Co-operative University of Kenya Journals
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Analysis of equity capital structure financing levels on financial performance: A cross sectional survey of Savings and Credit Co-operative Societies (SACCOS) in Kiambu County, Kenya.
Full text linkSACCO societies have more complex financial structures given their localization of capitalization and liquidity albeit mutual guarantee capital structure. This study sought to analyze the effect of equity capital financing structure levels on financial performance of SACCOs. The study targeted 27 SACCOs in Kikuyu Sub County, Kenya. The study adopted a cross sectional survey research design to capture the opinions of SACCO societies’ owners and/or managers at a specific time. Using stratified purposive sampling technique, 5 SACCOs and 10 key respondents were selected for the study. The study obtained primary data from the key respondents and secondary data from SACCO accounting records for the years 2013 to 2016. Data collected was presented and analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively using content analysis, and regression and analysis of variance (ANOVA) respectively. Based on the results, equity financing varied significantly in the specified period. The SACCOs’ financial performance increased whenever there was a decrease in equity and increase in debt capital levels up to optimal level. The study further revealed that majority of the SACCOs did not employ debt financing in the previous years’ compared to the current period. They significantly relied on members’deposits and retained earnings as prime sources of capital financing. The study recommends that Sub County co-operative officers should train the central management committee members and executive managers on capital financing strategies with the aim of enhancing effective and reliable financial performance of their SACCO societies
Co-operation between cooperatives in East Africa: The impact of the East African Community Cooperative Societies Act, 2014.
Full text linkThe East African Community (EAC) was established with the mission of inter alia promoting regional trade which includes the Cooperatives sector for the development of the region’s economy. This underscores the cooperative principle of Cooperation amongst cooperatives. Progressive laws and policy frameworks by the EAC point to the spiritof cooperation. The International Labour Organisation through its Recommendation No. 193 of 2002 resolved to promote cooperatives at both the national and international levels. In pursuit of a regional cooperatives sector, the EAC enacted the EAC Cooperative Societies Act 2014 to accord the cooperative sector an appropriate legal and policy framework. The paper reviews existing international law and policy framework and their contribution to sound regional cooperatives sector, the reception of the EAC’s cooperatives law whilst drawing lessons from Europeans who have through the European Commission exploited the Statute for a European Cooperative Society, 2003 (SCE) to the benefit of the sector. It is acknowledged that significant steps have been made towards having an appropriate legal and policy framework though lethargic reception of the Act by Partner States has stalled the dream of a borderless cooperative sector. Goodwill in implementing the Act is paramount to ensure growth of the sector and through the Sixth cooperative principle make EAC the pacesetter in the African cooperative movement
WEALTH CREATION AND COHESIVE LIVING: STRATEGIES FOR LINKAGE, INTERMEDIATION AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVING IN DEVELOPING SOCIETIES AFRICA.
Full text linkWealth creation is as old as civilization. All societies have modes, methods in wealth creation and sustainable living in the sustainable development agenda. Dynamics in society require partnerships, cooperation and benchmarking to enhance equity, cohesion and intermediations. This study sought to examine wealth creation methods and how it canachieve sustainable livelihoods in the sustainable development agenda as its objective in creating cohesion in societies. The study used decomposed theory of planned behavior and through the use of descriptive case surveys of developing societies as its methodology. Strategies and how they are linked have been drawn from population surveys of six (6) global regions, as in Europe; comprising Italian two-earner couples, while in Greek Cooperatives there has been enhanced creation of wealth and maintenance of cohesion in the Co-operatives. In Tunisia risk taking behavior and risk of insolvency is also mentioned, just as in the U.S.A the value of employee during financial crisis as well as outcomes of medical bankruptcy have been mentioned on wealth created. In Asia and the Asia-Pacific region, mainly, Sri Lanka, equivalence scales based on urban, rural and estates have also enhanced scales to reduce gaps while managing social equilibrium. In Malaysia there are family takaful schemes while in Australia Prawn fishery businesses just like Taiwanese stock besides viimsi people in Estonia. Further mention is from Islamic wealth schemes, on ethical microfinance and risk taking behavior in West Africa as well global soap project in the previous Ebola prone regions of Africa, besides in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), as with Black South African projects involving the Magopa people and roles of social finance in mobile banking in Kenya has also been included. The best lessons have been discussed and emphasized as a way to enhance broader cohesion, linkage intermediation. The study has recommended techniques for adoption in Kenya in wealth creation strategies
ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION AND WATER QUALITY IN SOUTHERN VIHIGA HILLS.
Full text linkSouthern Vihiga hills present a case of an intriguing history of land degradation in Kenya that has over the years defied all efforts to address. In 1957, as a measure to curb environmental degradation in southern Vihiga, the colonial government through the legal notice number 266 of the Kenya gazette supplement number 28 established MaragoliHills Forest without the acceptance by the local communities. The forest was over time degraded, and completely destroyed in 1990s. Efforts to rehabilitate the forest have continually been frustrated by the local community. The study set out to determine the extent of environmental degradation; and establish water quality in streams originating southern Vihiga hills. Data for the study was collected using GPS surveys; photography; high temporal resolution satellite imagery; and interviews. Data on environmental degradation was analyzed through ArcGIS 10.3.1. Analysis of biological and physiochemical parameters of water was undertaken at the government chemist in Kisumu. The study found total loss of forest cover on Edibwongo Hill (Maragoli forest), with extensive areas of bare surfaces, and gulleys. The study also found very high population of Coliform and E.Coli in water in all the three streams sampled in both dry and wet seasons; and very high turbidity; water color; and iron (Fe) concentrations in water from the sampled streams. The study recommended adoption of incentive based strategy, use of environmental co-operatives in rehabilitation of Maragoli forest, and prioritization of water treatment and supply in southern Vihiga to reduce direct consumption of water form streams, which could pose a threat to life and health
Serverless Apps: A Google-drive-based Sacco Management System
Full text linkThis paper describes a cloud-based SACCO Management Application System. It provides the design parameters, the programming features and the deployment process of the system. The motivation is to avoid server-based applications which require heavy investments and instead ride on the secure google cloud-based services for the development and deployment of the system. Google Drive was chosen as the hosting web server, where the Google Sheets, Docs, and Forms were customized to provide safe on-site data and templates for data capture and processing. While the system is entirely dependent on google cloud apps, the user is provided with a mobile App which directly connects to the google sheets for individualized reports and formatted member information. The user only needs to use a device which senses gmail login in order to provide SACCO information at a click of a button. Both data capturing and visualization processes are managed in a single web interface, bringing easy-to-use benefits to end users. The concept has been implemented with an existing SACCO and has provided adequate level of automation to the SACCO management. The SACCO management board is now able to track in real time the activities of the SACCO and retrieve ready-made reports at a click of a button. The system developed in this research has potential applications in helping upcoming SACCOs implement secure Information Systems for Data capturing, client management and instant provision of reports without being worried about server space and domain name costs
Co-operative Principles and the Creative Sector: Musings of a Music Educator.
Full text linkThe creative sector boasts a number of highly-skilled yet versatile players with relatively low levels of academic preparation. Despite the latter, their products find recognition in diverse spaces of human existence, meeting human and socio-economic needs at various levels. As a music educator, the question ‘What job will my child do after studying music?’ is one I have heard too often for comfort. The fact that education should not be focused on securing jobs is lost on many supporters of learners in higher education institutions. The creative disciplines are a fine example of an area of education that must not be confined to learners ‘being employed’, but on developing capacity for productivity. The question of credibility and sustainability, in terms of being a legitimate employment of one’s time and a source of sustenance, is recognized as being behind the question above. It calls for an understanding of how creatives provide support structures not only for technical development, but also towards selfactualization and social wellbeing. As a music educator, I look at both creative and cooperative concepts and structures to decipher how the (young) creatives can come together in democratic ways towards developing themselves and the industry. The findings should inform a model for co-operative education for the creative disciplines
Ethnicity and culture in Kenyan cooperatives.
Full text linkThe research seeks to understand the varying cultural dimensions of nine of Kenya’s ethnic communities and the potential correlations with positive organizational perceptions, attitudes, and outcomes. Published literature on either intra-Kenyan culture dimension differences or organizational behavior within co-operatives is scarce. This empirical study aims to expand knowledge of intra-country cultural differences and cultural impacts on co-operatives. The research received facilitation assistance by Global Communities and funded by USAID as part of a wider study on co-operatives in Kenya. The research found that seven of the eight GLOBE framework dimensions studied correlated positively and significantly with each other with the exception of power distance. Climate average annual temperatures correlated significantly and negatively with uncertainty avoidance, power distance, assertiveness, future orientation, and humane orientation but not institutional collectivism, in-group collectivism, or performance orientation. Participative leadership, perceived co-operative member voice, co-operative member commitment, and co-operative innovation history all positively and significantly correlated with seven of the eight culture dimensions with the exception again of power distance. This study is relevant to co-operative leaders, co-operative members, community leaders, government policy makers, and donor agencies seeking to capacity build co-operatives
ENVIRONMENTAL MARKET OPPORTUNITY ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AMONG THE SMES IN NAIROBI COUNTY.
Full text linkThis study examines the environmental market opportunity on sustainable development among SMEs in Nairobi County. The interviews involved three levels of management of all the SMEs and a total of 246 randomly selectedSMEs from Nairobi County. The context description for quantitative data collected using Likert scale closed-endedquestions and analyzed using parametric tests; the open-ended questions were analyzed using descriptive contentanalysis. Descriptive statistics namely, the mean, the range, and standard deviation provided information the characteristics of the phenomena (environmental market opportunity and sustainable development). Further, theinfluence of environmental market orientation on sustainable development was examined using multiple linearregression analysis and the results interpreted. The findings of the study are that environmental market opportunityis a good predictor (R2 = 0.525, p < 0.001) with environmental market opportunity having a positive and significanteffect on sustainable development (β= p<0.01). The implications of these findings for policy and practice are that, thegovernment to have policies to govern environmental market opportunity concepts in the country and across thecounties in Kenya. Also, systems, that ensures, SMEs are well nurtured as they grow and will not need to pull out ofecopreneurship growth. A policy that also fosters the interaction between market opportunity and end-users,facilitating the emergence of products or services based on real market opportunities and customer needs
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CONTRACT MANAGEMENT AND COMPLIANCE WITH ACCESS TO GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITIES (AGPO) REGULATIONS FOR SPECIAL GROUPS BY PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN KENYA.
Full text linkPublic procurement has become an issue of public attention and debate. It has been subjected to reforms, estructuring, rules and regulations. Despite statutory provisions and internal controls, public sector institutions have not fully complied with AGPO regulations for special groups due extent of contract management. Little is known on determinants of compliance with AGPO regulations. The objective of the study was to examine relationship betweencontract management and compliance with AGPO regulations for special groups by Public Universities in Kenya. This study used a mixed research design as it allowed the researcher to use both quantitative and qualitative research methods. The target population consisted of 106 supply chain officers in all public universities in Kenya. The samplesize for this study was 62 respondents from all the public universities. Data was collected using two instruments; asemi-structured questionnaire and an interview guide. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Quantitative data analysis results were presented in tables and charts. Qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis. The results revealed that there exist correlation between contract management and compliance with AGPO regulations a Pearson correlation. The study findings revealed that contract management contributed positively to level of compliance with AGPO regulations. This contribution was statistically significant. This study also concluded that the contracting management has significant impact on level of compliance with AGPO regulations for special groups. The study recommends that government agencies should strengthen contract management to ensure they have complied with AGPO regulations
INCENTIVE ALIGNMENT, COOPERATIVE BEHAVIOUR AND HOTEL PERFORMANCE: A SURVEY OF THE KENYAN HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
Full text linkThe ultimate challenge is the equitable distribution of rewards and risks resulting from supply chain collaboration. In traditional practice, the method by which risk and reward are shared is the transfer price. This would work quite well in transactional relationships. Incentive alignment is a key collaborative supply chain practice. However whether incentive alignment would result in improved performance in the context of the hospitality industry has not been empirically determined. This study sought to find out the role of incentive alignment on hotel performance when the relationship was mediated by cooperative behaviour. A survey design was employed where proportionate stratified sampling was used to select 50 out of 57 town hotels. Data was collected through the use of questionnaires as well interview guides to the procurement\supply chain departments of these hotels. Logarithmic transformations were used in conjunction with multiple regression analysis to determine the relationship between incentive alignment, cooperative behaviour and hotel performance. The study concludes that incentive alignment plays a significant role in stimulating hotel performance in the Kenyan hospitality industry. Cooperative behaviour (trust and attitude) was found not to have a significant influence on hotel performance when it mediated the relationship. Therefore, incentive alignment on its own significantly improves operational performance