The Intervening Influence of Internal Controls on the Relationship Between Board Practices and Performance of Government Owned Entities in Kenya

Authors

  • Fredrick Otieno Oyugi University of Nairobi
  • Cyrus Iraya University of Nairobi
  • Zipporah Onsomu University of Nairobi
  • Stephen Odock University of Nairobi

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33423/jabe.v26i1.6807

Keywords:

business, economics, board practices, internal controls, performance, enterprise risk management, descriptive statistics

Abstract

There is a growing public debate on the role of boards in government-owned entities due to poor performance, corporate scandals, and increased corruption. Good board practices and internal controls, including enterprise risk management, are crucial for enhancing performance. Research findings on their impact have been contradictory. However, improving transparency, accountability, and adherence to governance frameworks can positively influence performance. Addressing governance issues is crucial to mitigate resource mismanagement and corruption, leading to better overall performance. The objective was to determine relationships among board practices, internal controls, and government-owned entities’ performance. Data was collected from 153 properly completed questionnaires out of the 157 returned, representing 65.38% of the entire population of 234 government-owned entities. The findings established that internal controls positively and significantly intervened in the relationship between board practices and performance. Implementing good board practices and internal controls promotes accountability and transparency, leading to enhanced organizational performance. Government-owned entities should prioritize implementing effective board practices and internal controls to enhance their overall performance.

References

Ali, M. (2016). Impact of Corporate Governance on Firm’s Financial Performance, A Comparative Study of Developed and Non-Developed Markets. Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review, 6(6), 1–6.

Ariffin, N.M., & Kassim, S.H. (2011). Risk management practices and financial performance of Islamic banks: Malaysian evidence. 8th International Conference on Islamic Economics and Finance on 11th December 2011 (pp. 19–21). Betriebswirtschaft, 58(3), 141–166.

Boulhaga, M., Bouri, A., Elamer, A.A., & Ibrahim, B.A. (2023). Environmental, social and governance ratings and firm performance: The moderating role of internal control quality. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 30(1), 134–145.

Celtekligil, K. (2020). Transaction cost theory. Strategic Priorities in Competitive Environments: Multidimensional Approaches for Business Success, pp. 141–154.

COSO. (1994). Internal Control-Integrated Framework. Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. COSO framework.

Eniola, O.J., & Akinselure, O.P. (2016). Effect of internal control on financial performance of firms in Nigeria (A study of selected manufacturing firms). Journal of Business and Management, 18(10), 80–85.

Gachoka, N., Aduda, J., Kaijage, E., Okiro, K. (2018). The Intervening Effect of Internal Controls on the Relationship between Budgeting Process and Performance of Churches in Kenya. Journal of Finance and Investment Analysis, 7(2), 81–107.

GoK. (2013). Report of the Presidential Taskforce on Parastatal Reforms, Executive office of the President, Republic of Kenya.

GoK. (2020). Retrieved from http://www.psyg.go.ke/?page_id=622

Grover, V., & Malhotra, M.K. (2003). Transaction cost framework in operations and supply chain management research: Theory and measurement. Journal of Operations Management, 21(4), 457–473.

Heo, K. (2018). Effects of corporate governance on the performance of state-owned enterprises. World Bank Policy Research Working Paper, (8555).

Ibrahim, S., Diibuzie, G., & Abubakari, M. (2017). The impact of internal control systems on financial performance: The case of health institutions in upper west region of Ghana. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 7(4), 684–696.

Kinyua, J.K.A. (2016). Effect of Internal Control Systems on Financial Performance of Companies Quoted in the Nairobi Securities Exchange [Doctoral dissertation, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology].

Macher, J.T., & Richman, B.D. (2008). Transaction cost economics: An assessment of empirical research in the social sciences. Business and Politics, 10(1), 1–63.

Nasir, H.M. (2017). State-Owned Enterprises: A comparison between the UK, Japan, and Malaysia, International Journal of Economics, Commerce and Management United Kingdom, 5(2).

Oruke, M., Iraya, C.M., Omoro, N.O., & Otieno, O.L. (2021). Corporate governance and modification of audit opinion: Evidence from state owned enterprises in Kenya. African Development Finance Journal, 5(2), 1–14.

Sari, M. (2017). The effect of organization culture and internal control on corporate governance and its impact on state owned enterprises performance in Indonesia. Proceedings of AICS-Social Sciences, 7, 244–251.

Spraakman, G. (1997). Transaction cost economics: A theory for internal audit? Managerial Auditing Journal, 12(7), 323–330.

Transparency International. (2019). 2019 - CPI. Retrieved from https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2019

Tseng, C.Y. (2007). Internal control, enterprise risk management, and firm performance [Doctoral dissertation, Robert H. Smith School of Business, Faculty of Graduate School, University of Maryland, College Park].

Tunji, S.T. (2013). Effective internal controls system as antidote for distress in the banking industry in Nigeria. Journal of Economics and International Business Research, 1(5), 106–121.

Williamson, O.E. (1996). Transaction cost economics and the Carnegie connection. Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 31(2), 149–155.

Downloads

Published

2024-02-14

How to Cite

Oyugi, F. O., Iraya, C., Onsomu, Z., & Odock, S. (2024). The Intervening Influence of Internal Controls on the Relationship Between Board Practices and Performance of Government Owned Entities in Kenya. Journal of Applied Business and Economics, 26(1). https://doi.org/10.33423/jabe.v26i1.6807

Issue

Section

Articles