Dr Danson Kimani
Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in Accounting and Finance

Profile

Biography

Danson Kimani is a Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in Accounting and Finance at the School for Business and Society, University of York. He joined UoY from the University of Essex, where he was a Lecturer in Accounting between October 2018 and August 2022. He has also previously taught at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in various UK institutions (i.e. University of Buckingham; Oxford Brookes University; The Open University), as well as the Mount Kenya University, Kenya.

He is a Fellow of the Advance HE (UK), and Academic Fellow of the Association of International Accountants. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree (Finance major) from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology (Kenya), Master of Banking & Finance (Financial Markets) from Moi University (Kenya), Master of Research in Management & Business (Accounting and Finance Track) from The Open University (UK), and PhD in Accounting and Finance from The Open University (UK).

Danson’s research focusses on accounting and corporate governance. He also serves on the editorial boards of two scholarly journals: (i) Journal of Accounting in Emerging Economies (besides acting as Social Media Editor), and (ii) Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Emerging Economies. He is also currently a Visiting Fellow at the Essex Accounting Centre, a part of the Essex Business School, University of Essex.

He presently serves as an external examiner for four dual award programmes offered by INTI International University (Malaysia), in conjunction with the University of Hertfordshire (UK). He has also previously been an external examiner for the National University of Sciences and Technology (Pakistan) and Riphah International University (Pakistan).

In addition, Danson has strong links with several local and international organisations which he continues to work with in various research-related, impact and knowledge exchange initiatives. In the UK, he has worked with the Colchester Borough Council (CBC) in a project that explored ways of achieving net zero carbon goals through development of a new Blue and Green Infrastructure strategy. In Kenya, he was involved as a technical consultant supporting the execution of a research project titled “The state of the CS profession in Kenya”, which was jointly commissioned by the Registration of Certified Public Secretaries Board (RCPSB) and The Institute of Certified Secretaries of Kenya (ICS). He was also previously involved in reviewing the African Principles and Guidelines on Corporate Governance, under the auspices of the Africa Corporate Governance Network (ACGN). At present, he is part of a team that is working together with the Institute of Directors of Ghana, to develop a national corporate governance code for the country (i.e., Ghana code).

Finally, Danson has pro bono advisory role in an Africa-based charity – The Grow Movement – that provides transferable skills to entrepreneurs in Malawi, Rwanda and Uganda (Read more about his work https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/womens-entrepreneurial-journeys/how-mentors-are-helping-malawis women-entrepreneurs/

He has also previously worked as a Finance Officer at Betcan Trading Company (Kenya) Limited, as well as a Finance Trainee with Fresh Del Monte (Kenya) Incorporated, and Nairobi Water & Sewerage Company Limited.

Research

Overview

Research interests

Danson’s research interests lie at the intersection of accounting and corporate governance. He studies “how”, and “why”, gaps arise between accounting/corporate governance regulations and their actual implementation. Some of his recent works have attempted to explain (i) what contributes to the waning of accountability in organisational settings, (ii) how corporate governance codes are implemented by practitioners, and (iii) more broadly the factors that influence accountability and corporate governance practices in various organisational settings (i.e., private, public and third sectors) and across countries. He is also presently researching how accounting can be mobilised, as an emancipatory tool, towards addressing various social and environmental problems, such as species loss and climate change-related threats (i.e., biodiversity accounting).

Research Communication

Danson is highly experienced in writing for different audiences. His research has been presented at leading national and international conferences such as the Academy of Management Annual Meetings (AoM), British Accounting and Finance Association (BAFA), and the African Accounting and Finance Association (AAFA). He has also authored several journal articles and a book chapter. He has also previously given talks at Practitioner workshops and seminars, with the most recent ones being events organised by the Institute of Certified Secretaries of Kenya. His writings have appeared in local and international media platforms, including The Conversation, openDemoracy and Business Daily Africa. He has also contributed to a podcast where he discussed his research on corporate governance in emerging economies contexts.

External Collaborations and Research Impact

Danson possesses considerable experience in collaborative projects and conducting international field research, with a variety of participants such as government officials, representatives of third sector organisations, and senior company executives. His recently completed and ongoing projects are listed
below:

Grants and funding – Ongoing projects
* Developing a National Code of Corporate Governance for Ghana (ESRC/University of Southampton IAA Impact Fund, 2021 – 2023).

* Achieving Net Zero Carbon Goals through Improved Stakeholder Engagement in Climate Action: Implementing Colchester Borough Council’s Blue and Green Infrastructure Strategy Focusing on Participatory Budgeting/Participatory Approach (Priority Challenges Project Fund, University of Essex, 2022).

Grants and funding – Completed projects

* Towards improving corporate governance practices within Kenyan State-Owned Corporations (SOCs): A collaborative project with the Institute of Certified Secretaries of Kenya (ESRC/University of Essex IAA Impact Fund, 2021 – 2022).

* Causes of Maternal Mortality in Botswana: An Exploratory Study (GCRF/University of Essex, 2020).

Danson welcomes PhD enquiries in the following areas:

* Corporate governance in emerging & transition economies

* Corporate governance in State-owned enterprises (SOEs)

* Biodiversity/Extinction accounting

* Public sector accounting

* Emerging/Disruptive technologies in accounting

Publications

Selected publications

Journal Articles

* D Adams, D., Adams, K., Attah-Boakye, R., Ullah, S., Rodgers, W., and Kimani, D. (2022). Social and environmental practices and corporate financial performance of multinational corporations in emerging markets: Evidence from 20 oil-rich African countries, Resources Policy 78, 102756.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resourpol.2022.102756

* Kimani, D., Ullah, S., Kodwani, D. and Akhtar, P., (2021). Analysing corporate governance and accountability practices from an African neo-patrimonialism perspective: Insights from Kenya. Critical Perspectives on Accounting, 78, 102260. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpa.2020.102260

* Ullah, S., Zaefarian, G., Ahmed, R. and Kimani, D., (2021). How to apply the event study methodology
in STATA: An overview and a step-by-step guide for authors. Industrial Marketing Management. 99, A1-A12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indmarman.2021.02.004

* Kimani, D., Adams, K., Attah-Boakye, R., Ullah, S., Frecknall-Hughes, J. and Kim, J., (2020). Blockchain,
business and the fourth industrial revolution: Whence, whither, wherefore and how?. Technological Forecasting and Social Change. 161, 120254. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2020.120254

* Attah-Boakye, R., Adams, K., Kimani, D. and Ullah, S., (2020). The impact of board gender diversity and national culture on corporate innovation: A multi-country analysis of multinational corporations operating in emerging economies. Technological Forecasting and Social Change. 161, 120247. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2020.120247

* Rudkin, B., Kimani, D., Ullah, S., Ahmed, R. and Farooq, SU., (2019). Hide-and-seek in corporate disclosure: evidence from negative corporate incidents. Corporate Governance. 19 (1), 158-175.
https://doi.org/10.1108/CG-05-2018-0164

* Areneke, G. and Kimani, D., (2019). Value relevance of multinational directorship and cross-listing on MNEs national governance disclosure practices in Sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence from Nigeria. Journal of World Business. 54 (4), 285-306. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwb.2018.10.003

* Areneke, G., Yusuf, F. and Kimani, D., (2019). Anglo-American governance adoption in non-Anglo- American settings. Managerial Auditing Journal. 34 (4), 486-514. https://doi.org/10.1108/MAJ-12- 2017-1733

* Ullah, S., Kimani, D., Bai, Y. and Ahmed, R., (2018). Assessing the design of accounting modules across UK higher educational institutions. Cogent Business and Management. 5 (1), 1510717. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2018.1510717

Selected Conference Presentations

* Kimani, D., Ullah, S., Kodwani, D. and Akhtar, P., (2019). Estuary or Confluence? A Critical Analysis of Anglo-American Governance’s Implementation within an Emerging Economy Context, 9th Asia- Pacific Interdisciplinary Research in Accounting (APIRA) Conference, Auckland, New Zealand (1-3 July 2019).

* Areneke, G., Kimani, D., Yusuf, F., Kodwani, D. and Viney, H., (2017). Global Diffusion of Anglo- American Governance: Evaluating Responses Across Three Emerging Economies. Academy of Management Proceedings. 2017 (1), 10931. https://doi.org/10.5465/AMBPP.2017.10931abstract

* Kimani, D., Viney, H. and Kodwani, D., (2015). Corporate Governance in Less Developed Countries. Academy of Management Proceedings. 2015 (1), 14377. https://doi.org/10.5465/ambpp.2015.14377abstract

Book Chapter

* Areneke, G., Khlif, W., Kimani, D. and Soobaroyen, T., Do corporate governance codes matter in Africa?. In: Research Handbook on Corporate Board Decision-Making. Editor: Marnet, O., Edward Elgar Publishing.

Media Articles

* Kimani, D., How mentors are helping Malawi’s women entrepreneurs (openDemocracy).

* Soobaroyen, T., Kimani, D., Nyaega, O., Karanja, JN. and Kiprono, G., Rethink board accountability to boost parastatal governance (Business Daily Africa).

* Karanja, JN., Soobaroyen, T., Kimani, D. and Kiprono, G., Regular audits that improve governance of parastatals (Business Daily Africa).

* Kimani, D., Why shareholders are vital cog in corporate governance wheel (Business Daily Africa).

* Kimani, D., Embrace virtual AGMs to end shareholder apathy (Business Daily Africa).

* Soobaroyen, T. and Kimani, D., Tie State agencies to governance that delivers growth (Business Daily Africa).

* Kimani, D., Why corporate reforms falter: some insights from Kenya (The Conversation).

* Kimani, D., How companies can refine their virtual annual general meetings (Business Daily Africa).

* Kimani, D. and Areneke, G., African multinationals bring home much more than profits (The Conversation).

Blog Articles

* Kimani, D. and Soobaroyen, T., New corporate governance that improves lives (Essex Blogs, University of Essex)

Podcasts

* Kimani, D. and Soobaroyen, T., Believing in business in emerging economies (The Louder Than Words Podcast, Episode 26).

Invited Talks/Presentations

* Kimani, D. and Soobaroyen, T., 'Codes of Corporate Governance and Emerging Trends' Invited
presentation as part of Continuing Professional Development training for Kenyan registered company secretaries, organised by The Institute of Certified Secretaries of Kenya (ICS), online webinar, 03/06/2022.

* Kimani, D. and Soobaroyen, T., ‘Presentation on the Implementation of Mwongozo Code of Governance for State Corporations in Kenya' Invited presentation as part of Continuing Professional Development training for Kenyan registered company secretaries, organised by The Institute of Certified Secretaries of Kenya (ICS), The Ole-Ken Hotel, Nakuru, Kenya, 24/05/2022.

* Kimani, D., 'Designing an Effective Board Compensation Committee' Invited presentation as part of Continuing Professional Development training for Kenyan registered company secretaries, organised by The Institute of Certified Secretaries of Kenya (ICS), online webinar, 01/03/2021.

Reports, Papers & ; Briefings

* Kimani, D., Soobaroyen, T., Karanja, JN. and Kiprono, G. (2022) Report on the state of implementation of Mwongozo code of governance for state-owned corporations, The Institute of Certified Secretaries of Kenya.

* Seymour, K., Kimani, D., Adhikari, P., Soobaroyen, T., Jayasinghe, K. (2022), Co-producing a new Green-Blue Infrastructure Strategy for the River Colne, Report to Colchester Borough Council, Essex County, UK.

* Kimani, D., Soobaroyen, T., Karanja, JN. and Kiprono, G. (2022) Corporate governance that contributes to thriving public sector growth, Policy brief to State Corporations Advisory Committee (SCAC), Government Agency of the Republic of Kenya.

Contribution to policy making

* The National Corporate Governance Code for Ghana (‘The Ghana Code, 2022’), Institute of Directors,
Ghana.

Dr Danson Kimani Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in Accounting and Finance