Mobile Money Payment Systems and Data-Driven Business Performance among SMEs in Kajiado County, Kenya
Abstract
Mobile money has become an important payment channel for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), although its contribution to business performance may depend on how transaction records are utilized in managerial decision-making. This study examined the relationship between mobile money payment systems and data-driven business performance among SMEs in Kajiado County, Kenya. The study was guided by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Resource-Based View (RBV), which explain technology adoption and the role of organizational capabilities in translating technological resources into business value. A quantitative approach employing a cross-sectional survey research design was adopted. The study’s target population was 47,100 registered and licensed Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Kajiado County, Kenya as per the Kajiado County Integrated Development Plan (2023–2027), from which a sample of 396 SME owners and managers was selected using stratified random sampling. Structured questionnaires were administered, and 337 completed questionnaires were returned, yielding a response rate of 85%. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s product-moment correlation and multiple regression analysis. Mobile money payment systems recorded a mean score of 3.359 (SD = 0.828). The correlation analysis indicated a positive and statistically significant relationship between mobile money payment systems and data-driven business performance (r = .689, p < .01). Multiple regression analysis further revealed a positive and statistically significant association (B = 0.797, β = .642, p < .001), controlling for FinTech payment solutions and digital payment infrastructure and integration. The overall regression model explained 65.5% of the variance in data-driven business performance (R² = .655; adjusted R² = .652; F = 211.083, p < .001). These findings suggest that mobile money payment systems are associated with stronger data-driven business performance among the sampled SMEs. The study recommends that SME owners integrate mobile money transaction records into bookkeeping, sales monitoring and cash-flow management to support informed decision-making. Given the cross-sectional design, the findings establish statistical associations rather than causal relationships.
Keywords: Mobile money payment systems, data-driven business performance, SMEs, Technology Acceptance Model, Resource-Based View, Kajiado County, Kenya
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