Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration and Management
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Item Distribution Models and Performance of Private Health Insurance Sector in Kenya(European Journal of Business and Strategic Management (EJBSM), 2020) Kang’e, McDonald,; Eng. Dr. Thomas, A. Senaji; Dr. Risper, Orero.Purpose: Health insurance firms continue to compete for the same client base without registering any significant improvement in either penetration levels or performance. This study sought to establish the influence distribution models as a transient advantage on performance of private health insurance sector in Kenya. Methodology: Descriptive survey design was adopted in the study targeting a population comprising managers, assistant managers and supervisors. Four respondents were drawn from each of the five departments, namely sales, strategy, finance, operations and customer service departments in the 19 private health insurance companies where data was collected from a sample of 308 out of the 380 that were targeted. The data were analyzed and both descriptive and inferential results obtained and interpreted. Results: It was found that distribution models (β=-0.77, exp (B) =0.563, p=0.036<0.05) significantly predicted performance. Since the distribution models negatively predicted performance, it is recommended that these models be re-examined to determine their weaknesses with a view to improving them since as currently deployed, the distribution models have a negative impact on health insurance performance. Contributions to theory, policy and practice: The study recommends the employment of multiple channels of distribution of insurance product rather than relying on traditional channels of agent/broker and bancassurance. Mobile applications and internet technology could be used to make access to insurance products more convenient to access, reaching potential customers where and when they can be found while at the same time cutting on the cost of availing these services. To be able to achieve this, there will be need to invest in R&D. It is then imperative that insurance companies must have budgets for R&D. New distribution avenues like Saccos should also be pursued. Distribution channels selected must be those that enable insurance companies to achieve their profitability and penetration objectives.Item Firm Characteristics and Performance of Private Health Insurance Sector in Kenya(Journal of Business and Strategic Management (JBSM), 2020) Kang’e, McDonald; Eng. Dr. Thomas, A. Senaji; Dr. Risper, OreroPurpose: This study sought to establish the influence of firms’ characteristics as determinants of transient advantage on performance. Specifically, the study looked at the influence of firm age and firm size on the performance of insurance firms in Kenya. Methodology: This study employed descriptive research design targeting all the 19 insurance companies that offer health insurance products as at end of December 2017. Secondary data was collected on the firm characteristics (firm age and firm size) and the performance of health insurance (Gross Weighted Premiums and Underwritten Results). Descriptive and inferential analysis was conducted to show the relationship between the variables. The analyzed data was presented by use of bar charts, graphs and frequency tables. Inferential statistics were done including correlation regression and ANOVA. Results: The study revealed that firm size had a positive relationship between age and firm performance that was statistically significant. The study also revealed that firm age had a positive relationship between age and firm performance that was statistically significant. Conclusion: Age of a company is a quality that has been identified in this study as a factor which enables a company to gain capabilities which enable it to exploit transient advantage. It has been observed that the age of a company enables it to gain experience and learning which makes it able to overcome the effects of a rapidly changing business environment. With time these companies also gain a reputation placing them above their competitors. Age, alone, may not guarantee the performance of a company. Other factors have to accompany longevity for the firm to be able to exploit transient advantages and improve its performance. This can be proven by the fact that there are firms that had been in the sector for over three decades yet they control a small portion of the market share. This may be because the benefits of accumulated knowledge can be overcome by the inertia, inflexibility and bureaucracy brought about by routine, rules and organizational structure. Contributions to theory, practice and policy: The study recommended that firms should form partnerships with other firms to enhance cheaper resource outsourcing and offset the disadvantage which comes with firm age and firm size thus increasing firms’ profitability. It was also recommended that strategic partnerships should be adopted to enhance new market penetration and faster growth due to pooling of resources. It is further recommended that the age and size of an organization must be well supported by agility to enable the firm exploit transient advantages and that firms must use the financial muscle and experience gained over the years to take advantage of waves of opportunity