Effects of Financial Innovations On Fina
Effects of Financial Innovations On Fina
Effects of Financial Innovations On Fina
ABSTRACT: This paper aims at determining the effects of new organizational processes on financial
performance of SACCOs in Kenya. The study was guided by transaction cost innovation theory. The study
adopted a descriptive research design in determining the relationship of variables and employed primary data.
The population of study was the 53 members of staff of Kakamega Teachers Savings and Credit Co-operative
Society Limited. A sample of 44 members of staff was selected for study and the results were generalized. Data
was collected by the use of a closed ended questionnaire. The quantitative data was coded on Statistical
Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 17 software and data analyzed by use of descriptive and inferential
statistics. The findings of the study revealed that process innovations were positively correlated to financial
performance.
Key words: Financial innovation, process innovation, Transaction Cost Innovation Theory.
I. INTRODUCTION
A co-operative society is an association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic
cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly owned and democratically controlled enterprise. The key idea
behind a co-operative society is to pool the scarce resources, eliminate the middlemen and to achieve a common
goal or interest. Co-operatives are based on seven principles: voluntary and open membership, democratic
member control, member economic participation, autonomy and independence, education, training and
information, cooperation among co-operatives and concern for the community (Hans, 2006). Through Sessional
Paper No. 6 of 1997, on “Co-operatives in a Liberalized Economic Environment”, the Government reviewed its
involvement in the management of cooperatives. The Sessional Paper provided a framework under which co-
operatives were to survive in a competitive economic environment. The Cooperative societies Act no.12, 1997
was amended in 2004 to instill some discipline in the sector.
Kakamega Teachers Savings and Credit Co-operative Society Ltd (KATECO) was established in 1977
with a paltry 200 members but currently boasts of over 16000 members. The society draws its core membership
from teachers in primary and post primary learning institutions in Kakamega and Vihiga Counties. KATECO is
among the few SACCOs with FOSA granted license by SASRA to provide banking services in Kenya. The
society offers ATM services to members in collaboration with Cooperative bank (SASRA Database, 2013).
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documents, the role of SACCOs in the national payment system has been very limited. Also there is a challenge
arising from the current regulations that limits the investments by deposit taking Saccos in land and buildings to
5% of the total assets (SASRA Database, 2013).
Generally, challenges faced by Saccos are caused by economic and macro economic factors like
deficiency in contemporary skills, stiff competition from competitors, economic liberalization and regulation of
business. The threat to survival of the SACCO sub sector has called for innovative ways of managing and
running the sector to ensure sustainability. For example, SACCOs have reacted to the threat posed by
commercial banks by opening Front Office Service Activities (FOSAs), for provision of a wide range of
products and services to their members (Noyer, 2007). Some SACCO FOSAs have even opened and extended
membership to non-SACCO members to ensure improved performance. The question therefore is; what are the
effects of financial innovations adopted by Saccos on their financial performance? Studies conducted to
establish the effect of financial innovations on financial performance in Kenya concentrated on commercial
banks. However, the studies have established existence of a positive relationship. As a result, this study sought
to fill the gap by establishing the effects of financial innovations on financial performance of SACCOs in
Kenya.
Process innovations
- Automation Financial Performance
- Computerization - Dividend per share
- ATMs - Profitability
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In their survey of European banking, Goddard, Molyneux, Wilson & Tavakoli (2007) also emphasize
the transition process the European Banking is in towards the Single European Banking Market. They mention
the importance of technological change especially ATMs (automated teller machines), EFTs and internet
banking on the banks‟ performance and profitability. Casu, Girardone & Molyneux (2004) also provide
evidence respectively for cost reduction and productivity gains as a result of technological change for European
Union banks.
Process innovations aim at reducing transaction costs and time and maintaining clients and better
portfolio management so as to increase the overall firm‟s financial performance (Kihumba, 2008). Process
innovations will continue to be very important to company growth for the reason that without excellence in
process innovations, other innovations will be impossible to implement.
In his study on determinants of financial innovation and its effects on bank performance in Kenya,
using exploratory research design on a sample of 43 commercial banks in Kenya for a six year period from
2002-2007, Kihumba (2008) sought to investigate the relationship between financial innovations and financial
performance of commercial banks, together with the determinants of financial innovation. The study found out
that heavy competition and technology are the major drivers of financial innovation. In her study, Njeri (2013)
sought to establish effects of financial innovation on the financial performance of deposit taking SACCOs in
Nairobi County. The study revealed that there is a positive relationship between financial innovation and
financial performance. The study was faced with challenges in terms of the financial constraints and also
availability of time to fully conclude the entire data collection
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nf = n
1+n
N
Where:
nf = desired sample size (when population is less than 10,000).
n = desired sample size (when population is more than 10,000).
N = the estimate of population size.
The target population for the study will be 53
nf = 384
1 + 384
53
= 44
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The sample size used in this study was arrived at by using proportional allocation method by Kothari
(2009) and consisted of three homogeneous strata comprising of 6 top managers, 10 middle managers and 37
subordinate staff. The proportional method is as follows: Let;
Target population be given by N and Sample size be n,
Z =f (X1,)
Where Z is the dependent variable and X1, is independent variable.
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The findings in table 4.2 above reveal that majority of the male respondents (23.8%) had worked for the Sacco
between 11 and 15 years. It was also revealed that majority of the male respondents had served the sacco for the longest time
i.e. 16-20 years.
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The findings of table 4.3 above reveal that majority of the respondents 38.1% had worked for the Sacco
for a period between 11 and 15 years of which 23.8% were subordinate staff. On the other hand, minority of the
respondents (middle and senior management staff) had worked for the Sacco for a period between 0 and 5 years.
The findings in table 4.4 above reveal that majority of male respondents held senior management and
subordinate positions. On the other hand, female and male respondents shared equally the middle management
positions.
Based on the analysis in table 4.5 below, the standard deviations for responses to process innovations questions
were found to be below 1 point. This shows that the individual responses on process innovations, on average, were less than
1 point away from the mean. These results imply that the distribution of individual data values were close to the mean value.
It therefore can be concluded that this was a normal (good) distribution since it yielded a standard deviation below 1 point.
From table 4.7, the respondents agreed that there had been a steady growth of income before tax since
and that there had been growth of investment assets since 2009. On average the respondents did not agree or
disagree to the question whether the sacco had invested the retained earnings. From the findings of table 4.8
below on average, the respondents agreed that the society had realized a reduction in operational costs, financial
innovation had improved customer service and hence customer satisfaction and that the sacco had fairly invested
in financial innovations.
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Consequently as per the analysis in table 4.6 to 4.8 below, the standard deviations for responses to
financial performance questions were found to be below 1 point. This implies that the individual responses on
financial performance, on average, were less than 1 point away from the mean. These results imply that the
distribution of individual data values were closer to the mean value. This was a normal (good) distribution since
it yielded a standard deviation below 1.
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The correlation summary table 4.9 above indicates that there were significant associations between the
independent variable (process innovation) and dependent variable (financial performance). Hence financial
innovation was positively correlated to financial performance at 99% confidence level. P value ˂ 0.01. The
results show that process innovation is positively correlated to financial performance. The correlation results
indicate that process innovations have a significant effect on the financial performance of Kakamega Teachers
Savings and Credit Cooperative Society Limited (r = 0.664, α = 0.01).
The value of R square in table 4.10 above is 0. 693. This indicates that 69.3% of variance in dependent
variable (financial performance) is explained by variance in the independent variable (process innovation). This
shows that 69.3% changes in the Sacco‟s financial performance could be accounted for by process innovations
at 99% confidence interval. The correlation coefficient (R) of 0.833 in the table above shows that there is a
strong positive relationship between financial innovations and financial performance.
Durbin Watson
It is a test statistic that is used to detect the presence of autocorrelation (a relationship between factors
test autocorrelation among regression models). It test that the residuals from a linear regression or multiple
regression are independent. When Durbin-Watson factors are between (1) and (3) there is no autocorrelation
problem (Alsaeed, 2005). From table 4.10 above, the Durbin Watson value is 2.021 implying that there was no
autocorrelation problem on the regression model.
Multicollinearity
Collinearity occurs when two predictor variables (e.g., x1 and x2) in a multiple regression have a non-
zero correlation. Multicollinearity occurs when more than two predictor variables (e.g., x1, x2 and x3) are inter-
correlated. Multi- collinearity occurs when there are very high correlations among Xs. Mohammed &
Mohammed (2012) refer to multicollinearity problem as actual disparity percentage among variables.
Tolerance indicates how much information multicollinearity has cost the analysis. Tolerance of 1
indicates no multicollinearity (for that predictor) and tolerance values approaching 0 indicate a severe
multicollinearity problem. The VIF statistic of a predictor in a model is merely the reciprocal of its tolerance
(i.e., VIF = 1/tolerance). This number indicates how much larger the error variance for the unique effect of a
predictor (relative to a situation where there is no multicollinearity). The VIF can also be thought of the factor
by which your sample size needs to be increased to match the efficiency of an analysis with no multicollinearity.
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Results of process innovations indicate tolerance level and VFI of 0.315 and 3.179 respectively.
According to Besley 1980 as sighted in (jingyu li 2003) researchers have used VIF= 10 as critical value rule of
thumb to determine whether too much correlation existed. The VIF values in the table 4.11 below were less than
10 so there was no multi-collinearity problem. Also if tolerance value is greater than 0.1 but less than 1.0 then
there was no multicollinearity problem (Hair, 2006). Tolerance value in the table 4.11 was .315 and therefore
there was no multicollinearity problem.
The study intended to investigate the effects of financial innovations on financial performance of
Saccos in Kenya . From the findings on the regression analysis, adjusted R squared is coefficient of
determination which tell the variation in the financial performance due to changes in process innovations. The
findings revealed that there was strong relationship between financial performance and financial innovations.
The regression equation was
Y =α +β1X1 + e1
The established regression equation therefore was
Y = 0.159 + 0.723 X1
These findings are consistent with the findings of a research conducted by Omwenga (2010) which
sought to establish the relationship between financial innovations and financial performance of Commercial
banks in Kenya. He used a descriptive survey and studied all the 45 licensed commercial banks that were dully
registered by Central Bank of Kenya then. The study found out that financial innovations improved the asset
quality hence performance of commercial banks in Kenya. .
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5.2 Summary
This study aimed at investigating Kakamega Teachers Co-operative and Savings Society Limited with
the view of determining the effects of financial innovations on financial performance of Savings and Credit Co-
operative Societies in Kenya. To ensure achievement of the set objective, the study was designed and desired
primary data of Kateco was collected by use of a structured closed ended questionnaire. Regression analysis on
data from a sample of 42 members of staff of Kateco was conducted to examine the financial innovations and
financial performance variables. A suitable multiple regression model was designed in order to capture all the
relevant variables of the study.
A positive relationship between financial performance and process innovations was established. From
the findings on the multiple regression analysis, the value of R square is 0. 693. This indicates that 69.3% of
variance in dependent variable (financial performance) is explained by variance in the independent variables
(financial innovations). This shows that 69.3% changes in the Sacco‟s financial performance could be accounted
for by product, process and institutional innovations at 99% confidence interval. The correlation coefficient (R)
of 0.833 shows that there is a strong positive relationship between financial innovations and financial
performance.
5.3 Conclusions
SACCOs in Kenya play a significant role in savings mobilization, promotion of investment, economic
growth and poverty alleviation. They have huge potential as they will play a key role in the Kenya‟s
achievement of vision 2030 and the Jubilee government aspirations. To be effective and successful, this requires
the embracing of effective financial innovations strategies. This study therefore concludes that Saccos in Kenya
have introduced and embraced financial innovations e.g. use of money transfer services such as M-pesa. As a
consequent of technological innovations such as internet banking and connectivity, ICT, and computer
technology, Saccos are now cutting down on operational costs. Saccos are today reaping the benefits of financial
innovations particularly increased efficiency, improved service delivery, improved operational performance
among many others. Thirdly, Sacco‟s have partnered with Cooperative bank and have introduced Sacco Link M-
banking service. The Sacco Link M-banking Service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and has resulted
in efficient and effective access to funds by Sacco members all over the country. As a result of the partnership,
members are issued with VISA branded ATM cards that allow 24hour withdrawal access at any Cooperative
bank or any VISA branded ATM worldwide.
Specific objective
To determine the effects of process innovations on financial performance of SACCOs in Kenya. Based
on correlation results, process innovation was positively correlated to financial performance at 99% confidence
level. P value is ˂ 0.01 and hence financial performance and product innovation move in the same direction. The
correlation results indicate that process innovations have a significant effect on the financial performance of
Kakamega Teachers Savings and Credit Cooperative Society Limited (r = 0.664, α = 0.01). From the multiple
regression results, the beta coefficient of process innovation is 0.054. This shows that an increase in process
innovation leads to an increase in financial performance.
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