School of Business and Economics

Strategy Implementation, Corporate Governance and Performance of Road Projects Under Kenya Rural Roads Authority in Kenya

Sun, 01 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMT

Strategy Implementation, Corporate Governance and Performance of Road Projects Under Kenya Rural Roads Authority in Kenya Mrongo, Leonard Ouma The performance of road projects is a critical measure of success, particularly in infrastructure development, and is influenced by factors such as strategy implementation and corporate governance practices. Despite the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA)'s efforts to implement strategies, poor performance in road projects persists. This research seeks to explore the connection between strategy implementation, corporate governance practices, and the performance of road projects managed by KeRRA. The primary objectives are to evaluate the impact of leadership styles, technology integration, resource availability, and communication on the performance of these projects. Moreover, the research aims to determine if corporate governance plays a moderating role in the relationship between strategy implementation and project outcomes. The study is anchored on several theoretical frameworks, including Agency Theory, Resource-Based Theory, the Theory of Constraints, and Communication Theory. The study employs a mixed-methods approach. The study employs the philosophy of pragmatism under the research philosophy, utilizing a sequential explanatory design. The target population includes 140 development road projects managed by KeRRA, with a sample size of 208 respondents comprising Road Engineers from KeRRA and their Road Engineers; all hereby referred to as Strategy Implementation Officers (SIOs). The Director General at KeRRA who is the organization’s CEO as well as the Secretary to the Board of Directors is also a respondent in this study. Data for the research were collected using questionnaires and interviews, utilizing cluster sampling, stratified sampling, and purposive sampling techniques for gathering both qualitative and quantitative data. The analysis was carried out with SPSS Version 27, employing Pearson correlation and regression analysis to explore the relationships within the data. Results indicated that leadership styles and effective corporate governance practices positively correlate with project performance. While technology adoption did not show a direct statistical impact, resource availability significantly influenced project success. Communication, though linked to better project outcomes, did not present a statistically significant direct influence. The findings emphasize the need to enhance governance structures, integrate technology more effectively, optimize resource allocation, and improve communication and stakeholder engagement for better project outcomes. Future studies are recommended to explore these relationships further, especially in different infrastructural contexts. .

The Effect of Financial Sensitization and Internal Audit Practices On Financial Performance in Public Universities, Kenya.

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT

The Effect of Financial Sensitization and Internal Audit Practices On Financial Performance in Public Universities, Kenya. Karigi, Richard Nganga Kenyan public universities have been performing dismally financially for several years resulting to closures of campuses and an ever-increasing pending bills. The universities have not been able to engage adequate scholars to meet the instruction capacity in the delivery of curriculums. The research looked at correlation between financial sensitization, internal audit practice and the financial performance of public universities in Kenya. The study was guided by a number of theories namely Resource based theory, prospect theory, motivation theory, with agency theory being the anchor theory. General objective of this study was to carry out evaluation of correlation between financial awareness, human capital competency, procurement process, project appraisal, technology adoption, internal audit practices and finance performance in public universities, Kenya. Independent variables were financial awareness, human capital, procurement process, project appraisal and technology adoption. The moderating variable was internal audit practices. Dependent variable wasfinancial performance in public universities from the sampled universities. Targeted population were the public universities in Kenya with a purposive sample of 155 managers selected from three categories of universities according to their age and when they were chartered. The data was sourced by use of questionnaires and pilot survey was done to test the instrument. The data was analyzed through statistical inference. Statistical Package that is popularly used for Social Science (SPSS) software was also during the analysis of data including multiple regression and other measures of central tendency. The study findings revealed that financial awareness, human capital competency, procurement process, project appraisal, and technology adoption posted positive and high relationship with finance performance. Study also found that internal audit practices had significant positive moderator influence on relation between financial sensitization and financial performance of public universities. Study concluded that financial sensitization contributes significantly to financial performance in public universities. Study also concluded that introduction of internal audit practices enhances how it influences the financial sensitization on how public owned Universities, Kenya perform financially. Study recommends that university managers should ensure that employees understand financial risk as well as saving culture. The management should also equip employees with knowledge on financial procedures and debt policy. There is need to review staff training policy with the aim of achieving better outcome. There is need to ensure that quality of goods and services purchased are up to standard. There is need to ensure that projects are implemented as per schedule in the contract. There is need to invest in information technology infrastructure. Financial innovations such as mobile banking and internet banking to be adopted in collection of fees. There is need for frequent internal audits in the institutions. Management should build the capacity of internal audit team in terms of personnel and training. Internal audit team should be given necessary space to operate with no interference. The study recommends that future studies should consider investigating relationship between financial sensitization and how Private Universities in Kenya perform financially.

Human Resource Training Determinants And Their Moderating Contextual Factors In The Implementation Of E-Government Services: Evidence From Huduma Centres In Kenya

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Human Resource Training Determinants And Their Moderating Contextual Factors In The Implementation Of E-Government Services: Evidence From Huduma Centres In Kenya Kaleli, Joseph Muia The study examined the influence of human resource training determinants on the implementation of electronic government service delivery in Huduma Centres in Kenya. Despite notable investment in digital platforms and infrastructure, inconsistencies in service quality, digital proficiency, and citizen satisfaction remained evident across Huduma Centres, signaling that training interventions and organizational factors were not yielding uniform results. Although targeted training initiatives had improved staff proficiency and operational efficiency, the absence of systematic evaluation of specific training determinants and the moderating influence of organizational culture had limited the realization of Kenya’s e-government objectives. The purpose of the study was therefore to establish the influence of training methods, training frequency, continuous professional development, and technological infrastructure on the implementation of electronic government service delivery in Huduma Centres, and to assess the moderating effect of organizational culture. The study was guided by the Human Capital Theory, Experiential Learning Theory, Diffusion of Innovation Theory, and Organizational Culture Theory. It adopted a cross-sectional research design and targeted a population of 1,560 Huduma Centre employees across 52 centres nationwide. A stratified random sampling technique was used to ensure representativeness across job categories, and the sample was determined scientifically using proportionate allocation. The final sample size comprised 156 respondents, including 52 managers, 52 ICT officers, and 52 customer service representatives. Data were collected using structured questionnaires containing both closed and open-ended items. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive, correlation, and regression analysis, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically and integrated to enrich interpretation. The descriptive results indicated that interactive and practical training methods improved employee competence and efficiency; that regular and structured training frequency sustained staff adaptability; that continuous professional development enhanced digital literacy and innovation; and that the availability of adequate technological infrastructure significantly facilitated e-government service delivery. Correlation analysis revealed positive and significant associations between each training determinant and service delivery, while regression results confirmed that all determinants contributed meaningfully to variations in e-government implementation, with organizational culture partially moderating these relationships. The study recommended that government agencies adopt simulation-based and blended learning methods to enhance staff performance, institutionalize monthly training schedules, promote continuous professional development through certification programs, and strengthen technological infrastructure to support digital operations. It further recommended fostering an innovation-driven organizational culture to sustain the successful implementation of electronic government services in Kenya’s Huduma Centres.

Strategic Choices, Firm Size and Organisational Performance of Family-Owned Businesses In Nairobi County-Kenya

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Strategic Choices, Firm Size and Organisational Performance of Family-Owned Businesses In Nairobi County-Kenya Ngare, Lydiah Wangu Family-owned businesses play a vital economic role in Kenya, yet many continue to face performance challenges despite numerous interventions. This study examined the influence of strategic choices—digital promotion, geographical diversification, open innovation, and conglomerate diversification on the performance of family-owned businesses in Nairobi. Anchored on the philosophy of positivism and using an ex-post facto design, the study targeted top and middle managers from 226 family-owned businesses that have operated for over ten years. Stratified and simple random sampling techniques were used, and data was collected via structured questionnaires. A pilot study was conducted in Nakuru County to enhance validity. The data analysis tool employed was SPSS version 28, using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings revealed that digital promotion significantly enhances competitive performance. Geographical diversification and open innovation were also strong positive predictors of performance, while conglomerate diversification had a modest positive effect. Firm size moderated the influence of geographical diversification and open innovation on performance. The study concludes that digital promotion is a universally effective strategy, geographical diversification is essential regardless of firm size, and open innovation is key for sustained growth. While conglomerate diversification offers mixed outcomes, strategic choices overall play a critical role in performance. Recommendations include leveraging strategic choices to align management decisions with firm characteristics. Family businesses should invest in leadership, governance, and operational systems, while policymakers should promote strategies aligned with firm size. Future studies could explore how generational shifts influence strategic decision-making in family-owned businesses. Future research should expand the research across counties in Kenya or comparing urban versus rural family-owned businesses could reveal location-specific barriers or enablers of diversification strategies. A similar study could also be carried out on one specific industry.

A Health Systems Approach To Sexual And Reproductive Health Service Utilization By Adolescent Girls In Kajiado County, Kenya

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

A Health Systems Approach To Sexual And Reproductive Health Service Utilization By Adolescent Girls In Kajiado County, Kenya Aluda, Wilfrida Kadenyi Adolescent girls in Kenya face significant barriers in accessing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, particularly in pastoralist communities such as Kajiado County, in the subcounties of Kajiado Central, Kajiado South, Kajiad East, Kajiado West and Kajiado North, where cultural norms, stigma, and weak healthcare infrastructure exacerbate these challenges. This study aimed to assess the factors influencing SRH service utilization among adolescent girls in Kajiado County and to identify actionable strategies for improving adolescent SRH outcomes. This study adopted a cross-sectional study design, utilizing both the qualitative and quantitative data. Exploratory design was used for the objectives setting and deducing the findings from Objective results. Specifically, the study sought to: (i) evaluate adolescents’ level of SRH knowledge, (ii) identify individual and socio-cultural factors affecting service utilization, (iii) examine the practice of patient-centeredness in SRH service delivery, (iv) assess the role of financial interventions in access to care, (v) explore the influence of health referral systems on service uptake, and (vi) propose a digital health platform for enhancing service utilization. A cross-sectional design with a mixed approach was employed, integrating quantitative surveys with 422 adolescent girls aged 10–19 years and qualitative insights from key informant interviews (KIIs) ,In-Depth Interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) to strengthen on the Qualitative Data. Stratified random sampling ensured socio-demographic representation. Quantitative data collected from the 422 adolescents were double entered into STATA at the Data Management Centre of Kenya Methodist University to ensure accuracy and qualitative interview transcripts were managed and coded in Nvivo software for thematic analysis. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and logistic regression, while qualitative data was thematically analyzed and triangulated with quantitative findings. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Scientific and Ethics Review Committee (ISERC). For participants below 18 years, informed consent was obtained from parents/guardians alongside adolescents’ assent, ensuring compliance with child protection and ethical research standards. The results revealed that while 67.3% of adolescents had basic SRH awareness, only 41.8% demonstrated comprehensive knowledge, especially regarding contraceptive use and reproductive rights. Key determinants of service utilization included age, education, and socio-economic status, with older adolescents and those with secondary education more likely to access services (p < 0.05). Barriers included financial constraints (72.5%), privacy concerns (56.7%), and judgmental provider attitudes. Despite existing referral systems, only 38.2% of adolescents had ever been referred for SRH services. The study co-created innovative solutions with community stakeholders, including strengthening adolescent-friendly clinics, scaling up community-based SRH education, providing financial support mechanisms, and proposing a digital health platform to improve accessibility. The Digital Health Platform has actually made huge strides towardsthis development,with the website and an Instagram page resulting to a 15% increase in it's utilization by the Adolescent age.With more than 2,000 followers on the Instagram page,it has had more than 2500 visits over the past six months, resulting in a considerable impact.The link to further information around the digital health system(Youth Wellness Connect) is herein attached:https://www.youthwellnessconnect.co.ke/ These findings highlight the urgent need for system-level interventions and community-driven strategies to enhance SRH service uptake among adolescent girls in Kajiado County, offering practical lessons for similar pastoralist settings in Kenya and beyond.

Financial Resource Mobilization Strategies, Intellectual Capital And Financial Sustainability Of Universities In Kenya

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Financial Resource Mobilization Strategies, Intellectual Capital And Financial Sustainability Of Universities In Kenya Murugu, Humphrey Mwenda Universities in Kenya, both public and private, are increasingly facing financial distress arising from declining government capitation for public universities, delayed or non-remittance of funds for government-sponsored students in private universities, rising operational costs, growing debts, and deteriorating infrastructure. These challenges have made financial sustainability a central concern in the higher education sector. Achieving this sustainability requires universities to diversify revenue sources while maintaining educational quality and institutional stability. This study examined the influence of financial resource mobilization strategies on the financial sustainability of universities in Kenya and the moderating effect of intellectual capital. The specific objectives were to determine the influence of business units, financial management practices, endowment fund mobilization, and investment in technology-enhanced learning on financial sustainability. Anchored in Resource Mobilization Theory and supported by Modern Portfolio Theory, Resource Dependency Theory, and Intellectual Capital Theory, the study adopted a positivist philosophy and employed a mixed-methods approach. A sample of sixty-four universities comprising of thirty-four public and thirty private was drawn from seventy-six chartered universities in Kenya using Yamane’s formula and stratified sampling. Data were collected from two hundred and ninety senior university officers through structured questionnaires and from audited financial statements covering the period 2018–2022. Instrument reliability was confirmed with a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient above 0.9, exceeding the acceptable 0.7 threshold. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, with hypotheses tested through binary logistic regression at a 95% confidence level (α = 0.05). The findings revealed that business units, financial management practices, endowment fund mobilization, and investment in technology-enhanced learning each had a positive and significant effect on financial sustainability (p < 0.05). Intellectual capital significantly moderated these relationships, enhancing the predictive strength of financial resource mobilization strategies. The study concludes that integrating financial resource mobilization with intellectual capital development is vital for institutional resilience and long-term financial stability. It recommends that universities should strengthen entrepreneurial ventures, adopt prudent financial governance, institutionalize endowment management, and invest strategically in technology and knowledge assets to ensure sustainable growth and competitiveness within Kenya’s higher education sector.

Selected Dynamic Capability Drivers, Innovative Behavior and Performance of State Corporations in Kenya

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Selected Dynamic Capability Drivers, Innovative Behavior and Performance of State Corporations in Kenya Miano, Leah Wanjiku Ng’ang’a State Corporations in Kenya play a critical role in national development, yet they consistently encounter performance challenges. Structural inefficiencies, including bureaucratic rigidity, ineffective leadership, inadequate knowledge management, and slow technological adoption, have undermined their operational effectiveness, diminished service delivery, and increased dependency on government financial support. While previous studies have examined these challenges in isolation or within private sector contexts, there remains a significant gap in understanding how dynamic capabilities collectively influence performance in public sector organizations, particularly with respect to the moderating role of innovative behavior. This study addresses this gap by investigating the combined influenced of structural adaptations, technology adoption, leadership styles, and knowledge management on the performance of Kenyan State Corporations, while assessing how innovative behavior modifies these relationships. The study was anchored on Dynamics Capabilities View of the Firm and supported by Resource Based View of the Firm, Diffusion of Innovations Theory and Theory of the Firm. The study employed the Explanatory research designs. This study targeted the 177 State Corporations in Kenya. A sample of 122 State Corporations obtained from Yamane’s formula was used. The unit of observation was the CEO of each sampled organization or his representative. As a result, the study used a sample of 122 respondents. A questionnaire served as the major source of primary data for this investigation. A pilot study was undertaken on 10% of the sample size, that is, 12 State Corporations whose respondents were not included in the final research. SPSS, version 24, was employed in this study to analyze the data collected. Tables, graphs and figures were used to present the results. The study found that there is a significant and positive effect of structural adaptations (β = 0.712; p = 0.000), technology adoption (β = 0.779; p = 0.000), leadership styles (β = 0.849; p = 0.000), and knowledge management (β = 0.869; p = 0.000) on performance of State Corporations in Kenya. In addition, innovative behavior had a significant moderating effect on the relationship between leadership styles (β = -0.522; p = 0.047), one of the attributes of dynamic capabilities and performance. Consequently, innovative behaviour serves as an antecedent to leadership styles and as a moderator. Overall, this implies that dynamic capabilities influence the performance of State Corporations but this relationship is moderated by innovative behaviour. Based on these findings, the study recommends that State Corporations implement flatter structures, decentralize decision-making, and digitize operations to overcome bureaucratic inertia. Leadership development and knowledge-sharing systems should be institutionalized, while innovation should be embedded into organizational strategy through incentive programs and participatory platforms. These reforms are essential to foster agility, accountability, and improved service delivery in Kenya's public sector.

Strategic Management Practices On Performance Of Water Service Providers In The Lower-Eastern Kenya

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Strategic Management Practices On Performance Of Water Service Providers In The Lower-Eastern Kenya Miriti, Erastus Mwongera This study focused on performance of water service providers in the Lower Eastern Kenya. Performance is gauged on the organisation’s ability to efficient supply adequate, quality, reliable and affordable water while the organisation maintains positive financial and market growth. Water service providers in Kenya face significant performance challenges characterized by Non-Revenue Water exceeding 45% as recorded by The World Bank Group (2021) and Water Services Regulatory Board (2022). Further, water coverage at 60% is significantly below international benchmarks. Lower-Eastern Kenya suffers up to 92% domestic water scarcity despite reasonable availability of water sources. This suggests that factors beyond water resource availability contribute to the dismal organizational performance. The study therefore examined the four dimensions of strategic management practices - environmental scanning, strategy formulation, strategy implementation and strategy control - and tested the moderating role of water demand. Resource-Based View of the firm was the underpinning theory supported by the Dynamic Capabilities Theory, Agency Theory and the Stakeholder Theory. The study was a correlational survey anchored on positivist philosophy employing mixed methods. The computed sample size using Yamane’s formula was 263 from a target population of ten organisations with a sampling frame of 758 employees. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaires and analysis resulted in all four Null Hypotheses being rejected. Thus, the four independent variables acting singly or collectively had positive and significant influence on organizational performance. This confirmed that strategic management practices significantly influences organisational performance. Specifically, environmental scanning followed by strategy control had the highest impact on organizational performance. However, in the combined model, water demand acted significantly as an independent variable but not as a moderator. The study recommends that water organisations should embrace strategic management practices, invest on their capabilities, improve efficiency and empower their employees for better performance.

Influence of Entrepreneurial Competencies On Commercialization of Livestock Farming in Narok County, Kenya

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Influence of Entrepreneurial Competencies On Commercialization of Livestock Farming in Narok County, Kenya LOLCHOKI, ELIZABETH S. The county has a very large population that owns large number of livestock but they still remain poor in terms of accessing health services, taking their children to school and access to other basic needs which this study attributes to poor commercialization of their domestic animal farm products for wealth maximization. The aim of this research was to establish the influence of entrepreneurial competencies on the commercialization of livestock farming in Narok County. The research specifically focused on the influence of entrepreneur skill acquisition, market orientation knowledge, entrepreneur risk management knowledge and entrepreneur environment awareness knowledge on commercialization of livestock farming in Narok County, in Kenya. The study also sought to examine the moderating effect of government strategy on the livestock subsector in respect to commercialization of livestock farming in Narok County, Kenya. Descriptive research was adopted based on to its reliability and systematic description of a population. The population of the study included all farmers that practice livestock farming in Narok County. The study targeted households of smallholder livestock farmers. Narok County has 150,415 households comprising 721,992 individuals involved in livestock farming. The sample size was determined by use of Cochran's formula, with sample size of 384 households being used. The study adopted mixed sampling design, stratified and random sampling so as to settle on the specific households for inclusion in the study. Primary data was collected from the field through structured self- administered questionnaires. The study adopted drop and pick methodology during data collection. Data analysis was done through both inferential and descriptive statistics using SPSS v24. Inferential statistics that include Pearson correlation and Multivariate binary logistics regression analysis. Results indicated that entrepreneurial skills (B = 1.14, exp B = 3.128, P=0.002) positively and significantly influenced commercialization of livestock farming; market orientation knowledge(B = 0.843, exp-B = 2.323, P=0.003) positively and significantly influenced commercialization of livestock farming; entrepreneur risk management knowledge (B = -0.8, expB = 0.449, p=0.02) has a negative and significant effect commercialization of livestock farming; entrepreneur environment awareness knowledge had a negative and significant effect commercialization of livestock farming in Narok County (B = -1.64, expB = 5.156, P=0.01). This implies that entrepreneur environment awareness knowledge has significant effect on commercialization of livestock farming in Narok County, Kenya; and government strategy moderates the impact of entrepreneurial competencies on commercialization of livestock farming in Narok County. This study recommends households involved in livestock farming to ensure that they effectively manage finances for farming activities, develop business plans for farming enterprises, regularly attend training sessions where farmers are taught entrepreneurship, and make sure to cultivate entrepreneurial abilities that allow farmers to effectively manage livestock farming. Similarly, to improve commercialization of livestock farming, there is need for those involved in livestock farming to equip themselves with market orientation knowledge by developing awareness of all needs of consumers of livestock products and products livestock that originate from the agricultural operations. There is also need to have sufficient market knowledge of livestock and its connected items, access information on the livestock market as well be prepared to take advantage of any market opportunities.

Financing Sources, Institutional Governance and Performance of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (Tvet) Institutions in Kenya

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Financing Sources, Institutional Governance and Performance of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (Tvet) Institutions in Kenya Mutembei, Kigige Anderson Performance of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions in Kenya has remained a persistent concern, as many institutions continue to record low completion rates, inadequate training outcomes, and limited graduate employability. Technical and Vocational Education and Training is increasingly recognized as a critical sector for equipping the youth with the requisite skills for employment and economic development, both globally and within Kenya. Despite its strategic importance, the sector’s performance has been constrained by inadequate and inconsistent financing. The main objective of this study was to examine the influence of sources of financing, institutional governance and TVET institutions’ performance in Kenya. Specific objectives included: to establish the influence of government financing, influence of donor financing, influence of self-financing, and influence of public-private partnerships on performance of TVET institutions in Kenya. The study further analyzed the moderating effect of institutional governance on the relationship between financing sources and performance of TVET institutions. The study was anchored on Resource Dependence Theory, Human Capital Theory, Institutional Theory, and Stakeholder Theory. A descriptive research design was employed, utilizing a mixed-methods approach that incorporated both quantitative and qualitative data. The target population for the study comprised of 1464 key stakeholders in the TVET sector, including institutional administrators, teaching staff, and selected government officials from the Education Ministry department in charge of TVET management. Stratified random sampling was used to select a sample of 314 respondents from the target population and 297 valid responses were obtained. Data collection involved the use of structured questionnaires alongside a key informant interview guide. Quantitative data were processed and analyzed using SPSS (version 25), whereas qualitative information was examined through thematic analysis. The findings revealed that all four financing sources had statistically significant positive effects on the performance of TVET institutions, with government financing (β = 0.799, p < .001), donor financing (β = 0.829, p < .001), self-financing (β = 0.787, p < .001), and public-private partnerships (β = 0.750, p < .001) demonstrating strong predictive power. Additionally, institutional Governance manifested as a critical contingent variable profoundly modulating the dynamic interplay between financing and institutional performance. The study concluded that strengthening both financing mechanisms and institutional governance was essential for enhancing the performance of TVET institutions. It recommends policy reforms that prioritize adequate, timely, and sustainable funding, alongside improved governance practices, to maximize institutional effectiveness and long-term impact. Future studies should investigate the long-term effects of different financing models related to graduate employability and the quality of training in TVET institutions.