Theses and Dissertations
Permanent URI for this communityhttps://repository.kcau.ac.ke/handle/123456789/15
Browse
9 results
Search Results
Item Financial management practices and financial performance of technical and vocational education and training institutions in Kenya(KCA University, 2025) Joseph, Patrick M.This study examined the relationship between financial management practices and the financial performance of technical and vocational education and training institutions in Kenya. The TVET sector plays a key role in equipping learners with the technical, vocational, and entrepreneurial skills necessary to support Kenya’s socio-economic transformation and the realization of Vision 2030. Despite increased government funding, many public TVET institutions continue to face significant financial and sustainability challenges due to weak fiscal oversight and resource mismanagement. This study aimed at examining the influence of financial planning, budgeting, internal controls, financial reporting and evaluated the moderating role of governance on the financial performance of these institutions. A descriptive, mixed-method research design was used to collect data from principals and finance officers across the 42 sampled public TVET institutions. Descriptive and regression analyses showed that financial reporting had the strongest positive effect on financial performance, followed by internal controls, financial planning, and budgeting. The results also indicated that effective governance significantly enhanced the relationship between these financial practices and overall institutional performance. The study concluded that effective financial management practices while reinforced by good governance practices are essential for accountability, transparency, and sustainability in TVET institutions. The study recommends continuous capacity building for principals and finance officers, participatory budgeting and automation of financial systems to strengthen institutional performance. These measures are critical to strengthening institutional performance and ensuring that public resources are utilized efficiently to meet the nation's human capital development goals.Item Financial services accessibility, financial literacy, and investment in livestock farming among pastoralist households in Kenya(KCA University, 2025) Hassan, Mohamed A.This study examined the effect of financial services accessibility on livestock investment decisions among pastoralist households in Kenya. The specific objectives were to assess the effect of credit facilities, mobile banking adoption, financial literacy, and access to savings platforms on livestock investment decisions, and to evaluate whether cultural attitudes moderate these relationships. The study was guided by three theoretical frameworks. The Theory of Planned Behavior was used to explain how attitudes, perceived behavioral control, and subjective norms influence financial decision-making. The Financial Intermediation Theory provided a basis for understanding how financial institutions help mobilize resources and reduce transaction costs. The Technology Acceptance Model was applied to explain how perceived usefulness and ease of use affect the adoption of mobile banking services among pastoralist communities. The study adopted a descriptive and inferential research design. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 400 respondents from eight counties, and 303 valid responses were analyzed. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression. The regression model produced an R-squared value of 0.589, showing that 58.9 percent of the variation in livestock investment decisions was explained by the four financial predictors. Financial literacy had the strongest positive effect on investment in livestock farming (β = 0.692, p < 0.001). Mobile banking adoption (β = 0.583, p < 0.001), access to savings platforms (β = 0.468, p < 0.001), and credit availability (β = 0.169, p < 0.05) also showed statistically significant influence. Cultural attitudes, tested as a moderating variable, did not produce significant interaction effects, indicating that investment behavior is mainly influenced by financial access and capability rather than cultural beliefs. The study concludes that financial services, especially those that improve literacy, digital access, and savings options, play an important role in supporting livestock investment and improving household economic stability. It recommends that policymakers develop financial education programs suited to pastoralist communities, expand mobile banking infrastructure in remote areas, and create flexible credit products that consider informal income patterns and lack of collateral. Financial institutions should work with community-based groups to design savings mechanisms that are culturally appropriate, while development agencies should help link informal savings groups to formal financial systems. These findings provide evidence that targeted financial interventions can improve investment behavior and strengthen livelihoods among pastoralist households. Future research should consider using longitudinal designs and mixed methods to explore changes in financial behavior over time and to better understand the role of cultural factors in investment decisions.Item Knowledge management strategies and organizational performance in middle-level medical training colleges in Nairobi county, Kenya(KCA University, 2025) Gathigia, Lynette N.This study critically examines the effect of Knowledge Management (KM) strategies on the organisational performance of middle-level Medical Training Colleges (MTCs) located in Nairobi County, Kenya. In the rapidly changing healthcare landscape, this research highlights the vital role of KM in enhancing institutional effectiveness, improving service delivery, and encouraging pedagogical innovation. While much of the academic discussion tends to focus on universities, this study specifically addresses the often-overlooked MTCs, which are key in training frontline health professionals essential for achieving Universal Health Coverage. The investigation concentrates on the influence of four interconnected KM pillars: knowledge creation, storage, sharing, and utilisation. To establish a strong theoretical foundation, this research integrates several theories, including the Organisation Knowledge Creation Theory, the Resource-Based View (RBV), Social Exchange Theory, and Dynamic Capabilities Theory. Using a mixed-methods research approach, the study involves a diverse group of 253 respondents, including heads of departments, lecturers, and administrative staff from ten purposely selected MTCs. Data collection was carried out using structured, pilot-tested questionnaires, which were then analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS. The findings show that knowledge creation, storage, and utilisation are significant positive indicators of organisational performance. Conversely, a notable suppression effect was observed in knowledge sharing; despite its theoretical importance, its empirical impact appeared to be obscured by its strong correlation with other key KM processes. Additionally, systemic barriers such as faculty shortages and poor documentation practices hinder effective knowledge transfer within the institutions. In light of these findings, the study recommends the formal integration of KM into institutional strategic policies and suggests including knowledge-sharing metrics in staff performance assessments. By managing faculty workloads strategically to improve documentation practices, MTCs can advance toward a more sustainable, knowledge-driven operational model. Ultimately, this research fills an important gap in the existing literature and provides valuable insights for educational policymakers in Kenya and comparable developing economies, thereby contributing to the discussion on improving educational outcomes and health service delivery.Item Human capital management practices and employee engagement in private universities in Nairobi, Kenya(KCA University, 2025) Odhiambo, Erick O.This study examines the impact of Human Capital Management (HCM) practices on employee engagement within private universities in Nairobi, Kenya. It focuses on five key HCM dimensions: recruitment processes, performance appraisal, work-life balance, career management, and reward management. Grounded in the Human Capital Theory, Social Exchange Theory, and Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) Model, the research highlights the significance of investing in employee development, reciprocal employer-employee relationships, and balancing job demands with resources to enhance engagement. The study targeted 930 academic and administrative staff across three selected private universities—KCA University, Kenya Methodist University, and Mount Kenya University. Primary data were collected through a structured questionnaire, pilot-tested for reliability and validity, while secondary data were sourced from relevant academic literature. A stratified random sample of 280 respondents was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analyses were conducted to determine the relationships between HCM practices and employee engagement. Results revealed that recruitment practices (β = 0.237, p = 0.000), work-life balance (β = 0.116, p = 0.000), reward management (β = 0.492, p = 0.000), and performance appraisal (β = 0.281, p = 0.000) all significantly enhanced employee engagement. Recruitment strategies aligning candidate values with institutional culture fostered belonging and engagement, while effective performance appraisal systems emphasizing feedback and goal setting improved motivation and morale. Additionally, organizations that promoted career development and work-life balance reported higher employee commitment and engagement levels. The study concludes that private universities should make recruitment decisions based on competency, adopt diverse performance evaluation methods, provide regular feedback, support career development, and implement flexible work arrangements. Such comprehensive HCM strategies can significantly strengthen employee engagement, leading to improved institutional performance and competitive advantage.Item Chief executive officer characteristics and financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya(KCA University, 2025) Nyantika, Bevaline N.The performance of commercial banks is critical to the stability and growth of Kenya’s financial sector and the broader economy. This study investigates the influence of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) characteristics on the financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya. Specifically, it examines the effects of demographic attributes age, gender, education, and tenure on key financial indicators, including profitability, return on assets (ROA), and net interest margins. Anchored in the Upper Echelons Theory, the study adopts a quantitative research design and utilizes secondary data sourced from the annual reports and regulatory filings of 39 licensed commercial banks over the period 2003 to 2023. Regression analysis was employed to determine the relationship between CEO attributes and bank performance. The results indicate that certain CEO characteristics significantly influence financial outcomes. CEO tenure and gender diversity were positively associated with improved performance, suggesting that longer-serving CEOs and greater female representation at the executive level enhance strategic outcomes. CEO age also demonstrated a positive relationship with performance, reflecting the value of experience and maturity in executive decision-making. In contrast, the impact of educational background was inconclusive, showing no consistent effect across all performance metrics. These findings highlight the strategic role of executive leadership in shaping financial performance in the banking sector. The study offers key insights for policymakers, bank boards, and stakeholders, emphasizing the importance of integrating CEO demographic considerations into leadership selection processes. Recommendations include the adoption of performance-based remuneration systems, fostering leadership continuity, and promoting gender diversity in top executive roles. Overall, the study enhances understanding of leadership dynamics in corporate governance and lays the groundwork for future research on executive influence in financial institutions.Item Selected macroeconomic indicators and stock market performance: an ARDL approach(KCA University, 2025) Abukutsa, Noel O.The market for securities significantly stimulates economic growth through financial intermediation, cost efficiency improvements, the market valuation process, and risk allocation. Stocks are among the most economically volatile assets, and any sudden change in stock prices can have a significant impact on an economy. The worldwide economic downturn has seen equity indices plunge, volatile currencies, and falling prices of essential commodities. Many African stock markets are facing challenges, primarily due to low external demand rather than weak internal fundamentals. The primary objective was to determine the short and long run relationships between selected macroeconomic indicators and stock market performance in Kenya using monthly time series data from January 2008 to December 2024. The ARDL model was employed, with inflation, lending interest rates, exchange rates, and foreign portfolio investment as independent variables. The money supply served as a control variable to account for its potential association with the NSE 20 Share Index, ensuring that underlying monetary conditions did not confound the observed relationships between the independent variables. The study found that lending interest and exchange rates have a significant short and long run relationship with the NSE 20 Share Index. Long-run ARDL results indicated a positive relationship with loan rates, with a coefficient of 317.18, suggesting that moderate adjustments in loan rates can enhance market performance. The short-run relations were negative with a coefficient of -53.99, indicating higher borrowing costs and decreased liquidity. Exchange rate depreciation had a consistently negative relationship with a long-run coefficient of -29.94 and a short-run coefficient of -17.19, degrading stock performance. The study recommends that CBK should carefully manage interest rates for stability and market growth, the government of Kenya should stabilize exchange rates, policymakers should uphold inflation targeting for price control, and CMA should create investor-friendly policies that attract and retain international investors.Item Effect Of Public Debt On Economic Growth In Kenya(Kca University, 2016) Achwoga, Gideon N.A developing country like Kenya compliments its revenue through public borrowing. The successive governments have always acquired huge sums of public debt to finance national development plans in Kenya. High levels of public debts have mixed effects on economic growth. This examines the effects of public debts on economic growth. Data spanning from 1963 to 2015 was used. The study sought to establish the effect of domestic and foreign public debt on economic growth in Kenya. A descriptive research design was applied. Secondary data obtained from World Bank Sources, Central Bank of Kenya, International financial statistics like the International monetary fund and Kenya National Bureau of Statistics was used for analysis. Data was analyzed using EVIEWS version 7.2. The findings indicated that economic growth is negatively and significantly related to external debt. The results indicated significant and negative associations between GDP and domestic debt. Multiple regression analysis indicated that economic growth is positively and significantly related to domestic debt. The association between debt service and GDP was positive but not significant. Other results also indicated that the association between debt service and GDP was positive and significant. Exchange rate had a negative and insignificant association with GDP. In light of the results and conclusions discussed in the foregoing paragraphs, the government and policymakers in Kenya should consider the following recommendations to improve public debt management. First, the governments should establish and adopt an optimal balance between external and domestic debt to maintain steady economic growth. Although domestic debt had no significant effect on GDP in the short run and a positive effect on GDP in the long run, it cannot be relied on entirely since a rapid increase in borrowing locally has the potential of crowding-out private investments. Second, the negative effect of exchange rate on economic growth is a signal to the central bank and Policy makers that they need to stabilize the local currencies for instance by improving exports. Since debt service causes exchange rate, proper management of debt service is hence a key priority for the government. The study also recommends that prudential fiscal management measures are required to avoid an unnecessary increase in overall public debt. A reduction in borrowing will enable the country to use a greater proportion of their tax revenues for investments rather than repaying loans, thereby increasing economic growth. Furthermore, real exchange depreciation raises the debt burden and negatively relates to GDP. There is thus the need to ensure that exchange is not over-devalued in order to balance two effects.Item Determinants Of Demand For Mortgage Finance In Kenya: A Case Of Nairobi County(KCA University, 2015) Irungu, Alfred K.There is a low demand for mortgage finance in Kenya this was demonstrated by the few number of mortgage accounts in Kenya. The Central Bank of Kenya report shows that there were only 22,013 mortgage accounts in Kenya in 2014. This number is very low when compared to the demand for housing and population in the country. Based on these statistics, this study aimed to determine the determinants for the demand of mortgage finance in Kenya. The study was focused on the effect of, price of mortgage substitutes, cost of mortgage, income levels and promotion on the demand for mortgage in Kenya. The target population of this study was applicants for mortgage finance both successful applicants and those who were not successful. Random sampling technique was used to obtain a sample size of 384 respondents. Data was collected using structured questionnaires. The collected primary data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 20. A binary logistic regression analysis was conducted on the data set to ascertain the effects of independent variables on dependent variable. The Pearson Product was used to analyze the data in which correlation coefficient (R) and the coefficient of determination (R2 ) of the variables was established. The findings from the analysis were organized and summarized in form of percentages, means ratios and frequencies and presented using tables and pie charts. The results in the multivariate logistic regression indicated that the likelihood of cheap mortgage substitutes resulting to low demand for mortgage finance in Kenya was 4.911 times higher than more costly mortgage substitutes. The findings further indicated that the likelihood of high legal cost and high stamp duty cost causing low mortgage demand are 2.550 and 2.274 times higher than when the costs are low. The findings also indicate that the likelihood of low-income levels causing low demand for mortgage substitutes was 6.369 high than high income levels. Finally, the findings indicate that the likelihood of lack of promotion causing low mortgage demand was 5.808 higher than having promotion. The study recommended that mortgage financing institutions should consider the cost of mortgage substitutes, cost of mortgage, income level and promotion in order to increase the demand for mortgage finance in Kenya.Item Factors Influencing The Adoption Of Green Procurement In Manufacturing Industries In Nairobi, Kenya(Kca University, 2021) Musila, Ann N.In the wake of international outcry against runaway global warming, companies are increasingly being called upon to adopt green procurement practices. This emanates from the fact that adoption of these practices is seen as a panacea to adverse effects of environmental degradation. The study set out to investigate the factors influencing the adoption of green procurement in manufacturing industries in Nairobi, Kenya. The objectives of the study were to examine the influence of top management support on the adoption of green procurement in manufacturing industries in Nairobi, Kenya, assess the influence of ICT infrastructure on the adoption of green procurement in manufacturing industries in Nairobi, Kenya, determine the influence of supplier management practices on the adoption of green procurement in manufacturing industries in Nairobi, Kenya and, explore the influence of staff training on the adoption of green procurement in manufacturing industries in Nairobi, Kenya. The study was based on four theoretical foundations namely: organization theory, supply chain management theory, technology adoption model and learning organizational theory. The study used the descriptive survey research design to gather data on the utilization of green procurement in the 2300 manufacturing industries in Nairobi. The population included in this study was 2198 procurement officers drawn from the manufacturing industries that had such officers. Simple random sampling was used to obtain a sample of 96 persons. Data was collected using questionnaires. Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) software was used to analyze quantitative data received from closed ended questions. Various statistical tests were undertaken on the data. These include means, percentages, frequencies, correlation analysis, and multivariate regression analysis. Data from open-ended questions was subjected to content analysis. The findings show that there were significant relationships between the Adoption of Green Procurement and independent variables as follows: top managements, r=0.796 p<0.05; ICT infrastructure level, r=0.854, p<0.05; supply chain management practices, r=0.826, p<0.05; and staff training, r=0.854, p<0.05). Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) shows that top managements, ICT infrastructure level, supply chain management practices and staff training could statistically and significantly predict the adoption of Green Procurement (F= 120.582, p<0.05). In this light thus, the study concludes that top managements, ICT infrastructure level, supply chain management practices, and staff training influenced the adoption of Green Procurement. Based on the findings of the study, the study recommends that top management must be proactive in addressing internal barriers to green procurement. It is also important for manufacturing firms to roll out and sustain modern ICT technologies. Strategies must be put in place by firms to ensure those suppliers relationships with the firm are positively kept. In addition, Supply chain management practices can pose a threat to the effectiveness of green procurement. As a result, it necessitates close collaboration between company departments and businesses, resulting in a harmonious integration of GP practices into the supply chain. Manufacturing firms in Nairobi should put in place strategies for continuous training of procurement staff and mentoring of new employees.