Vol 6 Issue 1 April 2018-September 2018

Abstract: Mobile money, also referred to as mobile payment, mobile money transfer and mobile wallet, generally refers to services operated and performed from a mobile device such as mobile phone, credit or debit cards; the intersection of both banking and telecommunications services. It involves a diverse set of stakeholders from both mobile phone operators and financial service institutions. Mobile money services have been defined as electronic money accounts that can be accessed via mobile phone. Mobile money services offer secure and convenient means for banked and unbanked people to send and receive money with mobile phones at home and abroad; anywhere at any time. Lending is one of the most important functions of commercial banks. Yet, lending is at times associated with non-performing loans. Non-performing loans (NPLs) are a monumental challenge to the banking sector. This study sought to determine the effect of mobile lending process on non-performing loans in commercial banks in Rwanda. Precisely, the study the study assessed how loan appraisal process, documentation process, loan disbursement process, and monitoring and evaluation process affected NPLs in commercial banks. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The credit officers working with Ecobank Kigali branch in Rwanda constituted the target population. The 110 credit officers working with 12 branches of ECOBANK in Rwanda. A sample of 87 credit officers was obtained from the study population using stratified random sampling method. The study used both primary and secondary data. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the sampled respondents. A pilot study was carried out prior to the main study with the aim of determining both the reliability and validity of the research instrument. The researcher obtained requisite permits and consents before collecting data. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences Version 21 software was used to facilitate data analysis. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics was used in the analysis. Descriptive statistics was encompassing frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations. Inferential statistics took the form of Spearman rank correlation coefficient and multiple regression. The results of the analyses were present in tables. Interpretatively, for NPLs to increase by a single unit, loan appraisal process, borrower’s documentation process, loan disbursement process, and monitoring and evaluation process had to be changed by 0.582 units, -0.418 unit, 0.054 units, and 0.063 units respectively while holding other factors (1.396) constant. According to the findings, it is clear that loan appraisal process was the most important element of mobile-cash loans in regard to non-performing loans in commercial banks. On the other hand, documentation process negatively impacted on non-performing loans. Illustratively, commercial banks are supposed to improve how they appraise the loans they lend on the mobile platform in order to arrest the escalating NPLs. The study concluded that Ecobank in Rwanda failed to demand for personal information of borrowers and also information regarding their family members prior to lending them credit on the mobile platform. In addition, the study inferred that commercial banks neither sought information regarding the income sources of borrowers nor their residence before giving them mobile-cash loans. The study suggests further comparative research in respect of mobile-cash loans and normal loans and how such affect non-performing loans among commercial banks in Rwanda. It is also important to conduct an empirical study on the impact of mobile-cash lending on other financial aspects of commercial banks such as financial performance and financial growth.

Keywords: Borrower’s documentation process, Non-performing loans, Ecobank Rwanda.

Title: EFFECT OF MOBILE CASH LENDING PROCESS ON NON-PERFORMING LOANS IN COMMERCIAL BANKS IN RWANDA: A CASE STUDY OF ECOBANK RWANDA

Author: MUHONGERWA K. JULLIETTE, Dr. PATRICK MULYUNGI

International Journal of Management and Commerce Innovations 

ISSN 2348-7585 (Online)

Research Publish Journals

Abstract: Financial performance requires appropriate internal audit practices to enhance efficiency. In the recent years many public institutions in Rwanda have been listed by general auditor for mismanagement of public funds. This study provided an analysis on enhancing the implementation of Internal Audit standards, to improve the financial performance of public institutions in Rwanda; with a case study of Rwanda Social Security Board. Internal audit standards will be looked at from the perspective of internal audit as a department, professional competency, internal controls and independence of internal audit. The researcher administered a survey questionnaire to each member of the target population since it is the most appropriate tool to gather information. Quantitative analysis and regression analysis wire used as data analysis technique. Data presentation was done by use of tables for ease of understanding and interpretation. Internal audit standards, independence of internal audit, professional competency and internal control had a positive relationship with financial performance of public institutions, a unit increase in implementation of internal audit standards would lead to increase in financial performance of public institution, a unit increase in independence of internal audit would lead to increase in financial performance of public institutions, a unit increase in professional competency would lead to increase in financial performance of public institutions and further unit increase in internal control would lead to increase in financial performance of public institutions. The management of public institutions in Rwanda should adopt effective internal audit practices such as internal auditing standards, independence of internal audit, professional competency and internal controls to enhance financial performance.

Keywords: Internal Audit, Internal audit standards, financial performance, public institutions.

Title: FACTORS ENHANCING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF INTERNAL AUDIT STANDARDS TO IMPROVE THE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS IN RWANDA: THE CASE OF RWANDA SOCIAL SECURITY BOARD (2015 - 2017)

Author: AGNES YANKURIJE, Dr. Patrick MULYUNGI

International Journal of Management and Commerce Innovations 

ISSN 2348-7585 (Online)

Research Publish Journals

Abstract: The rapid increase in population in Rwanda has resulted into increased rural urban migration as many graduates and rural dwellers move to the city of Kigali to search for jobs and set up businesses. This has resulted to rapid increase in demand of cheaper houses in Kigali than the supply. Adequate low cost housing is one of the short term sustainable development goals that Rwanda aims to achieve by 2020. The government rolled out a strategic plan in 2015 to attract investors in the housing sector in order to ease the pressure and provide quality and low cost housing for Kigali residents. However, houses are still in low supply for average income earner in Kigali and relatively expensive. Most of the houses are still under construction and the completed ones never meet the set duration i.e. are subject to delays.  Therefore this study assessed the determinants of performance of housing projects in Rwanda with a focus on gated communities in Kigali City. The specific objectives of the study focused on the effects of stakeholder management, project team competency and project team motivation on the performance of housing projects in Rwanda. The study used descriptive survey design. A sample of 97 respondents was chosen from a population of 130 using simple random sampling design. Primary data was collected using structured questionnaires. Data collected was analyzed using SPSS version 20 and findings presented in form of tables and graphs. Regression and correlation techniques were used to establish an interaction between the independent and dependent variables. The findings indicated that stakeholder management, project team competency and project team motivation have a high positive significant effect on performance of housing projects explaining 64% of the variations in project performance. The study recommended project managers to adopt various motivational strategies, hire staff on merit and implement various stakeholder management strategies to realize better performance. The study is helpful to project managers in strategic decision making towards achieving their goal and to the government towards offering available, quality and affordable housing to the citizens.

Keywords: Stakeholder Management, project team competency, project team motivation, Project Performance, Gated communities.

Title: ASSESSMENT OF DETERMINANTS OF PERFORMANCE OF HOUSING PROJECTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IN RWANDA: A SURVEY OF GATED COMMUNITIES IN KIGALI CITY

Author: Tunda Elijah Nyaosi, Dr. Jaya Shukla

International Journal of Management and Commerce Innovations 

ISSN 2348-7585 (Online)

Research Publish Journals

Abstract: Community participation and community based management are topical themes in current policy and discussion revolving around decision-making processes especially those dealing with natural resources management. To manage stakeholders, project managers tend to use traditional stakeholder management approach which emphasizes on giving more attention to those who can affect the project over those who are affected by the project. Using tradition stakeholder management approach implies that project managers should focus more on complying with donors’ requirements. The challenge for project managers is therefore, to find the right balance between complying with the requirements of donors who in most cases are likely to assess the project in terms of accuracy of financial accountability and appealing to the needs of beneficiaries throughout the life of the project. The fact is that numerous studies have been conducted to know whether or not the involvement of stakeholders in community development project is beneficial. However, in Africa and in Rwanda particularly projects continue failing or are not sustainable at long run. Many reasons may be behind but one of them should be the approaches of involvement of beneficiaries in project management process. Although stakeholders are involved, stakeholders are not always beneficiaries and the studies which have been conducted put the stakeholders in the same basket, which probably hinders the involvement of direct beneficiaries of the project. Another aspect to examine is the approaches of involvement of beneficiaries in the project management process and its effect on sustainability of the project. The general objective of this study was to demonstrate the effect of beneficiary involvement approaches on water supply project sustainability with three specific objectives; to assess the effect of information dissemination with beneficiaries on water supply project sustainability, To examine the effect of consultation with beneficiaries on water supply project sustainability and to evaluate the effect of beneficiary participation on water supply project sustainability. This study used descriptive survey design. The study population was made up by53,111 beneficiaries of the project in Nyaruguru district. The researcher collected data from 397 respondents. Multiple regression analysis was used to establish the effect of beneficiary involvement approaches on the sustainability of water supply project in Rwanda. It was found out that the project could not be sustainable without information dissemination and that beneficiary consultation has a great effect on project sustainability. Regarding beneficiary participation it has been found out that there was a moderate relationship between beneficiary participation and project sustainability.

Keywords: Beneficiary involvement, water sanitation, project sustainability.

Title: EFFECT OF BENEFICIARY INVOLVEMENT APPROACHES ON SUSTAINABILITY OF WATER SUPPLY PROJECT IN RWANDA: A CASE OF POTABLE WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION PROJECT IN SOUTHERN PROVINCE

Author: Sharon L. Kyomukama, Dr. Patrick Mulyungi

International Journal of Management and Commerce Innovations 

ISSN 2348-7585 (Online)

Research Publish Journals

Abstract: Most companies in Rwanda had not financially performed efficiently and one of the causes of their poor performance could be attributed to poor internal control systems and it’s for this reason RRA together with other bodies in Rwanda obliged all organizations to put in place better systems of internal control systems such as internal audit departments because they had poor systems before. The above left the researcher willing to find out how important financial audit is towards the performance of non-governmental organizations in Rwanda ever since the RRA obliged these companies to put better internal control systems in place. Therefore, this study aimed at apprehending the effectiveness of financial audit in performance of non-governmental organizations in Rwanda with reference to Africa Indoor Residual Spraying Rwanda Project. The study was built on both general and specific objectives. The specific objectives were; to assess the effectiveness of financial audit practices in Africa Indoor Residual Spraying Rwanda Project, to analyze the performance of Africa Indoor Residual Spraying Rwanda Project and to identify the relationship between the effective internal audit and performance of Africa Indoor Residual Spraying Rwanda Project. In order to reach the achievement of the above objectives, a combination of questionnaires, interviews, documentary reviews and analyzing financial and other reports were used. The researcher adopted descriptive research design. Questionnaires were distributed to a group of 16 respondents; however, of the 16 questionnaires issued out, only 13 were filled and returned for analysis.  This represented a response rate of 81.3%, which is excellent for use in making conclusion. Universal sampling technique was applied in the study. The data were analyzed using SPSS for descriptive statistics to test the effectiveness of financial audit in non-governmental and regression analysis was used to determine the nature and magnitude of the relationship among financial audit variables. Findings revealed that there were effective financial audit practices in Africa Indoor Residual Spraying Rwanda Project and this was supported by 76.9% of the respondents who strongly agreed on the objectivity of financial audit carried out by the project auditors. Secondly, research results represented by 76.9% of the participants cited better performance in the project of which this was much geared by an effective financial audit. Also, 84.6% of the study participants strongly agreed that better performance of the project depended on effectiveness of financial audit and this was supported by ANOVA test which indicated that a p-value of 0.012 which is less than alpha of 0.05 (5%) explained that the study’s independent and dependent variables are associated. Internal auditors were recommended to continuously update themselves with the changing technologies and getting involved in frequent trainings by external experts.

Keywords: Financial audit, Performance, Non-Governmental Organization, Rwanda.

Title: EFFECTIVENESS OF FINANCIAL AUDIT AND ITS IMPACT ON THE PERFORMANCE OF NON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS IN RWANDA: A CASE STUDY OF AFRICA INDOOR RESIDUAL SPRAYING - RWANDA PROJECT

Author: SIBOMANA Jean Pierre, Dr. Patrick Mulyungi

International Journal of Management and Commerce Innovations 

ISSN 2348-7585 (Online)

Research Publish Journals

Abstract: The research purpose was to assess working capital management and performance of commercial banks. Because many  financial institutions  face challenges like insolvency, disappointments to clients who come to the bank and fail to get their savings and lack of loanable funds due to poor working capital management.  The study was achieved by use of three specific objectives, namely; To analyse the effect of cash budgeting on the performance of Equity Bank, Rwanda Ltd; To determine the contribution of capital planning on the Performance of Equity Bank, Rwanda Ltd and to examine the effect of capital control on the performance of Equity Bank, Rwanda Ltd. The research design used was descriptive and analytical based on quantitative and qualitative data. The population of the study was 120 and sample size was 92 respondents. The researcher use questionnaires as a tool for data collection and Bank’s reports for secondary data. In the findings it was established that working capital management contributes to financial performance of financial Institution in Rwanda, simply because working capital components like cash budgeting, capital planning and capital control has significant contribution to profitability of Equity bank. The respondents  N is 92 and the significant level is 0.01, the results indicate that independent variable has positive moderate correlation to dependent variable equal to .673** and the p-value is .000 which is less than 0.01. When p-value is less than significant level, therefore researchers conclude that variables are correlated and null hypothesis is rejected and remains with alternative hypothesis. This means that there is a moderate relationship between working capital management and financial performance. Researcher can therefore conclude working capital management contribute positive to financial Performance of Equity bank.

Keywords: commercial banks, financial institutions, Equity Bank, working capital management. 

Title: CONTRIBUTION OF WORKING CAPITAL MANAGEMENT ON THE PERFORMANCE OF COMMERCIAL BANKS IN RWANDA: A CASE STUDY OF EQUITY BANK RWANDA LIMITED

Author: UWASE Fildaus, Dr Patrick Mulyungi

International Journal of Management and Commerce Innovations 

ISSN 2348-7585 (Online)

Research Publish Journals

Abstract: Savings and credit cooperative societies have been present in Rwanda for decades, but this sector has not been able to impact positively on the lives of people. Access to finance has been cited as one of the factors hampering economic growth and poverty alleviations. Savings and credit cooperative societies have lagged behind other financial institutions by performing below the members’ expectations therefore causing dissatisfaction among the members. The main reason for this research is to fill a gap left by other researchers by way of critically analyzing the factors influencing the performance and growth of SACCOs. Based on the evaluation there is a gap literature to warrant a study to be conducted in this industry. This is what prompted the researcher to carry out a study to investigate the determinants of financial performance on growth of SACCOs in Gasabo District.The target population of this study was drawn from Umurenge SACCOs in Gasabo District, Managers, branch staff and SACCO members. Umurenge SACCO in Gasabo District has 15 branches and each branch has one manager within their respective administrative sectors. These entire branch Saccos have the total managers of 15 managers in all the 15 branches, 105 staffs and 32,100 members from which a sample was drawn. A sample size of 172 respondents which consist of 4 Managers, 8 staffs and 160 SACCOS members was considered and drawn only from the four SACCOs located in rural areas such as Jabana Sacco, Kinyinya Sacco, Bumbogo Sacco and Kozigundu Sacco in which the respondents have been interviewed. Stratified sampling and simple random sampling were used. A Likert scale questionnaire was used to gather primary information while a secondary data collection sheet was used for collecting secondary information regarding SACCO performance. Information was sorted, coded and put into the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 21.0 for production of graphs, tables, descriptive statistics, and inferential statistics. The results have been indicated that whether there was a positive relationship between financial performance determinants and growth of SACCOs notably in the corners of return on investments, saving culture, investment policy and interest rates. The data collection instruments were questionnaires for primary data and on the other hand, the company reports were deeply consulted, for secondary data. The type of validity used by the researcher for this study was the content validity. For the reliability of the data collection instrument, Test- retest reliability has been used. It was a measure of reliability obtained by administering the same test twice over a period of time to a group of individuals. The findings guided the researcher after analyzing data, to assess the influence of financial performance determinants on growth of savings and credit cooperative societies in Rwanda.

Keywords: Financial Performance, Return on investment, Interest rate, Investment policies, Profitability and SACCO financial performance.

Title: THE INFLUENCE OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE DETERMINANTS ON GROWTH OF SAVINGS AND CREDITS COOPERATIVES SOCIETIES IN RWANDA: A CASE STUDY OF UMURENGE SACCOs IN GASABO DISTRICT

Author: Uwitonze Pascasie, Dr. Patrick Mulyungi

International Journal of Management and Commerce Innovations 

ISSN 2348-7585 (Online)

Research Publish Journals

Abstract: This study seeks to establish the effect of data collection practices on the performance of health projects in Rwanda. The study was anchored on the following objectives: to establish the effect of mobile data collection on the performance of health projects in Rwanda; to determine the effect of paper based data collection on the performance of health projects in Rwanda; and to determine the effect of personal digital assistants data collection on the performance of health projects in Rwanda. The study used a descriptive case survey design. A sample size of 310 respondents was drawn from a population of 1,383 using Yaro Yamane (1967) formula. Stratified random sampling was employed to sample the survey respondents from the target population. Data was collected using structured questionnaires and document reviews. The reliability and validity of the data collection instruments were tested using Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient at an index of 0.70 and based on a 5-point Likert Scale for multiple items obtained from a pilot survey. The content validity of the questionnaires was done by supervisors from the University. Multiple regression analysis and Correlation analysis were used to establish the effect of data collection practices on the performance of health projects in Rwanda. The findings provided significant implications for future research and practice on how data collection practices on the performance of health projects would be improved.

Keywords: Data Collection Practices, Performance of health projects.

Title: EFFECT OF DATA COLLECTION PRACTICES ON THE PERFORMANCE OF HEALTH PROJECTS IN RWANDA: A CASE OF INDOOR RESIDUAL SPRAYING PROJECT

Author: Jules Nahimana, Dr. Jaya Shukla

International Journal of Management and Commerce Innovations 

ISSN 2348-7585 (Online)

Research Publish Journals

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to establish the influence of project management skills of staff on performance of government funded projects in Rwanda. The study was guided by the following objectives; to examine the influence of human resource management skills of staff on performance of government funded projects in Rwanda, to establish how financial planning skills of staff influence performance of government funded projects in Rwanda, to assess how monitoring and evaluation skills of staff influence performance of government funded projects in Rwanda and to examine how risk management skills of staff influence the performance of government funded projects in Rwanda. It is hoped that the findings of this study would help the management of Huguka Dukore initiative to understand the importance of developing project management skills of staff thus appreciate the application of such skills in the running of the day to day operations of projects. It would also guide the development of policies and guidelines governing human resource management, financial planning, monitoring and evaluation and also risk management practices. The study would contribute to the existing knowledge in project management and to increasing performance standards amongst the project management professionals and the entire industry. It would also help improve the management of government funded project. The study on project management skills would provide a platform for more research in the area and would also be used as a source of references by scholars. The research adopted Descriptive survey research design with a view of collecting information through administering questionnaires and interviews to the sampled respondents. The population of this study was 500 out of which a sample of 217 respondents was selected using Krejcie and Morgan (1970) table for determining sample size, at the confidence interval of 0.05 and confidence level of 95%. The study employed stratified and simple random sampling technique. Data collected was analyzed using SPSS to generate both descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings of the study were presented using table, charts and explanation was given in prose form. The study found out that employee at Huguka Dukore were not recruited based on experience from similar projects, training of employees was not done on a regular basis and that employees did not transfer knowledge gained from the training to the work place. The study also established that there was no internal financial control system at Huguka Dukore and that each task was not well budgeted. The study revealed that there was no tracking of implementation schedules and activities, there was no regular evaluation of project progress and that there were no periodic monitoring reports generated. Risk identification checklists were in place and were developed based on historical information. The study recommends the following; recruitment of employees with experience from similar projects and regular training of employees to increase knowledge, establishment of an internal financial control system and proper budgeting, monitoring and evaluation of all schedules and activities to ensure that necessary actions are taken in good time.

Keywords: Project, Project management skills of staff, Performance of government funded project.

Title: INFLUENCE OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT SKILLS OF STAFF ON PERFORMANCE OF GOVERNMENT FUNDED PROJECTS IN RWANDA: A CASE OF HUGUKA DUKORE PROJECT IN NYARUGENGE DISTRICT

Author: Hyacinthe Anatory, Dr. Patrick Mulyungi

International Journal of Management and Commerce Innovations 

ISSN 2348-7585 (Online)

Research Publish Journals

Abstract: An E-finance is the provision of financial services and markets using electronic communication and computation. These are the use of electronic payments systems, the operations of financial services firms and the operation of financial markets. The general objective was to assess the effect of electronic finance on performance of government financial institutions in Rwanda; specifically, in RSSB as one of the pilot government financial institution in Rwanda. To achieve this the study was guided by the following specific objectives; to assess the effect of early warning systems as part of e-finance on performance of government financial institution in Rwanda, to determine the effect of real time operational financial system of e-finance on performance of government financial institution, to investigate the effect of business processes automation of e-finance on performance of government financial institution and to determine the effect of financial process improvement and performance of government financial institutions in Rwanda. The target population of the study was 150 respondents from RSSB main branch. The sample size of 110 respondents was determined using Yamane’s formula. Stratified random sampling was used to determine the sample size. The study used both primary and secondary data, where questionnaires, interview and annual reports of RSSB were used. Primary data for the study was collected using structured questionnaires that were administered to the respondents. Quantitative data obtained from close ended questions was analyzed by using descriptive statistics. Narrative data obtained from interviews and open-ended questions in the questionnaire were analyzed using qualitative approaches. Data collected was analyzed through SPSS version 21. Data analysis involved statistical computations for averages, percentages, and correlation and regression analysis. Descriptive and inferential statistics and content analysis was used for specific data. From the findings, it was revealed that early warning system, Real time operational financial system, Business processes automation and Financial process improvement to a constant zero, performance of government institutions would be at 0.455. A unit increase on early warning system would lead to increase in performance of government institutions by a factor of 0.016, a unit increase in Real time operational financial system would lead to increase in performance of government institutions by a factor of 0.182, a unit increase in Business processes automation would lead to increase performance of government institutions by a factor of 0.153 and unit increase in Financial process improvement would lead to increase performance of government institutions by a factor of 0.204. The study recommends that RSSB through the government should allocate adequate finances to support in strategy implementation to improve the quality of their services to the Rwanda citizens. Future researchers can conduct a comparative study in another parastatal body in Rwanda. Investigations can be done on similar variables then this will give room for the researchers to compare findings to establish areas that are similar and those which are unique after which a reliable conclusion can be drawn.

Keywords: Agency Banking Services, Financial Performance of Commercial Banks.

Title: EFFECTS OF ELECTRONIC FINANCE ON PERFORMANCE OF GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS IN RWANDA: A CASE STUDY OF RWANDA SOCIAL SECURITY BOARD

Author: Irambona Angelique, Dr. Patrick Mulyungi

International Journal of Management and Commerce Innovations 

ISSN 2348-7585 (Online)

Research Publish Journals

Abstract: Many international firms have found it necessary to institute formal global strategic planning to provide a means for top management to identify opportunities and threats from their operating environment, formulate strategies to handle them, and stipulate how to finance the strategies’ implementation. However, in Rwanda, many organizations exhibit poor growth and low rates of performance implying that the influence of strategic planning in these organizations is not well embraced or understood. This study aimed at examining the influence of Strategic Planning practices to organizational growth. The study was guided by four specific objectives; to establish the effects of setting vision, mission and objectives on the organizational growth, to analyze the effect of evaluation and strategic control on the organizational growth, to assess the effects of strategic implementation organizational growth, and to analyze the effects of evaluation and strategic control on organizational growth. A descriptive survey design was adopted. 98 respondents were sampled out using stratified sampling technique from a population of 4154 representatives of Ntende Rice Cooperative Society. Data from these respondents was collected using closed ended questionnaire and analyzed using a computer based SPSS for descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings revealed that strategic planning components have positive significant effect on organization growth. The study recommended that organizations should be guided by SWOT analysis in their operations, successful strategy implementation, carry out evaluation and control of various strategies, make clear their mission and vision. The study will be important to the cooperative managers through getting informed on the key strategic planning tools to be employed for better performance of the organizations.

Title: INFLUENCE OF STRATEGIC PLANNING ON ORGANIZATIONAL GROWTH: CASE STUDY OF NTENDE RICE COOPERATIVE SOCIETY

Author: Kayitesi Solange, Dr. Patrick Mulyungi

International Journal of Management and Commerce Innovations 

ISSN 2348-7585 (Online)

Research Publish Journals

Abstract: This study sought to examine the determinants of successful project implementation of projects in the Rwanda educational sector by focusing on education quality improvement projects particularly the Whole School Development (WSD) initiative which is implemented by IEE Rwanda with support from UNICEF in selected Child Friendly Schools (CFS). The WSD initiative has implementation challenges such as limited administrative support from school leaders, poor project monitoring and evaluation by the implementer and low levels of school readiness to implement the project. This study hence, sought to assess how these influence successful implementation of the project. The objectives of the study include; to determine the influence of project team training on successful implementation of the WSD project in UNICEF supported child friendly schools in Rwanda, to analyze the role of monitoring and evaluation in successful implementation of the WSD project in UNICEF supported child friendly schools in Rwanda and to assess the role of organizational (school) readiness in the successful implementation of WSD project in UNICEF supported child friendly schools in Rwanda. A likert scale questionnaire was used for data collection and the data was analyzed by way of SPSS 20 using descriptive techniques such as frequencies, and means as well as inferential techniques such as Pearson correlation and regression analysis to determine the relationship between the study variables. The findings indicate that project team training, project monitoring and evaluation and organizational (school) readiness to implement were all positively, significantly and strongly influence successful implementation of the WSD project in UNICEF supported child friendly schools in Rwanda. Specifically, project monitoring and evaluation was found to have the strongest influence from regression analysis results in terms of contribution to successful implementation of the project when other factors are controlled for. This was followed by organizational readiness to implement while project team training was found to make the least significant contribution to prediction of successful project implementation among all variables in the model. The study recommends among other things that there should also be a fully fledged M&E Staff on the WSD project, the M&E staff should regularly check on project implementation progress in order to ensure successful implementation and that there should be clear guidelines for quality M&E processes on the WSD project as this was found to positively affect successful implementation of the project.

Keywords: Resources, Successful project implementation, schools improvement projects.

Title: ASSESSMENT OF FACTORS THAT DETERMINE SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IN RWANDA: THE CASE OF THE WHOLE SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT (WSD) PROJECT IN UNICEF   CHILD FRIENDLY SCHOOLS

Author: Jenifer Bayenda, Dr. Patrick Mulyungi, Dr. Yusufu Muchelure

International Journal of Management and Commerce Innovations 

ISSN 2348-7585 (Online)

Research Publish Journals

Abstract: This study aims to develop the dimension of SERVQUAL structure and analyze its influence on satisfaction and loyalty of cooperative members. The method used is a mix method research, started from a qualitative method to explore the possibility of factors that have not been accommodated in each SERVQUAL dimension, involving three informants. The results were then tested empirically by involving 95 cooperative members as sample. This study found a new item and proved significantly as a complement to assurance dimension, which is "transparency of management reports for financial cases in the context of cooperatives as a guarantee for members in saving fund". These finding complements and successfully strengthens SERVQUAL and significantly affects satisfaction and loyalty of cooperative members as customers, either partially or simultaneously. Originality or value of this study is to fills the gaps in the study of management report transparency for financial cases as a construction to service quality, transparency of financial statements, related to trust and company image. The results of this study considered as pioneer in the context of cooperatives, that transparency of management reports for financial cases affects members’ satisfaction and loyalty.

Keywords: Service quality, Consumer satisfaction, Loyalty, SERVQUAL, Financial Report Transparency, Cooperative.

Title: TRANSPARENCY OF COOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT REPORT AS A PART OF SERVICE QUALITY IN IMPROVING MEMBERS’ SATISFACTION AND LOYALTY

Author: GUSTI AGUNG MADE SURABRATA AGUNG, GUSTI AGUNG TEJA KUSUMA, I NENGAH SUARDHIKA, ANAK AGUNG PUTU AGUNG

International Journal of Management and Commerce Innovations 

ISSN 2348-7585 (Online)

Research Publish Journals

Abstract: Cash management is necessary service mismatches between the timing of payments and the availability of cash may interfere with operations of a firm. Studies have noted that many SMEs have maintained large cash reserves and liquidity positions within their investment portfolios in an effort to partially accommodate unforeseen expenditure. However, inadequate cash management practices among the SMEs has led to slow rate of service delivery. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of cash management practices on financial performance of SMEs in Kicukiro District. The objectives of the study were; to evaluate the effects of cash planning on financial performance of SMEs in Rwanda. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey research design and in-depth interviews which allowed the collection of primary quantitative data through structured questionnaires. Target populations of 300 finance managers/ accountants of SMEs comprising 164 trading 26 manufacturing, 10 hairstyling, 62 dressmaking, and 38 carpentry enterprises. Stratified random sampling technique was used to obtain a sample of 172 SMEs both primary data and secondary data was used for the study. Primary data was collected using a well-structured questionnaire. The study utilized questionnaires as an instrument for data collection. Data was analyzed for descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS version 21. Descriptive statistics such as tables, graphs, charts and percentages analysis were used for presentation of data. Also, a linear regression model was used to analyze quantitative data and was developed and tested to explain the relationship between various proxies of cash management practices and financial performance of SMEs in Rwanda. The findings indicated that there were significant correlation coefficients were established between effects of cash management practices on financial performance. Very good and positive linear relationships were established between effects cash management practices on financial performance: Cash planning (r=0.690, p= .023).The results revealed that cash planning was statistically significant in explaining Financial Performance of SMEs in Rwanda. The study concluded that SMEs need to ensure there are adequate cash management controls to ensure all the time there is optimal cash where there are strategies to be in place during minimal cash and surplus cash since either of the side will contribute to liquidity risks to the organization. The study recommends SMEs to strengthen cash collection avenues by encouraging payment in other forms and move from cash payments, with the advent of mobile money and cash payments to banks where this can be audited for proper payment systems.

Keywords: Cash management practices, Cash planning, financial performance.

Title: EFFECT OF CASH MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF SMALL MEDIUM ENTERPRISES IN RWANDA: CASE STUDY OF SMEs IN KICUKIRO DISTRICT

Author: NIWEMUTONI SYLVIE, Dr. PATRICK MULYUNGI, Dr. JAYA SHUKLA

International Journal of Management and Commerce Innovations 

ISSN 2348-7585 (Online)

Research Publish Journals

Abstract: Creative accounting involves the manipulation of company financial records towards a predetermined target. Creative accounting plays a significant role in financial reporting, but it has been negatively correlated that means more managers involved in it may decrease the value of financial information. The creative accounting practices are prevalent and attributed to bad corporate governance. Accountants apply strategies that enhance creative accounting by using profit eroding mechanisms which lead to drastic consequences. The objective of this research was to establish the effect of creative accounting practices on shareholders’ wealth of companies listed at Rwanda stock Exchange. The objectives of the study were: to determine the effect of income smoothing on shareholders’ wealth of companies listed at the RSE, to examine the effect of accelerated depreciation on shareholders’ wealth of companies listed at the RSE and to determine the effect of tax avoidance on shareholders’ wealth of companies listed at the RSE. This research adopted a mixed research design which is a combination of descriptive design, causal design and cross-sectional design. The target populations comprised of top management of public limited companies that is the CEO, directors, top managers and accountants. A sample of 32 individuals was drawn from the public companies at RSSE using purposive sampling. Census approach was adopted in this study. A multiple linear regression technique was used to analyze the relationship between creative accounting practices and shareholders wealth. Quantitative approach through the use of questionnaires was adopted to help in the collection of primary data for analysis purposes. The secondary data was collected from RSE handbook relevant text books, finance journals, financial statements and the website of public limited companies that were sampled. Data was analyzed for descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS version 21. Descriptive statistics such as tables, graphs, charts and percentages analysis were used for presentation of data. The data findings analyzed also showed that taking all other independent variables at zero, a unit increase in tax avoidance will lead to a 1.32 increase in Shareholders wealth; a unit increase in income smoothing will lead to a 0.81 decrease in Shareholders wealth, a unit increase in accelerated depreciation will lead to a 1.83 increase in Shareholders wealth. This infers that accelerated depreciation contribute more to Shareholders wealth of firms listed at the RSE followed by tax avoidance. At 5% level of significance and 95% level of confidence, tax avoidance had a 0.03 level of significance; income smoothing showed a 0.022 level of significant, accelerated depreciation showed a 0.000 level of significant hence the most significant factor is accelerated depreciation. The study recommends that local investors should embrace shareholder value concept as an excellent model for value creation to increase insider trading meant to boost investor confidence and sense of security as guaranteed by mutual interests in growth in shareholder value. Further research should be carried out on other employees who could be involved in creative accounting therefore indirectly affecting shareholders wealth.

Keywords: Income smoothing, Shareholders’ wealth, Rwanda Stock Exchange.

Title: EFFECT OF CREATIVE ACCOUNTING ON SHAREHOLDERS’ WEALTH: A CASE OF COMPANIES LISTED ON RWANDA STOCK EXCHANGE

Author: UGILIWABO CHRISTINE, Dr. PATRICK MULYUNGI

International Journal of Management and Commerce Innovations 

ISSN 2348-7585 (Online)

Research Publish Journals