Effect of firm characteristics on financial distress of non-financial firms listed at Nairobi Securities Exchange, Kenya
Loading...
Date
2016-06
Authors
Gathecha, John Wangige
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Financial distress prediction is a global challenge. The study on financial distress has become
more relevant and important because even large firms are failing under unforeseen
circumstances causing economic and social problems. Managerial decisions determine firm’s
direction, during business cycle process. Many companies have gone into bankruptcy despite
using different prediction models. Despite their good rating, they are still prone to financial
distress problems. In addition, many listed firms have issued profit warnings to their
shareholders. The study established the causes of financial distress among listed companies in
Kenyan market. The study used causal research design. The population of the study was 42
non-financial firms listed in NSE and covered a period between 2004 and 2012. The main
objective of the study was to establish the effect of firm characteristics on financial distress
among Kenya listed non-financial firms in Kenya. Logit regression model methodology was
used in order to establish the relationship between variables. The study was based on
observable reality (positivism). The study established research gaps on other researches done
on financial distress. This helped in establishing the causes of financial distress in emerging
markets specifically in Kenya. The study used secondary data which is quantitative in nature
collected from NSE and CMA. The study adopted the Logit model to predict the financial
distress of listed non-financial firms. Among the variables, Tobin Q (investment), leverage
and systematic risk were significant as and they explained the financial distress of the
companies listed at NSE. There was a negative non significant relationship between the
dependable variable (financial distress) and indepedent variables (Leverage, size of the
company, foreign ownership, BOD local, liquidity). From the output provided by the study’s
panel Logit model, it’s clear that the factors that explain or lead to financial distress among
firms are not restricted to a specific category of classification. However key firm
characteristics among them efficiency, leverage, systematic risks, investment and liquidity
were significant as they explained financial distress. More emphasis should be paid on the
corporate governance factors as they are also key determinants on the performance. This is
because many firms have been delisted from NSE due to other factors and not only due to
financial performance. Financial ratios would give vital information to different stakeholders
under normal operations. It is therefore recommended that practical applicability of
bankruptcy prediction should be checked after some period of time as the economy changes.
Description
A research thesis submitted to the school of business in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the award of the degree of master of science in finance in the school of business of Kenyatta University. June, 2016