ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTS OF PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON PROVISION OF FINANCIAL SERVICES BY SAVINGS AND CREDIT COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES: A CASE OF GUSII MWALIMU SACCO, KISII CENTRAL DISTRICT, KENYA

Abstract

Gusii Mwalimu SACCO Society is a member owned and controlled Savings and Credit Society. It offers a diversity of financial services which include loaning; members’ welfare fund; risk management fund;  credit facilities; and savings facilities. Reports from Kenya Union of Savings and Credit Cooperative Society indicated that membership in the SACCO was declining due to: delay in loan disbursement, poor ATM services, inadequate variety of FOSA services, inefficient BOSA services, and inadequate credit facilities. Ifthis trend continued, it could impair the financial position of the SACCO, cause redundancy of workers, and suffering of clients. The main objective of the study was to assess the effect of performance management practices on provision of financial services by SACCOs. The study adopted a descriptive  research design. The target population comprised 1012 members of the SACCO. The study used stratified and random sampling criteria to obtain a sample of 152 respondents. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect both quantitative data and qualitative data. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages. Regression analysis and Pearson Correlation were used to establish the strength, direction and significance of the relationship between performance management practices and provision of financial services. Data were presented using tables and charts. The study concluded that SACCO management should put specialization into practice for efficiency and effectiveness. These research findings can provide useful knowledge to academicians, researchers, and SACCOs to improve their management practices.