Business, Management and Economics Research

Online ISSN: 2412-1770
Print ISSN: 2413-855X

Quarterly Published (4 Issues Per Year)





Archives

Volume 4 Number 1 January 2018

Branding As a Means of Positioning Itself in the Marketplace ? A Case Study of the Catholic University Institute of Buea ? The Entrepreneurial University


Authors: Evaristus Nyong Abam
Pages: 11-14
Abstract
Branding is the process involved in creating a unique name and image for a product in the consumers’ mind, and this happens mainly through advertising campaigns with a consistent theme. It aims to establish a significant and differentiated presence in the market that attracts and retains loyal customers. Brand not only creates loyal customers, but it creates loyal employees and gives them something to believe in, something to stand behind and finally it helps them understand the purpose of the organization or the business.  A strong brand is invaluable as the battle for customers intensifies day by day. It’s important to spend time investing in researching, defining, and building your brand after all; your brand is the source of a promise to your consumer.  Brand serves as a guide to understanding the purpose of business objectives and it enables the business or a company to align a marketing plan with the objectives and the effectiveness of brand doesn’t just happen before the purchase, but it’s also about the life of the brand of the experience it gives a consumer. A business or companies’ brand is one of your greatest assets and it is not just the logo, slogan and design scheme, but the customers’ total experience of your business.


Effect of Capital Structure on Financial Sustainability of Deposit-Taking Microfinance Institutions in Kenya


Authors: Wambua Mary Mwongeli ; Jared Ariemba
Pages: 1-10
Abstract
The purpose of this research was to empirically investigate the effect of capital structure on financial sustainability of deposit-taking micro finance institutions (DTMs) in Kenya. The specific objectives were to determine the impact of debt on the financial sustainability of DTMs in Kenya, to assess the influence of retained earnings on the financial sustainability of DTMs in Kenya, to examine the effect of ordinary share capital on the financial sustainability of MFIs in Kenya, and to investigate the impact of preferred share capital on the financial sustainability of DTMs in Kenya. The target population of the study was all the 13 DTMs in Kenya registered with the Central Bank of Kenya. Secondary data was collected on all the DTMs financial data from the Central Bank of Kenya reports. Data was analyzed using multiple regression model using SPSS and R as the data analysis tool. Based on the findings 76.9% of the DTMs did not earn enough revenue to cover the actual financing direct costs, which include the total operating costs, loan loss provisions and the financing costs but excluding the cost of capital. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) table indicated that the predictor variables influenced the predictor variable significantly at 5% significance level. Among the four variables; debt and retained earnings were statistically significant variable at 5% significance level with 1.265 and 1.630 coefficient respectfully. Whereby the financial sustainability change by 1.265 and 1.630 for every unit change of debt or retained earnings respectfully. Therefore, for the deposit-taking microfinance institutions to remain afloat in the lending business, they should utilize any borrowing opportunity, plough back profits to the business, and low proportion of preferred share capital. Deposit-taking microfinance institutions should avoid usage ordinary share capital as it negatively affected financial sustainability.