Predictors of Church Financing Innovation in the Catholic Church Archdiocese of Lusaka

Abstract

Background: Church financing innovation has not been widely studied in faith based organizations. The church has largely been viewed as a spiritual organisation which needs to be managed differently, possibly that there is no need for it to be involved in business undertakings. The purpose of this study was to test the assumptions of the theory of constraints if it holds in accounting for church financing innovation in the Catholic Church Archdiocese of Lusaka.Methods: The empirical analysis was based on samples of archdiocese leaders, parish council leaders and priests firms across strata of churches in the Catholic Church Archdiocese of Lusaka. With the stratified random sampling technique, these leaders operating in different congregations were surveyed. Data from the survey questionnaire were analysed by using the SPSS statistical program, version 24 (SPSS Inc,). Descriptive statistics (means, medians, SDs, and ranges) were computed. Normality was assessed by using histograms and linear regression analyses to determine the predictors of intention to innovate from the theory of constraints.Results: Generally the sample showed low intention to innovate. Three out of four assumptions of constraints from the theory of influence the observed values of intention to innovate.Conclusions: The findings provide initial evidence that the theory of constraints could be used in predicting constraints of innovation in faith based organisation.

Keywords: Archdiocese, Church, innovation, constraints, church financing.

DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/15-11-06

Publication date:June 30^th 2023