The present economic condition has endured for far too long, and as a result, consumers have every right to expect better results from retail companies. This ought to happen as a consequence of retail chains addressing the causes of bad financial choices and, on occasion, retail chain collapse. These factors include unethical and unprofessional practices, as well as poor management quality. Recent events, like as the financial crisis that hit supermarkets, have brought to light the need of strong corporate governance in ensuring the continued growth and prosperity of firms and the economy as a whole over the long term. This crisis made it abundantly clear that even robust economies, especially those lacking in transparent governance, accountable corporate boards, and shareholder rights, are susceptible to rapid collapse in the event that investors lose faith in the market. Therefore, the issue that has to be answered is how the various aspects of corporate governance effect performance. Therefore, the objective of this research was to determine the extent to which corporate governance procedures have an impact on the investment choices made by significant retail chains that have been operating in Kenya for at least five years. The resource dependence theory, the stewardship theory, and the agency theory served as the foundation for this investigation. The study was carried out using a survey format. The study gathered information and data with the purpose of determining the influence that corporate governance standards have on investment choices made by big retail businesses. All of the big supermarkets that have been in business in Nairobi City County, Kenya for at least five years constituted the study's population. The investigator focused their attention on seven grocery stores that the CAK classifies as being big. Five (5) respondents were selected at random from each grocery store, for a total of thirty-five (35) respondents. To gather primary data, we conducted in-depth interviews, while to compile secondary data, we scoured business websites and internal corporate documents. The analysis of the data was conducted so that significance could be drawn between the study's aims, hypotheses, and findings. Using evidence evaluation, classification, tabulation, and recombination, this was completed. The presented quantitative data was shown using tabulations, bar graphs, and pie charts. Simple and complex linear regressions were performed as part of the study of regression. In each of these cases, the regression was carried out at a different level. The results suggest that corporate governance policies significantly affect the investment decisions of large retail chains. While large supermarkets and chain shops may not implement every possible corporate governance practice, they do have key committees like the governance committee, which meets at least annually to study and report on all matters related to corporate governance. Large grocery shops and retail chains may not implement all of the available corporate governance standards, but it doesn't stop this group from meeting regularly anyhow. The researcher suggests that management should keep and grow a board that is responsible, innovative, and imaginative in addition to one that is more appropriately chosen and operated since transparency is one of the most crucial indications for examining investment selections. Directors should never conduct formal reviews of their own acts, the company, or individual directors; rules for the mandatory retirement age for directors should originate from the highest level of management, and these requirements should be unambiguous.

The study examines the factors that hinder attainment of gender parity on public corporate boards in Kenya. The period under review is from 2010, following the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution of Kenya, to the present day 2021. Although there exists extensive provisions of laws on gender equality and there has also been a remarkable increment of women representation on corporate boards, that stride and the achievement of the bare minimum requirement is not enough to entirely address the gender imbalance that women have faced in a predominantly patriarchal society. Nevertheless, the current study analyzes in depth the correlation between corporate governance and gender parity while exploring the factors that have contributed to the gender disparities on the corporate boards. The study examines these specific factors, amongst others because it is guided by the assumption that Kenya is still a patriarchal society thus contributing to the gender disparities on the corporate boards. The study examines these specific factors, amongst others because it is guided by the assumption that Kenya is still a patriarchal society thus contributing to the gender disparities on the corporate boards. The study employs doctrinal research methodology and a review of legal provisions on equality in both national and international laws has been conducted as well as review of studies and reports that identify the societal factors that are an impediment to gender parity on the corporate boards. The review in general has demonstrated that despite having provisions of the laws that are all inclusive, societal factors such as misconceptions, stereotypes and ignorance are majorly the x hindrance to attainment of equality and this is all premised to the patriarchal nature of the society. The study is thus an important piece of literature as it adds on to existing literature on corporate governance and gender parity, specifically the value propositions of having women on the corporate boards and institutional alignment measures that corporations can adopt to eradicate some of the identified factors that impede attainment of parity.

This particular research wanted to determine effect of COVID-19 pandemic on financial performance of deposit-taking microfinance institutions in Kenya. It was anchored the on real options, diffusion of innovation, and Crisis management theories. The research adopted a descriptive research design. The research targeted thirteen (13) deposit-taking microfinance institutions in Kenya between July 2018 and December 2021. The research used quarterly secondary data for seven quarters before COVID-19 (July 2018 to March 2020) and seven during COVID-19 (April 2020 to December 2021). Data was sourced from firm financial reports sourced from the Central Bank of Kenya. The data was collected using a data collection sheet. STATA 14 was deployed to generate descriptive and inferential statistics for analysis. The research deployed a logit regression model. The descriptive statistics exhibited a negative average return on assets between July 2018 and December 2021. Thus, the research concludes that deposit-taking microfinance institutions in Kenya are making losses, as shown by negative return on assets. The research found that 64.86% of the change in financial performance was due to changes in the COVID-19 pandemic, capital adequacy, asset quality, firm size and liquidity. This study concludes that the COVID-19 pandemic, capital adequacy, asset quality, firm size and liquidity are the major factors influencing financial performance of deposit-taking microfinance institutions in Kenya. From the regression analysis, the COVID-19 pandemic does not affect financial performance of deposit-taking microfinance institutions in Kenya. Deposit-taking microfinance institutions had low capital adequacy. Regression analysis exhibited that capital adequacy possessed significant direct regression coefficient against financial performance. This leads to the conclusion that capital adequacy directly affects financial performance of deposit-taking microfinance institutions in Kenya. The research concludes that deposit-taking microfinance institutions in Kenya have poor asset quality. Regression analysis exhibited that the NPL ratio as a measure of asset quality possessed negative and insignificant regression coefficient against financial performance. This leads to the conclusion that asset quality does not affect financial performance of deposit-taking microfinance institutions in Kenya. The regression analysis findings exhibited that firm size possessed significant direct regression coefficient with financial performance. Hence, we can conclude that firm size in terms of assets directly affects financial performance of deposit-taking microfinance institutions in Kenya. From the descriptive statistics, the selected firms exhibited a liquidity ratio of less than 1; hence, the deposit-taking microfinance institutions in Kenya have low levels of liquidity. From the regression analysis, liquidity exhibited a direct significant coefficient with financial performance. This leads to the conclusion that liquidity directly affects financial performance of deposit-taking microfinance institutions in Kenya. This indicates that if the deposit-taking microfinance institutions in Kenya increase their liquidity levels, they will experience increased financial performance levels in terms of increased return on assets. The research recommends that deposit-taking microfinance institutions in Kenya increase the quality of their assets, capital adequacy, firm size, and liquidity to enhance their financial performance. The research also recommends further research based on other variables, primary data, a longer period, and annual and semi-annual data.

The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of total quality management practices on the operational performance of private health sector in Kenya. The global health service industry is getting competitive day in day out owing to technological changes and quality concerns. In order to improve the levels of service delivery successfully, total quality management (TQM) practices need to be embraced and strategically positioned at the center of any health organization’s management system. Analysis reveals that TQM is important in promoting customer values and needs in organizations. This is because it involves inclusion of different continuous improvement models. A simple random sampling technique was used to select employees working at ISO certified Hospitals in Nairobi County. The researcher randomly selected the target group in this study and this made it possible to get data to fulfill the study objective. The data was gathered using questionnaire and the questions in the questionnaire were centered on the concept of total quality management practices implementation and service delivery with reference to ISO certified Hospitals in Nairobi County. The study included open as well as closed ended questions and analysis was supported by (SPSS) version 20.0. The results were presented in form of frequency table. The correlation (R) value of 0.699 showed that a strong relationship existed between the TQM practices and service delivery. The regression model summary showed that TQM practices (customer focus, top management support, education & training and continuous improvement) contributed 48.8% to the change in service delivery among the hospitals. ANOVA statistics showed that TQM practices significantly affected service delivery. From the regression coefficients, customer focus showed a positive significant regression coefficient of 0.310; top management support showed a positive insignificant regression coefficient of 0.052; education and training showed a positive and significant regression coefficient of 0.102; while continuous improvement had a significant regression coefficient of 0.415. The study concludes that TQM influence service delivery within the ISO certified hospitals in Nairobi. The study further concludes TQM practices have a strong relationship with service delivery among ISO certified hospitals in Nairobi. From the regression analysis, TQM practices (customer focus, education & training, and continuous improvement) have a positive effect on service delivery within ISO certified hospitals in Nairobi. Top management support has an insignificant effect on service delivery within ISO certified hospitals in Nairobi. The study recommends increased customer centeredness, increased management support to TQM, adoption of reward as well as support systems as well as continuous improvement among the employees and ISO certified hospitals in Nairobi.

The research objective was to research and analyze the digital marketing approaches that give the competitive advantage of top 100 Small and Medium Enterprises in Nairobi, Kenya. The study was based on the theory of diffusion of innovation, and theory of competitive advantage. Based on theoretical models, it was considered and noted that that digital marketing approaches help the SMEs to promote their competitive advantage globally. Data collection was acquired through primary and secondary data. The secondary data was gained from the websites and social media platforms of the top 100 SMEs in Nairobi County, Kenya. However, the primary data was collected using a questionnaire method from the top 100 Small and Medium Enterprises in Nairobi County, Kenya. The inquiry adopted descriptive cross-sectional study design and the descriptive model was used to evaluate the link uniting the digital marketing approaches and the competitive advantage of the firms. The analysis outcomes indicated that use of digital marketing platforms help to promote the competitive advantage of top 100 SMEs within Nairobi, Kenya. The study also established that the application of digital marketing platforms has beneficial effects on the competitive advantage of top 100 SMEs in Nairobi Kenya. Using social media platforms, websites and SEO platforms was noted to be imperative in promoting the sales volume of the SMEs through attraction of new customers and sharing of the SMEs products and services online. The analysis concluded that SMEs should use social media platforms as well websites and other digital platforms to increase their competitive advantage, profitability, sales volume and revenues. The inquiry considered that SMEs should adopt the use of Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to increase their competitive advantage. The analysis also regards that SMEs adopt cost-friendly digital marketing platforms to improve their performance. The study revealed and concluded that the majority of the SMEs were using social media marketing platforms to increase their competitive advantage. The study also found out that applications of other digital marketing platforms such as blogs, websites and SEOs largely improved the competitive advantage of SMEs. This is because these platforms allowed the SMEs to reach a wider range of customers from different regions within a short time. The study results indicated that the use of digital marketing platforms led to an increased number of visitors on the social media pages of the SMEs and this helped to attract customers outside the country. In the end the study recommends the use of digital technology and proper website management to promote the competitive advantage and performance of SMEs, customer loyalty and engagement.

This study discusses Lubukusu predicates within the provisions of one of the recent phases of Generative Grammar Theory; the Minimalist Program 1995. Its aim is to investigate and give a detailed description of how Lubukusu predicates fit into the VP shell structure proposed by Chomsky (1995). The main issue is that Lubukusu arguments are morphologically initiated hence occur numerously as verbal affixes in a single verb (phrase). Mathematically, this is supposed to contrast with the limited number of argument positions in the VP shell structure. Chomsky assumes that the standard derivation of a VP shell structure is that which involves adjoining a lexical verb to an abstract light verb in order to form a complex verb (see Hornstein et al 2005, p.104). The current study claims that applying the Chomskyan VP shell derivation to Lubukusu predicates results in several problems; among others, an incorrect morpheme order and violation of the Lexical Insertion Principle. It emerged at the onset of data analysis that an alternative for the light verb in Lubukusu is any of the numerous verbal features. The study also found out that every verbal feature in Lubukusu (e.g causative, applicative etc) represents an argument of its own hence requiring a separate head position in the structure; a situation not catered for by the light verb in the standard VP shell structure. Therefore, the study suggests a seemingly suitable VP shell variant for the derivation of Lubukusu predicates; where, instead of the phonetically null light verb, a verbal feature is used. For this reason, the alternative structure is developed based on the feature checking process as opposed to the former adjunction process in the light verb analysis.

Stock Return Volatility postulates the direction and the likelihood of the performance. The greater volatility means the greater risk premiums resulting from the investment. The research objective is to assess the effect trading volume volatility of the stock returns of the firms listed at NSE. The research was reinforced by three theories which include; signaling theory, Efficient Market Hypothesis and prospect theory. Moreover, the internal factors such as trading volume and trading size were critical stock return volatility as well as performance and leverage. The study maximizes descriptive research design as a tenet of this research since it reinforces the inference and interpretation. This research targeted 64 companies listed in NSE under the interval of 6years. Additionally, secondary data utilized spanned from 2016 to 2021. The data computation was accomplished via SPSS techniques. The study maximized the multiple regression analysis. The data normality test was undertaken to assess if the data follow the normal distribution pattern. Furthermore, autocorrelation and multicollinearity were determined through the use of Durbin Watson and Variance Inflation Factor respectively. Autocorrelation value was within the normal accepted range. The condition here is that if the p value of both test in every variable is below 0.05 hence postulates that data was normal distribution. The principle here was that if the VIF values obtain are below 10 and the tolerance values bigger than 0.2 concludes the non-presence of multicollinearity. The dataset was relevant and crucial for investigation and interpretation. From the training it is very imperative to postulate that trading size was highly fluctuating followed by stock return volatility. Nonetheless, ROA was smallest fluctuating among the variables prioritized in the computation. The R which is coefficient of determination is 0.615. Additionally, this value 0.615 implies a strong correlation among the variables under the assessment. The R square, Coefficient of determination stipulated by 0.378. Therefore, this indicates that 37.8% of change in variation of stock return volatility is caused by the predictor variables captured in this study. These explanatory variables incorporate; trading volume, trade size, ROA and leverage. The remaining 62.2% of change in variation is caused by factors not captured in the above. A unit change in trading volume results to a negative effect of 0.129 on Stock return volatility when all other factors are held at constant. A single unit change in trade size results to a negative effect of 0.008 on stock return volatility. A single unit increment in ROA triggers an increase in stock return volatility by 0.710 when all variables are kept constant. Finally, an increase of leverage triggers movement to the same direction (positive effect) on Stock Return Volatility of 1.039 respectively when all other factors are kept constant. The researcher recommends for examination of macroeconomic determinants verse the stock returns. The sectorial research can be enhanced to increase the knowledge and understanding. In a nutshell, specific variables such as the nature of economic variables, inflation, and fragility index should studied in conjunction to stock return volatility.