MCOM Theses and Dissertations (2024)

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    The Effects of microfinance products on financial inclusion of residents of Kibera Slums in Nairobi County
    (Strathmore University, 2024) Mundia, J.
    Motivated by the pressing need to address financial exclusion among marginalized populations, particularly in urban slums like Kibera, the research aimed to assess how microfinance interventions contribute to enhancing access to financial services and promoting economic empowerment within this community. Specifically, the study specific objectives were to establish the effect of micro-credit, micro-savings and micro-insurance on financial inclusion in the informal settlements, Nairobi County, Kenya. The study was underpinned by three theories namely asymmetric information theory, social capital theory, and modern economic theory. The study used descriptive research design and a structured questionnaire in data collection. The study sample comprised of 384 households from Kibera slum in September 2023. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis techniques were used in data analysis. The study established that the micro-credit, micro-savings and micro-insurance positively contributes to the financial inclusion in the informal settlements in Nairobi County, Kenya. Given the positive influence of micro-credit on financial inclusion, policymakers and financial institutions in Nairobi County should consider actively promoting and supporting micro-credit programs. This could involve creating awareness, providing financial literacy programs, and easing access to micro-credit for individuals in informal settlements. The study established micro-saving as a significant predictor of financial inclusion and demonstrating its substantial impact on the respondents. To further enhance financial inclusion, efforts should be made to facilitate and promote micro- saving initiatives. Recognizing the positive contribution of micro-insurance to financial inclusion there is a need to expand and improve the accessibility of micro-insurance services in informal settlements. Policymakers, insurance providers, and NGOs can collaborate to design and implement affordable and tailored micro-insurance products that cater to the specific needs of this demographic. Key Words: Microfinance, financial products, financial intermediaries, small and micro enterprises, financial inclusion.
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    Influence of combination strategies on organizational performance of Deposit Taking SACCOs in Kenya
    (Strathmore University, 2024) Mjambili, M. F.
    Deposit taking Saccos have an essential role in the financial sector in Kenya’s economy. Generally, deposit taking Saccos have registered increased performance. However, several Saccos have not been performing well forcing SASRA to take drastic action to protect member deposits. The study sought to determine the influence of combination strategies on organizational performance of deposit taking Saccos in Kenya. The study was guided by the following objectives: to determine effect of financing strategy on organizational performance of deposit taking Saccos in Kenya, to determine effect of relationship marketing strategy on organizational performance of deposit taking Saccos in Kenya, to determine effect of innovation strategy on organizational performance of deposit taking Saccos in Kenya, to determine effect of human resource focus strategy on organizational performance of deposit taking Saccos in Kenya. Resource-based view and diffusion of innovation theories anchored this research. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional design. The study comprised of 176 deposits taking SACCOs in Kenya that formed the unit of analysis with operations managers forming the unit of inquiry. After selecting 132 operations managers at random using a simple random selection approach, the research's sample size was determined using the Yamane formula. A structured questionnaire was used to gather primary data. Content and construct validity, together with reliability as measured by Cronbach's alpha, were investigated throughout the piloting phase to establish validity. Statistical methods for both descriptive and inferential analysis were used to examine numerical data. Mean, percentage, standard deviation, and frequency were all part of the descriptive analysis, whilst correlation, linear and multiple regression were part of the inferential analysis. Visual representations of the data included tables, charts, figures, and models. The strategies account for 66.4% significant variance in organizational performance of DTSs (R square =.664, P=0.000) implying that 33.6% of the variance in organizational performance of DTSs is accounted for by other variables not captured in this model. The study recommended that implementing robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks is crucial for assessing the effectiveness of combination strategies. Sacco managers should establish key performance indicators aligned with strategic objectives and regularly evaluate the impact of implemented strategies. This iterative process allows for adjustments and refinements based on real-time feedback and evolving market conditions. Further studies should focus on other combination strategies such as growth and expansion strategies.
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    The Influence of organizational culture on employee retention in foreign owned banks in Kenya
    (Strathmore University, 2024) Nduru, P. J.
    Kenya's banking sector faces significant employee turnover due to issues such as cultural unawareness, heavy workloads, poor environments, insecurity, work-life imbalance, and unsatisfactory salaries. These challenges are intertwined with organizational infrastructure and organizational culture. Skilled professionals often switch jobs for better pay and improved conditions, compounding the problem. This study sought to examine the influence of organizational culture on employee retention in the Foreign owned banks in Kenya. It delved into the impact of organizational cultural dimensions (Hofstede's Power Distance, Masculinity, Individualism, and Uncertainty Avoidance) on retention. The research drew from Hofstede’s cultural dimensions theory, supplemented by the social exchange theory. Using a descriptive research design, the study targeted the thirteen registered foreign owned banks in Kenya. This study adopted a quantitative research design; specifically, descriptive cross-sectional survey technique. The researcher administered structured questionnaires electronically using google forms from a selected sample of 187 respondents. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and regression analysis. The results showed that among the four dimensions of culture, power distance and masculinity had a positive influence on employee retention while uncertainty avoidance and individualism had a negative influence. This study contributes to theory by building on the existing literature on Hofstede’s cultural dimensions theory by boosting the understanding of the various dimensions of culture and the possible effect that each cultural dimension could have on employee retention. In addition, this study will also inform organizational policy development surrounding issues such as compliance, customer engagement, and employee development. The findings of this study were limited to the classifications of the dimensions of culture and employee retention adopted by the researcher. The study was also limited to data collected using cross- sectional surveys, and only the foreign owned banks and were studied. Future studies could address these limitations. Keywords: Employee retention; Organizational culture; Hofstede’s cultural dimensions; Kenya; Banking sector;
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    Assessing the impact of COVID-19 on bank specific factors and credit risk management of Kenyan banks
    (Strathmore University, 2024) Maina, V. W.
    The global financial crisis of 2007 – 2009 was considered the most serious global economic crisis until the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic added to the difficult operating environment which occasioned high default rates, hence an increase in credit risk. The main objective of the study was to determine the impact of COVID-19 on bank specific factors that influence credit risk management of commercial banks in Kenya. The bank specific factors studied are liquidity, bank size and age of the bank. There is little empirical evidence on how banks responded with regards to credit risk management during COVID-19 pandemic and studies have also failed to highlight whether the relationship between bank specific factors and credit risk management was the same before and after COVID-19 pandemic. This study was anchored on asymmetric information and credit risk theories. The research philosophy implemented in the study was the pragmatism philosophy and the research design implemented was mixed method research design which combines both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Questionnaires were used to collect primary data and administered through google forms while secondary data was sourced from the annual reports for the period 2019 to 2021. The study’s target population was all the 39 commercial banks in Kenya. The study period was 2019 to 2021 since the study focuses on before and after COVID-19. The data analysis used descriptive statistics, diagnostic tests, correlation, and multiple regression analysis. The study established that bank size, age of the bank and ownership structure do not significantly influence credit risk management before and after COVID-19 except for liquidity ratio where a significant change was noted after COVID-19. The findings of this study can be used by banks’ management and scholars to help them understand the relationship between bank specific factors and credit risk management. The study recommends that commercial banks in Kenya should take stringent measures in implementing credit assessment processes and comply with all established lending requirements to improve financial performance. The bank management should closely monitor the restructured loans and implement debt collection.
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    The Influence of organizational culture and values in financial crimes prevention among technological multinational organizations in Kenya
    (Strathmore University, 2024) Wambura, J. C.
    The unique cultural and regulatory obstacles that multinational technology businesses operating in Kenya encounter may have an impact on their vulnerability to financial crimes. Comprehending these distinct elements may facilitate the creation of more potent preventative measures. This study examined the influence of corporate culture and values on financial crime prevention in technology multinational organizations (TMOs) in Kenya. The specific objectives were: firstly, to determine the influence of organizational culture and values on financial crime prevention in technology multinational companies; secondly, to determine how dominant company values and culture influence financial crime prevention amongst those technology multinational companies; thirdly, to determine how the predominant culture of the TMO can be promoted amongst the workforce to assist financial crime prevention within the technology multinational companies and fourthly, to assess the moderating effect of corporate governance on the relationship between corporate culture, values and financial crime prevention. The study was supported by three theories: Compliance Theory, Rational Choice Theory, and the Theory of Convenience. The study employed a descriptive research design where the target population was made up of employees from across the three TMOs (Google, Microsoft, and Oracle) operating in Kenya. The study employed the purposive sampling technique to select 18 participants as the sample size. Qualitative data was collected through interview protocol, with the data being collected in January 2024. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis. The study’s findings showed that corporate culture and corporate values influenced financial crime prevention at TMOs operating in Kenya. Also, corporate governance had a moderating effect on the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. Financial crime prevention is positively impacted by a number of elements of corporate culture, which entails giving employees a voice, long-term vision, raising the level of communication transparency, social responsibility and corporate values such as maintaining high ethical standards. The study's results inform the development of best practices and policies for financial crime prevention in technology multinational firms in Kenya and can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of existing policies and regulations in the country.