Demographic Factors Influencing the Adoption of Mobile Phones in the Utilization of Formal Financial Services by Smallholder Farmers in Kenya

The study aimed at assessing the demographic factors influencing adoption of mobile phones in the utilization of formal financial services by smallholder farmers in Kenya. Financial access household survey showed that 80 percent of Kenyan adults own a formal bank account. Whilst significant advances have been made in financial technology products, their penetration and usage among smallholder farmers in utilizing financial services and particularly the demographic factors influencing them remains unestablished. Research into more innovative, intermediated solutions, effective participation and inclusion of appropriate community-based groups in mobile financial services is, therefore, necessary. The target population for this study were smallholder farmers from Nakuru, Busia and Kirinyaga Counties in Kenya. Simple random sampling and Convenience sampling techniques were used to select 496 smallholder farmers as respondents for the study. Data was collected using copies of a researcher developed questionnaire and data collection sheet. Quantitative data was analysed using multiple linear regression analysis with the aid of SPSS software. The findings revealed that demographic factors were important in predicting mobile phone utilization for formal financial services among smallholder farmers in Kenya. Therefore, the study recommends that mobile phone mobile service providers should collaborate with financial service providers to enable the farmers upgrade their phones to access more financial services platforms.

Influence of Guerrilla Skills on Micro and Small Enterprise Survival in Wakiso District, Uganda

This study examined the influence of Guerrilla skills on Micro and Small Enterprise (MSE) survival in Wakiso district, Uganda. The objective of the study was to establish the influence of guerrilla skills on profitability, stability and continuous resource availability of the Micro and Small Enterprises in Wakiso District, Uganda. Multiple sampling methods were used to derive a sample of 306 MSEs and a cross-sectional survey research design was used and adopted a positivist approach. The study used quantitative approaches which involved descriptive analysis (frequencies, percentages tables) and inferential statistics (linear regression). Raw data was captured into SPSS (version 16). Results revealed that Guerrilla skills had a positive and statistically significant influence on profitability, stability and continuous resource availability leading to increased enterprise survival. It also revealed that guerrilla skills have a positive and statistically significant influence on the survival of MSEs in Wakiso district, Uganda and accounted for 29.6 per cent of the variation in Micro and Small enterprise survival. MSE owner/managers need to develop, improve and utilize guerrilla skills in running their businesses. They should utilize resources within their surrounding maximally and be ahead of the competitors by utilizing unconventional low-cost tactics not known to their competitors and are difficult to copy. Similarly, programs to improve MSE owners/managers' guerrilla skills be implemented to enhance MSE survival. Curriculum developers need to design programs that will involve learners to apply guerrilla skills.

The Effect of Product and Service Innovations on the Financial Performance of Commercial Banks in Kenya

The objective of this study was to establish the effect of product /service innovations on the financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya. The 40 commercial banks was the population of this study which were in operation in Kenya as at December, 2017. Both primary and secondary data were used in the study. Explanatory research design was used. Questionnaires were used to gather primary data. Secondary data was collected from Central Bank annual report to validate communicative and validity of primary data. Quantitative analysis in the research was facilitated by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), the completed questionnaires was examined and the information for each item was further processed and analysed. The results obtained was further presented in charts and tables. Regression and correlation analysis were used to study the relationship between the dependent and the independent variables of the study. These were employed to analyze the data and find out whether financial performance of commercial banks was influenced by banks innovations. The results showed that most commercial banks have concentrated on their profits by creating new products and services which have minimized their operational costs. This study used Cronbach Alpha test of internal consistency to analyze the accuracy of the research tool based on pilot data. The study recommended that banks should consider incorporating the new technology as it will increase the firms’ performance and to ensure their new products and services, are readily available in the market. The study recommended that the banking sector ought to continue investing on more innovative delivery channels since this improves banks capability to regulate expenditure. These will in turn, facilitates reduction in cost in every unit of service thus improved return on assets to financial institutions effective monitoring of accounting and auditing. Financial institutions should ensure that the banking innovations are well secured for customers to have confidence in using mobile banking and internet banking.

Effect of Customer Security on Performance of Online Banking on Microfinance Institutions in Nakuru Town, Kenya

The study aimed at determining the effect of customer security on the performance of online banking on microfinance institutions in Nakuru CBD. The study is significant to the Microfinance Institutions in that; it will benefit management and staff of MFI and the government understudy by gaining insights into how their institution can effectively deal with the challenges that they face in managing their clients and ensuring they grow their business. The increasing number of consumers of online banking shows that the level of adoption of online banking has improved. Several variables can influence the amount of adoption of online banking. The researcher used survey design where the target population comprised of 35 respondents. These were Branch managers, Chief Credit officer/s and the IT support of the MFI in Nakuru CBD. The study used census method, and a questionnaire containing closed-ended questions was used as the data collection instrument for the research. Descriptive statistics were used in data analysis and presentation of the results was in the form of tables, charts and graphs. The findings revealed that security affects the implementation of online banking to a large extent. Based on this finding, the researcher recommended that Microfinance Institutions should improve on issues concerning customer security in that, there should be no delay. The researcher suggested further study should be done on factors affecting adoption of M-Pesa money transfer bill payment.

The Effect of Employee Competence on Performance of Microfinance Institutions in Nakuru Town, Kenya

The study was carried out to establish the effect of employee competence on the performance of microfinance institutions in Nakuru CBD. The study is significant to the MFI in that it will benefit management and staff of MFI and the government understudy by gaining insights into how their institution can effectively deal with the problems that they encounter in managing their clients and to ensure they grow their business. A survey design was used for the study. The target population comprised of 35 respondents. These were Branch managers, Chief Credit officer/s and the IT support of the MFI in Nakuru CBD. The study used census method as the small size of the target population could easily be managed. A questionnaire containing closed-ended questions was used as the data collection instrument for the study. Descriptive statistics, including percentages and frequencies, was adopted for data analysis Results were presented in the form of charts, tables and graphs. The study established that the level of employee competence affects the implementation of online banking to a large extent. Based on this finding the researcher recommended that microfinance institutions should have some training programs to help improve on the customers level of skills because some consumers do not have the required skills and facilities needed to do online banking and this will allow for the smooth running of operations.

Evaluating the Influence of Flexible Work Arrangement Strategy on Job Satisfaction

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of flexible work arrangements strategy on job satisfaction among state corporations in Kenya. The greatest challenge facing organisations is whether their staffs are motivated to perform their duties and whether employees find their work interesting and meaningful. The ways jobs are designed has an important bearing on an employee’s job satisfaction. Understanding job design techniques and their influence on job satisfaction will lead organisations to keep the best employee pool for themselves and fend off competition. This study was based on several theories, namely: Job Characteristics model, Hertzberg's two-factor Hygiene theory, Clayton Alderfer’s ERG theory, equity theory, family-boarder theory, and boundary theory. The research design for this study was a cross-sectional descriptive design. This research sought to interrogate the extent to which the state corporations employ flexible work arrangements and its influence on job satisfaction and suggest possible areas of improvement. The target population was 187 state corporations. The unit of analysis was employees of the state corporations in Kenya. The research studied a sample size of 381 employees in 127 state corporations. The state corporations in Kenya were selected using stratified sampling, while employees were purposively selected. To obtain the data, semi-structured questionnaires were used in this research. Data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics with the aid of the SPSS package. The findings of this study show that a flexible work arrangement is a significant strategy in enhancing job satisfaction among state corporations in Kenya.

Determining the extent of ICT implementation and use in financial management of Secondary Schools in Kajiado County, Kenya

The objective of the study was to determine the extent of ICT implementation and use in financial management of Secondary Schools in Kajiado County, Kenya. Descriptive survey design was adopted for this study. The target population for this study was the 61 public secondary schools’ principals, 1220 teachers, 610 students, 25 ICT teachers, 6 Sub-county Directors of Education in the 6 Sub-counties and 1 County Director of Education in Kajiado County. The study used 30% of the accessible population as sample size. The sample size for this study was 18 principals, 366 teachers, 8 ICT teachers,183 students, 2 Sub- county Directors of Education and 1 County Director of Education. This study used questionnaires, Observation schedules and interview schedule as tools for data collection. The questionnaires were administered to Principals, teachers and ICT coordinators while interview schedules were administered to the students, Sub-county Directors of Education and the County Director of Education. The pilot test was carried at the schools with similar characteristics to those sampled through random sampling. Instrument reliability was determined through test- retest method. Cronbach alpha was used to test the internal reliability of the measurement instrument. The study concluded that most of the public secondary schools in Kajiado County had not embraced ICT in various areas of administration. Based on the findings, the study recommends that proper technology should be put in place by purchasing of the required ICT facilities in schools to enhance management of schools using the current technology.

Examining the Effects of Ethical CSR Activities on Non-Financial Performance of Brookside Dairy Limited

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of ethical CSR activities on non-financial performance of Brookside Dairy Limited, Nakuru town branch. Social Contract Theory, Stakeholders Theory and Agency Theory guided the study. The study adopted descriptive statistics method in analysing the data. The target population for the study was 200 employees from Brookside dairy limited, Nakuru branch, comprising of departmental managers, supervisors and non-management staff. A sample of 132 was arrived at using Kothari formulae and selected using cluster sampling technique. Primary data was collected using questionnaires. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistic method. Findings revealed that ethical CSR activities have no statistically positive and significant effect on non-financial performance of Brookside dairy limited, Nakuru town branch (β= 0.003, p = 0.981). The study recommends that other firms should conduct the same study to determine what effect CSR activities have on non-financial performance. Studies should also be carried out to find out other factors affecting non-financial performance other than CSR activities.