Journal Articles
Permanent URI for this communityhttps://repository.kcau.ac.ke/handle/123456789/9
Browse
54 results
Search Results
Item Marketing strategies and performance of small and medium enterprises in kitengela township, Kajiado County, Kenya(International Journal of Current Research, 2025) Sapuro, James; Okonga, Brigitte W.Item Corporate Governance Practices and Performance of Teachers-Based Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations in Central Region, Kenya(International Academic Journal of Economics and Finance, 2025) Wachuka, Mercy N.; Okongo, Brigitte W.The study looked into the correlation between corporate governance strategies and the performance of teacher-based Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs) in the Central Region of Kenya. It delved into four major determinants of corporate governance: board composition, leadership practices, member participation, and financial regulatory compliance. The research filled a significant research gap by providing evidence on the influence of governance weaknesses on small teacher-based SACCOs, including poor oversight, low participation, and heavy regulation. The study adopted a mixed-method approach, using descriptive and explanatory research designs. The target study population was the teacher-based SACCOs in Central Kenya. A total of 384 respondents were identified through stratified and systematic sampling. Data collection was done through structured questionnaires, which were complemented by secondary administrative data in SACCO reports. The data was analyzed using SPSS, which generated descriptive statistics, correlation, and multiple regression to determine the correlation between the governance variables and performance indicators, profitability, liquidity, including and member satisfaction. The findings indicated that the level of participation by the members significantly and positively influenced the performance of SACCOs (r = 0.612, p < 0.05; β = 0.196, p < 0.001). It also enhanced decision making and accountability. Composition of the board, however, negatively influenced the performance (r = -0.421, p < 0.05; β = 0.227, p < 0.001). This was attributed to insider control and restricted autonomy. Board leadership practices (β = 0.087, p = 0.112) and financial regulatory compliance (β= 0.003, p = 0.958) were both found to be not statistically significant. Despite this, the findings indicate that the performance of smaller SACCOs was constrained by compliance costs. The regression equation (R2 = 0.102) accounted for 10.2% of the variation in performance, with 4.763 units of baseline performance. The research recommends that the way to fix this is to enhance financial literacy, introduce independent directors, and redefine regulations that would reduce compliance costs. The research presents new findings on corporate governance in teacher-based SACCOs, which is not a well-researched area in Kenya. It uses four theories: Agency, Stewardship, Stakeholder, and Resource Dependence, to describe performance results. The results provide practical advice to SACCO leaders and regulators like SASRA and policymakers. Enhancement of governance structures will foster sustainable performance, financial inclusion, and the welfare of members.Item Sustainable HRM practices in the Kenyan informal sector(Edward Elgar Publishing, 2025) Wamalwa, Lucy S.; Murithi, Fridah G.Kenya's informal sector employs the vast majority of workers but is fraught with challenges such as low pay, unsafe working conditions, and a lack of social protection. This chapter highlights how sustainable human resource management (HRM) can tackle these issues by focusing on developing and putting in place employment laws and policies that ensure fair wages, worker wellbeing, and environmental responsibility. It draws from global successes like India's Self-Employed Women's Association and Brazil's Bolsa Família programmes, which offer strategies to improve workers’ livelihoods, formalize informal businesses, and align their HRM strategies with Kenya's Vision 2030. By using empirical data collected through semi-structured interviews and sharing the real-life stories of workers, the chapter emphasizes the urgent need for fairer policies, better employee protection laws and policies, and a call for meaningful change in employee management in the informal sector in order to build a sustainable and inclusive economy.Item Moderating effect of audit committees on forensic accounting techniques and financial performance of Kenyan counties.(IISTE, 2025) Omucheyi, Rispah Khamonyi .; Abdul, Farida.; Kosgei, Margaret.The aim of the study is to assess the moderating effect of audit committees on the relationship between forensic accounting techniques indicated by (audit opinion, red flag index, audit expenditure, fraud rate and cases reported) and financial performance (indicated by own source revenue and absorption rate) of counties in Kenya. The research was based on correlational research design using data from audited financial statements of counties for 9 years from financial year 2014/2015 to 2022/2023. Data was analyzed using R statistical tool and the model was subjected to instrument validity test, autocorrelation and model specification test then a dynamic panel model was fit. The outcome showed that audit committee size has a moderating effect on the linkage between forensic accounting techniques and financial performance of counties in Kenya to some extent at first lag. The study noted that most counties did not have an audit committee or the audit committee was not functioning fully. The study concluded that every county should ensure that they have an audit committee to oversee the financial functions. The study recommends that each county government leadership should ensure that an independent and qualified committee is in place to oversee the financial reporting exercise. Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya should ensure that they monitor the counties have a fully functional audit committee. The senate could penalize counties that do not have an independent and working committee.Item Assistive Technologies and Sustainable Urban Mobility for Students with Disabilities in Kenyan Private Universities: A Mixed-Methods Analysis(2026) Munya, David W.; Ndolo, JacksonAs institutions of higher learning across Africa strive toward inclusivity, the physical and digital mobility of students with disabilities (SwDs) remains a critical yet under-researched frontier. By undertaking this study the aim is to investigates the role of Assistive Technology (AT) in facilitating Sustainable Urban Mobility (SUM) for SwDs at Kenyan private universities, addressing a gap in mobility that is often constrained by disorganized urban infrastructure. Through the help of Model of Disability and Spatial Interaction Theory, the research employed a convergent parallel mixed-methods design. Data were collected from 91 students across 29 chartered private universities using stratified random sampling. Quantitative results from multiple regression analysis (R2 = .783, p < .001) indicated that Assistive Technology factors (β = .412) and Individual Student Characteristics (β = .387) were the strongest predictors of successful mobility outcomes. Urban Infrastructure in urban areas became the least influential factor (β = .038, p = .478), revealing a huge "accessibility gap" between inclusive campus environments and exclusionary urban transit systems. This study highlights an important trend: that while traditional mobility aids usage (wheelchair, clutches, white cane) remain robust, students with disabilities in private universities in urban areas in Kenya more so in Nairoib are increasingly pivoting to digital solutions, such as ride-hailing applications, to bypass inaccessible public transport, though this imposes a significant financial burden. In conclusion the study asserts that achieving sustainable mobility requires a multi-stakeholder approach that integrates affordable AT, rigorous policy universal urban design, and enforcement to bridge the existing gap between policy aspirations and students' lived realities.Item Board Structure and Financial Distress: Insights from NSE-listed Non- Financial Firms(International Academic Journal of Economics and Finance, 2025) Oyaro, John; Ondabu, Ibrahim T.; Oluoch, Oluoch; Memba, FlorenceFinancial distress has been a major concern for managers, practitioners and scholars globally. For a long time, companies have faced financial distress worldwide. In the recent past companies such as Wirecard in Germany, Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank in United States as well as Signa Holding in Austria have collapsed. The phenomenon is the same in Kenya with companies such as Eveready East Africa, Karuturi Ltd, Mumias Sugar Company, Nakumatt Holdings and Uchumi Supermarkets having collapsed. Others such as Kenya airways have experienced financial distress. This situation creates Panic among the existing investors and may finally erode investor’s confidence and may result in loss of huge sums invested in the capital markets. As a result, there is need to tame the situation before investors lose confidence in the market. The focus of this study was to determine the effect of board structure on financial distress of non financial firms listed on the NSE. This study applied the Z-score for emerging economies to test financial distress. The study was anchored on institutional theory. The study applied positivistic philosophical foundation. The research design applied was cross-sectional research design. The population comprised of 46 non-financial listed firms as at December 2023. A census of all the firms was conducted. The study utilised secondary data that was extracted from published financial statements and other annual reports of the respective individual firms for a period of ten years from 2014 to 2023. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. Univariate logistic regression analysis and Pearson's correlation analysis were used. Tables and graphs were used to present the findings. Results showed that a significant negative correlation exist between financial distress and board structure (r = -0.771; p=0.000). Regression analysis results showed that there is a strong negative relationship between board structure and financial distress. The descriptive statistical analysis revealed that, on average, 90.97% of board members are non-executive directors. However, the unilabiate analysis revealed that board structure accounts for 31.2% to 41.2% of the variance in financial distress among listed firms. Consequently, this study revealed that for every one-unit improvement in board structure, the odds of financial distress decreases by approximately 36.4%, as shown by the odds ratio (Exp(B)= 0.636). The study thus recommends that non-financial listed firms must endeavour to have well-structured and diverse boards in terms of independence, gender and board size.Item Does Executive Compensation Structure Contribute to Financial Distress? Lessons from NSE-listed Non-Financial Firms(International Academic Journal of Economics and Finance, 2025) Oyaro, John; Memba, Florence; Oluoch, Oluoch; Ondabu, Ibrahim T.The aim of the study was to determine the effect of executive compensation structure on the financial distress of Nairobi Securities Exchange-listed non-financial firms. The study was anchored on the agency theory. A census of all 45 non financial listed firms at the NSE was carried out using the cross-sectional research design. Secondary data extracted from published financial statements and other annual reports of the respective individual firms for a period of ten years from 2014 to 2023 was employed. In the study the Z score for emerging economies was used to determine financial distress. Executive compensation structure was measured using the proportion of earnings before interest and tax that was distributed to board of directors. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used in data analysis. Descriptive statistics included mean score and standard deviation. Inferential analysis was conducted via univariate logistic regression analysis and Pearson's correlation analysis. The study determined that a significant negative correlation exist between executive compensation structure and financial INTRODUCTION distress (r = -0.811: p=0.000). The study also determined that there exists a strong negative relationship between executive compensation structure and financial distress (β= -0.729: p=0.000). 34.1% to 45.5% variations in financial distress of non-financial listed firms explained by executive compensation structure. Consequently, this study established that for every one-unit improvement in executive compensation, the odds of financial distress decreases by 51.7%. The study therefore concluded that executive compensation structure as a significant negative effect on financial distress implying that an increase in executive compensation may lead the firm into financial distress. The study thus recommends that organisations should design an optimum executive compensation structure which aligns the interests of the management with those of the owners of firms thereby minimizing not only agency conflicts but also agency costs which firms may incur.Item Digital Banking Services and Investment Decisions of Female-Owned Small and Medium Enterprises in Nairobi City County(International Journal of Business Management and Economic Research, 2026) Nyangenya, Mercy N.; Ondabu, Ibrahim T.This study investigates how digital credit, digital savings, insurance technology (insurtech), and robo-advisory services affect the investment decisions of women-owned small and medium enterprises (SMES) in Nairobi City County. An explanatory research design was employed, using primary data collected through structured questionnaires. The study targeted a population of 39,440, from whom a sample of 396 respondents was drawn using the Yamane formula and using simple random sampling technique. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 29, with multiple regression analysis applied to test the hypotheses. The results revealed that insurtech services exert the greatest influence on investment decisions among female SME owners by offering accessible and affordable risk management options that boost business confidence and encourage growth-oriented investments. Additionally, robo-advisory services significantly improve investment decision quality by providing personalized, data-driven, and cost-efficient financial guidance. The study concludes that the adoption and effective use of digital banking services significantly enhance investment behavior and business performance among female owned SMEs. Consequently, improving access, affordability, and awareness of these services is vital for promoting sustainable investment growth and empowering women entrepreneurs in Nairobi City County.Item Forensic auditing and financial performance of Kenyan counties.(Stratford Peer Reviewed Journals & Books, 2025) Omucheyi, Rispah Khamonyi .; Abdul, Farida.; Kosgei,Margaret.County governments collect a small percentage of their own source revenue potential and the absorption rate of their budgets are low, this has slowed performance and service delivery. The study sought to find the effect of forensic auditing on the financial performance of the counties in Kenya. Data was collected from financial statements of 45 counties in Kenya in the custody of the controller of budgets for nine years from financial year 2014/2015 to 2022/2023. The study used a dynamic panel model to examine the relationship between forensic auditing and financial performance of all counties in Kenya and analyzed using R statistical tool. The findings showed that forensic auditing has a significant effect on financial performance of counties at first lag. The study concluded that forensic auditing is important and that each county should ensure that they invest in the forensic auditing function. The study recommends that county leadership, including governors, senators, members of the county assembly, and employees, should invest in forensic auditing. The leadership should ensure that accountants are well-trained in forensic auditing processes and consistently apply these skills. All accounting personnel should possess and practice forensic auditing skills. Additionally, county officials should provide supporting evidence for all activities conducted within or outside their counties to facilitate the forensic auditing process. County leadership should focus on spending strictly on budgeted projects, avoiding both overspending and underspending by monitoring ongoing and upcoming projects. Counties should also exhaust all revenue collection avenues and ensure that collected revenue is utilized for its intended purposes to meet collection targets. The study also recommends that the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) should ensure its members are equipped with knowledge of forensic auditing by organizing regular training sessions and seminars to support the function. ICPAK should provide recommendations on accounting policies in counties to enhance the quality of financial statements. Furthermore, through ICPAK’s guidance, counties should establish fully functional audit departments and ensure the independence of audit committee members.Item Co-creating human-centred climate solutions through challenge-based learning: Insights from Kenya–UK learning and design lab(British Educational Research Journal, 2026) Mwangi, Renson M; Muthuri, Judy N.; Kutuk, Gulsah; Muriithi, Betsy; Kamere, Grace; Faßbender, KarinaThe global climate crisis calls for innovative educational approaches that empower individuals to critically engage with its complexities and inequalities. Climate change education (CCE) is a key strategy to foster the knowledge, agency, and action needed for such engagement, particularly within higher education. Yet, traditional content-driven approaches often fail to address the dynamic and context-specific nature of climate change impacts. This article explores the potential of human-centred challenge-based learning (HCCBL) to promote equitable and inclusive CCE through transdisciplinary co-creation and Global North–South dialogue. We draw on findings from the UK-Kenya University Partnerships: Learning and Design Lab, a British Council project that involved undergraduate and postgraduate students from universities in Kenya and England in the United Kingdom. Sixty (60) university students collaborated in intercultural teams across three labs to co-create solutions for real-world climate resilience challenges identified by three (3) industry partners in Kenya. The findings highlight HCCBL's value in bridging theoretical knowledge and real-world application as well as enhancing students' problem-solving and intercultural competencies. However, challenges such as cultural dynamics, time constraints, and asymmetric travel opportunities underscore the need for adaptive and equitable facilitation. This study positions HCCBL as a transformative pedagogy in CCE that supports co-creation, knowledge exchange, and sustainability leadership among university students in high-vulnerability contexts. It also discusses implications for educators, policymakers, and industry stakeholders who are committed to inclusive, justice-oriented climate action through education.