Critical Success Strategies for Competitive Advantage of Indigenous Construction Firms in Developing Countries: A Ghana Study

2020 ◽  
pp. 097215092090725
Author(s):  
Matthew Kwaw Somiah ◽  
Clinton Ohis Aigbavboa ◽  
Wellington Didibhuku Thwala

Though a plethora of studies have suggested indigenous construction firms in developing countries are competitively disadvantaged and risk being marginalized in the competition posed by their foreign counterparts, there is lack of empirical study that identifies the critical success strategies for competitive advantage of indigenous construction firms in developing countries to adduce empirical findings towards policy direction and formulation. Thus, this study identifies the critical success strategies for competitive advantage of indigenous construction firms in developing countries using Ghana as a case study and suggests strategies for competitive advantage of indigenous construction firms. The use of principal component analysis and varimax rotation in data analysis aided in reducing the large set of success strategies to four principal components. Using a questionnaire survey, 667 respondents were invited to rate 21 success strategies identified from literature based on their knowledge and experience. Correlations between the 21 variables showed that four key components underlay the critical success strategies for competitive advantage of indigenous construction firms in developing countries, namely tendering, contract, client-centred and branding strategies. Findings and recommendations of this study may be useful to construction stakeholders who are seeking innovative ways to enhance indigenous construction firms’ competitive advantage and policy direction.

Author(s):  
Flevy Lasrado

Innovation, is a subject of considerable interest for entrepreneurs. They share a keen interest in learning how to foster innovation and creativity in ways that help firms to create increasing amounts of wealth. Research on innovation and creativity has increased ever since they were considered to be the key to building a competitive advantage. In fact, it is a challenge for organizations to sustain innovation. In this chapter, we explore the factors that entrepreneurs should address to channel innovation in their organizations. Entrepreneurship, on the other hand, requires the funneling and implementation of creative ideas, leading to innovation. This chapter is particularly relevant to global managers seeking to identify inhibitors of creativity and business innovation and how to combat the roadblocks and create a sustainable innovation environment. The chapter discusses the three essential components that must be considered to spur innovation. We highlight the best practices associated with these factors through a case study of three organizations.


Author(s):  
Ehab Mohiuddin Hashlamou ◽  

The current study aims to identify the extent to which the competitive advantage - the natural cosmetics sector - was achieved in light of the factors of the Porter model, and on the Hashlamoun cosmetics factory in the West Bank between 2018 and 2019. Where the study was formulated through the main question: What is the extent of achieving the competitive advantage - the natural cosmetics sector - in light of the factors of the Porter model, and on the Hashlamoun cosmetics factory in the West Bank? This question is divided into a set of sub-questions. In order for the study to achieve its goals according to the scientific methodology, a qualitative exploration method for secondary sources and data has been used to uncover criticism and support for Porter models through relevant books and references. Work has also been done on the descriptive analytical approach in the study to analyze the sector and case study through several tools, including the questionnaire It was prepared appropriately based on the main factors of the Porter model for analyzing the sector's attractiveness and other external factors, in order to collect the required data on (8) cosmetic companies natural, conduct interviews and take notes in a case study of a factory Hashlamoun p. For cosmetics, the study used descriptive and inferential methods, through the statistical analysis program (EXCEL ). The study reached a number of results, the most important of which are: Based on the Porter factors to analyze the sector and build a competitive advantage, the researcher showed when applying the model that the natural cosmetics sector has an average attractiveness to invest in it, and that the Hashlamoun Cosmetics Company for the industrial environment in the sector has a medium appeal to continue in it, but after applying the forces and modern factors to the sector Natural cosmetics turned out to be of low attractiveness and also the Hashlamoun Company for Cosmetics for its industrial environment is of high attractiveness. The Porter model assessment of the five powers of sector analysis with the researcher’s assessment is weak and not sufficient, because it is unable to give information and expected challenges to the market and the sector adequately and inappropriate for the current sectors and different markets for several reasons: the inconsistency of the conditions and assumptions that are required to apply the model to the sectors and modern markets, the sector The model was applied to in Palestine and it is one of the developing countries, which means the model is unable to deal with the analysis and understanding of the sectors and markets of developing countries. The organization under study is from the small organizations sector and the Porter model is not appropriate for this sector because it has structures organization and clear and depend on the manpower, expertise and skills while the model is based on clear organizational and divided structures is the basic value of the equipment, machinery and external resources, and the presence of factors, modern forces weighed heavily on the markets and sectors and their ability to build a competitive advantage, did not mention the five Porter powers model. It became clear to the researcher that the company is using a differentiation strategy to build a competitive advantage for it, but there are better and more modern strategies that are more suitable for modern markets, and this strategy used has many flaws. After discussing the results, the study concluded with a set of recommendations, the most important of which are: Establishing a committee representing companies in the natural cosmetics sector and caring for them, companies that want to invest in or are present in the sector to counter the intensity of competition by using information technology methods and taking advantage of globalization and the Internet to market and promote their products, also that Al-Hashlamoun Cosmetics Company adopts the new thought of total quality management, Reduce damage, arrange production activities and processes to save time and effort, and communicate between management and workers to solve problems, access the market quickly and on demand on time, and a hybrid modern strategy that integrates cost leadership with differentiation, and The companies use to analyze the market recent modern models for all factors and variables, and if Porter models are used to be just a simple look or a starting point and use other tools, also amend the Porter strategies and models to become appropriate for the modern economy and the variables and taking into account modern forces from the Internet and globalization and free trade, and adding factors On its models to accommodate the economy in developing countries and focus on the role and impact of government on sectors.


2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 45
Author(s):  
Norudin Mansor ◽  
Che Ismail Long ◽  
Ahmad Ismail Mohd. Annuar

The research project was conducted to investigate the understanding of E-commerce Application among the SMEs in the state of Kelantan. Focusing on the population of registered members of Dewan Perniagaan Melayu Malaysia, Kelantan, a total of302 respondents were selected to participate in our study. Moving in line with the general assumption of world business community it is agreed that e-commerce application is highly relevant for the survival and meeting the challenges of borderless economy. At the same time, the process of acquiring knowledge and understanding the environment, coping with changes, and speeding up the business decision, able to further enhance the competitive advantage of the SMEs. Using the established model, our investigation focused on 5 identifiable variables to demonstrate its usefulness towards motivating SMEs to adopt e-commerce. Our analysis indicated that all the selected variables were significant towards enhancing the application of e-commerce and thus maintaining competitive advantage in the industry.


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