Department of Business and Economics
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Item BEHAVIOUR CHANGE COMMUNICATION INTERVENTIONS AND ROAD SAFETY AMONGST BODA-BODA MOTORCYCLISTS IN KENYAN CITIES(KARATINA UNIVERSITY, 2024-09) NTHOKI, BARBARA; WANJUKIBehavior change communication (BCC) interventions have been used globally to address challenges in several sectors. The successful use of interventions has been reported in the transport sector, education, health agricultural sectors amongst others. These interventions have also targeted road safety challenges among road users. Road safety has become a major concern, with over 1.3 million people losing their lives worldwide annually and over 4,000 in Kenya. Human behavior on the road causes 90 percent of deaths and injuries among road users, with Boda-boda motorcyclists contributing 58 percent of all road accidents in Kenya. Against this backdrop, this study sought to establish the influence of behavior change communication interventions on road safety among Boda-boda motorcyclists in Kenyan cities. The specific objectives of this study were to establish the influence of media campaigns on road safety among Boda-boda motorcyclists in Kenyan cities; establish the influence of participatory communication on road safety; to determine the influence of traffic visual communication on road safety; to determine the influence of information, education, and communication on road safety among Boda-boda motorcyclists. In addition, this study sought to determine the moderating influence of attitude on the relationship between behavior change communication and road safety among Boda-boda motorcyclists in Kenyan cities. The study was anchored on the Social Cognitive Theory, Safety Culture Theory, and Uses and Gratification Theory. The study used a pragmatic philosophical paradigm with a convergent parallel design of mixed-method research. The Yamane (1967) formula was employed to determine the target population of 399 Boda-boda motorcyclists from four cities in Kenya—Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, and Nakuru—leading to a final sample of 387 respondents. Stratified sampling and simple random sampling were used to draw the sample. Interviews were conducted with nine key informants, purposively sampled from each city, drawn from the NTSA office, the Boda-boda association, and senior traffic police officers. A pilot study was carried out in Machakos to test the data collection instruments. Quantitative data was collected from the motorcyclists by use of semi-structured questionnaires, while qualitative data was gathered through key informant interviews. Descriptive and inferential statistics was used to analyze the quantitative data, while qualitative data was analyzed thematically. Findings were presented using narratives and graphics. The findings indicate that there was a positive relationship between behavior change communication and road safety. The results for each objective were as follows: mass media showed R² = 0.504, p-value = 0.000 < 0.05; participatory communication, R² = 0.609, p-value = 0.000 < 0.05; information, education, and communication, R² = 0.586, p-value = 0.000 < 0.05; and traffic visual communication, R² = 0.608, p-value = 0.000 < 0.05. Attitude as a moderator demonstrated R² = 0.801, p-value = 0.000 < 0.05, indicating a significant impact on predicting road safety and showing a potential synergistic effect between the two factors. In conclusion, behavior change communication interventions aimed at Boda-boda motorcyclists significantly contribute to road safety. The study also contributes to academic discourse by highlighting the need for integrating BCC theories into practical applications in road safety initiatives. The study recommends the need for innovative multifaceted communication interventions to enhance safety and promote responsible behavior among Boda-boda motorcyclists in Kenyan cities. The findings will aid road safety stakeholders in crafting BCC interventions that elicit positive behavior among motorcyclists.Item Resources, external environment, innovation and performance of insurance companies in Kenya(University of Nairobi, 2014) Ombaka, Beatrice ElesaniIn spite of a growing body of literature on firm performance, explaining why firms in the same industry and markets differ in their performance remains a fundamental question within strategic management field. Researchers have attributed differences in firm performance to resources owned by a firm. However, other researchers have argued that resources alone cannot be a source of competitive advantage. Therefore, the debate is still open. This study sought to contribute to knowledge and was premised on the view that resources influence performance both directly and indirectly through intervening effect of innovation and moderating effect of external environment. The study was anchored on the resource based theory, dynamic capabilities theory, knowledge based theory and the open systems theory. The main objective of the study was to establish the influence of external environment and innovation on the relationship between organizational resources and performance of insurance companies in Kenya. The study employed a positivist research paradigm and a cross-sectional survey design. Both primary and secondary data were collected from 46 insurance companies. Primary data was collected using a 5 point Likert type questionnaire and an interview guide. Secondary data on financial performance was collected from Association of Kenya Insurers annual report of 2011 and 2012. The study was guided by six specific objectives. To achieve these objectives, eight hypotheses were formulated and tested. Descriptive statistics, correlation and multiple regression analysis were used to analyze data. The findings established that both tangible and intangible resources had a statistically significant influence on non financial performance of insurance companies in Kenya. However, there were mixed findings as regards the individual influence of resources on various firm performance indicators. Intangible resources evidenced statistically not significant results individually but when combined, they had a statistically significant influence on non-financial performance. The study also revealed that intangible resources had a statistically significant positive moderate correlation with innovation. Tangible resources evidenced a weak positive correlation with innovation that was not statistically significant. Innovation had a statistically significant intervening influence on the relationship between resources and non-financial performance. There was a statistically not significant relationship between organizational resources, external environment and innovation. The external environment did not have a statistically significant moderating effect on the relationship between organizational resources and performance of insurance companies in Kenya. Finally, the joint effect of organizational resources, innovation and the external environment on non-financial performance was found to be greater than that of the individual variables. In the joint influence, innovation had the highest contribution followed by organizational resources. The contribution of the external environment was statistically not significant. The findings of this study lend partial support to previous studies. The results support the resource based view which proposes that resources are a source of a sustainable competitive advantage for the firm. The results of the study are significant for theory, policy and practice. The findings adds to the knowledge in the field of strategic management by establishing that organizational resources influence firm performance both directly and indirectly through intervening effect of innovation. The moderating effect of the external environment was statistically not significant.Item STRATEGIC ENTREPRENEURSHIP, LEAN-GREEN PRACTICES AND PERFORMANCE OF MEDIUM HOTELS IN KENYAN CITIES(Karatina University, 2023-11) NGUNGA, JOSEPH KARIMIStrategic entrepreneurship has been associated with adopting technologies, products, and administrative innovations which culminate in better firm performance. The current rapidly changing and highly competitive market has put companies under great pressure to adopt sustainable practices, in terms of keeping a healthy balance among economic, environmental, and social performances. Studies done in the hotel industry have not addressed the contribution of strategic entrepreneurship on performance and competitiveness. The general objective of this study was to determine the influence of strategic entrepreneurship on performance among medium hotel enterprises in Kenyan cities. Specifically, the study examined the influence of entrepreneurial mindset on performance, established the influence of innovations on performance, analyzed the influence of capital mobilization on performance, examined the effect of networks on performance, and established the moderating influence of lean-green practices on the relationship between strategic entrepreneurship and performance of medium hotel enterprises in Kenyan cities. The study was anchored on Schumpeterian Innovations Theory, Natural Resource Based-View Theory, and Dynamic Capabilities Theory. The study adopted the pragmatic research philosophy and employed a mixed-method research design. The study population was 534 managers of medium sized hotel enterprises in Mombasa, Kisumu, and Nairobi. The sample size was determined using the Yamane (1967) sampling formula, resulting in a sample of 229 respondents. A proportionate stratified sampling technique was applied to get a representative sample of each city. Primary data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. A pilot study was carried out in Nanyuki and Embu towns among medium hotel enterprises to test the reliability and accuracy of the research instruments. Construct validity was determined by calculating average variances extracted (AVEs) for each construct, then reliability using Cronbach’s Alpha internal consistency index. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used as the main software for data analysis. The data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Pearson’s correlation and regression models were used to analyze quantitative data while qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis. The hypothesis testing used structural equation modeling. The hierarchical multiple moderated regression model was used to measure the strength of the relationship between strategic entrepreneurship , lean-green practices and performance of medium hotels in Kenyan cities. From the joint effect model the results established that strategic entrepreneurship had the most significant influence on performance of medium hotels in Kenyan cities (Regression coefficient .751, p = .000) followed by lean-green practices (Regression coefficient .417, p = .000), and positively and significantly moderate the relationship between strategic entrepreneurship and performance (Regression coefficient .937, p = .017) with R2 change 1 percent additional variance. The study concluded that lean-green practices positively moderate the relationship between strategic entrepreneurship and performance of medium hotels. Based on the findings, the study recommends enhancement of designing, implementing, and utilizing strategic entrepreneurship with lean-green practices in medium hotels production matrix. The findings are beneficial to the management and stakeholders in the hotel industry and academia.Item MEDIATING ROLE OF ENTREPRENEURIAL LEADERSHIP ON SENIOR TEAM ATTRIBUTES AND ORGANIZATIONAL AMBIDEXTERITY OF COFFEE MARKETING COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES IN KENYA.(Karatina University, 2023-11) KIURA, HESBON MBUTHIAEntrepreneurial leadership is crucial for cooperative organizations as it involves taking risks, driving growth as it encourages creativity and innovation. Ambidexterity refers to the ability of an organization to both exploit and explore implying to deliver efficiency, control, and incremental improvements, while embracing flexibility, autonomy, and experimentation. Organizational ambidexterity has the ability of firms to pursue and synchronize exploratory and exploitative innovation simultaneously it not only helps firms overcome structural inertia that results from a focus on exploitation, but also refrain firms from accelerating exploration without deriving benefits from these activities.Coffee has been an important cash crop in Kenya’s agricultural sector. It is one of the greatest foreign exchange earners of the country and a main source of employment in rural areas, providing food security and income for the rural areas. This success has been achieved through coffee cooperative societies management that process and market coffee for the farmers. In recent years, there has been a decline in coffee production in Kenya. The decline of coffee export earnings has been attributed to inefficient and ineffectiveness of coffee marketing cooperative societies management operations and therefore the need to refocus their approach. The general objective of this study was to examine how entrepreneurial leadership mediates the relationship between senior team attributes and organizational ambidexterity among coffee marketing cooperative societies in Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were; to determine how shared vision influence organizational ambidexterity, to establish whether social integration affect organizational ambidexterity and to find out how contingency rewards influence organizational ambidexterity of coffee marketing cooperative societies in Kenya. The study also established the mediating role of entrepreneurial leadership between senior team attributes and organizational ambidexterity for coffee cooperative societies in Kenya. This study was anchored on two major theories which were Collective Entrepreneurship Theory and Path Goal Theory of Leadership and supported by other theories mentioned in the study. The study used cross-sectional survey design. The target population was coffee marketing cooperative societies registered in Kenya as at 31st December 2019. The study target population was 436 managers from coffee marketing cooperative societies while the sample size of this study was 242 managers. Primary data was obtained by the use of as elf-administered semi-structured questionnaire. A pilot study was done to check the reliability and validity of the research instrument. Data analysis was done using descriptive and inferential statistics. The formulated hypotheses were tested using Baron and Kenny’s approach to validate the relationships between the study variables. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 was used to assist in analysis and findings were presented using cross-tabulations, charts and path models. The study found that entrepreneurial leadership partially mediates the relationship between senior team attributes and organization ambidexterity (R2 change from 11.1% to 16.6%). This study concludes that entrepreneurial leadership is a critical approach for coffee marketing cooperative societies in Kenya. The findings of the study will help managers to maximize their efficiency and achieve their strategic goals during their operations especially when they want to internationalize. The findings of this study will be of interest to coffee marketing cooperative society’s board of directors, government officials, academia, financial institutions and agropreneurs.Item CAPITAL STRUCTURE, BANK SIZE AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF LOWER TIER COMMERCIAL BANKS IN KENYA(Karatina University, 2023-11) KINYUA, PATRICK KARUKIThe banking sector is recognized as the most visible source of finance and key to global trade and economic growth. Banking institutions play a notable role in building both domestic and global economies by ensuring credit is available to finance businesses and households. However, the performance of banking sector from global, regional and local perspective has been deteriorating with small banks being affected the most. The phenomenon has been linked to the manner banks of different sizes finances their operations (capital structure), but remains debatable among scholars. It is argued that a properly designed capital structure defines the manner in which a bank seeks funds from various sources to finance its operations without risking high costs of capital that may jeopardize its performance. In Kenya, the capital structure has been in the center of operational performance of commercial banks in Kenya. The Kenyan banking sector is categorized into three tiers, tier I, II and III based on bank size. However, the profitability of the tier II and III have been declining resulting to an enquiry to whether, the size of the bank has any influence on capital structure and performance of the banks. This study therefore sought to determine the moderating influence of bank size on the relationship between capital structure and profitability of lower tier commercial banks in Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were to assess the influence of internal equity capital; the influence of short term debt capital; the influence of external equity capital and the influence of long term equity capital on profitability of lower tier commercial banks in Kenya. Appropriate null hypotheses were developed for each objective. This study was anchored in pecking order theory, Modigliani and Miller Capital Structure Theory, trade-off theory of capital structure, the net income approach, Dynamic Trade-off Theory and Agency Cost Theory. Pragmatism research philosophy was adopted where the study concurrently employed descriptive and explanatory research design. The study population was 37 commercial banks in Tier II and III in Kenya that were fully operational from 2016 to 2020 and a census of all the 37 banks was conducted. The main data of study was secondary data; whereby primary data was also collected for triangulation purposes. The validity of the secondary data was enhanced by collecting data from audited and certified sources while the reliability of the questionnaire was ascertained through use of Cronbach Alpha coefficient. Data analysis involved descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics entailed percentages, means, standard deviations, minimums, maximums, Skewness and Kurtosis. The inferential statistics comprised of multilevel mixed model analysis and hierarchical multiple linear models. A range of model and data diagnostic tests were conducted before estimating the study’s regression models and included the Mixed ANOVA, utocorrelation, normality tests, heteroscedasticity tests, multicollinearity tests and stationarity tests. The results were presented using tables and figures. The study found that internal equity had a positive and significant effect on net profit margin of lower tier commercial banks (β=.429, p=.000<0.05) but bank size did not moderate the effect of internal equity on net profit margin of lower tier commercial banks in Kenya (β=.148, p=600>0.05). External equity had a positive and significant effect on net profit margin of lower tier commercial banks (β=.229, p=.036<0.05). Bank size positively and significantly moderates the relationship between external equity and performance of lower tier banks in Kenya (β=2.350, p =.000<0.05) and has an enhancing effect on external equity. Long term debt had a negative and significant effect on the financial performance of lower tier commercial banks (β=-.966, p=.029<0.05). Bank size moderates the effect of long term debt on financial performance of lower tier commercial banks in Kenya (β= .695, p-value=.024<0.05) and has an antagonistic effect on long term debt capital. Nonetheless, short term debt had a positive but insignificant effect on the financial performance of lower tier commercial banks (β=.067, p=.625>0.05). Bank size moderated the effect of short term debt on financial performance of lower tier commercial banks (β=.127, p=.019<0.05) with strengthening effect. Thus, the study concludes that bank size moderates the effect of external equity, short term debt and long term debt on financial performance of lower tier commercial banks but does not moderate the effect of internal equity on financial performance of lower tier commercial banks. The study recommends that lower tier commercial banks need to encourage xxii its shareholders to re-invest back their earnings rather than consuming them as dividends as internal equity is affordable and readily available when the bank is in urgent financial need. The study further recommends that a bank should keenly evaluate when to use external equity funding though external equity funding may be costlier. Lower tier commercial banks may also employ long term sources like equity shares, debentures, preference shares and public deposits as they are usually less prone to short term shocks as it is secured by formally established contractual terms. In addition, lower tier commercial banks may also need to diversify their product and service portfolio to expand their aggregate asset base and competitiveness in the market so that they can withstand financial and market shocks. The study offers great value to the management of lower commercial banks and other players in the sector. The regulators including the CBK may get insightful information that would assist in formulation of policy on ideal financing structures for lower tier commercial banks. The study also provides a worthy benchmark to future research work on capital structure and profitability of small and medium sized commercial banksItem INSTITUTIONAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES, SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGIES AND PERFORMANCE OF CHARTERED PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN KENYA(Karatina University, 2023-11) KARIUKI, PETER WANDURUAThe performance of public universities is a global concern over the last few decades. In Kenya, this has been demonstrated by challenges such as financial constraints evidenced by inability to meet their debt obligations and statutory remittances; poor academic quality marked by low global ranking; inadequate research funding and limited community engagements. Universities have in the past intervened through Institutional management practices with little improvement in performance. The specific objectives of the study were to determine influence of transparency; adherence to management guidelines; level of public participation and to establish the moderating influence of sustainability strategies on the relationship between Institutional management practices and performance of public universities in Kenya. The study was anchored on resource based and social network theories. The study used a pragmatic philosophy and mixed research method with a target population of 31 chartered public universities. This was a census study and the respondents were 230 university top managers. Primary data was collected using a structured questionnaire and an interview guide. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis. Findings revealed that Institutional management practices had a statistical significant influence on performance of public universities in Kenya (adjusted R 2 0.37, P 0.000) with level of transparency adjusted R 2 0.307, P 0.000; adherence to management guidelines R 2 0.309, P 0.000 and level of public participation adjusted R 2 0.226, P 0.000. The study also established that sustainability strategies moderated the relationship between Institutional management practices and performance of public universities in Kenya. The regression analysis revealed that Institutional management practices alone accounted for 52% of the variation in performance of public universities (adjusted R 2 =0.52). Sustainability strategies accounted for 39% (adjusted R 2 =0.39). The interaction term (Institutional management practices and sustainability strategies) accounted for 72 % of the variation in performance of public universities. These results were in agreement with the findings of qualitative data analysis. The study concluded that implementation of sustainability strategies combined with adherence to good Institutional management practices are essential strategies that public universities can adopt to improve their performance. The study recommended that public universities should implement sustainability strategies alongside good Institutional management practices so as to remain competitive and relevant.Item STRATEGIC RENEWAL, SOCIAL MEDIA ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND PERFORMANCE OF YOUTH OWNED AGRO-PROCESSING SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES IN SELECTED COUNTIES IN KENYA.(Karatina University, 2023-11) KARIUKI, FRANCIS K.Strategic renewal emphasizes on establishing a set of activities that an organization undertakes to alter its resource pattern and strategic course. In Kenya, despite the critical role played by SMEs in the country, research has shown that 90% of most business startups fail in their third year and especially those owned by the youths. The general objective of the study was to establish the influence of strategic renewal on performance of the youth-owned agro-processing SMEs in Kenya and to determine the moderating effect of social media entrepreneurship on the same relationship. Specifically, the study sought to establish the influence of organization structure, examine the influence of capacity building, determine the influence of entrepreneurial networking on performance of youth owned agro-processing small and medium enterprises in selected counties in Kenya. Further, the study sought to examine the moderating role of social media entrepreneurship on the relationship between Strategic renewal and performance of youth owned agro-processing small and medium enterprises in selected counties in Kenya. The study was anchored on strategic management, social exchange, resource mobilization and social network theories. To achieve these objectives, the study adopted a positivist philosophy and a descriptive research design. The target population of the study were 287 owner/manager youth owned agro-processing SMEs in Kenya registered by the Ministry of Trade and Industry in the four (4) County governments of Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a and Nyandarua. All 287 owner managers participated in the study thus it was a census as the whole population was used. Primary data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics with the aid of SPSSV23. The study established that organizational structure R 2 =0.136 and P=0.000, capacity building R 2=0.498 and P=0.000, and entrepreneurial networking strategies, R2= 0.092 and P=0.000, all had a statistically significant influence on performance of youth-owned agro-processing smss in Kenya. On the moderating influence of social media entrepreneurship, R2 changed by 23.2% (from 50.9% to 74.1%), indicating that social media entrepreneurship had moderating effect on the relationship between strategic renewal and performance of youth owned agro-processing SMEs in Kenya. This study concluded that social media entrepreneurship has a moderating influence on the relationship between strategic renewal and performance of youth owned agro-processing smes in Kenya. SME owners have thus to seek and establish networks outside their business circles and that, youth owned agro-processing smes develop mechanisms that enable them to review and renew their operational strategies. Further, the government and other stakeholders should develop policies that will enable youth smes adopt new strategic alliances with large organisations.Item CONTRIBUTION OF STRATEGIC COLLABORATIONS OF MOTORCYCLE INDUSTRY ON PERFORMANCE OF WHOLESALE AND RETAIL SECTOR IN KENYA(Karatina University, 2023-11) Wanjau, Christopher KinyuaWholesale and retail sector is one of key sectors that are expected to help the government in realizing vision 2030. They are great contributors to employment and GDP. However, of late, wholesale and retail businesses have faced a myriad of challenges in a performance and dynamic environment. The purpose of the study therefore was to investigate contribution of strategic collaborations of motorcycle industry on performance of wholesale and retail sector growth in Kenya. The study was guided by five research objectives which were to examine the influence of motorcycles delivery innovation, logistic cost, timeliness, motorcycles accessibility to the markets and to examine the moderating effect of road safety and compliance training of motorcycle riders on the relationship between strategic collaboration of motorcycle industry and the performance of wholesale and retail sector in Kenya. The study was anchored on social exchange theory, Greiner’s Growth Model, Cost Leadership Strategy and neo-classical growth model. Descriptive research design was used. The study targeted all wholesales and retails shops in 47 counties in Kenya which employed commercial motorcycles for their last mile delivery of goods. Systematic sampling technique was employed to select the counties while in each County simple random sampling technique was employed to select a sample of 383 respondents. Closed ended questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data, while open ended questionnaire was used to collect qualitative data. Cronbach alpha was adopted to test the reliability of the data collection instruments. The questionnaires were self-administered to the respondents using a pick and drop method. Data analysis involved both quantitative (descriptive -frequencies, mean, standard deviation, percentages and inferential- Pearson correlation coefficient) and qualitative techniques where data was summarized in themes and presented in narrative form as well as raw data excerpts. The study achieved a response rate of 77.8% where a total of 298 out of 383 questionnaires were filled and returned back. The study findings indicated that motorcycle delivery innovation had been embraced by the wholesalers and retailers in their businesses resulting in improved performance. The study found that motorcycle logistics costs were low and manageable as compared to motor vehicles and this had helped the businesses realize more profits due to reduced cost of operations such as storage cost and distribution cost as well as improving the delivery time. The study further established that use of motorcycles by wholesalers and retailers had enhanced distribution of goods to the customers as well as reaching a wide range of customers hence improving customer satisfaction and customer retention. The study revealed that motorcyclists engaged by the wholesalers and retailers had been trained on road safety and they were all compliant with NTSA rules. The study concluded that delivery solution strategies, logistic cost, timeliness of motorcycles and their accessibility contributed to positive performance of the businesses. The study concluded that logistic cost is inversely proportional to performance of wholesale and retail businesses. The study concluded that road safety and compliance training of motorcycle riders had a significant moderating effect on the relationship between strategic collaboration of motorcycle industry and performance of wholesale and retail sector in Kenya. The study recommended that the government should embrace the use of electrical motorcycles as innovative delivery solution to help reduce pollution caused by increased use of petrol motorcycles. The study further recommended that the government should design specific lanes for commercial motorcycles especially in Nairobi to help increase their accessibility to the central businesses district to help promote wholesale and retail businesses in major towns.Item Influence of Innovation Ecosystem on Knowledge Entrepreneurship and Innovation Performance of Manufacturing Firms in Kenya(Karatina University, 2020) Gachanja, Isaac MuiruriItem The Relationship Between Service Quality Dimensions and Customer Satisfaction in the Insurance Industry in Kenya(Karatina University, 2020) Chege, Catherine Njoki