Operational Risk Management and Financial Fraud Management in Telecommunication Companies. A Study of Airtel Uganda.

Abstract

The study is on the relationship between operational risk management and financial fraud management in telecommunication companies with particular emphasis on Airtel Uganda. Specifically the study investigated the relationship between training of personnel, internal systems, company processes and financial fraud management in Airtel Uganda. The study used a cross sectional design adopting both quantitative and qualitative approaches using a sample of 148 respondents consisting of Heads of department and sections, Senior Managers, supervisors and team contributors. Data was collected using a questionnaire and interview guide. The study found a high positive significant relationship between personnel, internal systems, company processes and financial fraud management in Airtel Uganda. The study concluded that conducting of operational risk focusing on identification of employee training needs and development of employee knowledge and skills significantly influences financial fraud management in telecommunication companies. The study concluded that conducting of operation risk focusing on network connectivity, access logs, records management and maintenance significantly influences financial fraud management. The study concluded that conducting of operational risk focusing on company processes of segregation of duties, supervision and reconciliations significantly influences financial fraud management. The study recommends that to achieve the desired level of financial data integrity, financial fraud reporting and mitigation of financial loss, the management of telecommunication companies should continuously identify ORM annual training needs at the individual level without compromise of the departmental and unit levels, strengthening of access logs and trails, and effective supervision of management actions by the company board.