MCOM Theses and Dissertations (2025)

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http://hdl.handle.net/11071/15731

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Moderating effect of staff training on determinants of fraudulent practices committed by bank employees in Kenyan commercial banks
(Strathmore University, 2025) Robi, J. M.
In the modern financial landscape, fraudulent practices in commercial banks pose a critical challenge to financial stability, regulatory compliance, and customer trust. This study examines the determinants of fraudulent practices among employees in Kenyan commercial banks, focusing on internal control systems, regulatory compliance, organizational culture, and technological advancements. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of various factors in preventing fraudulent activities and maintaining the integrity of banking operations. The research is based on the Fraud Triangle Theory, Fraud Diamond Theory, Social Learning Theory and Routine Activity Theory, which offer valuable insights into the motivations and opportunities for fraud within financial institutions. A positivist approach is taken, employing an explanatory research design. Primary data was gathered through structured questionnaires directed at bank managers involved in risk management, compliance, internal auditing, and governance across Kenya’s 38 licensed commercial banks. A total of 152 participants were selected using a census sampling method and the data was analyzed through both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques to uncover patterns and relationships among the variables. The study findings reveal that Kenyan commercial banks have effective internal control systems, comply with regulatory requirements, foster a strong ethical culture and utilize advanced technologies to prevent fraud. The study further reveals that there was a strong positive correlation between internal control, regulatory compliance, organizational culture, technological advancements, staff training and fraud detection. The study concludes that robust internal control systems, regulatory compliance, a strong ethical culture, and the use of advanced technologies are key factors in reducing fraudulent practices in Kenyan commercial banks. It is recommended that Kenyan commercial banks enhance their whistleblowing mechanisms, invest in regular employee training on fraud prevention, and further strengthen their internal control systems. Additionally, banks should continue to adopt innovative technologies and foster a culture of ethics and transparency to minimize fraud risks.
Factors influencing youth participation in agriculture in Kenya
(Strathmore Univerisity, 2025) Ng'alu, C. M.
The extent of youth involvement in agriculture in Kenya has been minimal. For instance, the statistical data highlights a troubling trend in Kenya, where youth participation in the agriculture sector is notably low, with only 10-15% actively involved. Therefore, this study was designed to examine and analyze the factors influencing youth participation in agriculture in Kenya. The study is guided by four objectives i.e., to identify the influence of perception of career in agriculture on participation by the youth in Kenya; to examine the influence of youth access to agricultural information on participation in agriculture to assess the influence of social-capital networks on participation in agriculture and to analyze the impact of economic factors on participation in agriculture by the youth in Kenya. This study is based on insights of the push–Pull Theory and the Theory of planned behavior to develop the arguments for the main relationships hypothesized. A descriptive survey design was used in the study. The study collected data from the registered Strathmore alumni youth. The research employed quantitative research data. The quantitative data was obtained using questionnaires. The descriptive statistics used by the study were mean, percentages and frequencies whereas correlation and regression analysis were the inferential statistics which the study adopted. Descriptive statistics provide an account of how the respondents responded to statements in the questionnaires using percentage, frequency, and mean response. The research utilized a binary planning model to examine the relationship between independent and dependent variables. It found that a considerable number of respondents were male, with the rest being female. Most participants were aged 25 to 35, while others were between 20 and 24, and a smaller group was aged 18 to 19. The results showed that the majority had completed primary education, followed by secondary school graduates, with equal numbers holding diplomas and degrees. In the regression analysis, with independent variables such as perception of a career in agriculture, youth access to agriculture information, social capital networks, and economic factors set to zero, participation in agriculture was recorded at 6.856. The data analyzed also showed that taking all other independent variables at zero, a unit increase in perception of career in agriculture, social capital networks, youths’ access to agriculture information and economic factors would lead to a decrease in participation in agriculture. The study concludes that the variables under investigation have significant influences on the decision to participate in agriculture. Access to agriculture information impacts sector participation. Recently, youth engagement in agriculture has increased, due to strong social capital networks. Additionally, current economic conditions present Kenyan youth with significant opportunities to actively engage in agriculture. The study recommends that stimulating youth involvement in agriculture necessitates a holistic policy package involving all stakeholders in the country, especially the youth who are currently under-represented. The country must actively engage the youth in the development of food systems and link any efforts with those aimed at achieving Sustainable development goals. The government also plays a key part in stimulating agriculture value creation by organizing more agricultural seminars and promoting benefit maximizing opportunities to those lacking the necessary skills to create value within the agriculture chain. The government engages the youth through agricultural extension programs organized through a self-help group framework that would see joint efforts at agriculture value creation, reduce risk and encourage diversification. They also call on the government to streamline financial regulations to increase the sector’s development. Key words: Perception of career in agriculture, youths’ access to agriculture information, social capital networks and economic factors.
The Effect of logistics regulatory restrictiveness on the performance of freight forwarding companies in Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2025) Masya, B.
Covid 19 restrictions imposed by the government have resulted in significant impact to the economy and particularly to Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs). The selection of some interventions over others necessitates assessment of the rationale behind the various regulations that were put in place and how these have impacted specific industries. This study focused on the effect of government logistics regulatory restrictiveness on the performance of freight forwarding companies in Kenya. The objectives of the study were as follows: To determine the effect of customs restrictiveness on the performance of freight forwarding companies in Kenya; To determine the effect of investment restrictiveness on the performance of freight forwarding companies in Kenya. To determine the effect of movement of people restrictiveness on the performance of freight forwarding companies in Kenya. To determine the effect of road transport restrictiveness on the performance of freight forwarding companies in Kenya. The bulk of cargo movement in Africa is facilitated via road transportation with freight forwarding companies playing a central role in the distribution process. Two main theories are considered in this study – The Private Interest Theory of Regulation and the Balanced Scorecard. The current study utilized a descriptive-cross-sectional research design. There are 868 licensed freight forwarding companies in Kenya; managers from these organizations formed the population of the current study. Data, from 256 sampled respondents, was collected through closed-ended structured questionnaire and data analysis, both descriptive and inferential statistics, was performed. The study was rooted in the private interest theory and the Balanced Scorecard. Regression results indicated that the impact of the independent variables, by magnitude in descending order was as follows – custom restrictiveness, movement of people restrictiveness and finally investment restrictiveness. Road transport restrictiveness was not found to be a significant predictor of performance. Incomplete. The study concluded that customs and movement of people restrictiveness significantly impacts the performance of freight forwarding companies in Kenya, with customs restrictiveness having the most profound effect. Investment restrictiveness and road transport restrictiveness were found to have less impact. Limitations included reliance on self-reported data, which may introduce bias, and the focus on Nairobi, limiting generalizability across Kenya or other regions. Future research is recommended to explore the longitudinal impact of regulatory restrictiveness on freight forwarding performance, including qualitative studies to understand the nuanced impacts of such regulations. Additionally, expanding the geographical scope beyond Nairobi to include other major freight corridors in Kenya would provide a more comprehensive understanding of the regulatory impacts on the freight forwarding industry.
The Effect of customer journey mapping on customer satisfaction among reseller firms in Nairobi County, Kenya: a case study of Red Dot Distribution
(Strathmore University, 2025) Obura, B. O.
This study investigated the effect of Customer Journey Mapping (CJM) on customer satisfaction among reseller firms in Nairobi County, Kenya, focusing on Red Dot Distribution. The research was driven by persistent challenges such as unresolved customer pain points, service inconsistencies, and fragmented interactions across various touchpoints. Anchored in Commitment-Trust Theory and Customer Experience Management Theory, the study examined how CJM influenced satisfaction through four key elements: customer touchpoints, pain points, sentiments, and service discrepancies. The study adopted a positivist philosophy and a descriptive cross-sectional design. It targeted a population of 657 resellers who actively purchased from Red Dot Distribution in Nairobi County in 2024. The researcher selected a sample of 243 resellers using stratified random sampling and collected data using stratified random sampling, and data were collected through structured questionnaires assessing customer satisfaction using perceptual metrics such as CSAT, NPS, and CES. The findings revealed that CJM played a significant role in enhancing customer satisfaction. Red Dot Distribution was noted for strengths in professionalism, product quality, and billing accuracy, while areas for improvement included inventory management, feedback collection, and proactive communication within the supply chain. The study concluded that effective CJM implementation improved customer experience and satisfaction. Key recommendations included strengthening internal processes, investing in predictive inventory systems, and enhancing distributor-reseller engagement mechanisms.
Risk management practices and financial performance of individual pension schemes in Kenya: the moderating role of regulatory frameworks
(Strathmore University, 2025) Ojwang, C. A.
Investments in Kenya’s pension industry have experienced significant volatility, leading to fluctuations in financial performance and periods of negative returns. This study explores the effects of risk management practices—internal controls, risk assessment, and risk avoidance—on the financial performance of Kenya’s registered individual pension schemes. Anchored in modern portfolio theory and agency cost theory, the research adopted a quantitative, descriptive design targeting the finance team from all 48 registered individual pension schemes in Kenya. A census approach was employed, with structured questionnaires administered electronically to the 48 individual pension schemes, achieving a 98% response rate (47 respondents). Data were analyzed using correlation and cross-sectional OLS regression. Key findings revealed a significant positive effect of risk avoidance practices on financial performance, while internal controls and risk assessment showed statistically insignificant direct effects. The regulatory framework significantly moderated the relationship between risk avoidance and performance amplifying its positive impact. Correlation analysis further confirmed strong associations between all risk management practices and financial outcomes Notably, adherence to regulatory guidelines correlated strongly with improved performance The study concludes that pension schemes must prioritize risk avoidance strategies and align them with regulatory requirements to enhance financial sustainability. Recommendations include institutionalizing proactive risk evaluation protocols, strengthening compliance with Kenya’s Retirement Benefits Regulations (2023), and integrating risk-adjusted metrics into performance monitoring. These findings offer actionable insights for policymakers and scheme managers to mitigate systemic volatility and improve long-term returns. The study acknowledges limitations, including its focus on individual pension schemes in Kenya, which limits generalizability to other pension models or regions. The cross-sectional design restricts causal inferences, and the reliance on self-reported data introduces potential response bias. Additionally, the omission of variables like leadership commitment and macroeconomic factors may oversimplify the complex drivers of financial performance. Despite these constraints, the research contributes theoretically by refining agency and modern portfolio theories, demonstrating how internal controls mitigate agency costs and how risk avoidance aligns with risk-return optimization. Practically, it offers policymakers and pension managers actionable insights, emphasizing the integration of risk avoidance with regulatory compliance, advanced technologies, and adaptive governance. The findings also highlight the need for future longitudinal and mixed-methods studies to explore temporal dynamics and contextual nuances. The study concludes that pension schemes must prioritize risk avoidance strategies and align them with regulatory requirements to enhance financial sustainability. Recommendations include institutionalizing proactive risk evaluation protocols, strengthening compliance with Kenya’s Retirement Benefits Regulations (2023), and integrating risk-adjusted metrics into performance monitoring. These findings offer actionable insights for policymakers and scheme managers to mitigate systemic volatility and improve long-term return

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