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Strategic Resilience and Organizational Performance of Deposit Taking Microfinance Institutions in Nairobi City County, Kenya
No full textMASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION in Strategic ManagementDeposit-Taking Microfinance Institutions (DT-MFIs) in Kenya play a pivotal role in extending financial services to low-income populations, small enterprises, and rural communities, yet they continue to face challenges related to profitability, operational inefficiencies, and customer satisfaction. Against this backdrop, the present study sought to examine the effect of strategic resilience on the organizational performance of Deposit-Taking Microfinance Institutions operating in Nairobi City County, Kenya. The objectives of this study were to: Assess the effect of risk management on organizational performance of Deposit Taking Microfinance Institutions in Nairobi City County, Kenya; investigate the effect of agile leadership on organizational performance of Deposit Taking Microfinance Institutions in Nairobi City County, Kenya; assess the effect of contingency planning on organizational performance of Deposit Taking Microfinance Institutions in Nairobi City County, Kenya; establish the effect of organizational learning on organizational performance of Deposit Taking Microfinance Institutions in Nairobi City County, Kenya; and examine the moderating effect of industry regulations regulatory framework on the relationship between strategic resilience and organizational performance of Deposit Taking Microfinance Institutions in Nairobi City County, Kenya. The study was underpinned by several theoretical perspectives, including Dynamic Capabilities Theory (as the anchor theory), Resilience Engineering Theory, Balanced Scorecard Framework AND Institutional Theory. Methodologically, the study employed a descriptive and explanatory research design. The population of interest comprised all 12 Deposit-Taking Microfinance Institutions in Nairobi City County licensed and regulated by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK). From a target population of 282 top and middle-level managers, a census of all 282 top and middle-level managers will be studied. Primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Findings showed that all four strategic resilience practices significantly influenced DT-MFI performance. Risk management was positively related to performance (R² = .296; β = .544; p < .05), agile leadership was also significant (R² = .258; β = .508; p < .05), contingency planning emerged as the strongest predictor (R² = .389; β = .624; p < .05), indicating that continuity plans, recovery drills, and ICT redundancies materially improve service reliability and competitiveness. Organizational learning showed the strongest association (r = .714) and explained 35.2% of performance variance (R² = .352; β = .593; p < .05), underscoring the value of knowledge sharing, training, and lessons learned for long-term performance. The regulatory framework had a direct positive effect (β = .519; p < .05) but did not significantly moderate the resilience–performance relationship. The study concludes that strategic resilience practices are critical drivers of DT-MFI performance, with contingency planning and organizational learning being particularly dominant. It recommends that DT-MFI management reinforce risk and credit controls, invest in agile leadership capacity, conduct regular continuity drills, and institutionalize organizational learning. Regulators should streamline compliance and support resilience capacity-building, while industry associations should promote sector-wide training and benchmarking. The study contributes by contextualizing resilience within Kenyan DT-MFIs and clarifying the additive role of regulation, while suggesting future research on digital resilience, cross-county comparisons, and longitudinal analyses.Daystar Universit
Strategic Corporate Alliances, Government Regulations and Performance of Selected Food Fortification Firms in Kenya
No full textMASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION in Strategic ManagementStrategic corporate alliances have gained significant attention, and in an increasingly competitive global market, firms recognize the necessity of collaboration to leverage shared resources, knowledge, and market access. Despite the recognized benefits of food fortification in addressing micronutrient deficiencies, many food fortification firms struggle with operational inefficiencies and suboptimal performance. As such, the main purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of strategic corporate alliances and government regulations on the performance of selected food fortification firms in Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were: to investigate the strategic corporate alliances adopted by food fortification firms in Kenya; to examine the effect of resource access on the performance of selected food fortification firms in Kenya, to assess the effect of visibility support on the performance of selected food fortification firms in Kenya, to establish the effect of knowledge transfer on the performance of selected food fortification firms in Kenya; and to evaluate the moderating effect of government regulations on the relationship between strategic corporate alliances and the performance of selected food fortification firms in Kenya. This study was anchored on Stakeholder Theory (ST) as the anchor theory, as well as other theories comprising of Resource-Based View (RBV), and Institutional Theory. The study adopted a pragmatic philosophical approach, where an explanatory research design was employed; the unit of analysis was selected food fortification firms in Kenya, whereas, the unit of study comprised of a census of 105 senior managers from all the 11 selected food fortification firms in wheat flour, maize flour, edible oil and salt registered with Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN). Primary data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires administered via online google forms. Pretesting was conducted among 11 randomly selected staff, equivalent to 10% of the study's sample size. Prior to data analysis, several diagnostic tests were done including normality test, linearity test, homoscedasticity test, and multicollinearity test. Quantitative data was be analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics and the findings presented in tables. Qualitative data was analysed thematically. Ethical considerations were observed. The findings emphasize the significant role of strategic corporate alliances; resource access, visibility support and knowledge transfer in enhancing performance of selected food fortification firms in Kenya. The mean scores for resource access (4.20), visibility support (4.22) and knowledge transfer (3.98) underscore the perceived effectiveness of strategic corporate alliances by the participants. With an R² of 0.603, the regression model demonstrates that these practices collectively explain 60.3% of the variance in performance. Resource access emerged as the strongest predictor (β=0.395, p<0.05), followed by visibility support (β=0.388, p<0.05) and knowledge transfer (β =0.204, p<0.05). Recommendations focus on strengthening resource access through financial, technical and technological resources. The study also recommends leveraging and strengthening government policies by strengthening the implementation of food fortification standards and availing of fortification incentives to lower cost of premixes. Future research should explore longitudinal studies to measure sustained impact as well as moderating factors, such as technological adoption and organizational culture. These strategies will enable fortification firms to navigate dynamic environments effectively, achieving sustainable performance.Daystar Universit
The Role of Community Stakeholder Engagement on Csr Communication in Organizations: A Case of Embakasi Secondary School in Nairobi, Kenya
No full textMaster of Arts in CommunicationCommunity stakeholder engagement has become increasingly critical in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) communication. Yet, significant gaps exist in understanding how organizations effectively involve beneficiary communities in CSR initiatives within educational contexts in developing economies. Many CSR projects fail to achieve sustainable impact due to insufficient stakeholder participation and misalignment between organizational objectives and community needs. This study examined three key objectives: how Isuzu East Africa communicates CSR initiatives to Embakasi Secondary School as a community stakeholder; the level of community stakeholder participation in CSR projects at the school; and the role of community feedback in shaping CSR communication strategies and enhancing stakeholder engagement. The research was anchored in Stakeholder Theory, which emphasizes that organizations should create value for all stakeholders and recognize communities as legitimate partners with claims on corporate activities, providing a framework for understanding the importance of meaningful stakeholder engagement in CSR initiatives. A qualitative case study design was employed, with data collected through semi-structured interviews with teachers and administrators (n = 11), Isuzu East Africa CSR representatives (n = 3), and five focus group discussions with students (n = 37). Purposive sampling selected participants with direct CSR experience, and thematic analysis identified patterns in stakeholder experiences. For Objective 1, findings revealed formal corporate protocols effectively reached administrators but experienced significant attenuation at student levels due to technical language barriers and limited bidirectional channels. For Objective 2, stakeholder participation followed a hierarchical model with comprehensive administrative involvement while student voices remained systematically underrepresented, with consultation occurring after major project parameters were established. For Objective 3, a functional feedback ecosystem existed with demonstrated organizational responsiveness through concrete modifications, though processes remained predominantly reactive with student perspectives experiencing systematic marginalization. The study concluded that current CSR communication strategies require adaptation to reach all stakeholder levels, participation models need restructuring to enable co-creation rather than consultation, and enhanced proactive consultation could strengthen community-CSR alignment. Key recommendations include implementing integrated multi-channel communication strategies, establishing early-stage consultation mechanisms, and developing proactive feedback systems throughout project lifecycles.Daystar Universit
The Relationship between Alcohol use Disorder and Suicidal Ideation among Male Emerging Adults: A Case Study of Selected Camps in Kakuma Refugee Camp.
No full textMasters in Clinical PsychologyRefugee populations continue to face rising suicidal ideationstemming from prolonged displacement, economic hardship, and social disruption. Young men in particular are vulnerable to both alcohol use disorder (AUD) and suicidal ideation, yet these issues are often addressed separately in humanitarian settings. This study examined the relationship between alcohol use disorder and suicidal ideation among male emerging adults in Kakuma and Kalobeyei Refugee Camps, Kenya. Guided by the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping, the Self-Medication Hypothesis, and Emerging Adulthood Theory, the study employed a convergent mixed methods design to explore the prevalence, interrelationship, and mediating factors linking the two conditions. Findings revealed that over half of participants, 217 (56.8%), were classified under the “increasing risk” level of alcohol use, while 158 (41.4%) were in the “low-risk” category, and only 2 (0.5%) showed possible dependence. Alcohol use increased with age and was highest among participants aged 24–25 years, the unemployed, and those without formal education. Risky drinking was also more common among participants from South Sudan and Uganda. In relation to suicidality, 24 (6.3%) reported passive ideation, 14 (3.7%) active ideation, 4 (1.0%) suicidal intent, and 3 (0.8%) prior attempts. Though overall suicidality levels were low, certain subgroups, particularly younger and unemployed men, showed heightened vulnerability. Correlation analysis revealed that trauma and mental health (r = .145, p = .005), cultural and social factors (r = .105, p = .041), and economic and environmental stressors (r = .169, p = .001) significantly mediated the link between alcohol use and suicidality. However, no direct correlation was found between AUD and suicidal ideation, suggesting that psychosocial and contextual factors, such as trauma, poverty, and limited support, play stronger intermediary roles. Overall, the findings underscore that while alcohol use alone may not directly predict suicidality, the convergence of displacement-related stressors amplifies risk. The study recommends targeted interventions addressing trauma recovery, economic empowerment, and psychosocial support to reduce harmful drinking and prevent suicide among refugee youth.Daystar Universit
Exploring The Perceptions of Loyal External Stakeholders During Crises: A Case Study of Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) Nairobi, Kenya
No full textMASTER OF ARTS in CommunicationThis study examined how loyal patients of Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) perceive their loyalty to the institution despite the recurring crises that have challenged its reputation. Anchored in Attribution Theory, the research explored how patients cognitively assign causes to both positive and negative experiences within the hospital, and how these attributions shape perception, loyalty, and advocacy. Specifically, the study pursued three objectives: to investigate how patients who are loyal to patronizing Kenyatta National Hospital perceive its services given the series of crises experienced by the hospital in the past; to explore the continual loyalty of patients to KNH in the face of its series of crises in the past; to find out if patients who still patronize KNH’s services would recommend other people to patronize the hospital. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from KNH’s outpatients who have visited the hospital for the past seven years, and the qualitative responses were thematically analyzed to reveal deeper insights into patients’ experiences, perceptions, and emotional reasoning behind loyalty. The findings revealed that loyal patients exhibit a strong attributional bias that protects their positive view of KNH. They attributed the hospital's successes (effective diagnosis, expert medical care, and clinical professionalism) to internal, stable, and controllable factors while externalizing crises to broader systemic issues (government underfunding, staff shortages, and limitations of Kenya’s national healthcare system). This separation allows patients to maintain confidence in KNH’s core competencies despite ongoing operational challenges. The study further established that loyalty to KNH is conditional and pragmatic, rather than absolute. Many patients remained committed due to trusted relationships with specific doctors, affordable services, or the lack of viable alternatives. KNH’s enduring “willingness to treat” everyone, regardless of social or financial status, emerged as a critical pillar sustaining this loyalty. However, this loyalty remains fragile - highly dependent on personal experiences and economic capacity. In exploring patients’ willingness to recommend KNH, the study discovered that advocacy is a pragmatic endorsement grounded in lived experience and perceived clinical value rather than a denial of institutional shortcomings. Patients recommended KNH for its specialist expertise, life-saving interventions, and accessibility, often separating these strengths from the external systemic failures surrounding public healthcare. Based on these findings, the study recommended that KNH management adopt a strategic crisis communication model informed by Attribution Theory - one that reinforces the hospital’s internal strengths while transparently addressing external challenges. Further, KNH should institutionalize compassionate communication, celebrate its clinical achievements, and systematically collect patient testimonials to strengthen stakeholder trust. Ultimately, the study concluded that for a national referral hospital like KNH, sustaining loyalty and legitimacy depends less on image management and more on consistently delivering equitable, competent care that communicates credibility through action rather than words.Daystar Universit
Pricing Strategies, Market Share and Firm Perfromance of Real Estate Industry in Kenya: A Case of Knight Frank Ltd
No full textMaster of Business Administration in Strategic ManagementPricing strategies significantly influence firm performance by shaping consumers' behaviours, brand perceptions, and market competitiveness. Effective pricing drives profitability, customer retention, and market penetration, especially in high-value sectors like real estate, where perceived value directly impacts purchasing decisions. Despite the real estate sector being a significant driver of economic growth in Kenya, there is a noticeable gap in understanding how pricing strategies impact realtors' performance. This research aims to bridge this knowledge gap by evaluating the impact of pricing strategies on the firm performance of realtors in Kenya, with a specific focus on Knight Frank Ltd. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of pricing strategies on realtors' performance in Kenya, with a focus on Knight Frank Ltd. The specific objectives are to determine the Knight Frank Ltd pricing strategies, evaluate its performance, and investigate the effect of pricing strategies on the performance of Knight Frank Ltd. Price signalling theory, competitive advantage theory, and agency theory guided the study. A descriptive research design was employed. The target population was the 147 employees at Knight Frank Ltd., employing a census approach to ensure comprehensive insights. Validity was assessed through content, construct, and face validity. The research instrument, a structured questionnaire, was subjected to pretesting on 15 participants of Hass Consult Ltd to assess its clarity, consistency, and reliability. Validity was assessed through content, construct, and face validity. The questionnaire's reliability was determined using Cronbach’s alpha. Descriptive statistics was utilised in summarising central tendency and variations. Inferential statistics was used to determine how pricing strategies influence firm performance. The study demonstrated strong reliability and validity in its research instruments. Reliability was confirmed through Cronbach's alpha, which averaged 0.815 across all measured variables, indicating a high level of internal consistency and making the tool very reliable. Researchers upheld ethics by obtaining institutional approvals, informed consent, ensuring voluntary participation, anonymity, and data confidentiality, while safeguarding participants’ rights, well-being, and autonomy throughout the study. The findings revealed a moderate to substantial implementation of pricing strategies by Knight Frank Ltd., particularly in the domains of competitive pricing, value-based pricing, segmented pricing, and promotional pricing. These strategies were found to positively influence firm performance, measured through indicators such as operational efficiency, innovation capability, and customer satisfaction. Regression analysis, alongside the Baron and Kenny four-step mediation model, established that market share played a mediating role in the relationship between pricing strategies and firm performance. This implies that while pricing strategies directly influence performance, they also exert an indirect effect by enhancing market share. Based on these findings, the study recommended that Knight Frank Ltd should continue leveraging value-based and segmented pricing strategies to maintain and improve performance. It emphasised the importance of adopting technology for dynamic pricing, enhancing customer engagement, and strengthening internal organisational to support strategic pricing implementation.Daystar Universit
Assessment of Depression and Anxiety among Students on Financial Aid at Daystar University, Kenya
No full textMental health challenges, such as depression and anxiety, among university students have become a growing global concern, with financial stress identified as a significant contributing factor. Financially aided students may face unique stressors that impact their mental health. This study assessed these challenges among students receiving financial aid at Daystar University, Kenya. Guided by an integrated theoretical framework of Beck's Cognitive Theory of Depression, Beck and Clark's Cognitive Theory of Anxiety and Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory to provide comprehensive understanding of the relationships between financial aid status and mental health outcomes. The study pursued four objectives which were to: (1) assess the prevalence of depression among students on financial aid, (2) examine the prevalence of anxiety among this population, (3) explore the underlying causes of these mental health issues, and (4) establish the coping mechanisms employed by financially aided students. The study employed a mixed-method cross-sectional design. The target population was 600 students on financial aid. A sample of 100 participants was selected using stratified and simple random sampling from various financial aid programs including DUS Scholarship, Work-study Scholarship, Schefers Servant Leadership Loan Program, Vice Chancellor's Scholarship, Merit Scholarship, Writing and Speech Center Tutors, and One-time Scholarships. Data was collected using validated instruments including the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for depression assessment and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) for anxiety evaluation, supplemented by semi-structured interviews. For analysis, quantitative data from the questionnaires were analyzed using SPSS, employing descriptive statistics (frequencies, means, standard deviations) and inferential tests (chi-square, t-tests) to determine relationships. Qualitative data from interviews underwent thematic analysis using NVivo.The study has revealed significant relationships between financial aid status and mental health outcomes which have provided actionable insights for university administrators, mental health professionals, and policymakers. The research has identified specific stressors unique to financially aided students and highlighted the importance of institutional support systems in promoting student mental health and academic success. This research has contributed to the limited body of knowledge on student mental health in the Kenyan context and provided evidence-based recommendations for developing holistic comprehensive support systems that address both the financial and psychological needs of this vulnerable student populations in higher education institutions.Daystar Universit
Artificial Intelligence Adoption and Project Performance at Safaricom Foundation, Kenya
No full textMASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION in Project Management.Nonprofit organizations worldwide continue to experience project implementation challenges such as cost overruns, schedule delays, and inconsistent outcomes. The Safaricom Foundation, Kenya’s largest nonprofit organization implementing community development projects, faces similar challenges despite its substantial resources. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of Artificial Intelligence (AI) adoption on project performance at Safaricom Foundation. The study sought to determine the influence of Machine Learning (ML), Natural Language Processing (NLP), and Predictive Analytics (PA) on project performance and to assess the moderating effect of organizational culture on this relationship. The study was anchored on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), which explains how users’ perceptions of usefulness and ease of use influence technology adoption. An explanatory research design was employed, and data were collected from 196 respondents selected through stratified random sampling. Descriptive statistics summarized the data, while Pearson correlation and multiple regression analyses tested the hypotheses. The results showed that AI adoption significantly improved project performance, with Machine Learning having the strongest effect, followed by Predictive Analytics and NLP. Organizational culture significantly moderated the relationship, with innovation-oriented and adaptable cultures amplifying AI’s positive impact. The study concluded that AI technologies enhance efficiency, decision-making, and stakeholder satisfaction in nonprofit projects when supported by leadership commitment and innovation-friendly culture. The study recommended investment in staff training, fostering technological adaptability, and building strategic partnerships to strengthen sustainable AI integration.Daystar Universit
Portrayal of Human Visuals in Television Advertising and its Influence on Brand Reputation: Case of Unilever’s Fair & Lovely Commercials in Kenya
No full textMASTER OF ARTS in CommunicationIn corporate communication, brand image and reputation are strategic assets that shape consumer trust, loyalty and long-term competitiveness. TV advertising plays a central role in constructing these assets, particularly through the portrayal of human visuals. However, when such portrayals reproduce colourism, the privilege of lighter skin over darker skin within the same ethnic group, they risk undermining brand reputation. This study investigated the portrayal of human visuals in Unilever’s Fair & Lovely TV commercials in Kenya and its influence on brand reputation. Anchored in Corporate Identity Theory and Brand Image Congruity Theory, the study examined how visual representations of skin tone were used as deliberate elements of brand communication. A qualitative content analysis of twenty commercials that aired in Kenya was conducted, supplemented by one focus group discussion and one interview with advertising stakeholders. Findings revealed that lighter-skinned models were consistently framed as aspirational, successful while darker-skinned models were marginalized or relegated to subordinate roles. These portrayals reinforced colourist narratives that shaped consumer perceptions of Fair & Lovely’s (now rebranded as Glow and Lovely) brand image. The study found that such advertising practices extended beyond the product brand, affecting Unilever’s corporate brand image by raising questions about its authenticity, social responsibility and commitment to diversity. While some audiences continued to associate the brand with transformation and empowerment, others criticized Unilever for perpetuating discriminatory ideals, thereby eroding trust in the corporation itself. The study concluded that the corporate management of brand reputation cannot ignore the ethical and cultural implications of visual representation. It recommended that Unilever and other advertisers adopt inclusive and culturally sensitive strategies that align brand image with contemporary values of diversity, equity, and social responsibility, thereby safeguarding corporate credibility and strengthening consumer trust in the Kenyan beauty market.Daystar Universit
An Audit of Internal Communication at Mwalimu National Sacco: A Comparison of Communication during and after Covid-19
No full textMASTERS OF ARTS in Corporate CommunicationThis study examined the dynamics of internal communication at Mwalimu Sacco during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on information needs, communication flows, channels, and employee perceptions. The research was guided by Lasswell’s Theory of Communication, which emphasises the sender-message-channel-receiver framework, and the Communication Accommodation Theory, which explains how communicators adjust their styles to enhance understanding and relational outcomes. A descriptive research design with data collected through structured questionnaires administered to internal publics across different departments within the Sacco was used. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were enlisted in data handling. The findings revealed that employees’ primary information needs revolved around financial updates, organisational policies, and operational guidelines, both during and after the pandemic. The direction of communication flow was largely top-down, though limited evidence of horizontal communication was also observed. Importantly, the Sacco introduced several new digital communication channels, including emails, WhatsApp groups, and virtual meetings, to sustain organisational cohesion during the health crisis. Employees’ perceptions of internal communication were mixed: while many appreciated the timeliness and accessibility of updates, others noted challenges such as information overload and insufficient opportunities for feedback. The study concluded that excellent internal communication is a critical driver of organisational resilience during crises. By adopting new technologies and tailoring communication approaches to employees’ needs Mwalimu Sacco demonstrated adaptive capacity. This is in line with the principles of the Communication Accommodation Theory. However, the persistence of predominantly one-way communication highlighted limitations in fully realising participatory engagement. The study recommends that organisations institutionalize multi-directional communication frameworks, invest in employee-centered communication strategies, and continuously evaluate perceptions to ensure inclusivity. Future research could expand the scope by examining comparative cases in other Saccos or financial institutions to generate broader insights into communication resilience in times of disruption.Daystar Universit