Browsing School of Management & Commerce (SMC) by Title
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Mwandembo, Christopher (Strathmore University, 2009)[more][less]
Abstract: Staff layoffs in Kenya seem like the most prevalent solutions available to management teams of companies faced with economic difficulty. This study targeted companies quoted in the Main Investment Market Segment of the Nairobi Stocks Exchange, with a view of finding out the drivers to downsizing; its outcomes (costs and benefits); other factors impacting these outcomes and ways of enhancing the success of the strategy. Consistent with the review of literature, the study found out that downsizing is motivated by economic, strategic and technological reasons. the positive outcomes are increased profitability, improved productivity, better strategic networks and leaner structures. on the flip side, the adverse effects include reduced staff morale, hampered innovative capacity, injured corporate reputation and loss of stock knowledge. In order to enhance the success of downsizing, business leaders may use financial incentives, pre and post retrenchment counseling to the exits and survivors respectively, and offering alternative training or sources of income. however, this study also found that the positive outcomes of downsizing may also be achieved using other ways. For example, increased profitability may be attained by boosting the number of units sold, enhancing market penetration or improving production efficiency. a review of outcomes of downsizing vis-a-vis their underlying drivers therefore suggests that staff layoffs in themselves may be more injurious to the firm than beneficial. positive outcomes can be achieved by other means. downsizing should therefore only be used as strategic initiative aimed at increasing productivity and /or efficiency while retaining the most valuable resource in production - the human capital. Description: Partial fulfillment for award of Master of Commerce - Strathmore University URI: http://www.e-library.strathmore.edu/xmlui/handle/123456789/930 Files in this item: 1
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Mutinda, Mary Wanza (University of Manchester, 2009)[more][less]
Abstract: This paper presents an empirical analysis of a hybrid model for capturing the dynamics of the spot prices of electricity, and contingent claims thereof. The dynamics of the spot price process are captured as a sum of a deterministic price-demand transform and an Ornstein-Uhlenbeck stochastic component. From the tests on stability of parameters and recovery of the price process for in-sample and out-of-sample data, the model is shown to perform well. Closed form formulas for forward contracts are also presented using the market price of risk arguments. The parameter for market price of risk, λ , is estimated based on the convergence assumption i.e. the forward prices converge to the spot price experienced for the given future time. The estimated λ however fails the stability test indicating statistically significant changes in the value over time. In particular λ shifts from the expected negative value in seasons of high demand and variability (winter and summer) to indicate a value attached by the market for holding the forward contract; to positive values in low demand and variability seasons (spring and autumn) to indicate an net cost for holding the forward contract given the difficulty in storability of electricity relative to the almost assured production to meet demand. A discussion is also presented on the model performance as compared with other models defined for the UK market. URI: http://www.e-library.strathmore.edu/xmlui/handle/123456789/925 Files in this item: 1
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Mukoma, Catherine; Njoroge, George Gitau (Moi University, 2007)[more][less]
Abstract: It is becoming increasingly apparent that academic libraries will no longer be able to meet information needs of their users using the traditional library services due to diminishing government funding, increased number of academic programs and the ever increasing number of users. Yet the demand for information appears undiminished. The Internet is an untapped channel that libraries can use to supplement already existing library services. The study explored Internet awareness, frequency and reasons of use and perception of the users towards traditional library services as compared to the Internet so as to set a platform for establishing future trends in library services. A modified model (D’Elia and Rodger, 2000) was used based on the Chepkoilel campus community use of the library and use of the Internet. They defined the segments of this market as follows: Segment 1) People who use the library but do not use the Internet; Segment 2) People who use the library, and Internet; Segment 3) People who do not use the library, and do not use the Internet; Segment 4) People who do not use the library but use the Internet. The survey was conducted through the use of self administered questionnaires. The results indicates that there is need to develop appropriate and complementary services in the library that will incorporate traditional library services and emerging services that have been made possible by the rapid new developments in ICT. Training is suggested as an appropriate means of enabling library staff to run and manage a digital library and also assist and teach students and staff on how to efficiently and effectively use the internet. But widespread usage of this powerful information resource depends not only on the innovativeness of the library but more on the efforts made by the university management to promote its access, advantages and ease of use. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/722 Files in this item: 1
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Mutinda, Mary Wanza (University of Manchester, April , 2009)[more][less]
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/940 Files in this item: 1
KENYA CAPITAL MARKET INTERGRATION.pdf (765.1Kb) -
Lari, Leonard Rang'ala (Strathmore University, 2009)[more][less]
Abstract: The study aimed at proving that the financial ratios currently computed by Savings and Credit Co-operative Societies (SACCOs) in Kenya may not assist users of the financial reports towards detection of fraudulent financial reports; other ratios can bring in light possible fraud. Unpublished related previous studies in Kenya have dealt with both companies and co=operative movement from different perspectives. The results at different levels of this study indicate that the best financial ratios able to bring to light fraudulent financial statements are : members' shares and deposits dividend return, member's loan schedule balance/loan ledge balance; financial investment/total assets; (liquid investments + liquid assets - short term creditors)/total assets; non-earning liquid assets/total assets; net loans to members/total assets; gross loans to members/total assets, members' deposits/total assets. Second best are : net profit/total assets ratio; total operating expenses/average total assets ratio; and growth in members' loans rate. The results support the general alternative hypothesis that financial ratios can detect fraudulent financial reporting (FFR) by SACCOs in Kenya. Specific ratios not currently in use, in the SACCOs sector have the power to reveal FFR. The sample of 46 SACCOs (23 of them affected by fraud) were deliberately chosen. The analysis of ratios was conducted on 27 covariates, using the following methods: stepwise logistic regression model, discriminant analysis, and Pearson correlation - a method used to measure and confirm the possibility of earnings manipulation. According to the regulator, fraud poses a threat to the future existence of SACCOs in Kenya. The limitations to this study include: existence ofa possibility of having other unidentified ratios that can detect fraud, some financial reports could not be used to to incomplete reporting structures and information, and the sample of fraudulent financial reports and non-fraudulent financial reports were limited to reported cases only. Further study is suggested to determine the extent of earnings management and the power of ratios in detection of FFR using a larger sample of SACCOs, beside the multipurpose cooperatives and marketing co-operatives to complete the results of this study. Description: Cite this article as : Lari, L.R. (2009). The power of financial ratios in determining fraudulent financial reporting : the case of Savings and Credit Co-operative Societies in Kenya. MCom. Thesis. Strathmore University. Nairobi. Available online : http://www.e-library.strathmore.edu/xmlui/handle/123456789/921 URI: http://www.e-library.strathmore.edu/xmlui/handle/123456789/921 Files in this item: 1
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Naituli, Gitile; Kronlof, David Olof (AAU 12th General Conference, May 4, 2009)[more][less]
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1270 Files in this item: 1
Rethinking university education.pdf (68.92Kb) -
Oketch, Peter (Strathmore University, September 9, 2006)[more][less]
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1137 Files in this item: 2
Peter Oketch.pdf (308.1Kb)semantic_web_technologies.pdf (478.6Kb)
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Now showing items 2-8 of 8