Influence of Governance Factors on Performance of Firms Listed at Nairobi Securities Exchange, Kenya

https://doi.org/10.59952/tuj.v8i1.445

Authors

  • Amy N Etiang United States International University - Africa
  • Joyce W Ndegwa United States International University - Africa
  • Timothy C Oketch United States International University - Africa

Keywords:

Firms Listed at Nairobi Securities Exchange, Governance Factors, Organizational Performance

Abstract

This study examined how governance factors influence the performance of firms listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange. Adopting a positivist philosophy, it used both descriptive and explanatory research designs. The analysis focused on 61 listed firms, with heads of finance, marketing, HR, internal audit, customer relations, operations, ICT, and risk and compliance as the units of observation. The target population comprised 350 departmental heads, from which a sample of 187 respondents was selected using purposive and stratified random sampling, achieving a 97% response rate. Data collection involved semi-structured questionnaires for primary data and extraction checklists for secondary data. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically, while quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages, and inferential statistics, including logistic regression. The Nagelkerke Pseudo R² indicated that governance factors explained 60.2% of the variance in firm performance (R² = .602), and the regression coefficient showed that governance factors significantly predicted performance (B = 3.072, p ≤ .05). The study concludes that firm performance—measured by financial outcomes, customer satisfaction, internal processes, and learning and growth—can be enhanced through the adoption of governance (ESG) practices. This study recommends that management of NSE-listed firms integrate governance practices into their core operations to improve overall performance.

References

Abang’a, A. O. G., Wang’ombe, D., & Achiro, L. O. (2022). Corporate governance and financial performance of state-owned enterprises in Kenya. Corporate Governance: The International Journal of Business in Society, 22(4), 798-820. https://doi.org/10.1108/cg-01-2021-0007

Abbasi, K. R. & Alvarado, R. (2022). Analyze the environmental sustainability factors of China: The role of fossil fuel energy and renewable energy. Renewable Energy, 187, 390-402. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2022.01.066

Agutu, O. J., & Githira, W. C. (2023). Sustainability reporting and financial performance of listed financial firms in Kenya. Journal of Accounting, Business and Finance Research, 17(1), 31-42. https://doi.org/10.55217/102.v17i1.704

Ahmad, H., Yaqub, M. & Lee, S.H. (2024). Environmental-, social-, and governance-related factors for business investment and sustainability: a scientometric review of global trends. Environ Dev Sustain, 26, 2965–2987. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-023-02921-x

Alagbe, E. A. (2021). Environmental social governance and firm performance of multinational companies in Nigeria. Fuoye Journal of Accounting and Management, 4(1), 1-13. http://www.fjam.fuoye.edu.ng/

Annesi, N., Battaglia, M. & Mercuri, F. (2024). Navigating paradoxes: building a sustainable strategy for integrated ESG corporate governance. Management Decision, 9(1), 89-114. https://doi.org/10.1108/MD-10-2023-2006

Arvidsson, S., & Dumay, J. (2022). Corporate ESG reporting quantity, quality and performance: Where to now for environmental policy and practice?. Business Strategy and the Environment, 31(3), 1091-1110. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2937

Awuor, L. (2023). A Study on the effect of Environmental Social and Governance adoption and bank characteristics on the financial performance of commercial banks in Uganda. International Journal of Current Science Research and Review, 5(5), 90-113. http://hdl.handle.net/11071/13365

Chen, Q., Wang, C. H., & Huang, S. Z. (2023). Effects of organizational innovation and technological innovation capabilities on firm performance: evidence from firms in China’s Pearl River Delta. In Inside the Changing Business of China (pp. 72-96). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.1080/13602381.2019.1592339

Clementino, E., & Perkins, R. (2021). How do companies respond to environmental, social and governance (ESG) ratings? Evidence from Italy. Journal of Business Ethics, 171(2), 379-397. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-020-04441-4

Eccles, R. G., & Klimenko, S. (2019). The investor revolution. Harvard Business Review, 9(2), 78-99. https://www.scirp.org/reference/referencespapers?referenceid=2755951

Faseha, F., & Ghani, E. K. (2022). The effect of innovation in business model, services and technology on firm sustainability: An examination using triple bottom line theory. Economics, 9(2), 170-179. https://doi.org/10.18488/29.v9i2.3095

Ferrell, O. C. (2021). Addressing socio-ecological issues in marketing: environmental, social and governance (ESG). AMS review, 11(1), 140-144. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13162-021-00201-3

Funmilayo, O. O (2022). Environmental, Social, and Governance disclosure and financial performance of multinational companies (MNCs) in Nigeria. International Journal of Management Studies and Social Science Research, 4(4), 96-132. https://www.ijmsssr.org

Machiri, S. N., Oloko, M. & Odhiambo, R. (2024). Customer relationship management as a firm-level factor and its role in firm performance: A Study on the firms listed at Nairobi Securities Exchange. Journal of Information Systems and Technology Research, 3(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.55537/jistr.v3i1.713

Maina, P. K. (2021). Effect of branch network on financial performance of deposit-taking microfinance institutions in Kenya. Journal of Financial Performance and Microfinance, 15(2), 123-145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2021.112715

Mardini, G. H. (2022). ESG factors and corporate financial performance. International Journal of Managerial and Financial Accounting, 14(3), 247-264. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJMFA.2022.10045742

Masila, C. K., Nyamute, W., Okiro, K., & Irungu, M. (2024). Does Corporate Sustainability Reporting Influence Financial Performance? Evidence from Kenyan Listed Companies. European Journal of Business and Management Research, 9(1), 79–84. https://doi.org/10.24018/ejbmr.2024.9.1.2270.

Mbuthia, J. N, Gatauwa, J. M. (2022). Corporate sustainability practices and financial performance of firms listed in the Nairobi Securities Exchange, Kenya. International Academic Journal of Economics and Finance, 3(7), 89-112. https://iajournals.org/articles/iajef_v3_i7_89_112.pdf

Meiden, C., & Silaban, A. (2023). Exploring the measurement of environmental performance in alignment with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG): A qualitative study. Information Sciences Letters, 12(9), 2287-2297. https://digitalcommons.aaru.edu.jo/isl/vol12/iss9/33

Mooneeapen, O., Abhayawansa, S., & Mamode, N. (2022). The influence of the country governance environment on corporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance. Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal, 13(4), 953-985. https://doi.org/10.1108/SAMPJ-07-2021-0298

Muigua, K. (2022). Exploring conflict management in environmental matters. Glenwood Publishers.

Mukama, A., & Kasozi, J. (2023). Corporate governance and organizational performance: A study of selected firms in Uganda. African Journal of Business Management, 17(2), 99-114. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJBM2023.0945

Mumo, B. (2022). The effect of environmental, social and governance reporting on stock returns of firms listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange. International Journal of Accounting & Information Management, 28(2), 363-387. https://asbatlibrary.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com

Mwaura, C., Mathenge, P., & Mungai, C. (2023). Sustainability Strategies and Organizational Performance of Selected Family-Led Businesses in Kenya. European Journal of Business and Strategic Management, 8(2), 48–70. https://doi.org/10.47604/ejbsm.2075

Mwendwa, E. (2023). Bulk of firms yet to adopt ESG reporting. Retrieved from https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/corporate/companies/bulk-of-firms-yet-to-adopt-esg-reporting--4459810

Nairobi Securities Exchange (2021). NSE driving ESG reporting excellence. Retrieved from https://www.nse.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/press-release-nse-driving-esg-reporting-excellence.pdf

Nairobi Securities Exchange (2023). Exchange in focus: Nairobi Securities Exchange launches ESG disclosure guidance and mandatory reporting. Retrieved from https://www.nse.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/NSE-ESG-Disclosures-Guidance-Manual.pdf

Nairobi Securities Exchange (2024). Profit warnings among firms at the NSE. Retrieved from https://www.nse.co.ke

Ngangi, B.S. & Ngali, R. (2023). Corporate social responsibility and financial performance of manufacturing firms listed at Nairobi Securities Exchange in Kenya. International Research Journal, 5(3), 47-59. https://www.irjp.org

Ngunjiri, N. (2023). The Green Revolution: How Sustainable Reporting Fuels Financial Performance for Kenya's Manufacturers. Journal of the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO, 3(1), 1-10. https://journals.unesco.go.ke

Oke, O. A., & Akinyemi, S. O. (2021). Corporate governance and firm performance in Nigeria: Evidence from listed companies. Journal of African Business, 22(3), 420-437. https://doi.org/10.1080/15228916.2021.1912853

Omware, I. M., Atheru, G., & Jagongo, A. (2020). Corporate governance and financial performance of selected commercial banks listed at Nairobi Securities Exchange in Kenya. International Academic Journal of Economics and Finance, 3(5), 75-91. http://www.iajournals.org/articles/iajef_v3_i5_75_91.pdf

Onwere, H. I. (2024). Does environment, social and governance practices improve firm value in Sub-Sahara Africa? African Development Finance Journal, 7(1), 24-43. https://doi.org/10.35741/issn.0258-2724.60.2.4

Popescu, C., Hysa, E., & Mansi, E. (2022). Social innovation, circularity and energy transition for environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices—a comprehensive review. Energies, 15(23), 9028. https://doi.org/10.3390/en15239028

Serem, W. K., Gudda, P., Ombok, M., & Manyaga, C. B. (2024). Effect of sustainability reporting on firm value: evidence from the Nairobi Securities Exchange, Kenya. Journal of Finance and Accounting, 8(1), 29–49. https://doi.org/10.53819/81018102t2302.

Tang, K. (2023). A Review of environmental, social and governance (ESG) regulatory frameworks: Their implications on Malaysia. Tropical Aquatic and Soil Pollution, 3(2), 168-183. https://doi.org/10.53623/tasp.v3i2.282

Wang, Y., Lu, T., & Qiao, Y. (2021). The effect of air pollution on corporate social responsibility performance in high energy-consumption industry: Evidence from Chinese listed companies. Journal of Cleaner Production, 280, 124345. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.124345

Xu, Y. & Zhu, N. (2024). The effect of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance on corporate financial performance in China: Based on the perspective of innovation and financial constraints. Sustainability, 16(8), 3329. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16083329

Published

2026-03-09

How to Cite

Etiang, A. N., Ndegwa, J. W., & Oketch, T. C. (2026). Influence of Governance Factors on Performance of Firms Listed at Nairobi Securities Exchange, Kenya. The University Journal, 8(1), 116–126. https://doi.org/10.59952/tuj.v8i1.445

Most read articles by the same author(s)