Lawrence Odollo’s research while affiliated with Great Lakes University of Kisumu and other places

Purpose: The purpose was to study the effect of risk management practices on the insurance companies performance in Kenya. The objective of the study was to assess the effect of the risk management practices on the performance of firms in the insurance industry. Methodology: The study embraced descriptive survey design. This study’s target population comprised of all the 56 insurance firms in Kenya that are duly registered, licensed and regulated by the IRA. Since the number of insurance firms are few, this study proposed to use census survey and it purposively used underwriting managers as a source of crucial information for the study. This study relied on both primary and secondary data. Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics including frequency, percentages and means, summary graphs, pie charts and frequency distribution tables was employed. This study also conducted inferential statistics through correlation analysis. The study results was presented through use of tables and figures. Findings: The study found out that revealing that all four strategies significantly enhance financial stability, profitability, and operational efficiency, with Risk Reduction Strategy having the strongest effect. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: To strengthen performance, firms should adopt structured risk assessment frameworks, invest in predictive analytics, enhance loss prevention programs, and expand risk transference mechanisms such as reinsurance partnerships. Additionally, fostering a strong risk management culture through employee training and regular strategy reviews is essential for long-term sustainability. The study recommends further research on the role of technological advancements, regulatory compliance, and economic factors in risk management, as well as the impact of policyholder behavior on insurance firms’ financial resilience and market competitiveness.

This study examined the effect of strategic risk management on the performance of commercial state corporations in Kenya. The research explored four key strategic risk management factors: governance risk, reputational risk, external environmental risk, and compliance risk. A descriptive research design was employed, and data were collected from a sample of commercial state corporations operating in Nairobi County. The study utilized both primary and secondary data sources, with structured questionnaires administered to key stakeholders, including finance managers, human resource officers, and chief executive officers. Statistical tools such as multiple regression analysis and correlation tests were applied to determine the relationship between strategic risk management and organizational performance. The findings revealed that governance risk significantly influenced corporate performance, with effective oversight, transparency, and decision-making structures contributing to better organizational outcomes. Reputational risk was found to be a critical determinant of customer trust, investor confidence, and long-term sustainability. The study also established that external environmental risks, such as political instability and economic fluctuations, posed significant challenges to state corporations. Additionally, compliance risk emerged as a vital component, as organizations adhering to regulatory standards demonstrated improved efficiency and reduced legal vulnerabilities. The study concluded that integrating strategic risk management practices into corporate governance frameworks enhances the resilience and performance of commercial state corporations. It recommended that policymakers and corporate leaders strengthen risk assessment mechanisms, enforce regulatory compliance, and develop proactive strategies to mitigate external threats. Furthermore, future research should explore longitudinal analyses of risk management practices and their evolving impact on corporate sustainability.

Strategic leadership entails the capability of leaders to foresee, visualize, remain adaptable, contemplate strategically, and collaborate with followers to establish a feasible future pathway for the organization. Essential strategic leadership consist of outlining Envisioning, preserving distinctive core capabilities, cultivating personnel, upholding a productive organizational culture, accentuating ethical conduct, and instituting equitable strategic interactions. Strategic leadership holds immense significance in the not-for-profit domain, grappling with challenges like scrutiny for accountability, clamor for superior service delivery, and calls for favorable societal consequences. This research project delves into the association between strategic leadership and sustainability within not-for-profit entities situated in Narok County, Kenya. More precisely, the study explores how Envisioning, Resource Management, ethical practices and strategic communication influence Sustainability of not-for-profit organizations in Narok County in Kenya. Four primary theories Resource Based theory, Social Responsibility theory, Behavioural theory of Leadership and Communication Theory will inform this study. Adopting a descriptive research design, the research combines both qualitative and quantitative techniques. Applying a descriptive survey methodology, the targeted population comprised 213 officially registered not-for-profit groups operating within Narok County, Kenya. Collected data was processed utilizing analytical tools based on description and inference. Structured questionnaires was employed as the principal means to collect primary data. Meanwhile, secondary data points derived from institutional documentation. Following editing, encoding, and input procedures, the gathered data underwent the evaluation via descriptive and inferential analytics using specialized computer software packages. Particularly, regression analysis was examined proposed connections amongst assumed variables, whereas variance analysis was assessed if multiple independent factors exert collective effects over the dependent factor. The analysis highlights the significant influence of strategic communication, ethical practices, envisioning, and resource management on the sustainability of not-for-profit organizations in Narok County. Key findings revealed that effective strategic communication (β=0.279) fosters trust and transparency, ethical practices (β=0.338) enhance integrity and accountability, envisioning (β=0.347) aligns resources through clear leadership, and resource management (β=0.196) optimizes financial and physical assets for operational continuity. Recommendations for these organizations include implementing robust resource management practices, conducting regular assessments, and engaging stakeholders in resource allocation discussions to build trust and support. Future research should explore external factors affecting resource management, utilize qualitative methods for deeper insights, and conduct longitudinal studies to evaluate the long-term impacts of resource strategies and technology's role in enhancing operational efficiency

In order to be competitive, manufacturing firms have to embrace and undertake strategies that will make them perform exceedingly better than their rivals in the market. Such kind of strategies to be undertaken calls for the firm to make decisions and have principles that will direct their activities and generate a behaviour that is intended to propel the firm in the market-place. In this regard the main focus of this study was to examine the role of market orientation and moderating influence that top management commitment have on competitiveness of manufacturing firms in Kenya. Theoretically, this study was grounded on resource-based and upper echelon theories, and a descriptive survey design was adopted, which targeted 134 manufacturing firms registered members of the Machakos and Central Kenya Chapters of Kenya Association of Manufacturers. A census was undertaken of all the 134 firms that are members of the two chapters. Primary data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire that were semi-structured questionnaire that was administered to the Chief Executive Officers/Directors of the firms under the study of which both quantitative and qualitative data was generated. To determine the relationship that exist between the variables regression analysis was used while Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the relationship between independent and dependent variables. The overall study findings revealed that market orientation had a positive and statistically significant role on competitiveness of manufacturing firms in Kenya and top management commitment had a positive moderating role. The study findings also noted that firms that are market-oriented have developed mechanisms that gather information about the customer continuously and are able to implement various strategies aimed at improving their competitiveness. Based on the findings, the study concluded that the competitiveness of manufacturing firms in Kenya depends not only on how they determine the needs and wants of the consumer but also on how effectively and efficiently they deliver satisfaction to them.

In the advent of technological growth that is rapid, firms need to continually keep abreast with the innovations in order to maintain their transient advantage. In the paradigm where transient competitive advantage and the frequency of technological endowment grow exponentially, institutions must be able to obtain an advantage through the adoption of technologies that allow them to improve their products, services, strategies, or production processes, among others. This study seeks to establish the influence of technological endowment on the adoption of transient competitive advantage by private multi practice hospitals in Nairobi City County, Kenya. In support of the study’s objective the researcher adopted resource advantage theory. This study is founded on the resource-based theory, which emphasizes heterogeneous requests and moving assets. This study adopted a quantitative research approach using a questionnaire. A descriptive correlational research design was used in this study to describe and test for the influence of independent variable (technological endowment) on the dependent variable (Transient Competitive Advantage Adoption). According to the study findings, it is concluded that technology resource endowment (β= 0.176) had statistically significant influence on transient competitive advantage among private multi-practice hospitals in Nairobi city County in Kenya. In line with this, the study recommends that the hospitals need to equip the administrative offices with better technology for effective record keeping and service delivery as well as update the laboratories with modern diagnostic machines. Given that the hospitals are in a global world, customers are pretty aware of where else to find the top-notch diagnosis and this poses a competition threat.

The Kenyan Ministry of Health (MOH) and a consortium of nutritionists, researchers and communication, and design specialists developed a novel approach to create an evidence‐based recipe book promoting complementary feeding (CF) in Kenya. The ADAPT approach includes five steps: applied research (A), dialogue with stakeholders (D), adapted behaviour change communication (BCC) theories (A), purpose‐driven visual communication (P), and tailoring to priority audiences (T). Through this approach, the recipe book addresses key knowledge gaps using behaviour change theories and visual communication best practice to increase accessibility, acceptability, retention and motivation for behaviour change. The book addresses barriers to CF identified through formative applied research. Dialogue with stakeholders helped ensure cultural appropriateness and the book's alignment with MOH recommendations and key messages. The book uses behaviour change theories to approach the reader in a respectful way that motivates behaviour change. The use of consistent, purpose‐driven visuals helps ensure key messages are easily understood and accessible to all caregivers regardless of literacy level. The book's tone and content are tailored to its audiences’ attributes, needs and preferences. This five‐step process inspired the development of ADAPT, a novel approach that integrates behaviour change and visual communication for greater impact. This paper outlines how the consortium used the ADAPT approach to develop an evidence‐based book that thoughtfully and holistically addresses a wide range of barriers, provides practical solutions and increases self‐efficacy around CF. It offers a blueprint for public health practitioners from any field who are interested in using visual behaviour change communication to promote healthy behaviour.

Hyper dynamic business environment has rendered the pursuit of sustained competitive advantage untenable, hence the need to focus on transient competitive advantage which is a combination of various factors, which result in the ability of the firm to adapt swiftly to a fast-changing environment. This study’s’ purpose was to assess the influence of strategic aggressiveness posture on adoption of transient competitive advantage. The precise objective of the study entailed was to assess the influence of strategic aggressiveness posture on the adoption of transient competitive advantage by private multi-practice hospitals in Nairobi City County, Kenya. This study was guided by the dynamic capability theory of the firm and McGrath transient competitive advantage theory. The study adopted a descriptive correlational survey research design. The total target population was 400 hospital administrators from which a sample size of 200 respondents was selected using Stratified random sampling method. To enhance reliability and validity of study instruments, a pilot study was carried out whereby a reliability coefficient of 0.7 was considered acceptable. Both descriptive and inferential data analysis methods were used to analyze data. Analysis of data was done within acceptance margin of error of 0.95. Regression beta coefficients were used to examine influence of the independent variables on the dependent variable among private multi-practice hospitals in Nairobi city County in Kenya. The study found out that that strategic aggressiveness posture had a statistically significant influence on transient competitive advantage (β= 0.397(t=.000) and with model prediction of R square 0.292 significant at F=.000). The study concludes that strategic aggressiveness posture has a statistically significant influence on transient competitive advantage among private multi-practice hospitals in Nairobi city County in Kenya. Thus the study recommends the hospitals’ policy reviews to capture these areas for improvement: review policy to revamp competition analysis, increase market assertiveness and soldier towards best cost provision as well as adopt unpredictability in services differentiation.

Dynamic changes in business environment have led to switch from pursuit of sustained competitive advantage to transient competitive advantage which enables the firm to adapt swiftly to a fast-changing environment. This study’s’ purpose was to assess the influence customer orientation, on the adoption of transient competitive advantage by private multi-practice hospitals in Nairobi City County, Kenya. This study was guided by the dynamic capability theory of the firm and McGrath (2013) transient competitive advantage theory. The study adopted a descriptive correlational survey research design. The total target population was 400 hospital administrators from which a sample size of 200 respondents was selected using Stratified random sampling method. To enhance reliability and validity of study instruments, a pilot study was carried out whereby a reliability coefficient of 0.7 was considered acceptable. Analysis of data was done within acceptance margin of error of 0.95. Regression beta coefficients were used to examine influence of the independent variables on the dependent variable among private multi-practice hospitals in Nairobi City County in Kenya. The study found out that that customer orientation had a statistically significant influence on transient competitive advantage (β= 0.246(t=.000) with model prediction of R square 0.218 significant at F=.000) The study concludes that customer orientation strategic postures has a statistically significant influence on transient competitive advantage among private multi-practice hospitals in Nairobi city County in Keny. Thus the study recommends the hospitals’ policy reviews to capture these areas for improvement: review policy to revamp customer needs surveys, competition analysis, increase customer responsiveness and after service care. The study findings may be important to the management of private hospitals in Kenya with regard to strategic posturing and adoption of transient competitive advantage and also in effort to ensure continuous improvement of customer service among HealthCare services.

Purpose: The dominant feature of the modern financial system is a high pace of innovation practices, both in terms of their number and value. Thus, it is important to analyze their influence on the financial system. The current study aimed at determining the effect of innovation practices on the financial performance of Islamic banks in Kenya. Specifically, the study sought to determine the influence product innovation practices, process innovation practices, technological innovation practices and market innovation practices on the organizational performance of Islamic banks in Kenya. This study was informed by the following theories and models: the innovation diffusion theory of innovation, the Henderson-Clark model of innovation, the Task Technology Fit theory of innovation and the Shareholder’s Wealth Maximization (SWM) Theory. Methodology: The study adopted a descriptive research design and targeted 3 Islamic banks in Kenya with a total of 142 managers. The sample selection was scientifically guided using the Yamane (1967) simplified formula to calculate the sample size of 105 respondents. The study used structured questionnaires to collect the data. In order to ascertain how valid and reliable the questionnaires are, a pilot study was carried out. Descriptive statistics was used to collect summary statistics including means and standard deviations while inferential statistics helped in measuring the causal relationship between the variables and included correlation and regression analysis. The generation of the statistics was through SPSS program (v.25.0). The study employed both figures and tables to present the results of the study. Findings: The results established that product innovation practices, process innovation practices, technological innovation practices and market innovation practices positively and significantly affect the organizational performance of Islamic commercial banks in Kenya. This is shown by respective beta values of 0.398, 0.311, 0.443 and 0.295 and respective significant values of 0.002, 0.009, 0.000 and 0.01. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The results bears the implications that increasing each of the variable with one unit results to increase in organizational performance levels of Islamic commercial banks with respective beta values. The study recommends the Islamic commercial banks operating in Kenya to enhance their product innovation, process innovation, technological innovation and market innovation practices since the practices positively and significantly affects organizational performance.