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Promoting gender responsive public procurement: strengthening the procurement ecosystem in Kenya
Get PDFPolicy briefGender responsive procurement is defined by UN Women as ‘the selection of suppliers of goods, civil works or services that consider the impact on gender equality and women’s empowerment’ (Combaz, 2018). Gender responsive procurement seeks to promote gender equality by prioritising positive outcomes for female and male suppliers in the purchase of goods and services (Chin, 2017). Creating an ecosystem for gender responsive procurement involves establishing a supportive environment where various stakeholders collaborate to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment within procurement activities. In Kenya, the Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) programme is an affirmative action that seeks to promote public procurement among marginalised groups by reserving at least 30 per cent of all government procurement for women, youth and persons with disabilities (The National Treasury, 2023). This policy brief focuses on women’s access to government procurement and highlights how the ecosystem can be improved to increase participation.Strathmore Business Schoo
Utilizing Convolution Neural Networks for enhanced lung cancer classification through CT scan analysis
Get PDFFull - text thesisLung cancer is the major cause of cancer mortality, which poses significant challenges to accurate and timely diagnosis, especially in resource constrained regions like Kenya. The traditional method of diagnosing lung cancer through Computed Tomography (CT) scans often involves manual interpretation, leading to potential delays and inaccuracies. This research aims to harness the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve the diagnostic process. This research study developed a Convolution Neural Network (CNN) model for enhanced classification of cancer utilizing CT scan images by fine-tuning the pre-trained ResNet50 architecture. Utilizing Pytorch, a leading deep learning framework for computer vision, the model was trained on a curated dataset from the public Lung Image Database Consortium (LIDC), a medical imaging database for development, training, and evaluation of computer-assisted diagnostic (CAD) methods for lung cancer detection and diagnosis The collected CT scan image include various types of lung cancer, such as adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, large cell carcinoma, and normal tissue. Data pre-processing techniques such as resizing, normalization, converting and data augmentation techniques were used to ensure compatibility with the pre-trained model. The model’s performance was evaluated with a range of metrics, demonstrating an accuracy of 87.5%, precision of 80.97%, and an F1 score of 77.4%. These results indicate a promising capability for the model to accurately classify types of lung cancer, supporting its potential use in clinical settings. The pre-trained model was then integrated into a web-based application using the Flask framework, with a frontend designed with Vue.js to provide an intuitive user experience for image upload functionality. The Flask API facilitates communication between the frontend and the ResNet 50-based machine learning model. When a CT scan image is uploaded, it is sent to the Flask backend as an HTTP request. The Flask application processes these requests, extracting the image data and preparing it for analysis by interfacing with the ResNet 50 model, which then classifies the images and retrieves the results
Determinants of sustainability disclosures among Non-Governmental Organisations in Kenya
Get PDFFull - text thesisThe purpose of this study was to investigate the determinants of sustainability disclosure among non-governmental organisations in Kenya. The study was anchored on the stakeholder theory. Further, the study adopted a correlative research design and a mixed methodology and employed both quantitative surveys and a qualitative focus group discussion to collect primary data. The population for this study was the executive managers of leading NGO sector players in Kenya. Stratified random sampling was employed to collect quantitative data from respondents and seven randomly selected participants were included in the focus group discussion. Findings indicate that strategic posture is a positive significant predictor of sustainability disclosure in NGOs in Kenya. Governance attributes were found to be a positive put nonsignificant of sustainability disclosure of NGOs in Kenya. Stakeholder attributes were found to have the strongest positive and significant effect on NGO sustainability disclosure in Kenya. The results of the thematic analysis of the FGD support the results of the quantitative findings. The study makes a substantial contribution to the understanding of the specific context of NGO sustainability disclosure in Kenya, providing useful insights into the distinct strategic posture, governance, and stakeholder dynamics that influence reporting practices. It challenged conventional findings and discovered significant predictors of sustainability disclosure, resulting in a more nuanced knowledge of non-profit sustainability activities in developing countries. However, this study acknowledges the limitation of a correctional study where it is a challenge to establish the consistency of findings over time. Therefore, future studies could conduct longitudinal research monitoring the development of sustainability disclosure policies over time to provide a dynamic viewpoint of the third sector in Kenya
The Effect of employee turnover management on organizational performance among digital credit providers in Kenya
Get PDFFull - text thesisThe turbulent and ever-changing business environment in Kenya has necessitated organizations to start investing in training their workforce. However, digital credit providers in Kenya grapple with a notable level of employee turnover, a concern heightened by the associated costs of losing experienced and skilled employees. The organizations invest significant resources in recruiting and training new employees, making the escalating trend of employee departures, excluding the exceptional years of 2019 and 2020 during the global COVID-19 pandemic, a cause for both management and employee apprehension. Therefore, the study sought to examine the effect of employee turnover management on organizational performance in digital credit providers in Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were to establish the effect of work-life balance, structured reward scheme, employee recognition and career growth on organizational performance in digital credit providers in Kenya. The study was anchored on Herzberg two factor theory and the balanced scorecard. The study adopted a positivism research philosophy and descriptive cross-sectional research design. The target population was therefore, all the 946 employees working in the 5 selected digital credit providers in Kenya. The study utilized Slovin's Formula in the determination of the sample size. Simple random sampling was used in the selection of the study’s sample size. Primary data was used, which was collected through structured questionnaires. The research instrument generated quantitative data, which underwent editing, coding, and entry into the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 22). Descriptive statistics, including frequency distribution, percentages, mean, and standard deviation, were employed. Subsequently, inferential statistics such as Pearson correlation analysis and regression analysis were conducted. The results were presented through tables and graphical representations like bar charts and pie charts. The study findings indicated that work-life balance has a positive and significant effect on organizational performance in digital credit providers in Kenya. In addition, the study found that structured reward scheme has a positive and significant effect on organizational performance in digital credit providers in Kenya. The study established that employee recognition has a positive and significant effect on organizational performance in digital credit providers in Kenya. The study also revealed that career growth has a positive and significant effect on organizational performance in digital credit providers in Kenya. The study concludes that employee turnover management, in terms of work-life balance, structured reward scheme, employee recognition and career growth, has a significant effect on organizational performance in digital credit providers in Kenya. The findings imply that prioritizing employee turnover management strategies, including work-life balance, structured rewards, recognition, and career growth, would lead to an improvement in organizational performance in digital credit providers in Kenya. Therefore, the study recommends that the management of digital credit providers should develop awareness campaigns within their companies to educate employees about the various flexible work options available to them and how they can utilize them to achieve better work-life balance. They should also review and potentially enhance retirement savings and pension plans offered to ensure they adequately support employees' future financial security
The Effect of enterprise risk management practices on the organizational performance of non-financial firms listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange: the moderating role of firm characteristics
Get PDFFull - text thesisIn the context of the dynamic corporate environment, where successful economic performance and value creation are paramount objectives, this study investigated the effect of ERM practices on the organizational performance of listed non-financial firms in the NSE, with an exploration of how firm characteristics moderate this relationship. Through a mixed-method approach using both primary and secondary data sources, the study aimed to establish the relationship between ERM practices (risk culture, risk identification and governance, risk assessment mitigation, and control) and organizational performance, determine the impact of firm characteristics on this relationship, and explore management perceptions regarding the relationship between ERM practices and organizational performance. Secondary data was collected from the financial statements of all the 39 listed non-financial firms. Primary data was collected through the issue of questionnaires to 114 CEOs, CFOs and CROs. Objective one entailed the analysis of data using descriptive statistics and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) in the R statistical programming language to unveil structural linkages. The structural model assessment revealed a significant (p < 0.05) relationship between ERM and its eight components, except for objective setting and information & communication (p > 0.05). Furthermore, a positive correlation was identified between ERM and organizational performance. The correlation matrix indicated that all eight ERM components exhibited a positive correlation with organizational performance. For objective two, a multiple regression analysis determined a direct impact of ERM practices on organizational performance. Additionally, the analysis indicated a positive influence of firm characteristics on organizational performance, albeit statistically insignificant. For objective three, the management concurred with the regression analysis, acknowledging the impact of ERM practices on organizational performance. They perceived a risk-focused culture as a primary motivator for ERM adoption, with unsupportive cultures identified as barriers. One key limitation of the study was the use of composite score to measure organizational performance. Future research could benefit from examining the direct impact of ERM practices on the four perspectives of the Balanced Scorecard (BSC): Financial, Customer, Internal Business Processes, and Learning & Growth. Overall, the study enhances understanding of how ERM practices contributes to improved organizational performance and informs future research directions in this area
The Effect of service design approaches on operational performance of five star hotels in Nairobi County, Kenya
Get PDFFull - text thesisService design is a key factor in increasing customer attraction and retention, which in turn increases the operational performance of an institution, including hotels. A major research gap that this study sought to fill is evident from insufficient empirical studies on the impact of service design approaches in the context of five-star hotels in Nairobi County, Kenya. While service design has been recognized as an important factor in customer acquisition and retention, there is limited research focusing specifically on the organization operational performance of five-star hotels in this region. This study therefore sought to evaluate the effect of service design approaches on the operational performance of five-star hotels in Nairobi city county Kenya. The specific objectives are: to establish a relationship between tangibility and operational performance of five-star hotels in Nairobi County Kenya; to determine the impact of responsiveness on the organization operational performance of five-star hotels in Nairobi City County Kenya; to establish the relationship between the service sequencing and the organization operational performance of five-star hotels in Nairobi County, Kenya; and to establish the relationship between service evidencing and the organization operational performance of five-star hotels in Nairobi County, Kenya. The study was based on Parasuraman’s Model and ,The Porters’ Theory and Resource based theory. The study adapted a correlational descriptive research design to establish the relationship between variables. Stratified random sampling was also used to select 105 respondents from a target population of 142 respondents that included Operations, Marketing Managers and F&B Departments drawn from the 8 five-star hotels located in Nairobi District. Data was collected through questionnaires. Both descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was used where descriptive statistical analysis included mean and standard deviation, while inferential statistics was performed using Pearson's correlation and multiple regression analysis at the 95% interval level. The results were presented in tables, graphs and narratives. The study recommended that service design approaches factors that include tangibility, responsiveness, service sequencing and service evidencing (P <.05) have a significant effect on organization operational performance of five-star hotels in Nairobi city county, Kenya. The study recommended that there is need for the application of effective strategies such as service design approaches in order to improve the operational performance of five-star hotels, the management of five-star and various department heads need to evaluate how the five-star hotels that include service design approaches factors that include tangibility, responsiveness, service sequencing and service evidencing can be employed in order to achieve operational performance and there is need for the Government to allocate enough budget to train the Ministry officers and other industry players on standardization of services in the hotel sector to ensure that the hotels ensure quality services
Assessment of the influence of organisational structure on business process innovation of small and medium-sized supermarkets in Kenya
No full textFull - text thesisOver the last 10 years, there have been significant challenges in the retail sector in Kenya. Four of the largest supermarket chains have collapsed, while some international outlets have pulled out. All local supermarkets start as small family businesses, most of which fail or remain small. A handful, however, have grown to be large enterprises. What differentiates these successful ventures, which scale from those that remain small or collapse, is not clear. However, what is clear is that the retail industry is hyper-competitive and volatile. Previous studies have indicated the influence of organisational structure on innovation. This is such that businesses that leverage their organisational structure and innovate can adapt to market changes and competitor actions while improving productivity and increasing business survival. However, there is a dearth of studies that examine the connections between organisational structure and business process innovation. Considering this dearth of studies, the purpose of this research was to assess the influence of the organisational structure on business process innovation adoption in small and medium-sized supermarkets in Kenya. the dynamic capabilities and the organisational learning theories anchored this study. The study adopted a descriptive research design and a positivism philosophy. A population of 340 supermarkets was used to draw a sample of 183 supermarkets. The sample was selected using the simple random sampling technique. The findings of the quantitative study indicate that formalisation, centralisation, and integration are positive but non-significant predictors of business process innovation in small and medium-sized supermarkets in Kenya. Overall, organisational structure is a nonsignificant predictor of business process innovation in small and medium-sized supermarkets in Kenya. This study questions previous conclusions regarding the relationship between centralisation, formalisation, and integration and BPI in organisations. This study’s findings call into question the conventional idea that organisational structure has a significant effect on business BPI. The managerial implications lie in a strategy shift away from a narrow focus on structural changes. Instead, small, and medium-sized supermarket managers should prioritise activities that are ingrained in their organisation’s culture. Managers may unlock their teams’ innovativeness by creating an atmosphere that prioritises employee engagement, fosters creativity, and promotes a culture of experimentation
Chief Executive Officers' entrepreneurial risk-taking behaviour and non-financial performance of family-owned businesses in Nairobi, Kenya
Get PDFFull - text thesisFamily-owned businesses contribute to as much as 70-90% to the economies around the world through innovation, job creation, among other important ways. The management of family-owned businesses therefore ought to be given important consideration as this determines their success, and consequently, their contribution to the GDP. One important factor of success of family-owned businesses is the CEOs entrepreneurial risk-taking behaviour, which has been associated with both the financial and non-financial performance of family-owned businesses. The study sought to examine the influence of family and non-family CEOs entrepreneurial risk-taking behaviour on the non-financial performance of family-owned businesses in Nairobi, Kenya. The specific objectives were to compare how the characteristics of family and non-family CEOs influence entrepreneurial risk-taking behaviour, how risk-taking behaviour affects non-financial performance and to determine the moderating effect of business decision making on the relationship between entrepreneurial risk-taking behaviour and non-financial performance of family-owned business enterprises in Nairobi Kenya. This study, anchored on Upper Echelons theory and Agency Theory, applied descriptive cross sectional research design and sourced primary data among 100 CEOs of family-owned enterprises in Nairobi County. Descriptive and inferential statistics analysed the data. Results showed that there was an inverse and not statistically significant effect of age and education qualifications on the non-financial performance of family-owned businesses. Further, there was a positive and not statistically significant effect of CEO tenure on the non-financial performance of family-owned businesses. Business decision making had a positive and statistically significant moderating effect on the relationship between entrepreneurial risk-taking behaviour and non-financial performance of family-owned enterprises in Nairobi County. This study concludes that risk-taking behaviour should be encouraged within family firms as it yields positive performance outcomes, irrespective of the kinship of the CEO. It can be concluded that there is need for adoption, formulation and incorporation of structural frameworks for risk evaluation, innovation and channelling of energy into most viable options that would enhance long-term sustainability. It is recommended that family businesses should not have a bias when hiring a CEO. CEOs (whether family or not) should not shy away from engaging in risk-taking to enhance business performance.
Key words: CEO Characteristics, CEO Entrepreneurial Risk-Taking Behaviour, Business Decision Making, Non-Financial Performance, Family-Owned Businesses, Family and Non-Family CEO
The Influence of organizational culture and values in financial crimes prevention among technological multinational organizations in Kenya
Get PDFFull - text thesisThe unique cultural and regulatory obstacles that multinational technology businesses operating in Kenya encounter may have an impact on their vulnerability to financial crimes. Comprehending these distinct elements may facilitate the creation of more potent preventative measures. This study examined the influence of corporate culture and values on financial crime prevention in technology multinational organizations (TMOs) in Kenya. The specific objectives were: firstly, to determine the influence of organizational culture and values on financial crime prevention in technology multinational companies; secondly, to determine how dominant company values and culture influence financial crime prevention amongst those technology multinational companies; thirdly, to determine how the predominant culture of the TMO can be promoted amongst the workforce to assist financial crime prevention within the technology multinational companies and fourthly, to assess the moderating effect of corporate governance on the relationship between corporate culture, values and financial crime prevention. The study was supported by three theories: Compliance Theory, Rational Choice Theory, and the Theory of Convenience. The study employed a descriptive research design where the target population was made up of employees from across the three TMOs (Google, Microsoft, and Oracle) operating in Kenya. The study employed the purposive sampling technique to select 18 participants as the sample size. Qualitative data was collected through interview protocol, with the data being collected in January 2024. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis. The study’s findings showed that corporate culture and corporate values influenced financial crime prevention at TMOs operating in Kenya. Also, corporate governance had a moderating effect on the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. Financial crime prevention is positively impacted by a number of elements of corporate culture, which entails giving employees a voice, long-term vision, raising the level of communication transparency, social responsibility and corporate values such as maintaining high ethical standards. The study's results inform the development of best practices and policies for financial crime prevention in technology multinational firms in Kenya and can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of existing policies and regulations in the country
Determinants of FinTech adoption and the moderating effect of preparedness on the relationship between determinants and FinTech adoption by commercial banks in Kenya
Get PDFFull - text thesisFinTech has been described as the future of banking due to its disruptive effect. However, the adoption of FinTech by banks in payment, lending and personal banking is low. The purpose of this research was to examine the determinants of FinTech adoption by commercial banks in Kenya. The specific objectives were to examine the effects of cost-related factors, customer-related factors and technology-related factors on Fintech adoption by Kenyan commercial banks. Additionally, this study sought to examine the moderating effect of banks’ preparedness on the relationship between the aforementioned factors and FinTech adoption. The theories that anchored this research were the diffusion of innovation theory and the technology acceptance model. Positivism philosophy guided the methodology for this study. The cross-sectional descriptive research design was adopted – this study was observational and collected data from participants at a single point in time. Respondents in this study were recruited using judgmental sampling. The sample needed for this research was respondents from the 34 commercial banks in Kenya. Data was gathered using structured questionnaires, which was distributed to multiple respondents from each bank including marketing, operations, information technology, human resources and finance managers working for banks based in Nairobi County using a drop and pick method. Validity of the study was improved using a pilot study to assess the understandability of the questionnaire and an expert review. Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 26. A multiple linear regression was used to determine if cost-related, customer-related, and technology-related factors predicted FinTech adoption by banks. For the first objective, the results also showed a significant negative effect of cost-related factors on the adoption of FinTech by commercial banks in Kenya. Regarding the second objective, the result from this study showed insignificant positive effect of customer-related factors on the adoption of FinTech by commercial banks in Kenya. For the third objective, the results showed a significant positive effect of technology-related factors on the adoption of Fintech by commercial banks in Kenya. Regarding the fourth objective, the findings also indicated that preparedness for Fintech does not have a moderating effect on the relationship between determinants of Fintech adoption since no significant interaction effects were observed. Overall, in the final model for predicting FinTech adoption by commercial banks in Kenya, only cost-related factors and technology-related factors were included with negative and positive effects respectively. The implication of these findings is that reducing cost-related factors can improve the adoption of FinTech by commercial banks in Kenya. These results also suggest that improving technology-related factors can improve the adoption of FinTech by commercial banks in Kenya. In this respect, FinTech adoption can be improved by reducing reliance on legacy systems, making FinTech compatible with banking systems and processes, and developing secure FinTech. Additionally, the findings from this study suggest that enhancing preparedness can improve the adoption of FinTech by commercial banks in Kenya. Preparedness can be enhanced by adopting digital innovation strategies, improving technical capabilities and human resource capabilities, being agile and adaptable, and partnering with FinTech companies