Academic Journal of Social Sciences and Education

STRATEGIC ORIENTATION, BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT DYNAMICS AND ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE OF STAR RATED HOTELS IN KENYA

2025-01-15T16:28:07+00:00

This study explored the impact of strategic orientation and business environment dynamics on the organizational performance of star-rated hotels in Kenya. The Kenyan hospitality sector was a key driver of economic growth, and understanding the factors influencing the performance of these hotels was essential for maintaining competitiveness. While strategic orientation and business environment dynamics were known to affect organizational success, their specific role in the hotel industry in Kenya had not been fully explored. Primary data were collected from hotel managers, focusing on strategic orientation variables, including entrepreneurial orientation, market orientation, customer orientation, and technological orientation. Business environment dynamics were measured through market dynamics, economic dynamics, and regulatory dynamics. The study examined how these strategic orientation and business environment variables influenced hotel performance. The findings revealed that both strategic orientation and business environment dynamics significantly impacted organizational performance, with entrepreneurial orientation and market dynamics showing the strongest effects. Hotels that strategically aligned with market and customer needs while adapting to regulatory changes were better positioned to enhance their performance. Based on these results, the study recommended that hotel managers emphasized flexible, proactive strategic orientations and stayed attuned to shifts in market and regulatory dynamics. Additionally, policymakers were advised to focus on creating a conducive business environment to support the sector's growth. This research offered valuable insights into how strategic and environmental factors contributed to the performance of star-rated hotels in Kenya, aiding both hotel managers and policymakers in fostering a competitive and sustainable hospitality industry.

FINANCING STRUCTURE AND LIQUIDITY POSITION OF MICROFINANCE BANKS IN KENYA

2025-01-13T11:35:55+00:00

Microfinance banks' liquidity positions have been erratic and unstable over time. Between 2012 and 2017, the overall liquidity trends of Kenyan MFBs fluctuated between a low of 25% and a high of 36%, with some individual microfinance banks registering liquidity ratios below the regulatory threshold of 20%, indicating instability. This study aimed to investigate the effect of financing structure on the liquidity position of microfinance banks (MFBs) in Kenya. Specifically, it sought to determine how customer deposits and equity financing influence the liquidity position of these banks. The study was anchored in agency theory, pecking order theory, trade-off theory, and liquidity preference theory. An explanatory research design within the positivist philosophy framework was adopted. The target population comprised the 13 MFBs registered with the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), utilizing panel data from publicly available audited financial statements. Data analysis was conducted using panel regression, Pearson correlation, and descriptive statistics, and the results were presented in tables and figures. Hypotheses were tested at a significance level of 0.05, and ethical guidelines were followed throughout. The study found that customer deposits and equity financing had positive and significant effects on the liquidity position of MFBs. Based on these findings, the study recommends policy measures that encourage MFBs to increase their reliance on equity financing by promoting access to diversified equity sources and offering incentives like tax breaks. Additionally, promoting innovation in savings products and implementing educational campaigns can enhance customer deposit mobilization. These policy recommendations aim to foster a more stable liquidity environment for microfinance banks in Kenya.

TECHNOLOGICAL ORIENTATION AND ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE OF STAR RATED HOTELS IN KENYA

2025-01-15T16:19:13+00:00

This study examined the relationship between technological orientation and organizational performance in star-rated hotels in Kenya. As the global hospitality industry increasingly embraces technology to enhance operational efficiency and customer experience, understanding how technological orientation influences the performance of hotels is crucial for maintaining competitiveness in the rapidly evolving market. Despite the growing role of technology in the hotel sector, there is limited research on its specific impact in the Kenyan context. Primary data was collected from hotel managers, focusing on technological orientation, which includes aspects such as technology adoption, innovation capacity, and the integration of digital tools into operations. The study explores how these technological factors influence the organizational performance of star-rated hotels in Kenya. The findings reveal a positive and significant relationship between technological orientation and hotel performance, with technology adoption improving operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and profitability. Hotels that actively invest in innovative technologies and integrate them into their strategic operations perform better compared to those that lag in digital transformation. Based on these findings, the study recommends that hotel managers prioritize technological advancements, invest in employee training for tech utilization, and develop strategies for leveraging technology to enhance service delivery. Policymakers are also encouraged to support the adoption of technology in the hospitality sector by fostering a favorable environment for technological investment and innovation. This research provides valuable insights into the critical role of technological orientation in enhancing the organizational performance of star-rated hotels in Kenya, contributing to the sector's growth and sustainability.