived value, brand trust, services quality, convenience and product experience on customer loyalty in Kenya's online retail sector. Convenience sampling was adopted for this study hence the ability to make generalizations from the sample to the population of interest may be undermined. In addition, the study was limited to descriptive research design thus cause and effect correlations cannot be established. Further, the respondents may not be genuine or offer socially acceptable replies while answering survey questions. The phrasing and choice of questions on a questionnaire might have an impact on the descriptive results. The study objective was to establish the influence of digital customer experience on customer loyalty in Kenya's online sector through perceived value, brand trust, services quality, convenience and product experience hence future studies should adopt other variables. Further, the findings of the study are not generalisable to other sectors and thus a need for future studies to focus on the influence of digital customer experience on customer loyalty in other sectors.
Analysis of the effectiveness of utilization of health information technologies in COVID-19 management in Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2023) Ljukunye, A. L.
Locally, the country has struggled to manage the COVID-19 pandemic due to the weak healthcare systems and the limited number of specialized health facilities. Further, insufficient testing capacity and public sensitization have resulted in the increasing spread of infections in the country. However, evidence from developed countries has shown that extensive application of health information technologies has been critical in the management of COVID-19 pandemic. There has minimal investigation of how these health information technologies were adopted in the country over the last two years of the pandemic. And more so, if they had an influence on COVID-19 management. The current research sought to fill this gap and establish how health information technologies; health information exchange, electronic surveillance and digital connectivity influenced COVID-19 management. The research was informed by the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology. A positivism study philosophy was used in the survey with a descriptive research approach being considered. The study population was the health facilities in the country that utilized health information technologies since the pandemic began in the country. The study applied purposive sampling to target 86 senior hospital personnel drawn from Kenyatta National Hospital, Ministry of Health, ICT Authority Kenya, County Referral Hospitals, Private Referral Hospitals (Nairobi), and Research Institutions (KEMRI & KHF). This was followed by stratified sampling for Kenyatta National Hospital. The study applied a structured questionnaire in the data collection. The collected study data was analysed using statistics such as frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviation, correlation coefficient and regression tests. The analysed data was presented using figures, charts and tables. Correlation tests established that the independent variables; adoption of health information exchange, adoption of electronic surveillance and digital connectivity had a positive relation with COVID-19 Management in Kenya. The regression findings revealed that 52.2% of the variations in COVID-19 management in the country are determined by the adoption of health information technologies in the health sector in Kenya. The analysis conclusions were that the three independent variables have been employed in Kenya and have improved their ability to effectively manage the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthcare centres used health information exchange technologies, electronic surveillance technologies and digital connectivity in reducing the spread of the corona virus. The study recommends that regular staff training be carried out to make them capable of utilizing new technologies and improvising existing ones to serve current needs. The study recommends that data security and surveillance laws be regularly updated to address the loopholes that emerge when new technologies are introduced. The study also recommends better legislation around cyber security to ensure protection of user data and guide on best practices to protect patient data.
Influence of career development programmes on employee performance in commercial banks in Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2023) Shamala, D.
The commercial banking business environment is replete with turbulence from changing consumer demands, economic and financial fluctuations, and changing technological trends. The navigation of this environment is dependent on the capability of its workforce to match or adapt their skills to these changes and prepare for future demands of the workplace. This study examined the influence of career development programmes on employee performance in Kenya’s commercial banking sector. Skill development practices, mentoring practices, and goal-setting represented the independent variables while employee performance was the dependent variable. Social exchange theory, social learning theory, and goal-setting theories were used as the study’s theoretical framework. A positivist research philosophy was adopted while a descriptive research design was implemented. The 2,498 secretarial and other categories of employees in commercial banks as categorised by the Central Bank of Kenya made for the target population from which a sample size of 344 respondents was calculated. A structured questionnaire developed from an empirical literature review was used to collect data after determining its reliability and validity using Cronbach coefficient alpha following a pilot of the instrument among ten participants. Data were collected from 344 respondents from thirty-nine commercial banks. Mean and standard deviation were used to analyse Likert scale data, frequency distribution was used for analysing demographic data, and multiple regression analysis to determine direction and effect of independent variables on employee performance. Skills development and mentoring had positive and significant effects on employee performance while goal-setting did not. The study recommends continuous employee training to match the future demands of the commercial banking sector due to the changing dynamics of this workplace. This can be done by onboarding new jobs, additional skills for employees in their present job, and providing training for emerging roles for employee jobs. There is further a need for commercial banks to support continuous mentoring programmes to include systematic and formal processes for personal development. Managers and supervisors can attain this to set higher goals for employees. The study suggests further research using qualitative methods to gather information on role of career development on employee performance among commercial banks. Based on the findings, there is a need for further study to examine the role and use of goal-setting as a means to enhance the performance of employees in the commercial banking sector. Third, the current study focused on management training programs that focus on entry-level careers. Further research that focuses on career development programs for a high cadre of staff may reveal other perspectives of career development that were not covered in this research. Keywords: Career development programmes, skill development practices, mentoring practices, and goal-setting, employee performance.
Social economic determinants of performance for women empowerment projects: a case of womankind in Garissa County, Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2023) Yussuf, A.
The Kenyan government has enhanced its efforts to encourage women to venture into business by creating policies and investing in projects that create competitive business environments as well as improve women’s’ entrepreneurial efficacy. Despite significant efforts to increase women’s involvement in business, a host of unique challenges have still resulted in men owning more than a third of all businesses globally. The research therefore aimed to identify key social economic determinants of performance of women empowerment projects in Kenya. Specifically, the study sought to establish the effect of gender roles, access to capital and access to technology as they affect performance of the women empowerment entrepreneurial projects in Kenya. The study is guided by Pierre Bourdieu’s theory of capital. In this study, a positivism research philosophy and a descriptive survey design was adopted. The population being unit of analysis of this study was the women empowerment entrepreneurial projects that have been implemented by Womankind in Garissa County, Kenya. The respondents included 230 project staff covering project managers, project coordinators and community liaison officers. Stratified random sampling was adopted to select respondents. Reliability of the data collection tool was determined through Cronbach Alpha Coefficient; while validity was determined by sharing questionnaire with the experts in the field of project management for review. The overall reliability result was 0.833 implying that the study tool was reliable. The analysis of the collected data was done through means, standard deviations and regression analysis. Overall, the research established that socioeconomic determinant has a positive and significant relationship with performance of women empowerment projects. The study concluded that gender roles had a significant effect on performance of women empowerment entrepreneurial projects. Based on the second objective, the study concluded that access to capital had a significant effect on performance of women empowerment entrepreneurial projects. Findings from the last objective concluded that access to technology had an insignificant effect on performance of women empowerment entrepreneurial projects. The study recommends encouraging men to take an active role in supporting women's entrepreneurship, whether as mentors, investors, or advocates, which can help create a more inclusive and supportive environment. Further, recommendations are that providing training on financial management and literacy can help women entrepreneurs understand how to manage their finances effectively, which can improve their chances of accessing formal credit. The study also recommended enhancement of digital literacy among women entrepreneurs including the digital literacy skills needed to use technology effectively. Keywords: Project management, Women empowerment, Entrepreneurial projects, gender roles, access to finance, access to technology
Sorghum farmers satisfaction with market specification contracts in Western Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2023) Waititu, H. C.
This research looks into sorghum farmers’ satisfaction with market specification contracts in Western Kenya. The research was guided by three specific objectives which aimed to determine influence of farmer characteristics, perceived pricing, and quality standards on sorghum farmers’ satisfaction with market-specification contracts. A descriptive research design was adopted targeting a population of 7,768 sorghum farmers in Busia and Siaya Counties from which 384 farmers were reached. A simple random sampling procedure was adopted to recruit respondents and a semi-structured questionnaire was administered after confirming its reliability and validity. The data was analysed using descriptive, correlation, and multiple regression analysis methods with findings presented in tables and supported by interpretations. The findings showed age had a negative and significant effect on farmer satisfaction implying that an increase in age resulted in less satisfaction with contract farming. Sorghum farming experience had a positive and significant effect on farmer satisfaction with CF and this was also observed for perceived pricing and quality standards. The study makes the conclusions that age had a negative effect on satisfaction with market-specification contracts while farming experience had a positive effect on farmer satisfaction. Perceived pricing contributed positively to farmers’ satisfaction with contract farming. The research concludes that quality standards specified in farmers’ contracts with East Africa Malting Limited contributed positively to farmer satisfaction with these contracts. Keywords: Contract farming, farmer satisfaction, market-specification contracts
Determinants of patients’ choice for over the counter medicine among private pharmacies in Nairobi County, Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2023) Wanjiru, R. W.
The goal of the study was to assess the determinants of patients’ choice for over the counter medicine among private pharmaceuticals in Nairobi County, Kenya. The following research goals served as the study's direction and helped the study in achieving its overall goal: (i) to determine the effect of patients’ level of understanding of originality of the medicine, on the patients’ choice for over the counter medicine; (ii) to establish the effect of pattern of choice of pharmaceutical facility on the patients’ choice for over the counter medicine; and (iii) to examine the role of pharmacy technician on the clients’ choice for over the counter medicine. To answer the “what” and “how” of the study questions, descriptive research design was applied for this study. 3170 retail pharmacies registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (Cytonn 2021) within Nairobi County made up the target population. In addition, the study applied systematic sampling approach to survey 200 customers from the 36 pharmacy stores. The study used descriptive and inferential statistics for the analysis of data with the help of Statistical Program for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. To ascertain the relationship between the independent factors and patients' choice of medication, a multiple regression model was used. The study made theoretical contributions because the findings contributes to the corpus of knowledge already available. Regarding the role of pharmacy technician competence, the results revealed a positive significant relationship between the role of pharmacy technician competence and the clients’ choice for over the counter medicine. This was perceived to imply that the more the capability of drug store expert improved (regarding great relational abilities and administration quality) in the review region, the more the decisions for over the counter medication was probably going to be seen despite the negligible impact. The study concluded that there is a significant correlation between patients’ level of understanding of originality of the over the counter medicine, the pattern of choice of pharmaceutical facility, the role of pharmacy technician competence; and the clients’ choice for over the counter medicine. The study recommends pharmacy technicians and other pharmaceutical professionals in the study region to be knowledgeable with non-prescription medicine needs to pass something very similar to clients as this will upgrade a decent relationship and rehash buy. Further, the pharmacy technicians are recommended to continually self-assess their ability particularly relational abilities in order to serve the clients capability as this will advance client-drug store relationship. It is also recommended that future examination center around a bigger scope to draw significant discoveries since this study focused on non-prescription drug.
A Heuristic approach in examining the factors influencing additional voluntary contribution in the public sector in Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2023) Mugi, C. W.
There is prevailing confusion on the machinations of, and thus subscribership to pension funds in Kenya. The need for additional pension fund contributions is however apparent given insufficient funding towards catering to the aging population in the country. The current study aimed at shedding light on the factors affecting employee additional voluntary pension contribution in Kenya’s civil service. The objectives were as follows - to assess the effect of macroeconomic factors on employee additional voluntary pension contribution in Kenya's civil service, to assess the effect of industry-specific factors on employee additional voluntary pension contribution in Kenya's civil service and to assess the effect of personal factors on employee additional voluntary pension contribution in Kenya's civil service. A positivist approach employing a descriptive-correlational research design was applied. Data were collected, through a sampling approach, from all 22 ministries. Data on variables were collected through a structured questionnaire. An exploratory factor analysis was then performed on the data after which an ordinal logistic regression approach was employed in determining the impact of macroeconomic factors, industry-specific factors, and personal factors, on additional voluntary pension contribution in Kenya’s civil service. Personal factors were deemed impactful to employee additional voluntary pension contributions whereas industry-specific factors and macroeconomic factors were not considered impactful at the 95% confidence level. Study findings on the first objective indicate that macroeconomic factors should not be considered in shaping incentive packages to bolster additional voluntary contribution to pension schemes. Findings from the second factor indicate a need for further investigation into potential context-specific attributes that account for the lack of impact of industry-specific factors. Finally, personal factors, as indicated in the third objective, should be considered as an isolated subgroup to create effective additional voluntary contribution incentives that leverage short-term thinking and financial factors.
Influence of talent management strategies on employee performance in the food & beverage sector in Nairobi County
(Strathmore University, 2023) Mwangangi, C. K.
In today's international business environment, talent management is an essential source of competitive advantage that creates value for employers. For this reason, organizations work tirelessly to attract, develop, and retain talent since they believe that employees are the only assets that lead to innovative business strategies and solutions. This study sought to examine the effect talent management strategies have on employee performance in the Food & Beverage Sector in Nairobi. The need for the study was driven by the existing research gaps, including the lack of sufficient empirical information on how talent management strategies such as remuneration, training and development, and workplace safety influence employee performance in the food and beverage sector. Talent management strategies (remuneration, training and development, and workplace health, safety, and well-being) constituted the independent or predictor variables, and employee performance was the dependent or outcome variable. The expectancy theory made for the theoretical framework for the study. The study followed the positivist research paradigm, and a correlational research design was employed for which the purpose was to determine the relationship between the variables. The target population consisted of 135 food and beverage firms in the Nairobi metropolitan region that formed the units of analysis for the study. A cluster sampling technique was used to create a sample size of 405 respondents, and structured questionnaires used to collect data. Out of the targeted 405 questions, 364 were completed and returned on time, meaning the recommended criteria of a 75% response rate was fulfilled. The questionnaires were cleaned, evaluated for integrity, and triangulated to draw conclusive observations for inference. The data was then analyzed using descriptive, correlational, and inferential statistics via Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The study found remuneration to have a positive and significant impact on employee performance. Training and development and workplace health, safety, and well-being were found to have a positive and non-significant impact on employee performance in food and beverage. Therefore, the study concluded that out of the three talent management strategies, only remuneration was a significant predictor of employee performance. Therefore, the study recommends that food and beverage companies in Nairobi should pay special attention to remuneration to drive employee performance. The study urges future researchers to examine other strategies of talent management.
An Assessment of the factors affecting the achievement of turnaround strategies at Kenya Airways
(Strathmore University, 2023) Wanyama, E.
By December 2019, the turnaround strategy at Kenya Airways had shown improved revenue. There was an increase in number of revenue passengers and new routes were opened to Geneva and Rome with connections to Malindi. Just as the turnaround strategy was gaining success, the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic resulted in suspension of flights and government lockdowns which severely impacted the achievement of the turnaround strategy. These factors forced Kenya Airways to implement significant cost-cutting measures. The purpose of this study was to assess the factors that affect the achievement of turnaround strategies in airlines, with a focus on Kenya Airways. The specific objectives were; to examine the effect of strategic alliances, competitive strategies, leadership and Covid-19 pandemic on the achievement of turnaround strategies at Kenya Airways. The study was grounded on the strategic turnaround theory. Descriptive research design was adopted for this study and the researcher probed for information from employees using survey methodology. The unit of observation was managers at Kenya Airways from the following departments: Strategy and Finance department, Human Resources, Technical Operations, Ground Services and Flight Operations. The unit of analysis was 155 employees drawn from senior level, middle level and lower level of management at Kenya Airways. The sample size for the study was 112 employees drawn from the 4 departments. Primary data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Simple random method was applied on respondents earmarked for participation in the study then descriptive and inferential statistics were finally used to analyze and interpret the data. The researcher ensured that the study complies with research quality standards including validity, objectivity and reliability. The study was able to obtain 78% response rate which is adequate when conducting quantitative analysis. Correlation tests showed strategic alliances, competitive strategies and leadership have a positive effect on competitiveness and profitability of Kenya Airways. The study concluded that achievement of turnaround strategies within Kenya Airways is positively related to the execution of strategic alliances, competitive strategies, leadership and Covid-19. Independently the research concluded that strategic alliances, competitive strategies and leadership do have a significant positive effect on achievement of turnaround strategies. The research further concluded that Covid-19 had a negative and insignificant effect on the achievement of turnaround strategies at Kenya Airways. The research recommended that the airline should cooperate more with other major airlines globally that will help in enhancing the diversification of the services offered by the airline. The study recommends that management should consider more hybrid strategies that are more practical when operating in a fluid environment. This will help in avoiding any corrosive effects to the profitability and competitiveness of the airline. The study also recommends that management should implement better recruitment and retention of a highly qualified and diversified workforce which will enhance the effective execution of strategies which can lead to better performance.
Determinants of successful delivery of Public-Private Partnership renewable energy projects in Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2023) Mathu, L.
This research aimed to identify determinants of the delivery of PPP-renewable energy projects in Kenya and propose a framework for improving project success. The research objectives were to establish the significant determining factors (both internal and external) necessary for the successful delivery of PPP renewable energy projects in Kenya, and the extent to which they impact successful project delivery; to develop a framework for the management and delivery of renewable energy (RE) public-private partnership (PPP) projects in Kenya; and to evaluate the impact of the proposed framework on the successful delivery of RE PPP projects in Kenya from a project management and societal benefits perspective. It employed a mixed-methods approach, including questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, to collect data from renewable energy stakeholders. Thematic analysis and statistical methods were used for data analysis. The study revealed that lack of government support and commitment, political, financial, management, and operational factors, and poor project management were key factors influencing the successful delivery of PPP renewable energy projects in Kenya. Political stability and support, financing access, reliable infrastructure, strong project management, skilled workforce, and clear regulatory framework were identified as critical for large-scale PPP-RE project success. The recommended framework includes policy development, effective project and program management, stakeholder engagement, project control, and continuous improvement. The findings were validated through stakeholder interviews, confirming the usefulness, effectiveness, and implementability of the proposed framework, with the suggestion to anchor it in law for operationalization. Keywords: Public Private Partnership, Project success, Project management, Renewable energy projects, Project failure, Public participation, Kenya.
Technological adoption in financial management practices and financial performance in Catholic Higher Educational Institutions in Nairobi, Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2023) Oluoch, H. A.
Effective financial management plays a crucial role in ensuring the success and sustainability of organizations. Therefore, this research aims to investigate the impact of technological adoption on financial management practices and performance in Catholic higher educational institutions in Nairobi, Kenya. The study was guided by three theories: technological diffusion, technology acceptance model (TAM), and free cash flow theory. To achieve this objective, a descriptive research design was employed, and a sample of 51 respondents was selected from five Catholic higher educational institutions using stratified random sampling. Data was collected through self-administered questionnaires containing both open and closed-ended questions. The collected data was analysed using SPSS, and inferential statistics were utilized to conduct statistical significance tests. Multiple regression analysis was also conducted, and qualitative data was subjected to thematic analysis. The findings of the study indicate that 87% of the surveyed universities utilize cash budgets, with QuickBooks (31.1%), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) (20.0%), and Excel (17.8%) being the most commonly employed technologies. Cash budgeting was found to have a positive relationship with financial performance, and integrating cash budgeting with technology was shown to be beneficial for financial performance. However, the study highlights that the use of technology alone in financial management may not be sufficient for improving financial performance. Therefore, the study recommends the integration of technology with cash management policies to enhance financial performance. Among the financial performance indicators assessed, the liquidity/current ratio obtained the highest mean score, while the university’s strong asset base received the lowest mean score. Furthermore, the regression model employed to predict financial performance demonstrated a good fit with an adjusted R square of 0.647. These findings emphasize the significance of investing in technology to enhance financial management in Catholic higher educational institutions in Nairobi, Kenya.
Factors influencing the uptake of online distribution platforms among horticulture producers and exporters in Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2023) Waweru, G. K.
In Kenya, the agricultural value chain has been negatively affected by the low digital literacy levels among small-scale farmers which have resulted in low adaptation and integration of modern technologies. Despite several studies focussing on the adoption of technology in agricultural activities, there has been minimal investigation of the uptake of distribution platforms such as Twiga foods which link farmers to the consumer thus eliminating the middle-men which is key to enhancing the benefits to farmers. This study focused on conducting an analysis of the factors affecting the uptake of online distribution platforms among horticulture producers and exporters in Kenya. The study specific objectives evaluated the effect of technological factors, market factors and resource factors on the uptake of online distribution platforms among horticulture producers and exporters in Kenya. The study was grounded on the technology acceptance model. The research adopted a positivist philosophy with a quantitative research design utilized in guiding the examination of the relationship between the research variables. The study population was the 36 operating in the Flower Member Company and 136 firms in the Fruits & Vegetables Company. The study conducted a survey among a sample of 122 firms that are currently registered by horticulture producers and exporters in Kenya. The research obtained a response rate of 85% which was considered adequate representation for the overall research; hence was used in the current survey. The findings revealed that 54% (n= 56) were using the platforms with 46% not using any online distribution platforms. The results showed that 28% very often used the platforms, 43% used the platform sometimes. The regression findings led to the conclusion that the uptake of online distribution platforms among horticulture producers and exporters is determined by technological, market and resource factors. Separately, market and resource factors have a significant and positive effect on the uptake of online distribution platforms among horticulture producers and exporters, while technological factors had a negative and insignificant effect. The study recommends increasing safety measures to ensure that customers data is protected and secure. With assured safety of their personal information, farmers uptake into online distribution systems will increase. The study recommended that the online distribution platforms should diversify their services offering to increase the uptake levels. The study further recommended increased market training and integration for the users of the online distribution platforms. With focused training on the market and its characteristics, farmers will appreciate the use of the platform and increase their uptake.
Factors influencing insurance uptake among the youth in Nairobi County, Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2023) Aketch, N. A.
The study general objective was to examine factors influencing insurance uptake among the youth in Nairobi County, Kenya. It was guided by the following objectives: to establish the influence of product-related factors on the uptake of insurance products among the youth, to determine the effect of service-related factors on the uptake of insurance products among the youth and to examine the effect of demographic factors on service-related factors, and product-related factors on the uptake of insurance products among the youth. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional research design which targeted 1,791,550 youths aged between 18-34 years within the 17 sub-counties of Nairobi County. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select the sample. The sample size of this study was 400 respondents. Questionnaires were used to collect data. The data was analyzed using both inferential and descriptive statistics. Findings on the influence of product-related factors on the uptake of insurance products among the youth showed that uptake of insurance products had a statistically significant relationship with product related factors (r=.725, p<.01). It was determined that product-related factors account for 52.6% uptake of insurance product among youths in Nairobi County (R2=0.526; F=330.075; p<.01). Findings on the effect of service-related factors on the uptake of insurance products among the youth showed that uptake of insurance products had a statistically significant relationship with service-related factors, (r=.708, p<.01). Service related factors accounts for 50.1% uptake of insurance product among youths in Nairobi County (R2=0.501; F=298.826, p<.01). Findings on the effect of demographic factors on the uptake of insurance products among the youth the uptake of insurance products was also positively related to demographic factors including gender (χ2=88.646; p<0.01), marital status, (χ2=43.279; p<0.01), and employment (χ2=20.032; p<0.01). Key Words: Insurance Uptake; Youths, Product-Related Factors, Service-Related Factors, Demographic Factors.
Factors affecting demand forecasting accuracy in shoe manufacturing companies in Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2023) Narandass, K. H.
The general objective of this study was to assess the factors that affect demand forecasting accuracy in shoe manufacturing companies in Kenya. The specific factors examined in this study included consumer characteristics, product characteristics, competitor activities, external factors, macro-environment factors, forecasting resources and forecasting methods. This study sought to examine the extent to which considering these factors in demand forecasting affects accuracy. A descriptive research design was applied to a target population directly related to the supply chain and forecasting and this constituted employees working in the following departments; sales, marketing, production, procurement and logistics in all shoe manufacturing companies in Kenya. Structured questionnaires were administered to the respondents by the researcher and the collected data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, and presented in tables and charts. The findings from the analysis revealed that factoring consumer characteristics, product characteristics, marketing activities and competitor activities were significant predictors of demand forecasting accuracy. The positive coefficients of these factors mean that considering them can increase the accuracy of demand forecasting. The results also showed that considering explanatory and macro-environment factors predicted demand forecasting accuracy by positive regression coefficients; thus, enhance the accuracy of forecasting. Additionally, the results suggest that forecasting methods can be used to enhance the accuracy of demand forecasting for shoe manufacturers in Kenya. Lastly, the findings demonstrated that demand forecasting resources partially mediates the association between demand forecasting methods and demand forecasting accuracy. Therefore, demand forecasting resources explain the positive impact of demand forecasting methods on forecasting accuracy.
The Role of human resource factors in the implementation of enterprise risk management: a case study of Rwandan insurance industry
(Strathmore University, 2023) Nibishaka, A.
The Financial sector is motivated by the need to meet various regulatory requirements for risk assessment, measurement, mitigation, and capital. This has led to the increasing tendency toward a holistic view and management of risks through the enterprise risk management (ERM) strategy. Implementing ERM is an organization process that is typically carried out over a number of years and is subject to many organizational factors to succeed. Specifically, human resource factors such as teamwork, reward and recognition, and training programs play a key role in the implementation of ERM. The purpose of this study therefore was to establish the role of these HR factors in implementation of ERM in the Rwandan insurance industry. The objectives of the study were: To assess the effect of teamwork on the implementation of enterprise risk management in Rwandan insurance industry; To evaluate the effect of employee reward and recognition on the implementation of enterprise risk management in Rwandan insurance industry; and to explore the effect of employee training programs on the implementation of ERM in Rwandan insurance industry. In order to fulfil these objectives, contingency theory was selected as most appropriate theoretical models to anchor the study. The study applied the positivism philosophy to derive objective viewpoints from the respondents. The correlational research design and a cross-sectional survey approach was used to enable the researcher to obtain data about practices, situations, or views at one point in time through questionnaires. The population and sample consisted of a census of the 14 insurance companies in Rwanda and included four senior managers from each insurance company that were directly involved in the organizations risk management process. Quantitative analytical techniques were used to draw inferences from this data regarding existing relationships through descriptive and inferential statistics to test the relationship and determine the effect of HR factors on the implementation of ERM. The findings indicated that there was a strong association (r=0.844, p value = 0.001; r=0.553, p value = 0.003; and r=0.663, p value = 0.002) between teamwork, reward and recognition and training respectively, and implementation of ERM. The findings also revealed that the Rwandan insurance industry as a whole only had a fairly effective level of ERM implementation. The study recommends the management of the Rwandan insurance companies to seriously consider improving their human resources practices through increased teamwork, staff reward and recognition programs as well as employee trainings that will allow them to improve on their risk management efforts and boost organizational performance.

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