Doctorate Theses and dissertation
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Item Influence of Trust on Savings Mobilization in Co-Operatives in Nyamira County(International Academic Journal of Economics and Finance (IAJEF), 2017-08) Nyatichi, Jeremiah Mauti; Evangeline, Gichunge; Risper, OreroThe purpose of the research was to study the influence of trust on savings mobilization in co-operatives in Nyamira County. It was conducted using descriptive research among co-operative members in savings and credit co-operatives. The statistical sample consisted of 220 members who were randomly selected and studied through questionnaire. Data was collected from a random sample of 220 respondents and was analyzed using the STATA 13 computer software. The validity of the questionnaire’s reliability was ascertained by the researcher using the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient which was at 0.991. The data was collated using the Likert scale. The results showed that trust highly influenced savings mobilization through co-operatives among the people of Nyamira. Therefore, it is recommended that trust which significantly influenced savings mobilization in Nyamira County should be taken seriously when dealing with savings mobilization, government policies and programmes. The findings of the study will be useful for the County and National Governments in formulating coherent Policies that address developmental challenges in co-operativesItem Effect of Parental Involvement on Quality of Education in Public Day Secondary Schools in Igembe Central Sub County, Meru County-Kenya(KeMU, 2019-11) Thuba, EstherThis study aimed at determining the effect of parental involvement on quality of education in public day secondary schools. The relationship among the variables of the study was moderated by parents’ level of education and their occupations. Specifically, the study intended to establish the effect of school-based parental involvement, home–based parental involvement, and academic socialization by parents on quality of education in public day secondary schools. This study was guided by Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behaviour and Albert Bandura’s Social Learning Theory. A descriptive correlational study was carried out in public day secondary schools in Igembe Central Sub County in Meru - Kenya. The target population was 28 principals, 7,182 students and 144 parents’ representatives. This made a target population of 7,354 participants from the public day secondary schools of Igembe Central Sub County. This study was guided by logical positivism philosophy which greatly regards methods of scientific inquiry and logical analysis of philosophical problems. Qualitative and quantitative data were obtained from a sample of 352 students, 8 school principals and 32 parents selected through random sampling procedures. Questionnaires, an interview guide, and a focus group discussion guide were used for collection of data from students, principals, as well as parents, respectively. Document analysis guide was also used. A sample of two principals, 88 students and 8 parent from two schools in the neighbouring Igembe South Sub County were used for the purpose of pilot testing and refining the research instruments. The reliability coefficient for the indicators of school–based parental involvement, home–based parental involvement, academic socialization by parents and quality of education was 0.730, 0.951, 0.946 and 0.756 respectively. Data was collected from the respondents by the researcher. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used in data analysis. The quantitative data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 21.0 (SPSS 21.0) computer software programme. Descriptive statistics such as mean scores, variances, standard deviation; and inferential statistics namely correlation and multiple regression were used to analyse the data. The results provided statistical evidence that a positive and significant relationship exists between parental involvement and quality of education in public day secondary schools. All the predictors of parental involvement were found to have positive and significant effect on quality of education in public day secondary schools. The study also established that mothers’ characteristics (level of education and occupation) had partial moderating effect on the relationship between parental involvement and quality of education in public day secondary schools. Thematic analysis for qualitative data was done and data was summarized according to similarities and common themes and presented in narratives and relevant quotes to supplement and strengthen the quantitative data. The results obtained led to the conclusions that expanding the role of parents in education improves school attendance, learning behaviours, academic performance and transition to colleges and universities. Secondly, the study established that among all the predictors of quality of education in public day secondary schools, academic socialization by parents and home-based parental involvement are significant in affecting quality of education in a combined relationship. In addition, it was concluded that all parents can participate in the education of their children, regardless of their level of education and occupation so as to improve quality of education in public day secondary schools. This study, therefore, recommends that parents be sensitized by school management on the importance of their roles in education; and the need of their continuous involvement in education of their children.Item Predicting Grazing Conflicts Based on Limited Resources in Northern Kenya(KeMU, 2019-09) Ikuathu, Dominic MaringaThis study aimed at determining causes of grazing conflicts in Northern Kenya which were used to develop a conflicts predicting model. It specifically intended to evaluate seasonality of pasture resources, establishing how availability of grazing resources was related to grazing conflicts and predicting how communities were likely to cope with them. It was anchored on the theory that competition for limited forage triggers intra and inter-conservancy livestock movements, causing conflicts over grazing resources. The study used mixed methods of ecological, remote sensing and social survey designs. Purposive sampling was used to select four conservancies out of a population of fifteen, where three of them were community-managed while the fourth was privately owned which acted as a control. Two plots each measuring 50mx50m were set up in each of them using handheld Global Positioning System (GPS). Clip-dry-and-weigh method was used to assess grass biomass during dry and wet seasons. Five samples of clippings were obtained per plot using 0.5mx0.5m wire quadrant randomly in both seasons. Visual estimates were used to assess ground cover percentages, species variability and diversity along transects between the plots in both seasons and recorded in Range Condition Checklists and tables of quantities. A population of 106 respondents was picked through systematic random sampling from the lists of conservancy grazing committees and data collected using self-administered structured questionnaires, focused group discussions and content analysis of literature. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. Frequency counts, means and percentages were computed for all quantitative data and results presented using frequency distribution tables and graphs. Qualitative data on status of the bio-physical, land-use and rainfall patterns were tracked using remote sensing techniques. Temporal and spatial variability of forage, land-use and land-cover changes were tracked using MODIS 250m resolution and Landsat-8 sensor, which were analysed using Quantum Geographical Information System (QGIS) to produce Normalized Difference Vegetation Indices (NDVI). The results established that forage and water availability and livestock numbers were responsible for the largest variability of grazing conflicts. It was found that seasonality of rainfall and the communities grazing regimes trigger livestock movements to unknown areas, sparking a trail of conflicts on their way. The research also found out that in the largest period of the year, community conservancies bore the greatest effects of environmental externalities due to lack of adherence to grazing plans leading to overgrazing and pasture degradation. It was further found that pastoral communities have different methods of copping with grazing conflicts in the study area. The study synthesized results on dependent and independent variables and came up with a new model for predicting grazing conflicts in Northern Kenya. The study recommended further investigations on the effects of other factors contributing to grazing conflicts that were not accounted for. It also recommended further research on methodology to establish the levels of competition for resources by different browsers. On practice, it recommended inclusion of structured dialogue in conflicts mitigation and diversification of social-economic activities by the pastoralists to cushion them from the effects of grazing conflicts. On policy, it recommended inclusion of local administration, national agencies and relevant stakeholders on conflicts mitigation processes to make them more authentic and resultant agreements enforceable.Item Antecedents of Technology Adoption and Financial Inclusion among Micro Enterprises in Machakos County, Kenya(KeMU, 2018-08) Mwania, Paul MutwiwaThe increased levels of mobile and internet banking has enabled the Micro Enterprises (MEs) to save, undertake transactions and access low cost credit without necessarily having security for their loans. Many micro-enterprises are not included in the mainstream financial system and hence they cannot access credit. However, with the increased level of antecedents of technology adoption (mobile and internet banking), the micro enterprises have not fully adopted this new innovation to increase their levels of financial inclusion. The aim of the study was to examine the antecedents of technology adoption (mobile and internet banking) on financial inclusion among the micro enterprises in Machakos County. The study adopted a descriptive research design since it seeks to build a profile about the relationship between antecedents of technology adoption (mobile and internet banking) to financial inclusion in Kenya. The study was targeting micro enterprises operating in Kenya with a special focus to Machakos County. Purposive sampling technique was used to select the sample for the study. Questionnaire was used for data collection as it was cost effective as opposed to other instruments. Pilot testing involved60 businesses which were not included in the final sample. To enhance validity in this study, content related validity of the questionnaire was used. On the other hand, reliability was assessed using the test-retest method and was done alongside the pilot study. The researcher selected a pilot group comprising 10% of the sample. The research instruments were tested for reliability using the split half method. This was done by collecting data from 60 respondents. Data was verified and edited for completeness and consistency. Content analysis and descriptive analysis was employed. Regression analysis was applied to establish the relationship between the variables. Regression results showed that convenience and financial inclusion are positively and significantly related (β=0.201, p<0.001). Transaction cost and financial inclusion were also found to positively and significantly related (β=-0.091 p<0.002). Perceived value and financial inclusion are positively and significantly related (β=0.233, p<0.001).Collateral and financial inclusion are positively and significantly related (β =0.154, p<0.002) while technology adoption and financial inclusion are positively and significantly related (β=0.573, p<0.001). The study further found that financial services technology innovation moderates the relationship between transaction cost, perceived value and convenience and financial inclusion of micro enterprises. The study concludes that collateral, transaction cost, convenience, perceived value and technology adoption have a positive and significant relationship with financial inclusion of micro enterprises. It was further established that mobile and internet banking have improved the access to financial services by micro-enterprises. This is seen through improved business growth among the enterprises as they can access low cost credit for business growth. The low cost of credit for the micro-enterprises has improved the level of financial inclusion. It’s recommended that owners of micro enterprises should use mobile banking since it makes it easier for them to carry out their businesses operations. According to the study, use of internet banking makes it easier for owners of micro-enterprises to carry out their businesses operations. The study recommends that owners of micro enterprises should adopt use of internet banking since it does not require a lot of technical knowledge for it is simple to use hence convenient for business owners. The owners of micro-enterprises should use mobile and internet banking to accomplish their banking tasks anytime and anywhere since it is efficient for them.Item Credit Risk and Lending Performance of Commercial Banks in Kenya(KeMU, 2019-08) Karanja, John GakuuCredit risk poses substantial exposure both to the banks and the economy; a scenario evident in East Africa financial crises; this in part owing to the fact that the banking sector is vital in any economy. The decline of profitability within the banking industry and financial losses can be attributed to credit exposures that went awry. This underscores the significance of management of credit risk within the banking sector. While lending is profitable for the banks especially on account of the interest paid on the amount borrowed, it also has disadvantages which results from delays or default in loan repayments. This study was purposed to evaluate the credit risk and lending performance of commercial banks in Kenya. Descriptive survey research design was employed whilst the target population for this study was employees of the 42 commercial banks in Kenya as at 1st January, 2018. Purposive sampling was used to pick 42 credit managers and simple random sampling invoked to determine the other 301 respondents from the target population of 1260 employees. Both structured and unstructured questions were used to collect primary data. Thereafter, the data was analyzed using descriptive statistics including frequency distribution tables, measures of central tendency and standard deviations. In addition, advance statistical techniques including logistic regression analysis and Pearson correlation were used to establish relationships among variables and provide description of the data while qualitative data was analyzed in narrative form. The results were then presented in tabular representations supplemented by relevant explanations. The results of the study revealed that the combined effect of credit risks positively influenced the lending performance of banks. The study concluded that credit risk activities significantly influenced the lending performance of commercial banks; and as a result the operating capital of commercial banks had gone down to very low levels since lending is a source of income for the commercial banks and this has affected the performance of the entire banking sector. The study recommended that Government of Kenya through the National Treasury and in collaboration with Central Bank of Kenya and Kenya Bankers’ Association should formulate policies that will help the commercial banks reduce the level of credit risks and improve the lending performance which was currently affected to a great extent.Item Capital Adequacy Framework, Funds Allocation Strategy and Financial Performance of Deposit Taking Sacco’s in Kenya(KeMU, 2019-09) Ng`eno, John CheruiyotThis study was aimed at establishing the relationship between capital adequacy framework and financial performance of deposit taking savings and credit cooperatives societies in Kenya. There is a declining trend of deposit taking SACCOs in Kenya. In 2016,164 SACCOs were licensed to operate as deposit taking SACCOs in Kenya. The study intention was to conduct a census survey but the responses were less. Only 111 deposit taking societies responded. The government had introduced various legislations attempting to streamline the operations of cooperative entity. Sustainability of cooperative movement depends on various factors one of which being capital adequacy. In this study the influence of six dimensions of capital adequacy framework namely: internal financing, external financing, portfolio selection, credit management, risk management and managerial capability was examined. A descriptive survey was conducted using questionnaires to collect data from the respondents. Pilot survey was conducted on 12 deposit taking SACCOs to ensure that questionnaire serve the intended purpose. Data analysis was carried out using both descriptive and inferential statistics with the aid of statistical package for social sciences (SPSS 23). Correlation and regression analysis were used to establish the relationship between research variables. It was found that internal financing, credit management; portfolio selection, risk management and managerial capability had positive effect on financial performance of deposit taking SACCOs in Kenya. This means that as the five variables increase then financial performance will be increase. External financing had negatively influenced on the financial performance. With prudent external financing, deposit taking SACCOs will attain favourable outcome. Funds allocation was found to have a significant moderating influence on the relationship between capital adequacy framework and financial performance. Hypotheses were tested at 5 percent significance level. The null hypotheses were rejected and it was established that capital adequacy framework and moderating variables influenced significantly financial performance. It is recommended that focus on capital adequacy framework will enhance financial performance of deposit taking SACCOs in Kenya.Item Socio-Entrepreneurial Practices and Community Empowerment within the Coastal Tourism Circuit in Kenya(KeMU, 2019-08) Ikwaye, SamuelA relatively small segment of business, known as social entrepreneurship (SE), is increasingly being acknowledged as an effective source of solutions to a variety of social problems. Despite this, little is documented as regards the role of social entrepreneurial practices and how they impact the local communities in Kenya in the context of the contribution of tourism and hospitality. Further, little is known about the requirements an innovation has to fulfill in order to be a social one and distinguish itself from other types of innovations. Also considered as important but whose evidence is also scarce is the role of SE practices on empowerment of local communities as well the existence of a legal framework to encourage the development of SE as a social economy in Kenya’s coastal tourism circuit. This study sought to contribute in filling the existing knowledge gap by assessing the role of tourism and hospitality enterprises’ SE practices on empowerment of communities with specific focus on the coastal tourism circuit in Kenya. Specifically, the study sought to determine the influence of enterprises’ socioeconomic practices, sociocultural practices and that of their green initiatives on empowerment of communities. Additionally, the role of innovations that the enterprises implement on empowerment was assessed. A descriptive survey of Kenya Association of Hotel Keepers registered enterprises as well as classified facilities, beneficiaries of empowerment programs and civic leaders were conducted. Data was collected from 42 enterprises purposively selected as well as from beneficiaries sampled using snowball sampling. Prior to the commencement of the actual study, 35 respondents affiliated to five enterprises participated in a pilot study to pre-test the research instrument. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaires. Quantitative data was analyzed descriptively and inferences drawn from correlation and multiple linear regression analyses results which were obtained with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 computer software. Findings were that hotel enterprises within the coastal tourism circuit in Kenya had adopted socio-entrepreneurial practices, with socio-cultural practices having the greatest extent of adoption followed by green initiatives then social innovations, and lastly socio-economic practices. The practices were positively and significantly related with community empowerment at 0.05 level of significance. The relationship which was linear was strongest for social innovation followed by socio-cultural practices then socio-economic practices and lastly green initiatives. Similarly, it was found that socio-economic practices, socio-cultural and green initiative significantly influence community empowerment. Lastly, hierarchical regression analysis illustrated that social innovation mediates the relationship between socio-economic, socio-cultural and green innovation and community empowerment. It is therefore recommended that hotel enterprises enhance their level of adoption of the socio-entrepreneurial practices to enable local communities feel their impacts. In the process, due regard should be given to the vulnerable groups including women, youth and persons with disabilities. At the same time sensitization of host communities should be enhance through involvement of local civic leaders.Item Relationship between Financial Management Practices and Financial Stability of Football Clubs in Kenya. A Survey of Football Clubs at the Kenya Premier League(KeMU, 2018-09) Kinyariro, Dickson KamauThis research investigated whether there exists an association between the financial management practices put in place by the Kenyan football clubs and their financial stability. The specific research objectives guided the study by establishing the influence of investment practices, financial reporting framework, working capital management and financing activities on stability of football clubs in Kenya. The underpinning theories include: Agency theory, game theory in sports and contracting theory. Explanatory research design was adopted. Questionnaires were used to collect data. The target population comprised of sixty-three respondents from twenty-one football clubs that were participating between 2010-2014 seasons of the Kenyan Premier League. The respondents comprised financial officers, the chairpersons, and accountants at the clubs. Purposive sampling as well as simple random sampling were adopted to select the respondents. Yamane (1967) formula which is used to calculate sample sizes at 95% confidence level and e = 0.05 was used to obtain the sample size. The total number of respondents was fifty-four (54). Descriptive statistics and inferential statics were used in data analysis. From the research it was established that with well laid financial management practices, there exists significant influence on the financial stability of football clubs. The research concludes football clubs have the capacity to improve their performance both by winning matches as well as enhancing their financial capability through embracing standard financial management structures and thereby leading to financial stability. The research recommends that for the clubs to succeed, pro-active and innovative measures must be put in place. Football academies that train young footballers should be established. This would ensure supply of senior players to the football clubs hence reducing cost of player recruitment while also maintaining high level of competitiveness. Football clubs should ensure that financial reporting is enhanced at all times. Qualified staff with competitive salary packages should be employed to ensure credibility of financial reports. The management should be in a position to analyze the financial reports for financial decision making. Automation of accounting systems has proved to enhance efficiency, security and credibility of accounting information generated. Football clubs should embrace this technology to enable them monitor at all levels the expenses, flow of cash and proceeds generated. More research needs to be undertaken on other financial aspects affecting the overall performance of football clubs.Item Analysis of Factors Influencing Career Choice among Public Secondary Schools Students in Meru County Kenya(KeMU, 2019-06) Njogu, Sarah WambetiCareer selection is one of the many important choices students make which have lifelong effects. This is because choosing a career that matches one’s interests, skills and values significantly increases their chances for social-economic success, personal fulfillment and happiness. However, whether or not a student is equipped with requisite career choice information to necessitate informed decisions is yet to be established. Although review of literature shows that students have numerous challenges when selecting careers, the factors that influence career choice among secondary school students and the extent of their impacts were still not clearly understood. This study sought to analyze factors influencing career choice in public secondary schools in Meru County, with a view to determining individual and combined influence of each factor on career choice. It was guided by four objectives; namely; to examine the influence of career guidance services provided to students on career choice, to assess the influence of parental aspirations on career choice, to investigate influence of mass media on career choice and to evaluate the influence of school policy on subject selection in career choice by secondary school students. The study was informed and guided by the Social Learning Theory of Career Decision Making by John Krumboltz and Contingency Theory of Management by Joan Woodward. It adopted mixed methods approach and used descriptive survey and correlational research designs in investigating the phenomena. The target population comprised 19,862 Form Four students, 364 principals, 364 career guidance teachers and 364 form four Parents Association representatives’ from all the 364 public secondary schools in the Meru County. Through stratified, systematic and purposive sampling respectively, 460 participants were selected from 364 schools. A questionnaire and an interview schedule were used to collect data from target population. A pre-test of the instruments was carried out to ensure reliability and validity. Data analysis was done with the help of SPSS (Version 24) and Microsoft excel. Overall response rate was 92.1%. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation and percentages), and inferential statistics (Chi-square test, ANOVA, correlation and regression analysis). The results were presented in frequency distribution tables, charts and in other cases, logical explanations and narratives were provided. Results show that career which students of public secondary schools in Meru County choose are statistically and significantly influenced by nature of career guidance services; parental aspirations, mass media, and school policy on selection of subjects. The findings revealed that mass media and parental aspirations as factors that exert greatest influence on career choices. The findings of this study have implications on career guidance practices and policy in secondary schools. The study recommends that principals, educationists, career guidance teachers to organize for capacity building and awareness campaigns to sensitize students, parents and the general public on the influence of the four factors on career choice and to underscore the role that should be played by each of these stakeholders.Item Integration of Health Management Information Systems in Health Care Organizations in Kenya(KeMU, 2018-10) Kyalo, Caroline KawilaGlobal attention to health systems strengthening has led to different quality improvement approaches in developed and developing countries. The awakening realization that information is critical for health systems functioning has directed most countries towards strengthening their existing information systems or developing new ones. Despite efforts to improve on existing information systems, fragmented information systems have emerged hindering the efforts of addressing the concern of integrating health management information systems. An integrated health management information system has greater benefits for example enhancing easy retrieval of data, timely information sharing and evidence based decision making. The purpose of this study was to prescribe a model that will facilitate the Integration of Health Management Information Systems in healthcare organizations. The objectives of the study were; to establish whether the organization factor; technical factor; behavioral factor of care providers and leadership style influenced integration of Health Management Information System in healthcare organizations in Kenya. The study was anchored on the System theory but underpinned on performance of routine information system framework. Guided by the philosophy of logical positivism and interpretivism. A mixed method research design involving quantitative and qualitative designs was used to obtain information from three counties; Kiambu (peri-urban), Kitui (rural) and Mombasa (urban) in Kenya. A study population was 479 public healthcare organization. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select organizations that participated in this study. A sample size of 144 public healthcare organizations was drawn using the Kothari formula of calculating sample size. In each healthcare organization selected, two self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data from 243 respondents who were either the in charges or health records officers. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 21 and summary statistics such as mean scores, standard deviation and inferential statistics namely correlation and regression results were used to present the data. The study results provided statistical evidence that a positive and significant relationship exists between the organization factor (r=.472**, P˂.005), technical factor (r=.683**, P˂.005), behavioral factor (r=.507**, P˂.005) and leadership style (r=.731**˂.005) and integration of health management information systems. Technology adoption was found to significantly moderate the relationship between technical factor and integration of health management information systems, while need for information timeliness was found to moderate organization factor, technical factor and leadership style. The integration of HMIS model proposed in this study was found to be fit because it explained up to (r2 =.648) total variation in the integration of HMIS. The remaining beat of .352 is explained by the statistical error term. The std. error of .227 shows the model regression line deviates from the line of best fit. The study concluded that leadership style was quite significant in the efforts towards integration of HMIS and information timeliness was a very good moderator between the operation factors and integration of HMIS. The study recommends that; i) health system managers adopt the proposed design of data collection strategy emerging from the study findings ii) The extracted integration of HMIS model from the study findings composed of transformational leadership style, systems interoperability moderated by information timeliness and enhanced information culture should be adopted. Further studies can be done after the model is adopted to evaluate its performance.