Technological Innovation And Performance Of Commercial Banks In Kenya

Abstract

This study sought examine the technological innovation and performance of commercial banks in Kenya. In particular, the study sought to: investigate the extent to which technology innovation has been adopted by commercial banks in Kenya, to determine the technological innovation challenges faced by commercial banks in Kenya and to establish the relationship between technological innovation and performance of commercial banks in Kenya. Three theories were used by the study and these include Diffusion of Innovation Theory (DOI), Disruptive Innovation Theory (DOT) and Actor Network Theory (ANT). A census was undertaken where 2 managers, operations and information technology managers are from all the 42 commercial banks selected for the study making it 84 respondents. The study used structured questionnaire as data collection instruments for getting primary quantitative data from the chosen study participants. This study used descriptive statistics and regression analysis in analyzing data. The findings show that majority of the respondents were male with most of them being employees of the lower management level. The achieved a response rate of 93% and the study indicates commercial banks had adopted technological innovation as shown by R-square 0.6782 (68%) and P-value of 0.00429 and hence there is positive influence on performance of commercial banks. The study reports that lack of expertise to handle regularly requirements was rated as some of the challenges facing banks with mean of 3.78. Based on data analyzed, this study concludes that innovation is important for customers in the banking sector because it is often utilized as an instrument to increase and simplify operations in the commercial banking sector. Commercial banks should therefore invest in maximization of the return benefits realized from digital platforms such as mobile and internet banking.