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Influence Of Governance Practices On Performance Of County Governments In Kenya
Get PDFThe Kenyan government acknowledges that there has been poor performance in the
public sector over the years, especially in the management of public resources, which has
hindered the realization of sustainable economic growth. Governance presents the single
biggest opportunity for operational efficiency in any organization; therefore, its adoption is
paramount in public sector management. The purpose of the study was to examine the
influence of governance practices on the performance of county governments in Kenya. The
study sought to establish how internal controls, stakeholder participation, internal audit
standards, and transparency influence the performance of county governments in Kenya. The
study employed a descriptive research design; the study prefers this method because it allows
an in-depth study of the subject. The target population was Heads of Departments in all
Ministries, Chief Officers of all Ministries, and Members of the County Assembly. Pilot
study was carried out to establish the reliability and validity of research instruments. The
instruments was designed appropriately according to the study objectives. A structured
questionnaire was used to collect data. Data gathered from the questionnaires administered
was analysed with the help of SPSS and Microsoft Excel. The outputs was presented in the
form of statistical diagrams, tables, and charts. The study used multiple linear regression and
correlation analysis to show the relationship between the variables. The study findings
indicated that internal controls has a positive and significant relationship with on performance
of county governments' in Kenya. Further, stakeholder participation had a positive and
significant relationship with on performance of county governments' in Kenya. Internal Audit
Standards has a positive and significant relationship with on performance of county
governments' in Kenya. Lastly, the study concluded that that transparency has a positive and
significant relationship with on performance of county governments' in Kenya. The entire
null hypotheses was rejected. The study recommends that the County Government should
encourage stakeholders to participate by incorporating their views in governance processes. A
feedback mechanism should also be delivered where stakeholders are informed of the process
of their participation and the key decisions that result from the participation. Further, the
study recommends that there is need for the county government to come up with its calendar
of events on its activities. should be availed to all the citizens at the beginning of a financial
year. This will help in proper planning of its activities and ensure timely submissions of
statutory requirements to both the county assembly and other organs.
A Model Of BYOD Integration To Increase Corporate Information Security In Banks: Case Of Equity Bank Kenya
No full textBring Your Own Device or BYOD is a novel approach where employees and stakeholders in organizations bring their personal computer devices to the workplace. Employees are able to access organization information and data through their devices under the BYOD policy. On the other hand, the BYOD approach heightens the risk of malware attacks and therefore, diminishes the integrity of the information security within the organization. The current study sought to develop a model for the integration of BYOD in the banking sector while maintaining a sustainable corporate information security. The theories guiding the study are the technology threat avoidance theory and unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology. On the other hand, the research study adopted a cross-sectional survey design to collect data. The survey design is effective in coming up with quantitative data that aids one develop inferences regarding a particular phenomenon. The study established that Mobile device management, Information security policies, Security culture and Employee education as BYOD factors have significant effect on Sustainable corporate information security. Following data collection the researcher was able to clean, code and analyze data using SPSS v27. An OLS model was derived from the analyzed data. The derived statistical model can be instrumental in integration of BYOD while maintain information security. The generated model was tested and validated through multiple regressions test statistics. The Adjusted R value obtained through model summary was r2=0.437 indicating that the independent variables of Mobile device management, Information security policies, Security culture and Employee education contribute 43% variation in Sustainable corporate information security. The ANOVA statistic showed that the independent variables are significant to the dependent variable. Subsequently, the independent variables in the study have a significant impact on the dependent variable of Sustainable corporate information security. Moreover, the researcher recommends that organizations in the banking sector have a device register in the BYOD platform to ensure information security. The findings of the research are significant to the corporate sector as it adds knowledge that will help guide the security model employed in running BYOD. Integration of BYOD is a necessity in most industries, hence this research provides a robust model for heightening Sustainable corporate information security
Firm Characteristics And Operational Efficiency Of Agricultural Firms Listed At Nairobi Securities Exchange In Kenya
No full textOperational efficiency is the ratio of average outputs to average inputs and firms streamline their core processes in order to reduce waste and improve the capacity of its resource base in order to produce goods of superior quality and offer better services. Firm characteristics such as capital structure, firm size, firm age, number of employees, liquidity, turnover, growth in sales and assets produce positive effects on operational efficiency. Nairobi securities exchange promotes economic development by mobilising savings and reallocating resources, facilitating long term investments, enhancing foreign direct investments and enabling firms to raise new capital. The agricultural sector is significant in the Kenyan economy because it is the main source of food and is among the leading foreign exchange earners. The study was descriptive and examined the relationship between firm characteristics and operational efficiency of agricultural companies listed at Nairobi securities exchange. Specific objectives were to; ascertain the relationship between firm size and operational efficiency of agricultural companies listed at the Nairobi securities exchange, to evaluate the association amongst liquidity and operational efficiency of agricultural companies listed at Nairobi securities exchange, to evaluate the relationship between cash reserves and operational efficiency of agricultural companies listed at Nairobi securities exchange and to examine the association between asset tangibility and the operational efficiency of firms listed in the agricultural sector of the Nairobi securities exchange. The theories anchoring this study were trade off theory, liquidity preference theory, agency theory, the Baumol inventory model together with Miller& Orr‘s cash management model. The target population was 7 agricultural companies listed at Nairobi securities exchange from 2011 to 2020. The study used quantitative secondary data collected from audited financial statements. Quantitative data was analysed using the random effects model and correlation analysis, using STATA version 13. Analyzed data was presented using tables and pie charts. Test of hypothesis was done at 95% confidence interval. The study found that there was a negative significant relationship between asset tangibility, firm size and operational efficiency of agricultural companies listed at Nairobi securities exchange. There was a positive significant relationship between cash reserves and operational efficiency of agricultural companies listed at Nairobi securities exchange. Based on the findings the study concluded that asset tangibility and firm size have a negative significant relationship with operational efficiency while cash reserves has a positive significant relationship with operational efficiency as measured using total asset turnover ratio and equity turnover ratio. The study recommended that policy makers of the listed agricultural companies at the Nairobi securities exchange should incorporate asset tangibility, firm size and cash reserves in their strategic decision-making processes. Since the study focused on listed agricultural companies, further studies can explore listed none agricultural companies and incorporate other firm characteristics such as firm age, profitability, growth and number of employees
A Neural Network Prediction Model For Diploma And Certificate Student’s Progression In Universities
No full textThe most important priority of a private academic university is financial stability, which is determined by 100% student progression to the next level of study. Poor student advancement will result in the university's demise, as student progression is the primary source of revenue for a private university. The institution can plan adequately for the next semester and determine the number of workers required without undue stress as a result of the students' progress. Students in Kenyan colleges make predictions using linear forecasting models, which presume that data is linear. As a result, the progression of students based on linear models may be erroneous. Nonlinear models have been used to predict student outcomes with great effectiveness. As evidenced by the literature study, the artificial neural network stands out. The suitability of several models of student advancement to predict student progression in Kenya will be investigated. A literature review will be used to investigate the viability and performance of various models. The study's particular goals were to evaluate students' dropout and deferment rates, create an appropriate artificial neural network model that employs the identified elements to forecast progression rate, and validate the model. The data for this project will be gathered via the Zetech University database system. The report included information on students who were enrolled from 2007 to 2019. The study included a total of 5000 pupils. The artificial neural network model was validated using the sigmoid activation function after the data was separated into training and test sets. The rate of advancement was discovered to be 78.5 percent. Universities should establish intervention programs for students who are on the verge of deferral or dropping out, according to the report
Effect Of Internal Audit On The Organizational Performance Of State Corporations In Kenya
No full textA clear internal audit role is important for good organizational performance. Therefore, the current study sought to establish the effect of internal audits on the organizational performance of State Corporations in Kenya. The study specifically sought to determine the effect of internal audit standards, internal audit independence, internal audit professional competency and internal controls on the organizational performance of state corporations in Kenya. The study used a descriptive research technique and to evaluate the performance of the state corporations, using a cross-sectional approach. The sample size was 131 state corporations obtained using Yamane’s formula at the confidence level of 95%. The data collection was aided by the use of a questionnaire. Descriptive statistics that provide a summary of the data in frequencies, percentages (%) among others were used while the inferential statistics with the help of correlation analysis (R-value) and regression analysis (beta coefficients, R2 & p values) determined the causality between the variables. The collected data was analyzed with the help of SPSS version 25.0 and Excel and presented using tables and figures for ease of understanding and interpretation. The findings were compared with the findings of similar studies to determine whether there is consistency. The findings revealed that internal audit standards (β = 0.482, p=0.000), internal audit independence (β= 0.134, p=0.083), internal audit professional competency (β= 0.214, p=0.000) and internal audit controls (β= 0.125, p=0.039) have a positive and significant effect on organizational performance of state corporations in Kenya. This implies that improvement in 1 unit of internal audit standards, internal audit independence, internal audit professional competency, and internal audit controls lead to an improvement in the organizational performance of state corporations in Kenya by 0.482 units, 0.134 units, 0.214 units and 0.125 units respectively. The study, therefore, concludes that internal audit standards, internal audit independence, internal audit professional competency and internal audit controls have a significant and positive effect on the organizational performance of state corporations in Kenya. The study recommends consistent and professional internal monitoring and evaluation of the audit department for transparency and accountability. This is based on the fact that the study has established that professional internal audits standards have the strongest contribution to organizational performance. Likewise, for improved performance of the auditors and their professional competence, the study recommends frequent on and off job training of the internal audit staff. This helps to build up their skills and expertise on matters internal auditing. Likewise, to ensure continuity of professionally performing internal audit department, the study recommends training and equipping young staff into the field for the sustenance of improved performance of the internal audit department
Logistical Regression Model For Predicting Small And Medium Enterprises’ (Smes) Credit Risk For Commercial Banks In Kenya.
No full textSmall and medium enterprises play a very vital role in the growth of any country economy. They
provide employment to both the owner(s) and the employee(s). However, their growth has been
hampered by lack of capital for expansion and operational expenses. Commercial banks in
Kenya provide the main source of funding to these SMEs through the various loan products they
offer. As a result of these borrowings, banks have been exposed to default risk which affects
their profitability. The purpose of this research is help to generate a predictive model for
accessing SMEs probability of default. Convenient sampling was used for selecting the entire
population consisting of commercial banks in Kenya thereby utilising the census as opposed to
sampling criterion. The study utilises the KDD model to direct the development of the research
study. The collected data will be analysed using R software. Additionally, the study used logistic
regression to testing the statistical significance of the relationship between variables with a p value of P > 0.05 considered significant, and P ≤ 0.05 considered not statically significant
Effect Of Financial Risk Exposure On Financial Performance Of Commercial Banks In Kenya
No full textRisk exposure management is very crucial to any business in the industry that is trying to
thrive given the current economic conditions. The banking sector is not left behind as it is
constantly faced with a number of unavoidable risks that are not limited to borrowers
defaulting on loans. Market forces for example change in interest rate and foreign exchange
rate also pose as a threat to these institutions. The general objective of this study was to
establish the effect of financial risk exposure on the financial performance of commercial
banks in Kenya. The specific objectives were: to assess the effect of credit risk, liquidity risk
and market risk exposure on financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya. This study
was anchored on Risk Management Theory. Other theories included contingency theory and
shift ability theory of liquidity which informed the study variables. The target population of
the study was the entire population of 42 commercial banks in Kenya. Secondary data was
obtained from annual supervision reports from the Central Bank of Kenya and financial
statements from the respective commercial banks. The data was analyzed using descriptive
and inferential statistics. The study conducted normality, multicollinearity, autocorrelation
and heteroscedasticity diagnostic tests. A panel data model was used to empirically test the
effect of financial risk exposure on financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya. The
three null hypotheses developed in chapter one of the study were rejected at 5% level of
significance. Findings revealed that financial risk exposure had a positive significant effect on
financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya. Credit risk exposure had a positive
significant effect on the financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya; market risk had
a positive significant effect on financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya; while
liquidity risk exposure had a negative significant effect on financial performance of
commercial banks in Kenya. The study recommended the need for commercial banks to set
up risk management strategies that minimize their exposure to various risks by setting
provision for loan loss through adoption of the Loan Loss Provision by all commercial banks
in order to mitigate from credit risk exposure; by having efficient risk management practices
to ensure that commercial banks are able to minimize the effect of certain risks that they face;
by ensuring that shareholder goal of wealth maximization is met, by attaining consistent
profits that are distributed to them in the form of dividends. Finally, the study recommended
that all business entities should practice risk management strategies in order to boost their
performance either in a financial or operational perspective. Moreover, an establishment of
comprehensive risk management of commercial banks should be made a prerequisite as it
contributes to the overall risk management systems. The greatest contribution to the body of
knowledge is that for a sound financial survival of commercial banks in Kenya, keen attention
needs to be directed towards credit risk exposure, liquidity risk exposure and market risk
exposure. Failure of which would sink commercial banks into liquidity, credit and market
risks. To regulators and policy makers, the study will form the basis of the control policy
framework to alleviate financial risks associated with commercial banks in Kenya and across
the world
Effect Of Monitoring And Evaluation Practices On Value For Money In Development Projects In Nyandarua County, Kenya
Get PDFDespite the importance of M&E function, critical questions pertinent to monitoring and
evaluation have been raised that centre on the implementation phase of projects.
Admissibly, problems in project implementation and success continue to be witnessing
albeit the fact that, M&E practices is deemed obligatory and are anchored in the Kenyan
Constitution. In particular, according to Nyandarua County Development Plan 2019, only
32% of the projects initiated were completed in time and within the allocated budget with
a worrying 68% of the projects still to be completed and experiencing cost overruns. This
is in spite of the County Government admitting to returning funds budgeted for
development projects to the National Treasury which points to lack of effective project
M&E processes. This study thus aims to establish the effect of monitoring and evaluation
practices on value for money in development projects in Nyandarua County, Kenya.
Specifically, it examines the effect of M&E capacity building on value for money in
development projects; evaluates the effect of M&E planning on value for money in
development projects; assesses the effect of M&E structural framework on value for
money in development projects and analyses the effect of M&E information use on value
for money in development projects in Nyandarua County. The study was informed by
social learning theory, institutional theory, structural functionalism theory and theory of
planned behaviour. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. The target
population involved 96 project managers of the development projects in Nyandarua
County. Stratified and random sampling was used to select a sample of 77 development
projects in Nyandarua County. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect the
data. Descriptive statistics of frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation
were used while a multiple regression model was run on the data in order to establish and
analyze the effect of independent variables on the depended at a pre-set level of
significance (5%). Findings showed that M & E structural framework had the highest,
positive and significant on value for money followed by M & E information use. Also, M
& E capacity building and M & E planning had the positive and significant on value for
money in county government. Thus, the concludes M & E structural framework, M & E
capacity building and M & E planning and M & E information use plays a critical role
improving value for money in county governments. Therefore, there is need for project
managers to employ the advisory skills of M&E experts on the use of M&E tools. Proper
planning of the project timeline should be undertaken by project executives and project
managers need to put into place a structural framework to guide the monitoring and
evaluation process
Effect of Digital Financial Services on the Growth of SMEs in Kenya
No full textThe digital economy is a new business environment that enables enterprises to operate and provide services via the Internet and
digital platforms. The study was on the effect of economic digitisation on growth of SMEs in Nairobi CBD. The specific objectives
were to determine the effect of digital financial services, digital content, digital values and skills and the effect of online advertising
on the growth of small and medium enterprises. The sample size in this study was 1000 SMEs formally registered in the study area
from where a sample of 300 was randomly selected. The questionnaire was employed for the purpose of data collection from which
out of the 300 questionnaires distributed, 180 were returned representing a 60% response rate. Guided by the research objectives,
the data collected through the questionnaire were sorted, coded and presented in graphical and tabular forms for the purpose of
descriptive analysis. To determine the significance of the relationship between the dependent and independent variables, a
regression analysis was carried out using the Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24. The study established that
digital financial services were significant factors in ensuring growth of SMEs in Kenya. The study concluded that Mobile payments
have become a favorite means of making financial transactions. The study also established that Applications available for mobile
digital devices is expected to increase enormously. Digital payment technology has increased over the last decade. From the
findings, it was concluded that Consumers grow more familiar with the different payment systems available and encourage more
transactions. The SMEs should explore the possibility of forming a management committee to streamline economic digitisation
issues. It is recommended that the organization clearly spell out economic digitisation procedures and criteria. This can stir positive
growth among SMEs establishments and can result in effective management. The Government and the various agencies should also
make provisions for training programs for SMEs to empower them in terms of economic digitisation. The SMEs should not rely on
external professionals to assist in digitisation as this may be expensive. It is also recommended that the SMEs should adopt digital
financial services. E-commerce will ensure increased profitability for small and medium enterprises. They should also have Social
networking sites, which have proved to be popular online activities in relation to time, spent. They should also adopt Innovation
driven entrepreneurship as it contributes to increase in sales revenue, market share, efficiency, customers’ loyalty and firm
profitability
Effect Of Knowledge Sharing On Management Development At Kenya Wildlife Service
Get PDFManagement development fails to realize its full potential because of various reasons including employees with knowledge either failing to share the knowledge or exiting the organization. The main objective of this study was to establish the effect of knowledge sharing on management development at KWS. Specifically, this study sought to establish the effect of databanks on management development at KWS; determine the effect of organizational manuals and publications on management development at KWS and to examine how communities of practice affect management development at KWS guided by three theories (theory of organizational knowledge, theory of Knowledge Management and the Human Capital Theory. The design adopted for this study was the descriptive survey with a target population of all 411 employees in senior (JG1-4) and middle management levels (JG5-6) at KWS at its headquarters, Air wing, Central Workshop, KWS LEA, WRTI and across the eight administrative conservation areas (Central Rift, Coast, Eastern, Mountain, Northern, Southern, Tsavo and Western). Stratified simple random sampling was applied in selecting 124 (30% of the total population) study subjects. This study used primary data that was collected by a structured questionnaire that was tested beforehand in order to correctly formulate the questions and to remove any ambiguity therein. To test the internal consistency of the instruments in this study, a reliability analysis was performed using the Cronbach Alpha test. The data collected was analyzed using both descriptive statistics (mean scores and stand deviations) and inferential statistics (Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficients and Multiple Coefficients). Findings showed that organizational manuals and publications had a strong and significant positive relationship with management development while databanks and communities of practice had moderate and significant positive relationship with management development. It was clear that changes in management development at the KWS are associated with knowledge sharing initiatives within the organization and that organizational manuals and publications showed the greatest contribution by knowledge sharing on management development followed by communities of practice. Databanks had the weakest contribution to management development at KWS. It was recommended that the organization needs to emphasize on mechanisms for documenting a database system through creation and dissemination of knowledge and that it needs to make the documented manuals and publications readily accessible to staff in the organization for standardization of operations and development of managerial competencies. It further recommended that that future studies needs to combine methodologies from both quantitative and qualitative research designs