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Abstract Resources and capabilities in SMEs are only advantageous when the SMEs have the potential to execute the right strategies and processes. SMEs must analyze their business environments and understand the resources available to operate efficiently and effectively and achieve a sustained performance. This study is the subject of the influence of valuable resources on performance of SMEs. This study used a cross-sectional survey design. The target population for this study comprised of 121, 680 SMEs. The research used stratified random sampling technique. The  sample size of this study was 399 SMEs. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Findings showed that there was a positive significant correlation between valuable resource and SMEs performance (r=.270; p<.01). According to the linear regression analysis valuable resources account for 7.3% of SMEs performance. According to the regression coefficients, one-unit increase in valuable resources improved SMEs performance by 0.269 units (? = 0.269). The t-statistics results showed that t = 4.778, p<0.05. Therefore, there was enough evidence to reject the null hypothesis and conclude that valuable resources have a statistically significant influence on SMEs Performance. The study concluded that valuable resource has a significant relationship with SMEs Performance. Valuable resources have a statistically significant influence on SMEs Performance. Increasing valuable resources in an SMEs will help the enterprise register higher performance. Key Words: Organizational Resources, Valuable Resources, Performance

The purpose of this paper is to establish the effect of the ease of access to mobile credit on the financial prosperity of MSEs. The ease of access describes the simplicity and easy way of enabling the provision of credit to a mobile money subscriber. Mobile credit means the credit offered through mobile phones whether from mobile phone operators in conjunction with banks or non-bank financial institutions or stand-alone mobile finance companies as per AFI - Global (2020) definition. This study tries to analyze whether there is a relationship between ease of access and the financial prosperity of an entrepreneur. Financial prosperity on the other hand is the economic well-being of a person or institution. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The target population for this study was 271,365 Licensed Small and Micro entrepreneurs in Nairobi County as per the Nairobi City County Licensing Database as of 16th November 2020. The sampling design employed a stratified sampling design to achieve a representative sample of the respondents. The sample size was 400 MSEs from each MSE, and the owner or key member was picked to participate. Overall, it was found that ease of access to mobile credit had a positive influence on financial prosperity. This implies that improved access to mobile credit leads to improved financial prosperity. An increase in Ease of access has a significant positive relationship (1.741432) with the financial prosperity composite. An increase in ease of access by one unit leads to an increase in financial prosperity by 1.741 units. Based on the study findings, it is recommended that mobile lenders should offer mobile credit with affordable terms. The mobile credit lenders should maintain a short period of the mobile money application process and approval to enhance the profitability and leverage of businesses. With good use of mobile credit, increased liquidity would increase financial prosperity for micro and small entrepreneurs.

This study sought to establish the moderating effect of social entrepreneurs’ gender on the contribution of social enterprises to social transformation in Kiambu County, Kenya. The study used a descriptive survey design guided by mixed methods research on 322 sampled social enterprises drawn from a target population of 1944 social enterprises distributed across the 12 sub-counties of Kiambu County. Data were collected using survey questionnaires and interview guide instruments.  A simple random sampling technique was used to get the proportionate sample for each stratum.  In data analysis, both descriptive statistics (mean, percentages, standard deviation and frequencies) and inferential statistics (correlation and regression analysis) were applied. The findings showed the influence of the independent variable on the dependent variable being explained by R of 0.568. The findings also revealed that social entrepreneurs’ gender was likely to have an effect on the relationship between social entrepreneurship and social transformation of R2 = 0.322. By the estimates of the F-test, social entrepreneurship was found to predict social transformation by F (3, 281) = 77.330, p<.05.

Managerial intellectual capital is one of the attributes of a global mindset, associated with knowledge, skill level, and creation of an organization competitive advantage. This paper sought to delve into the concept of internationalization of commercial banks by examining the relationship between managerial intellectual capital and internationalization of commercial banks in Kenya. The paper used positivism philosophical approach and adopted cross-sectional descriptive research design. The target population was top and middle level managers in commercial banks in Kenya. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0 to obtain both descriptive and inferential statistics.  In addition, Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was used to establish the influence of managerial global mindset attributes on internationalization of commercial banks in Kenya. The study established that there was a significant and positive relationship between human capital, relational capital and structural capital as attributes of managerial intellectual capital and internationalization of commercial banks in Kenya. Further, the study established that human capital, relational capital, and structural capital have significant influence on the success of internationalization strategy of commercial banks in Kenya. Thus, structural capital, human capital and relational capital, which are the managerial intellectual capital attributes, jointly influence the success of the internationalization of commercial banks in Kenya. It is therefore recommended that when appointing managers, the management of commercial banks should consider factors such as an individual’s knowledge of global industry, global value networks, and global organization.

The study sought to examine the extent to which directive and achievement-oriented path-goal leadership styles influence employee performance of coffee trading companies in Kenya. The positivism philosophy was adopted and the design used was a descriptive correlational research design. The population for the study was 180 senior managers of coffee trading companies in Kenya. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. The descriptive statistics were mean and standard deviation while the inferential statistical analysis included correlational analysis, chi-square and multiple linear regression analysis. The results of the multiple linear regression analysis revealed that directive leadership style negatively and significantly predict employee performance, R2= 0.035, F(1, 114) = 4.141,  p? .05, ? = -0.153, p? .05. Multiple linear regression analysis further revealed that achievement-oriented leadership style positively and significantly predicted employee performance, R2= 0.161, F(1, 116) = 20.686, p ?. .05, ? = 0.391, p? .05. The study provided a unique contribution to the theory and practice of leadership by contributing to knowledge in the application of Path-goal leadership styles in coffee trading companies. The study findings led to the conclusion that the use of a directive leadership style in coffee trading companies can adversely affect performance and leaders should exercise caution if they have to use this style.

The purpose of the study was to examine the influence of directive and supportive leadership style on employee job satisfaction in commercial banks in Kenya. The study adopted the positivism research philosophy and descriptive correlational research design.  The target population of the study was 15,030 employees in all the 43 commercial banks licensed to operate in Kenya as of June 2018. Using a stratified sampling technique, the study drew a sample size of 386 employees reporting to middle-level managers. Data was collected by means of a questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. The results of the study showed that a directive leadership style and supportive leadership styles positively and significantly predicted employee job satisfaction. The results of the regression analysis after moderation showed that environmental contingency factors significantly moderated the relationship between path-goal leadership style and employee job satisfaction.

Effective leadership development has eluded many organizations and academia for a long time. Those who have attempted to improve the practice and study of leadership development focus on the same old elements of leadership development. The traditional elements of leadership development that have been studied and implemented previously include: the content of the leadership development programs, the delivery of leadership development programs, the length of the programs and advocating for leadership development programs that are entrenched in leadership theory. Despite numerous studies and implementation of the studies’ findings on leadership development, there exists widespread dissatisfaction with leadership development outcomes. Some scholars have observed that leader developmental readiness may be the missing ingredient in leadership development. Learning goal orientation is one of the five elements of leader developmental readiness. Therefore, this study examines the effect of learning goal orientation on leadership development. The study reveals that learning goal orientation has a significant effect on leadership development, F(1,286) = 62.346, p < 001. In addition, learning goal orientation accounts for 17.9% of the variation in leadership development. Thus, enhancing participants’ learning goal orientation should be part and parcel of any leadership development program in order to improve the effectiveness of leadership development. 

The study's purpose was to investigate through empirical research the moderating role of government in the relationship of porter diamond factor conditions attribute and firm’s performance in the automotive industry of Pakistan. The research methodology used positivism philosophy, a pilot study carried out to determine the reliability and validity of the instrument. The descriptive and inferential statistics constituted an integral part of statistical analysis. 194 samples selected through random sampling, a self-administered questionnaire was served to them, 166 responses received and studied. For moderation macro, PROCESS v3.0 (model 1) used to test the hypothesis. The findings of the study indicate the absence of such a study in the auto industry of Pakistan. Government policy influenced the firm’s performance in the automotive industry. Government policy did not play a moderating role in the relationship of porter diamond factor conditions determinant and firm’s performance. Theoretical implications reflect that the government's role as a moderator between the relationship of porter diamond factor conditions and the firm’s performance remained not significant. Practical implications indicate that government policy has influence over the firm’s performance, nonetheless, government policy’s mediating role between porter’s diamond factor conditions and firm’s performance have no effect. Moderation results provided a theoretical and practical context for academia, industry players, and policymakers

Since independence in 2011 the Republic of South Sudan has witnessed growth in the financial systems and the overall economy. This has led to growth in the number of the financial institutions in the country. There is however minimal research on their overall performance. Hence the current research sought to determine the effect of ownership structure, bank stability and the financial performance of commercial banks in South Sudan. The population for the study was all the 29 commercial banks in South Sudan. Secondary data was collected for the period 2012-2017 from audited annual financial reports of individual banks and from the Central Bank of South Sudan reports while primary data was collected by use of a semi-structured questionnaire. The research utilized both descriptive and inferential statistical methods in the analysis. The statistical tests to be utilized in the study included t-tests, f-test, regression models and ANOVA models. The results of the study indicated there was a statistically significant moderating effect of ownership structure on the financial performance of commercial banks in South Sudan. The study recommends that the government should adopt better measures to safeguard public owned commercial banks to improve their efficiency and performance.

Under capitation health scheme, a member freely selects a health facility from which to seek health services. There is no restriction of the number of times a member seeks health services from the facility within the contract period. This has affected delivery of health service under capitation contracting. This paper documents a quantitative analysis of the effect of health seeking behaviour on effective delivery of health services. Since human behaviour is assumed to be a natural phenomena, a philosophical view of positivism w?s ?dopted in this research. Accordingly, a scientific approach was used to deduce the influence of health seeking behaviour on the metrics of effectiveness. Out of 1152 health facilities accredited to offer primary healthcare in Kenya, data was collected from a sample of 297 health units using closed ended questionnaires. Logit regression analysis on the data revealed that congestion in out-patient department had a negative effect on quality of health services delivered but a positive effect on accessibility and affordability of the services. Increased frequency of consultation had a negative effect on all the three measures of effectiveness; quality, accessibility and affordability of health service delivery. Corresponding odds ratios were 0.173, 1.105 and 1.295 respectively.

It is estimated that emerging economies will get over 1 billion international tourists by the year 2030. Strategic management researchers have severally recommended credible research in the area of strategy-structure coalignment in the hospitality industry. The purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of differentiation strategy-firm structure coalignment on performance of star rated hotels in Kenya. This study adopted positivism research philosophy and a descriptive-correlative research design. The population consisted of general managers and functional managers from Kenya’s three, four and five star rated vacation and town hotels as at 2018. Multi-stage sampling that included proportionate stratified sampling and simple random sampling was used. 267 hotel managers were sampled out of which 253 managers responded. The extent to which the hotels were pursuing differentiation strategy was measured by an analysis of the responses to the multi-item Likert scale questionnaire. Structural equation modeling was used for hypothesis testing. The study concluded that differentiation strategy-firm structure coalignment has no significant influence on performance of star rated hotels in Kenya. The study however revealed that differentiation strategy directly and positively affects hotel performance. This study recommends hotel managers to pursue a differentiation strategy that sets their hotel apart from others as this has direct positive effects on the performance of hotels.

This study had two research questions as follows: What is the influence of inspirational motivation on employee job performance? To what extent does employee work value congruence moderate the relationship between transformational leadership and employee job performance? This study adopted the positivism research philosophy and correlation research design. The target population of the study was 676 lower-level managers from 52 insurance companies operating in Kenya as of 2017. A sample size of 245 was drawn using a stratified random sampling technique and systematic sampling. 245 questionnaires were distributed out of which 211 were completed and returned representing a response rate of 86% which was deemed as adequate for a correlation research design. The analysis of variance was used to test the hypothesis. The study concluded that inspirational motivation significantly predicted employee job performance. In addition, it was deduced that employee work value congruence had a significant moderating effect on the relationship between transformational leadership and employee job performance among lower-level managers in the insurance sector in Kenya. The study recommended that employees should tailor their values to fit into the culture and values of the organization for the organization to profit from transformational leadership.

Sub-Saharan Africa lags other regions in the adoption of both Patient-Centered (PC) and Facility Centered (FC) mobile health (m-health) applications. Transformational Leadership Style (TLS) of Hospital Management Boards (HMBs) is catalytic for the adoption of disruptive technologies such as m-health by hospitals. There is limited evidence on the effect of TLS of HMBs in the adoption of innovations in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICS). This study investigated the moderating role of TLS of HMBs on the adoption of PC and FC m-health by hospitals in Kenya. It used the Logit Regression Model to test null hypotheses that the four constructs of TLS (Idealized Influence (II), Individualized Consideration (IC), Inspirational Motivation (IM), Intellectual Stimulation (IS)) individually or combined had no significant moderating effect on adoption of PC and FC m-health applications.  Primary data was collected from a representative sample size of 211 Top Executives (TEs) of level 4 to 6 hospitals who evaluated the TLS of their HMBs on m-health adoption. At a 5% level of significance, the study found that only the combined application of the four constructs (II, IC, IM, IS) significantly moderated the adoption of PC m-health (p=0.046) but did not moderate FC m-health (p=0.345). Each incremental application of TLS would increase the odds of adopting PC m-health by 1.002 but not for FC. Therefore, this study recommends the capacity strengthening of HMBs in TLS to scale up PC m-health adoption in Kenya and other LMICs. It also recommends a differentiated approach to policies, practices, and theories of adoption of innovations using the PC-FC models.

The research objectives of this study were two. The first one was to determine the influence of idealizing influence on employee job performance. The second objective of the study was to determine if employee work value congruence moderated the relationship between transformational leadership style and employee job performance. This study adopted the positivism research philosophy and correlation research design. The target population of the study was 676 lower-level managers from 52 insurance companies operating in Kenya as of 2017. A sample size of 245 was drawn using a stratified random sampling technique and systematic sampling. 245 questionnaires were distributed out of which 211 were completed and returned representing a response rate of 86% which was deemed as adequate for a correlation research design. The analysis of variance was used to test the hypothesis. The study concluded that idealized influence significantly predicted employee job performance. In addition, the study inferred that employee work value congruence had a significant moderating effect on the relationship between transformational leadership and employee job performance among lower-level managers in the Insurance sector in Kenya. The study recommended that leaders should observe values that are congruent with that of their organization and socialize their employees on the same so that there is enhanced transformational leadership effectiveness.

Despite increasing bank competitiveness within the country for the past half-decade there has been scant literature examining their stability in the face of the numerous internal factors and economic shocks. Hence the current research aims to determine if bank stability has any effect on commercial bank’s fiscal performance in South Sudan. The study was guided by the CAMEL model metrics (ROA and ROE) in measuring stability and its influence on the monetary performance of commercial banks. SPSS 23 was used to carry out subsequent descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. The study was primarily grounded on the CAMEL model.  The correlation tests indicated that asset quality had a strong positive effect on monetary performance of commercial banks p= .784; a strong positive effect of management efficiency p= .758 and liquidity p= .620.

The study established the relationship between corruption and capital flight in Kenya over the period 1998 to 2018. Quarterly time series data for calculation of capital flight and for GDP growth rate and exchange rates were collected from the Central Bank of Kenya and Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. Corruption perception index data was collected from the Transparency International website. Two Autoregressive Distributed-lagged models were fitted. Regression coefficients for corruption were -0.114 and 0.066 in the short run and -0.501 in the long run and the p values were 0.523 and 0.691 and 0.558 respectively, indicating no significant relationship. Regression results showed a coefficient of 0.01 and 0.003 for the Gross Domestic Product growth rate in the short run, and 0.049 in the long run. The p values were 0.670, 0.855 and 0.578 respectively denoting no significant relationship. Regression results showed a coefficient of 0.002 and 0.003 for the exchange rate in the short run, 0.43 for the exchange rate in the long run. The p values were 0.891 and 0.584 and 0.095 respectively indicating that a one % increase in the exchange rate would lead to a 0.043 % increase in capital flight in the long run. Regression results of lagged capital flight on capital flight showed a coefficient of 0.904. The p-value was 0.000 meaning that a one % increase in lagged capital flight would lead to a 0.904 % increase in capital flight. The study recommended that the government devises policies that would prevent further capital flight and generate capital flight reversal.

The study aimed at examining the effect of shareholder loyalty on firm value-creating outcomes in Kenya.  The study used a sample of 117 institutional shareholders in listed firms in Kenya. Data was collected through questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics such as mean, mode, and median and inferential statistics including factor analysis, regression, and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The study concluded that shareholder loyalty has no significant effect on firm value-creating outcomes. The study contributes to the literature on shareholder engagement, particulary on shareholder loyalty from a Kenyan angle. Shareholders are advised to consider their initial cost of investment, costs, and penalties on exit and impact on their business interests with the firm as they decide on their voice or exit actions.

Critical to the success of financial institutions' performance is there Capital Structure. The study aimed to, investigate the effect of two capital structure determinants, leverage, and firm size on financial performance as measured by Return on Assets of Deposit Taking Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies in Kenya. The study was grounded on Tradeoff, Pecking order, and Mogdiliani and Miller capital structure theories. A positivist approach was adopted utilizing a mixed-method research design. The population of the research study was 174 Deposit Taking Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies from whom primary and secondary data was collected. A stratified and purposive sampling technique was employed. Descriptive statistics and a regression model were used to analyze the data. The results revealed that firm size had a significant and positive effect on financial performance, whereas Leverage, had a significant but negative effect on financial performance. The study recommends having in place an Assets and Liabilities committee in each Deposit Taking Savings and Credit Cooperative Society that would help manage the assets and liabilities of the institution, ensuring sound liquidity and cash flow management. Critical factors that contribute to a firm size such as increased membership, deposits mobilization amongst others need to be addressed.

Parastatals continue to experience difficulties in trying to achieve employee engagement. Consequently, governments have transitioned to the transformational leadership style to effectively achieve employee engagement. Nevertheless, it is still ambiguous whether the institution of transformational leadership style dimensions has boosted employee engagement levels in parastatals in Kenya. The objective of the study was to investigate the influence of idealized influence on employee engagement in parastatals in the energy sector in Kenya. Also, the study sought to determine the moderating influence of employee motivation on the relationship between idealized influence and employee engagement. This study targeted the 10 parastatals within the energy sector in Kenya with a population of 315 middle-level managers. The study adopted a positivist research philosophy to examine how idealized influence influences employee engagement and data were collected using structured questionnaires. A correlational research design was conducted with the purpose of determining the strength of the relationship between parameters of idealized influence and employee engagement in parastatals in the energy sector in Kenya. The findings showed that employee engagement has a statistical significant relationship with charisma, r(166) = 0.590, p < 0.01; ethical leadership, r(165) = 0.553, p < 0.01; teamwork, r(166) = 0.531, p < 0.01. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that employee motivation positively and significantly moderates the relationship between idealized influence and employee engagement, R2= 0.405, F(2, 159) = 54.100, p <0.05, ? = 0.225,  p < 0.05. The study concluded that charisma, ethical leadership, teamwork, and employee motivation positively enhance employee engagement.

The study examined the influence of implementation of continuous quality improvement (CQI) on patient satisfaction in hospitals within Nairobi. Literature from developed countries indicates that the application of continuous quality improvement has a significant influence on customer satisfaction. However, there is limited literature originating from developing countries. This study aimed at understanding the influence of continuous quality improvements such as Innovativeness, Quality Indicators, Information sharing and Risk management on customer (patient) satisfaction. To reinforce the study, theoretical and empirical review on the CQI and customer (patient) satisfaction was conducted from current and classical literature adopting the total quality management theory of profound knowledge, and the expectation confirmation theory. The mixed research design was used to target employees and patients of hospitals within Nairobi, from whom data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire. Simple random sampling was used to select hospital employees while stratified random sampling was used to select the patients. The questions were placed on a five-point Likert scale. The results of this study showed that innovativeness, information sharing, and risk management significantly influenced patients’ satisfaction, while quality indicators had no significant influence on patients’ satisfaction. This study, therefore, concluded that continuous quality improvement positively and significantly predicted patients’ satisfaction within the hospitals in Nairobi. The study findings guided the researcher to recommend among other things, leaders in the healthcare industry to draw customer satisfaction through the CQI application. Achieved through feedback from the patients and utilizing such information to improve the patient experiences. The researcher proposes that future studies be carried to cut across other industries that were not captured.