Effect of Strategic Leadership on Competitive Advantage of Animal Feeds Manufacturing Firms in Upper Eastern and Central Kenya
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Jul 29, 2024
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Abstract
Purpose: Over time, enhancing a company's performance had mainly involved securing a competitive position compared to industry peers. A competitive advantage results in improved performance by cultivating greater customer loyalty, heightened satisfaction, improved financial outcomes, and a larger market share. As a result, organizations were increasingly working to strategically position themselves within their industries to surpass competitors. Despite implementing various strategic changes to maintain a competitive edge, companies in the animal feed manufacturing sector, including those in the central and upper east regions of Kenya, confront intense competition from both established and new players. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of strategic leadership on the competitive advantage of animal feed manufacturing firms in Upper Eastern and Central Kenya.
Design/methodology/approach: The competitive advantage theory will provide insights into the research. Employing an explanatory research design, the study focused on 96 animal feed manufacturing firms in Central and Upper Eastern Kenya. The research adhered to ethical standards and principles, presenting the findings through charts and tables. Charts and tables were utilized to present the findings of the study.
Findings: The conclusions drawn from the results suggest that the adoption of strategic leadership exhibits a constructive and considerable influence on competitive advantage within Animal feeds manufacturing firms in Central and Upper Eastern Kenya. The study advises animal feeds manufacturing firms to prioritize bolstering strategic leadership across managerial echelons, from mid-level managers to top executives, to ensure they grasp their responsibilities in fostering and preserving competitive advantage over the long haul.
Paper type: Research paper
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References
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Mutuku, M. K., Muathe, S., & James, R. (2019). The mediating role of competitive advantage on e-commerce capability and performance in Kenyan banks. European Business Journal, 11(17), 48-57.
Nima, A. (2022). Strategic Positioning and Its Impact on Sustainable Competitive Edge at Safaricom Plc [Doctoral dissertation, University of Nairobi]. University of Nairobi Repository. http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/163465
Nyawira, I., & Omagwa, J. (2019). Managing Debtors and Its Impact on Financial Performance in Microfinance Institutions in Nyeri County, Kenya. International Journal of Accounting and Taxation, 3(2).
Nzioka, C., & Kariuki, P. (2021). Strategic Internal Factors Influencing Competitive Advantage in Commercial Banks of Nairobi County, Kenya. Journal of International Business and Management, 4(7), 01-16. https://rpajournals.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/JIBM-2021-05-836.pdf
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Othman, R., Arshad, R., Aris, N. A., & Arif, S. M. M. (2018). Leveraging Resources for Competitive Advantage in Malaysian Cooperative Organizations. Asian Journal of Behavioural Studies, 3(12), 63-71.
Paker, N. (2021). Strategic Positioning Analysis of E-Commerce Sites: A Study of the Turkish Retail Market. Pazarlama ve Organizasyon Perspektifinden Kuramlar ve Tartismalar, Gazi Kitabevi, 1-18. https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/68795181/Assessing_Strategic_Positioning_of_E_Commerce_Sites-libre.pdf
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Powell, T. C. (2001). Logical and Philosophical Perspectives on Competitive Advantage. Strategic Management Journal, 22(9), 875-888. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/smj.173
Rahi, S. (2017). Systematic Review of Research Paradigms, Sampling Issues, and Instrument Development. International Journal of Economics & Management Sciences, 6(2), 1-5.
Riaz, N., Riaz, A., Tariq, R., & Talha, M. (2023). Fintech Adoption and Bank Performance Nexus: The Role of Competitiveness. Pakistan Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 11(4), 3981-3993. https://journals.internationalrasd.org/index.php/pjhss/article/view/1780
Simiyu, A. J., & Makhamara, F. (2020). Strategic Positioning and Its Role in Achieving Competitive Advantage at G4S Kenya. International Journal of Innovative Social Sciences & Humanities Research, 8(4), 1-19. https://seahipaj.org/journals-ci/dec-2020/IJISSHR/full/IJISSHR-D-1-2020.pdf
Tan, K., Siddik, A. B., Sobhani, F. A., Hamayun, M., & Masukujjaman, M. (2022). The Role of Environmental Strategy and Awareness in Enhancing Firms’ Environmental and Financial Performance Through Competitive Advantage. Sustainability, 14(17), 10600. https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/17/10600
Taouab, O., & Issor, Z. (2019). Firm Performance: Definitions and Measurement Approaches. European Scientific Journal, 15(1), 93-106. https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/58353550/6-libre.pdf
Varpio, L., Paradis, E., Uijtdehaage, S., & Young, M. (2020). Differentiating Between Theory, Theoretical Framework, and Conceptual Framework. Academic Medicine, 95(7), 989-994.
Adeoye, I. A., Agbawodikeizu, J., & Egwakhe, A. J. (2019). Factors influencing innovation adoption and competitive edge in selected SMEs in Ado-Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria. International Journal of Advanced Engineering, Management and Science, 5(4), 282-289.
Al-Mahdi, M. M. A. (2021). Leadership styles and strategic planning in Iraqi public and private colleges: An empirical study [Doctoral dissertation, University of Southern Queensland]. University of Southern Queensland Repository.
Amesho, K. T., Edoun, E. I., Naidoo, V., & Pooe, S. (2022). Gaining sustainable competitive advantage through technology and innovation in local government. Africa’s Public Service Delivery & Performance Review, 10(1), 19. https://apsdpr.org/index.php/apsdpr/article/view/573
Arsawan, I. W. E., De Hariyanti, N. K., Atmaja, I. M. A. D. S., Suhartanto, D., & Koval, V. (2022). Enhancing SME agility: The roles of innovation and strategic flexibility. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, 8(3), 149. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2199853122007508
Chung, S., & Song, K. H. (2021). Formulating airport-centric development strategies within regional economic structures: Insights from South Korea. Science Progress, 104(3_suppl), 00368504211021695. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/00368504211021695
Eklof, J., Podkorytova, O., & Malova, A. (2020). Connecting customer satisfaction with financial outcomes: Evidence from Scandinavian banks. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence, 31(15-16), 1684-1702. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14783363.2018.1504621
Farhiya, F. (2015). Strategic positioning for sustainable competitive advantage at the Norwegian Refugee Council in Dolo Ado, Ethiopia [Doctoral dissertation, University of Nairobi]. University of Nairobi Repository. http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/94150
Geke, E. N. (2021). Strategic leadership and competitive edge in Kenyan commercial banks [Doctoral dissertation, University of Nairobi]. University of Nairobi Repository. http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/157107
Grant, R. M. (2021). Contemporary strategy analysis. John Wiley & Sons.
Haydam, N. E., & Steenkamp, P. (2020). A blueprint for social sciences research methodologies: The social sciences research methodology framework. EIRP Proceedings, 15(1).
Josiah, A. (2013). Leveraging strategic information systems in Nigerian businesses. International Journal of Learning & Development, 3(1), 212-220.
Kahiga, M. (2017). Strategic leadership practices and competitive advantage at National Bank of Kenya [Doctoral dissertation, University of Nairobi]. University of Nairobi Repository. http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/102509
Kang, S. E., Lee, C. K., Moon, Y. J., Park, Y. N., & Suess, C. (2021). Corporate social responsibility's impact on organizational behavior during pandemics: Emphasizing health and safety in airlines. Sustainability, 13(17), 9704. https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/17/9704
Khan, M. Z., Niqab, M., & Hanson, J. (2021). HR management practices fostering product differentiation and cost leadership strategy: A narrative review. Pakistan Business Review.
King’ori, G. N. (2018). Strategic approaches and outcomes in agro-chemical companies in Nairobi's Industrial Area, Kenya. Unpublished MBA Research project of Kenyatta University. Kenyatta University Repository.
Kowo, S., Sabitu, O., & Adegbite, G. (2018). The impact of strategic competition on SME performance: A Nigerian case study. Agricultural and Resource Economics: International Scientific E-Journal, 4(3), 14-33.
Liu, H., & Wilson, J. O. (2013). Competitive dynamics and risk in Japanese banking. European Finance Journal, 19(1), 1-18. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1351847X.2011.633614
Macharia, P. N., & Tirimba, I. (2018). The influence of product innovation on financial performance in Nairobi's deposit-taking Saccos. International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, 8(11), 432-443.
Miao, M., Saide, S., & Muwardi, D. (2021). The role of knowledge creation and business strategy in the banking sector of developing countries. IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, 70(6), 2197-2205. [doi: 10.1109/TEM.2021.3071640](doi: 10.1109/TEM.2021.3071640)
Muro, B. P. A. (2019). Entry timing and mode decisions: Effects on performance considering competitive strategy and environmental factors [Doctoral dissertation, Universidad de La Rioja]. Universidad de La Rioja Repository. https://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/tesis?codigo=221182
Musyoka, I. N. (2023). Strategies for competitive advantage and performance in Kenyan supermarkets [Doctoral dissertation, University of Nairobi]. University of Nairobi Repository. http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/163991
Mutuku, M. K., Muathe, S., & James, R. (2019). The mediating role of competitive advantage on e-commerce capability and performance in Kenyan banks. European Business Journal, 11(17), 48-57.
Nima, A. (2022). Strategic Positioning and Its Impact on Sustainable Competitive Edge at Safaricom Plc [Doctoral dissertation, University of Nairobi]. University of Nairobi Repository. http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/163465
Nyawira, I., & Omagwa, J. (2019). Managing Debtors and Its Impact on Financial Performance in Microfinance Institutions in Nyeri County, Kenya. International Journal of Accounting and Taxation, 3(2).
Nzioka, C., & Kariuki, P. (2021). Strategic Internal Factors Influencing Competitive Advantage in Commercial Banks of Nairobi County, Kenya. Journal of International Business and Management, 4(7), 01-16. https://rpajournals.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/JIBM-2021-05-836.pdf
Omalaja, M. A., & Eruola, O. A. (2011). Resource-Based Philosophy in Strategic Management Theory: Concepts, Analysis, and Critiques. Economic Analysis, 44(1-2), 59-77. https://www.library.ien.bg.ac.rs/index.php/ea/article/view/194
Othman, R., Arshad, R., Aris, N. A., & Arif, S. M. M. (2018). Leveraging Resources for Competitive Advantage in Malaysian Cooperative Organizations. Asian Journal of Behavioural Studies, 3(12), 63-71.
Paker, N. (2021). Strategic Positioning Analysis of E-Commerce Sites: A Study of the Turkish Retail Market. Pazarlama ve Organizasyon Perspektifinden Kuramlar ve Tartismalar, Gazi Kitabevi, 1-18. https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/68795181/Assessing_Strategic_Positioning_of_E_Commerce_Sites-libre.pdf
Petricevic, O., & Teece, D. J. (2019). Globalization's Structural Reshaping: Strategic Sector Implications and Innovation Profits for Multinational Enterprises. Journal of International Business Studies, 50, 1487-1512. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1057/s41267-019-00269-x
Powell, T. C. (2001). Logical and Philosophical Perspectives on Competitive Advantage. Strategic Management Journal, 22(9), 875-888. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/smj.173
Rahi, S. (2017). Systematic Review of Research Paradigms, Sampling Issues, and Instrument Development. International Journal of Economics & Management Sciences, 6(2), 1-5.
Riaz, N., Riaz, A., Tariq, R., & Talha, M. (2023). Fintech Adoption and Bank Performance Nexus: The Role of Competitiveness. Pakistan Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 11(4), 3981-3993. https://journals.internationalrasd.org/index.php/pjhss/article/view/1780
Simiyu, A. J., & Makhamara, F. (2020). Strategic Positioning and Its Role in Achieving Competitive Advantage at G4S Kenya. International Journal of Innovative Social Sciences & Humanities Research, 8(4), 1-19. https://seahipaj.org/journals-ci/dec-2020/IJISSHR/full/IJISSHR-D-1-2020.pdf
Tan, K., Siddik, A. B., Sobhani, F. A., Hamayun, M., & Masukujjaman, M. (2022). The Role of Environmental Strategy and Awareness in Enhancing Firms’ Environmental and Financial Performance Through Competitive Advantage. Sustainability, 14(17), 10600. https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/17/10600
Taouab, O., & Issor, Z. (2019). Firm Performance: Definitions and Measurement Approaches. European Scientific Journal, 15(1), 93-106. https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/58353550/6-libre.pdf
Varpio, L., Paradis, E., Uijtdehaage, S., & Young, M. (2020). Differentiating Between Theory, Theoretical Framework, and Conceptual Framework. Academic Medicine, 95(7), 989-994.