School of Business, Economics & Human Resource Development

Theory-Based Approach to Research Question Formulation: Fundamentals for Postgraduate Students

2026-04-16T09:43:34Z

Theory-Based Approach to Research Question Formulation: Fundamentals for Postgraduate Students Elazia, Paul Major; Manya, Stephen Wandefu; Ngugi, Margaret; Makhokha, Paul Major; Wisindi, Andrew; Amateshe, Maurice; Wanyonyi, Michael Shinachi; Bah, Saidou Postgraduate students are required to undertake research projects as part of the requirements of the courses they take. In that regard, they need to understand how theories are applied in research work. The aim of this study was to document challenges postgraduate students encounter when applying social research theories in constructing research questions. The key objective was to determine the deficits postgraduate students have in applying theories in the formulation of research questions. The second objective was to identify appropriate strategies as proposed from the respondents in overcoming the deficits identified under the first objective. The study was conducted in Kenya and Armenian selected public universities. A Quasi-qualitative survey research design was used and target population consisted of lecturers and postgraduate students conveniently selected from the social sciences departments. Focused group discussions(FGD)were used to collect data through the online platform Zoom where one FGD consisted of 9 conveniently selected postgraduate supervisors and two consisted of 11 and 14 postgraduate students respectively. Internet-based research was used to get information from online sources. Thematic and contextual analyses were used and the results showed that students have inadequate skills, knowledge, and competencies suitable for helping them formulate research questions using theoretical constructs. The study recommends improving the content and approaches of teaching research methods, focusing on the application of theory in research studies. The study further proposes strategies for ensuring that the students can design, develop, and use theory in all aspects of conducting research. The study has value by proposing ways of overcoming inadequacies by improving postgraduate students’ research competencies ,by applying theoretical constructs in the development of research questions for their research studies.

EFFECT OF BUDGETARY PROCESSES ON FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF COUNTY GOVERNMENTS UNDER THE WESTERN REGION ECONOMIC BLOC, KENYA

2026-04-16T08:45:18Z

EFFECT OF BUDGETARY PROCESSES ON FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF COUNTY GOVERNMENTS UNDER THE WESTERN REGION ECONOMIC BLOC, KENYA Kusimba, Brenda Njata; Cherono, Irene; Melly, Peninah Tanui Financial performance is a major concern for the county governments because through improved financial performance the county governments are able to fulfill their obligation of service delivery to the citizens. Hence, adhering to the budgetary processes is important in enhancing financial performance at the county level. However, the county governments in Kenya especially those in the Western Region Economic Bloc (WREB) are still encountering financial performance challenges despite undertaking of the budgetary processes. It is on this basis that this paper explored the effect of budgetary processes on the financial performance of the WREB counties in Kenya. Specifically, the paper examined the effect of budgetary planning, budgetary implementation and budgetary control and auditing on the financial performance of the WREB counties in Kenya. It also examined the combined effect of budgetary planning, implementation and control and auditing on the financial performance on the financial performance of the WREB counties. The study was anchored on the theory of budgeting and adopted the causal explanatory research design. The target population was 191 budgeting officers, accountants and internal auditors from 5 WREB counties in Kenya. Data was collected using structured questionnaires and document analysis and both the descriptive and inferential statistics employed in data analysis. The results showed that budgetary planning, implementation and control and auditing significantly affected the financial performance of the WREB counties (Beta=0.428; p=.002<0.05, Beta=0.324; p=.000<0.05 and Beta=0.460; p=.003<0.05). Moreover, the joint effect of budgetary planning, implementation and control and auditing on the financial performance of the WREB counties was significant. It is recommended that the WREB counties should adhere to the provisions of the budgetary processes to enhance their financial performance

Relationship Between Ethical Values and Financial Sustainability of the Catholic Diocese of Eldoret

2026-04-16T08:39:24Z

Relationship Between Ethical Values and Financial Sustainability of the Catholic Diocese of Eldoret Sambu, Tecla Chepngeno; Jemaiyo, Beatrice; Tanui, Peninah The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the Catholic Diocese of Eldoret's financial sustainability and its ethical values. The study specifically aimed to address the following research questions: how the Catholic Diocese of Eldoret's financial sustainability is affected by ethical values? The study was grounded using Stewardship theory. Using correlational research design, the study targeted 1,663 respondents, out of which 322 were sampled a stratified random sampling technique. Data was gathered using document analysis and questionnaires. Research hypothesis was tested using linear regression. The findings of the study (R=0.765, R 2=0.585, β1=.254, p<0.05). This implied that there a very strong significant relation between ethical values and financial sustainability. Further the study found out that 58.5% of variation in financial sustainability was as a result of ethical values embraced by the CDE. In addition, the study found out that for any unit change in ethical values the financial sustainability changes by 0.254. The study concluded that ethical values have a positive and significant relationship with financial sustainability. Based on the data, the study concluded that ethical values have a positive and substantial relationship with financial sustainability. The study recommends CDE should formulate and implement policies that create a strong value system in place. Ruther, CDE should have a plan to control, evaluate and monitor adherence to the set value standards by everyone. A system for reporting unethical behavior by employees and other stakeholders. Since this research only examined ethical values, it was suggested that other aspects of the internal control system be considered for subsequent investigations

Physical Asset Management Practices, Ethical Leadership and Operational Performance of Manufacturing Firms in Kenya

2026-04-16T08:34:32Z

Physical Asset Management Practices, Ethical Leadership and Operational Performance of Manufacturing Firms in Kenya Melly, Peninah Tanui; Kimei, Stephen; Chenuos, Nehemiah From time to time, investments in physical assets in most organizations takes the lion share. Therefore, physical asset management practices one of the paramount organizational strategies in the modern world that can lead to the optimization of asset’s lifespan and performance. In the same breadth, ethical leadership is vital in today’s business environment since ethical behavior is stimulated not only resulting in effective asset management but also performance in general. This study therefore sought to analyze the mediating effect of ethical leadership in the relationship between physical asset management practices and operational performance of manufacturing firms in Kenya. In particular, the study examined the five physical asset management practices relating to strategy and planning, risk management, lifecycle delivery, asset information, review and monitoring. Anchoring on stakeholder and stewardship theories, 367 respondents were sampled from the targeted 8064 respondents. Later, data gathered using the structured questionnaires was subjected to descriptive, correlation and regression analysis. In view of operational performance, there was a positive and significant relationships documented given the asset management strategy and planning practice (β = .213, p = .000<.05), asset risk management practice (β = .297, p = .007<.05), asset lifecycle delivery practice (β = .245, p = .002<.05), asset information management practice (β = .196, p = .000<.05) as well as the asset review and monitoring practice (β = .309, p = .001<.05). Furthermore, there was a complementary mediation effect (β = .121; CI = .254, .608) of ethical leadership in the relationship between physical asset management practices and operational performance of manufacturing firms in Kenya. To sum up therefore, manufacturing firms in Kenya could positively enhance operational performance through ethical leadership. The study further highlighted the key implications to theory, practice and future research