INFLUENCE OF CREDIT RISK ON VALUE OF PRIVATE EQUITY FIRMS: AN EMPIRICAL SURVEY OF SAVINGS AND CREDIT COOPERATIVES IN KENYA

Abstract

The study sought to examine the influence of credit risk on the value of the firm among SACCOs in Kenya. Positivistic epistemological position was adopted in this study. The study adopted descriptive and causal research designs. The targeted population was 164 SACCOs licensed by Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority. A sample size of 115 respondents was selected using stratified random sampling technique. The study utilized secondary data obtained from organization’s published financial statements. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics while inferential data analysis was conducted using Pearson correlation coefficient and panel data regression model. The study results showed that value of the firm was negatively correlated with credit risk. The results further revealed that credit risk had an insignificant negative effect on value of the firm as shown by the coefficient of - 0.06402 and a P-value of 0.284. Since, credit risk had a negative effect on value of SACCOs, the study recommended that the management should control their credit risk by reducing non-performing loans. However, since the effect was not significant, the study recommended that the management should economically justify credit management efforts. The results of the study would assist SACCO management, ministry of Industry, Trade and Co-operatives and agencies such as Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority, investors as well as researchers and scholars.