Browsing by Author "Muathe, Stephen Makau"

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    Balanced Scorecard Model: Issues to Resolve For Competitive Advantage among Saccos in Kajiado County
    (International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science, 2024-10-18) Kingwalor ,Kelvin Lillan; Muathe, Stephen Makau
    This study aims to examine the correlation between the perspectives of the Balanced Scorecard and the competitiveness of Savings and Credit Cooperatives located in Kajiado County, Kenya. The specific aims of the study included assessing how the perspectives of the Balanced Scorecard, namely, financial perspective, customer perspective, internal business processes, and learning and growth perspective, affect the competitiveness. of Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies within Kajiado County. This study was anchored on the theoretical frameworks of Balanced Score Card, Resource-Based View and Dynamic Capabilities theory. The study utilized a cross-sectional survey research design, guided by objectivism as an ontological approach, a positivist epistemology, and a deductive approach for data collection and analysis. The study’s target population included the deposit taking Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies in Kajiado County (N= 22). Purposive sampling was employed to identify 22 Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies and 32 personnel members from the 5 main sub counties. Data collection involved the utilization of a structured questionnaire self-administered by the respondents themselves. The relationship between distinct independent variables and company competitiveness was analyzed using multiple regression. The critical value for regression was 0.05, and the 95% confidence interval was used. The study found a strong, statistically significant positive correlation between SACCO competitiveness and customer perspective (r = .899, p = .000). Also, a strong, positive, and statistically significant correlation was found to exist between financial perspective and SACCO competitiveness (r = .841, p = .000). A similar strong positive correlation was observed between internal business processes and SACCO competitiveness (r = .805, p = .001). Similarly, learning and growth exhibited a strong, positive correlation with SACCO competitiveness (r = .817, p = .001). Some of the balanced score card perspectives, such as financial and customer perspectives, positively predict SACCO competitiveness. The relationships are also statistically significant. However, internal business process and learning and growth, negatively predict SACCO competitiveness. The relationships are not statistically significant. It was recommended that the management of SACCOs should enhance the customer perspective and the financial perspective to boost competitiveness, while strengthening the other perspectives.
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    Financial Inclusion in Bujumbura- Burundi: Why Research on Women Entrepreneurs Need New Directions on Microfinance Services
    (Journal of Economics, Finance and Management Studies, 2024-07) Kwitonda, Albert; Muathe, Stephen Makau; Obere, Eliud E.
    Since the middle of the 1980s, microfinance for women has gained popularity among development organizations as a method of reducing poverty. Micro and small businesses owned by women have restricted access to microfinance services, limiting their revenues and adversely affecting their business performance. This study aimed to investigate the effect of microfinance services on the performance of women-owned micro and small businesses in Bujumbura, Burundi. The specific objectives of the study are to examine how microcredit, savings mobilizations, and financial training services affect the performance of women owned small and microbusinesses in Bujumbura, moreover the study used government regulations as a moderating variable. The theories of this study were resource-based view, dynamic capability theory, contingency theory, and innovation theory. The researcher utilized an explanatory research design. The target population was 366 Women owned Micro and Small Enterprises in Bujumbura, however, a sample size of 191 respondents was selected using a proportionate stratified and random sampling techniques. Data was collected using a questionnaire and analyzed using a multiple linear regression model. The results indicated that micro and small businesses' performance was significantly and positively influenced by having access to microcredit. Additional findings demonstrated that the performance of micro and small businesses was positively and significantly influenced by savings mobilization. Furthermore, the findings indicated that financial education significantly affected performance of micro and small businesses. Plus, the relationship between microfinance services and the performance of micro and small firms was not significantly moderated by government regulations. To enhance financial inclusion for Women in Burundi, MFIs ought to open additional branches, and assign different agents in the various sub-districts. There is need for financial training through additional financial programs, seminars, and campaigns to improves the performance of women-owned micro and small businesses in Bujumbura, Burundi. Finally, the Republic of Burundi through the ministry of finance should women owned enterprise tax breaks and also reduce taxes, and license fees, this will not only enhance financial inclusion but also allow women to conserve more money for future investments, which will improve the business performance.
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    Firm Size, Operational Risk and Financial Performance: Evidence from Commercial and Services companies listed in Nairobi Securities Exchange
    (IJCAB Publishing Group, 2019) Onsongo, Susan Kerubo; Mwangi, Lucy Wamugo; Muathe, Stephen Makau
    The study sought to assess the financial performance of the companies listed in the commercial and services sector at the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), Kenya with an aim of determining the implications of firm size and operational risk on their performance. It was anchored on the agency theory. The study applied explanatory research design and the target population was the 14 companies listed under this sector. Secondary panel data contained in published annual reports for the year 2013 to 2017 was collected. A panel regression model was applied with the random effect model being used based on the Hausman specification test. Findings showed that operational risk had a positive insignificant effect on performance as proxied by return on assets (ROA). The findings further showed that firm size had a moderating effect on the relationship between operational risks and performance. It concluded that firm size played a role in the risk management of a company i.e. companies with higher total assets managed risk better than their counterpart. The study recommends that for companies to record improved financial performance, they needed to manage their operational risks by implementing risk management initiatives and increasing their total assets base.