DSpace Repository :: Browsing by Author "Namusonge, Mary"

Browsing by Author "Namusonge, Mary"

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Competitive Strategies and the Performance of Supermarkets in Nairobi City, Kenya
(International Academic Journals, 2020) Gatutha, Phyllis Gathoni; Namusonge, Mary
The current business environment is characterized by high level of competition, as such it is necessary for firms remain competitive. The study sought to investigate how competitive strategies affect the performance of supermarkets in Kenya with a special focus on Nairobi city’s ten leading supermarkets. The specific objectives were to find out the influence of Differentiation, Cost leadership and Focus strategies on the performance of supermarkets in Nairobi City. The research sought to find out why despite the increase in knowledge and use of competitive strategies, supermarkets are still witnessing decline in sales and eventual closure. Notably, this research was a descriptive research. A sample of 10 supermarkets were selected from the 102 supermarkets in Nairobi City that have been in existence for five years between 2013 and 2018. The study targeted 10 staff in each of the targeted supermarkets from top management, line managers and sales assistants. The sample was stratified into various categories from top management, line managers and sales assistants. Closed ended questionnaires were utilized in the collection of data and analysis was done via descriptive and inferential statistics. SPSS was used for data analysis. In carrying out the study, the validity as well as reliability of research instruments was ascertained. Use of tables and charts were heavily applied in the presentation of research results. From the findings an adjusted R2 of 0.635 was obtained indicating that 68.2% variations in performance of supermarkets can be linked to competitive strategies (namely: cost leadership strategy, differentiation strategy and focus strategy). The findings further indicate that unit increase in cost leadership strategies leads to a significant increase in performance of Supermarkets in Nairobi City, Kenya by 0.898 times. Secondly, a unit increase in differentiation strategies brings about a significant rise in performance of Supermarkets in Nairobi City, Kenya by 0.917 times. Lastly, a unit increase in focus strategies leads to a significant increase in performance of Supermarkets in Nairobi City, Kenya by 0.579 times. The study concluded that there is a significant and positive relationship between the competitive strategies and performance of Supermarkets in Nairobi City, Kenya. The study therefore recommends that the management of supermarkets should strive to consistently reduce operational and overhead costs. Management should also ensure that there are proper overhead controls and further ensure that advertisement costs as well as promotional costs are minimized. Secondly, the study recommends that management of supermarkets should consistently come up with innovations as this is a key aspect of differentiation which provides firms with dominant positions and lasting benefits specifically those that no other firm or business can imitate the unique features of the firm and Lastly, the study recommends that supermarkets should carry out market researches to establish the segment to focus on as this will grow the share of the market of the supermarkets through niche markets and narrow markets operations which are sometimes not considered by other market players.
Factors Hindering Growth of Women Owned Micro and Small Enterprises: A case of Micro Finance Borrowers in Makadara, Nairobi
(International Academic Journals, 2019) Kiyai, George; Namusonge, Mary; Jagongo, Ambrose
The Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector has an important role to play in Kenya’s drive towards industrialization as well as its quest for poverty eradication. To the extent that this is true, SMEs need to grow. The limited access of SMEs to credit and financial services is often presented as one of the most important supply constraints confronting the SME sector and research findings indicate that financial problems are one of the main reasons why relatively few SMEs graduate into larger enterprises. This paper sought to analyse constraints faced by women entrepreneurs after loan that impeded growth of their enterprises. The study findings showed that a majority of the sampled enterprises have not expanded despite getting MFI loans. Major policy interventions recommended relate to an evaluation of the credit methodologies of MFIs in line with the business needs of the entrepreneurs. The paper offers some background on Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) growth, conceptual framework, empirical review of literature on MSEs growth.
Market, Entrepreneurial Orientations and Performance of SMEs Hotels in Nanyuki Town, Kenya
(International Peer Reviewed Journal and Book Publishing, 2017) Nduriri, Mary Wanjira; Namusonge, Mary
Purpose: The study sought to investigate the effect of market (MO) and entrepreneurial orientation (EO) on the performance of SMEs hotel enterprises in Nanyuki town, Kenya. Methodology: A sample size of 30 SMEs hotels who are registered with Laikipia County revenue collection office was selected using simple random sampling technique. 24 completed questionnaires were returned showing a response rate of 80%. Data was analyzed with the aid of statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) computer software. Correlation, Anova and Multiple regressions were the main analysis tools. Findings: The results of the study indicated that market and entrepreneurial orientations have a positive influence on the performance of the small-scale hotels. The six independent variables that were studied, explain 74.5 % of the performance of the SMEs hotels in Nanyuki town. Unique contribution to the theory, practice and policy: The policy makers will be able to obtain a clear guide on policy direction with respect to market and entrepreneurial orientation for further improvements of small and medium hotel enterprises in Kenya. Further, the study will increase the knowledge and awareness to the hotel managers on how to create customer value and enhance competitiveness within the small and medium hotel enterprises in Kenya. The studies on market and entrepreneurial orientations will help in improving small and medium enterprises and in particular hotel performance toward achieving Kenya’s objectives of vision 2030.
Risk Management Practices and Organizational Performance of Deposit-taking SACCOs in Nairobi City County, Kenya
(theijbm, 2023-08) Mbuguah, Charles Macharia; Namusonge, Mary
An increase in the volume of corporate failures has made risk management to be considered integral to the performance of Savings and Credit Co-operative Societies (SACCOs) in Kenya, which have been investing over the years with the objective of maximizing their wealth. Towards this end, they employ various risk management techniques to mitigate risks they face in relation to their lending activities. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of risk management practices on the organizational performance of deposit-taking SACCOs in Kenya, which have been facing increased pressure from microfinance institutions, commercial banks and emerging digital financial platforms for customers. This study specifically focused on the effect of credit, liquidity, and market rate risk management practices. The research adopted a descriptive design that was grounded on the balance scorecard theory and the shiftability theory of liquidity. The study focused on 44 deposit-taking SACCOs located in Nairobi City County and collected both primary and secondary data. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) program based on descriptive, correlational and least squares regression analysis. The findings were presented using various graphical representation tools such as charts and tables. Regression results revealed that credit risk management, liquidity risk and market risk management had a positive and significant effect on the organizational performance of deposit-taking SACCOs in Nairobi County. The study recommended that SACCOs should further enhance their strategic loan screening guidelines, develop stronger strategic partnerships with credit reference bureaus, and improve loan monitoring processes. The study also recommended that SACCOs should review its interest rate risk management strategies. Further, they should explore opportunities for product diversification to enhance their market share and competitiveness. Finally, it was recommended that SACCOs should adopt a dynamically strategic approach to risk management and regularly review their risk management strategies to ensure their relevance and effectiveness in the changing business and regulatory environment.
Risk-taking, Leadership, Innovation and Networking as Entrepreneurial Competencies of Growth of Micro and Small Enterprises in Nairobi City County in Kenya
(IOSR, 2023-11) Owino, Phynlee Otieno; Namusonge, Mary
Micro and small enterprises play a crucial role in the economies of various nations around the world. However, they are constantly threatened by failure and the vast majority do not grow into large corporations. As a result, entrepreneurs are constantly challenged to use assets of skills to succeed in their entrepreneurs' ventures. The research sought to examine the effect of Risk-Taking, Leadership, Innovation and Networking on the growth of micro and Small Enterprises in Nairobi City County. Profit maximization theory, Schumpeter Innovation theory of profit, and Social networking theory served as the foundation for the study. The study employed a descriptive research design on a population of 1552 micro and small enterprises in Nairobi City County, with 318 respondents serving as the sample. Closed-ended, standardized questionnaires were used to collect the data, and descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data collected. The results showed that entrepreneurial competencies (risk-taking, leadership, innovation and networking) of the MSEs/managers (entrepreneurs) have a significant and positive influence on the growth of MSEs in Nairobi City County, thus improving their probabilities of growth. The research thus recommends the MSEs, through their strategic management, to embrace the four entrepreneurial competencies (risk-taking, leadership, innovation and networking) to enhance their growth and gain a competitive edge.
Savings Mobilization Strategies and the Growth of Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies in Nairobi City County, Kenya
(International Academic Journals, 2018) Biomdo, Linah Chelangat; Namusonge, Mary
Over time, Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies have been trying to address members’ demands by mobilizing funds and granting credit to members. However, they have not been able to grow their wealth strategically through accumulation of enough institutional capital to finance non-withdrawable capital funded assets, provide cushion to absorb losses and impairment of members’ deposits. The purpose of this study was to establish the effects of deposit mobilization strategies on the growth of savings and credit cooperative societies in Kenya. The study was guided by the following objectives; to examine the effect of product development, product marketing and customer focus strategy on the strategic growth of Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies in Kenya. This study was hinged on resource-based view theory, dynamic capabilities theory and the group formation theory discussed below. This study used a descriptive research design. The target population of this study was 38 authorized deposit taking Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies in Nairobi, Kenya that have been in existence for at least the last 5 years. The target population composed of Members of the Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies, Board members, Branch Managers, Cooperative Ministry/regulatory officials, Operations Managers and other stakeholders of each Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies. A sample size of 286 was arrived at by calculating the target population of 1127 with a 95% confidence level and an error of 0.05 using the below formula taken from Kothari. The study employed descriptive analysis technique on both primary and secondary data. In both cases, the study used Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (Version 24) in the analysis and data output was tabulated. In addition, a multiple linear regression model was run to quantify the combined effect of the contribution of deposit mobilization strategies to growth of savings and credit cooperative societies. Data was presented by use of graphs and tables and qualitative information presented in prose-form. The study found that product development/diversification affects the growth of savings and credit cooperatives very greatly, that product marketing affects the growth of savings and credit cooperatives moderately and that customer focus strategy affects the growth of savings and credit cooperatives greatly. The study concluded that product marketing had greatest effect on growth of savings and credit cooperatives followed by customer focus strategy while product development had the least effect on growth of savings and credit cooperatives. The study recommends that Saccos and other organizations should pursue diversification strategies as a strategic goal which businesswise is health as business risks are spread over different business lines, that the Saccos should endorse product marketing since it is believed to greatly affect their growth positively and that Saccos should improve the customers’ services quality.
Strategic Innovation and Performance of Oil Marketing Firms in Nairobi City County, Kenya.
(International Academic Journals, 2020) Majimbo, Denard Otsula; Namusonge, Mary
The number of oil marketing firms operating in Nairobi City County have continued to increase in number. This has affected their performance as the oil marketing firms compete with each other. The stiff competition has made the oil marketing firms to either exit the market or develop new strategies such as strategic management to enhance their performance. However it was observed that there is limited empirical studies on the relationship between strategic innovation and performance of the oil marketing firms in Nairobi City County. Therefore the aim of this study was to establish the effect of strategic innovation on the performance of the oil marketing firms in Nairobi City County. The first specific objective was to establish the effect of product innovation on the performance of the oil marketing firms. The second specific objective was to determine the effect of market innovation on the performance of the oil marketing firms. The third specific objective was to investigate the effect of process innovation on the performance of the oil marketing firms. The fourth specific objective was to determine the effect of organizational innovation on the performance of the oil marketing firms. The study was based on knowledge based theory, innovation based theory and resource based theory. The study used a descriptive research design. The target population was the 94 registered oil marketing firms in Nairobi City County. The sample size was 35 oil marketing firms in which the general managers were the respondents. Closed ended questionnaires were used to collect primary data. Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23 by IBM was used to analyse the data. Measures of mean and standard deviation were used in descriptive statistics and inferential statistics involved correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis to determine the relationship between the different variables. The study found a positive and significant relationship between product innovation and performance of the oil marketing firms in Nairobi City County, a positive and significant relationship between market innovation and performance of the oil marketing firms in Nairobi City County, a positive and significant relation between process innovation and performance of the oil marketing firms and a positive and significant relationship between organizational innovation and performance of the oil marketing firms in Nairobi City County. Thus the study concluded that strategic innovation has a strong and positive influence on the performance of the oil marketing firms in Nairobi City County. The study recommends the oil marketing firms should make continuous improvements to their products and processes. The oil marketing firms should set aside funds for research and development. The oil marketing firms should reward their employees when they come up with new ideas. The management should support employees working in the teams dealing with different project within the oil marketing firm.
Strategic Innovation and Service Delivery in Public Universities in Kenya: A Case of Kenyatta University
(IJCAB Publishing Group, 2019) Maroa, Stella Gati; Namusonge, Mary
Strategic innovation is a strategic tool that can be used to align the institution’s resources and capabilities with opportunities in the external environment in order to enhance survival and long term success of the organization. Innovation promotes use of technology consequently impacting positively on service delivery. Public universities reforms have been a necessary and on-going policy objective for the Government of Kenya. Innovation as one of the approaches to the reforms is intended to induce an overhaul the public university system to better serve the needs of both government and the citizens with improved delivery of public services. In Kenya technology in public institutions has not been effectively used to enhance service delivery more so institutions where technology use has been embraced, its impact on service delivery has not been assessed effectively. This study applied the institutional theory, diffusion of innovation theory and stakeholders theory of management to determine how strategic innovation at Kenyatta University impacts on service delivery. The general objective of this study therefore was to determine the effect of strategic innovation on service delivery in Kenyatta University. Specific objectives included finding out the influence of eLearning, online student registration and use of e-messaging services on service delivery in Kenyatta University. A population of 72,000 students admitted to Kenyatta University was used from which random sampling was conducted to a sample of 200 students using Nassiuma’s formula. Data was collected by disbursing physically the questionnaires to the students. Descriptive and regression analysis was conducted using SPSS 22 to provide findings on the study. The study conducted a multiple regression analysis to estimate the model for the study. The study had a coefficient of correlation R of 0.912 an indication of strong of correlation between the variables and a coefficient of adjusted R2 was 0.814.This means that there was a significant correlations between the variables and service delivery at Kenyatta University however other factors that are not considered in the research paper contribute approximately 18.6% of the service delivery at Kenyatta University. Therefore, a very extensive further research is highly required to investigate and come up with other factors of the viability to service delivery at Kenyatta University. The study concluded that the strategic innovation of the public universities ranges from the products and services offered and is determined by the technology that is revolutionizing the current global world and has improved the service delivery at Kenyatta University. A strategic innovation brings a lot of advantages and has a great impact on human and business daily life. Therefore, strategic innovation development is the best choice in helping higher institution of learning stay on track.
Strategic Management Drivers and Performance of Tier Three Commercial Banks in Kenya
(International Academic Journals, 2020) Muiga, Grace Waheti; Namusonge, Mary
In the current 21st century where organizations are surrounded by all kinds of dynamics most of which threaten their existence and growth, strategic management remains the only way out. For an organization to adopt any new strategy, there are those drivers that ought to grease the strategy and make it effective. Strategic management drivers have been known to enhance the performance of organizations across the globe. Strategic management drivers are the key enablers of modern organizations to strategically place themselves in the market through which they gain competitiveness and improved performance. Performance of the tier three banks in Kenya has been declining as evidenced by overwhelming closure of branches, employee turnover and decreasing profit margins. Recently, some tier three commercial banks have been held under receivership while others being on the warning note by the Central Bank of Kenya due to continued underperformance. The main aim of this study was TO establish the influence of strategic management drivers on performance of tier three commercial banks in Kenya. Specifically, the study sought to assess the influence of information technology, customer relationship management, human capital, organizational culture, and organizational planning on the performance of tier three commercial banks in Kenya. The study was informed by five theories which included technology acceptance theory, commitment trust theory, resource-based theory, Durkheim’s theory of culture and systems theory. Descriptive research design was employed while the target population was the 22 tier three commercial banks in Kenya. Due to the minimal number of target population, a census was employed whereby all the 22 tier three commercial banks were included in the study. Purposive sampling was adopted to sample 4 managers from each of the tier three commercial banks which made a total of 88 respondents. Data was collected using structured questionnaire and analysed using mixed analysis method whereby qualitative data was analysed through content analysis and quantitative data analysed through descriptive and inferential statistics. The analysed data was presented in frequency tables, bar-graphs and pie-charts for easier interpretation. The findings revealed that information technology was a key strategic driver that had a significant (P-value=0.000<0.05) and positive (β=0.771) influence on the performance of tier three commercial banks in Kenya. Moreover, the findings revealed that human capital, planning, organizational culture and customer relationship management had a significant and positive influence on the performance of tier three commercial banks in Kenya. The study concluded that through information technology, customer relationship management, human capital, planning and organizational culture, performance of tier three commercial banks in Kenya was enhanced. The study recommends that the commercial banks through their management should embrace information technology, customer relationship management and human capital so as to promote effectiveness and efficiency in their operations. The banks should ensure that their organizational culture are built on organizational values and employees’ personal believes and that effective planning is done to promote their efficiency and performance.

Browsing by Author "Namusonge, Mary"

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