scholarly journals Factors Influencing Competitiveness of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Nairobi County, Kenya

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 161
Author(s):  
Anne Irungu ◽  
Robert Arasa
Keyword(s):  
Correlation Analysis ◽  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Organization Culture ◽  
Appropriate Technology ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Strategic Leadership ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
Technology Resources

The purpose of this study was to examine factors influencing firm competitiveness among the Small and Medium Enterprises in Nairobi, Kenya. Specifically the study set out to examine the influence of strategic leadership, technology, resources and organization culture on competitiveness of Small and Medium Enterprises in Nairobi. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The study population comprised of SMEs in Nairobi which fall within the top 100 SMEs in Kenya. There are 79 SMEs from Nairobi County in the Top 100 SMEs in Kenya. A sample size of 25 SMEs which represented 30% of the target population was selected through stratified random sampling. The stratification was based on five business sector categories (real estate, supplies, services, distribution and manufacturing). The study utilized primary data which was collected from top management employees through the use of questionnaire. Data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Correlation analysis was employed to aid in establishing the nature and strength of the relationships between variables of interest. Correlation analysis results indicate that strategic leadership, adoption of relevant technology, resources availability and organization culture has a positive and significant relationship with firm competitiveness. The study concludes that sustainable competitive advantage of the firm stems from effective strategic leadership, adoption of technology, resources availability and effective organization culture. The study recommends that SMEs should embrace various competitive strategies to remain relevant in the market and achieve the required competitiveness. The SMEs managers should embrace strategic leadership practices, benchmark on best practices to ensure constant touch with their customers, embrace adoption of appropriate technology towards realizing higher levels of efficiency and effectiveness, ensure optimal utilization of resources, and cultivate a good balance between the organization culture and the organization processes so as to enhance competitive advantage. This study was confined to factors influencing organizational competitiveness of small and medium enterprises within Nairobi County. Other studies could be pursued in terms of expanding the geographical setting and taking recognition of other variables that could intervene and or moderate the investigated relationship.

scholarly journals Factors Influencing Competitiveness of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Nairobi County, Kenya

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2(J)) ◽  
pp. 161-173
Author(s):  
Anne Irungu ◽  
Robert Arasa
Keyword(s):  
Correlation Analysis ◽  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Organization Culture ◽  
Appropriate Technology ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Strategic Leadership ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
Technology Resources

The purpose of this study was to examine factors influencing firm competitiveness among the Small and Medium Enterprises in Nairobi, Kenya. Specifically the study set out to examine the influence of strategic leadership, technology, resources and organization culture on competitiveness of Small and Medium Enterprises in Nairobi. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The study population comprised of SMEs in Nairobi which fall within the top 100 SMEs in Kenya. There are 79 SMEs from Nairobi County in the Top 100 SMEs in Kenya. A sample size of 25 SMEs which represented 30% of the target population was selected through stratified random sampling. The stratification was based on five business sector categories (real estate, supplies, services, distribution and manufacturing). The study utilized primary data which was collected from top management employees through the use of questionnaire. Data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Correlation analysis was employed to aid in establishing the nature and strength of the relationships between variables of interest. Correlation analysis results indicate that strategic leadership, adoption of relevant technology, resources availability and organization culture has a positive and significant relationship with firm competitiveness. The study concludes that sustainable competitive advantage of the firm stems from effective strategic leadership, adoption of technology, resources availability and effective organization culture. The study recommends that SMEs should embrace various competitive strategies to remain relevant in the market and achieve the required competitiveness. The SMEs managers should embrace strategic leadership practices, benchmark on best practices to ensure constant touch with their customers, embrace adoption of appropriate technology towards realizing higher levels of efficiency and effectiveness, ensure optimal utilization of resources, and cultivate a good balance between the organization culture and the organization processes so as to enhance competitive advantage. This study was confined to factors influencing organizational competitiveness of small and medium enterprises within Nairobi County. Other studies could be pursued in terms of expanding the geographical setting and taking recognition of other variables that could intervene and or moderate the investigated relationship.

AN ANALYSIS OF COMPETITIVE STRATEGIES AND PERFORMANCE OF SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES IN KENYA: A CASE OF NAIROBI CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 72
Author(s):  
Omar B. Buul ◽  
Dr. Robert Omundi
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Strategic Alliances ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Central Business District ◽  
Analysis Data ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Competitive Strategies ◽  
Cost Leadership ◽  
Medium Enterprises

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of competitive strategies on the performance of small and medium enterprises in Kenya.Methodology: The study employed a descriptive correlation design using primary data collected using questionnaires. The study targeted 4,560 SMEs in Nairobi CBD. The collected data was coded and entered into SPSS (V.20) to create a data sheet that was used for analysis. Data was analyzed using quantitative techniques. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the characteristics of collected data. Pearson’s Correlation, Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Multiple Regression Analysis were used to establish the relationships among the study variables.Findings: Cost leadership, differentiation, market focus and strategic alliance were all found to have a positive and significant influence on SME performance.Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study recommended that: SMEs should embrace and invest in cost leadership strategies most especially forming linkages with service providers, suppliers and other supplementary institutions since it will enable them achieve competitive advantage; SMEs ought to focus and invest more on differentiation as it could be used as a major competitive advantage tool against competitors; SMEs should know on what basis to segment their products, services and operations; and that SMEs should embrace strategic alliances to increase their market share.

scholarly journals ORIENTASI PASAR DAN INOVASI PRODUK PENGARUHNYA TERHADAP KEUNGGULAN BERSAING (Studi Pada UMKM Tenun Gedogan Kota Bima)

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhajirin Muhajirin ◽  
Kamaluddin Kamaluddin
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Market Orientation ◽  
Product Innovation ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Analysis Tool ◽  
World Economic ◽  
Data Analysis Tool ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
The City

Small and medium enterprises are one of the leading drivers in the world economic development. Small and medium enterprises are one of the fields in absorption very significant workforce. At this time is a period of globalization where competition is getting tougher, many companies will go bankrupt or out of business if the company does not prepare the company inside current competition. The goal to be achieved is to increase market orientation and product innovation towards competitive advantage in the Gedong Weaving Small and medium enterprises (UMKM) in the City of Bima. The data used is primary data. Research sample amounting to 90 respondents. The data analysis tool in this study uses multiple linear regression. The results of this study indicate that Market orientation positive and significant effect on competitive advantage in UMKM Weaving Gedogan in Bima City, product orientation has a positive and significant effect on competitive advantage in Gedogan Weaving Small and medium enterprises (UMKM) in Bima City and there are the positive and significant influence of market orientation and product innovation has been reduced Competitive advantage in UMKM Weaving in Bima City. So that it is higher market orientation is carried out, and the higher the level of product innovation, then Increasing competitive advantage in Gedogan Weaving Small and medium enterprises (UMKM)  in Bima City.Keywords: Market Orientation, Product Innovation, Competitive Advantage

STRATEGI PENINGKATAN KEUNGGULAN BERSAING IKM: PERAN PEMBELAJARAN ORGANISASI DAN INOVASI

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-56
Author(s):  
Edi Sugiono ◽  
Suryono Efendi
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Learning ◽  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Partial Least Square ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Medium Enterprises

This study aims to analyze the role of organizational learning and innovation in improving the competitive advantage of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Mojokerto area. The study was conducted using primary data obtained from the distribution of questionnaires. In total, there were 100 IKM leaders in Mojokerto who became the respondents in this study. Hypothesis testing is done by using Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (SEM-PLS). The results of the study show that organizational learning and innovation have a positive and significant effect on improving SMEs’ competitive advantage. The results of this study also prove that innovation can mediate the relationship between organizational learning and SMEs’ competitive advantage.

scholarly journals Appraisal of Factors Influencing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMES) in Textile Sub-sector in Yoruba Land, Southwest Nigeria

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
T. S. Kareem ◽  
K. O. Oyeniyi ◽  
F. A. Ajiboye
Keyword(s):  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Motivating Factors ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Job Opportunities ◽  
Southwest Nigeria ◽  
Medium Enterprises

SMEs in the textile sub-sector are the main players in domestic economic activities, especially as providers of job opportunities for unemployed youths. However, the sector has been devilled by the high influx of counterfeit and smuggled goods which have resulted in low patronage of Nigerian-made textiles materials. This study, therefore, seeks to appraise the factors influencing SMEs in the textile sub-sector in Yoruba Land, Southwest, Nigeria. Purposive sampling technique was employed to select 50 indigenous textile entrepreneurs from Iseyin, Oyo State, Nigeria. The study employed primary data, sourced through structured questionnaire Descriptive statistics such as frequency, simple percentage, and mean were used to analyze the data. Results reveal that the major motivating factors are; employment generation, to have control over life, opportunity to create a fortune, high job security, and impressive profit attraction. Results also reveal that the high influx of counterfeit and smuggled goods are most factors affecting the performance of SMEs in textiles in Nigeria. Subsequently, the study recommends that the federal government should earmark a substantial amount to bail out the SMEs in the textile sub-sector and also to ban the importation of textiles. This will ultimately drive many young graduates into the sector.

Effect of Innovation Strategies on Sme Performance Mediated Competitive Advantages

2019 ◽  
Vol 118 (2) ◽  
pp. 94-97
Author(s):  
Mohammad Mabrur Taufik ◽  
DewiPuspaningtyas Faeni
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Human Resource Development ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Simple Random Sampling ◽  
Innovation Strategy ◽  
Product Introduction ◽  
Research Population ◽  
Innovation Strategies ◽  
Medium Enterprises

Small and Medium Enterprises and Indonesian Cooperatives (SMESCO) are strategies in promoting and introducing Indonesia's superior products to the international community. Through SMESCO, SME owners can work together on standardization of SME products, SME quality standardization and at the same time a forum for fostering SMEs to market their products, through human resource development programs including seminars, training, workshops and product introduction through online shops and mentoring programs. The research aims to prove and analyse the influence of: innovation strategies on the performance of SMEs in SMESCO Indonesia directly or through competitive advantage; innovation strategy towards competitive advantage; competitive advantage towards the performance of SMEs at SMESCO Indonesia. The research population is all SME companies that partner with SMESCO Indonesia. Sampling is done by probability sampling with a simple random sampling method. Data analysis using Structural Equation Modelling-Partial Least Squares, a sample of 147 small and medium business owners at SMESCO Indonesia. The results of the study prove: (1) The innovation strategy does not directly have a significant effect on the increasing performance of SME companies in SMESCO Indonesia but has a significant effect through competitive advantage; (2) Competitive advantage has a significanteffect on the increasing performance of SMEs in Indonesia.

The Impact of Financial Literacy on Financial Preparedness for Retirement in the Small and Medium Enterprises Sector in Uganda

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 26-41
Author(s):  
Colin Agabalinda ◽  
Alain Vilard Ndi Isoh
Keyword(s):  
Financial Literacy ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Group Analysis ◽  
Moderating Effect ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Retirement Preparedness ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Effect Of Age

The study investigated the direct effects of financial literacy (knowledge, skills, and attitudes) on financial preparedness for retirement and the moderating effect of age among the small and medium enterprises in Uganda. Primary data was collected from a sample of n = 380 selected from the SME workforce. Descriptive analysis was run on SPSS, while validity and reliability of the measurement items yielded satisfactory composite reliability scores and average variance explained (AVE) scores for all items. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to test the hypotheses and multi-group analysis conducted to test for the moderating effect of age on the relationship between financial literacy and retirement preparedness. The results revealed that knowledge and skills were significant predictors of retirement preparedness. However, ‘attitude' was not a significant predictor, and age had no moderating effect on the relationship between the study variables. These findings present practical implications for policymakers and financial educators in a developing country context.

scholarly journals Analisis Dampak Tax Morale Terhadap Kepatuhan Pajak UMKM: Studi Kasus Kota Semarang

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 14
Author(s):  
Muslimah Mahmudah ◽  
Deden Dinar Iskandar
Keyword(s):  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Tax Compliance ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Ethical Business ◽  
Tax Morale ◽  
Business Size ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
The Impact

This study aims to analyze the impact of tax morale on Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) tax complianceSemarang City as the case study. This study uses primary data generated from 117 samples of MSMEs in Semarang. Data analysis is performed  using binary logistic regression analysis. The results showed that environmental, institutional, ethical, business, and business size variables significantly influence MSMEs tax compliance. On the other hand, variables whose effect on tax compliance is not statistically significant include happiness, religiosity, gender, age, education, and marital status.

scholarly journals Strategic Planning and Competitive Advantage of ICT Small and Medium Enterprises in Kenya

2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zachary B. Awino
Keyword(s):  
Strategic Planning ◽  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Dynamic Environment ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Balanced Score Card ◽  
Medium Enterprises

The Paper is the research findings on the role of strategic planning and competitive advantage of ICT Small and Medium Enterprises in Kenya. Literature suggests that the contemporary business environment in which organisations operate is increasingly becoming uncertain and unpredictable. Significant changes are mostly driven by technological changes, globalisation and trade liberalisation. As a result, like large enterprises, SMEs are facing new and unexpected challenges that threaten their competitiveness. While most countries acknowledge the critical role that SMEs contribute to their economies, both as an engine of growth and sustainable development, many questions still remain unanswered as to the determination of the critical challenges facing SMEs and how these challenges could be addressed to improve their competitiveness. These challenges have increased the need for empirical information which is essential for decision making in addressing issues that are likely to enhance SMEs survival and growth. It is noted that there has been no adequate research studies on the role of strategic planning and competitive advantage of SMEs. This study contributes to the need to address the research gaps and thus explored the role of strategic planning and competitive advange of SMEs in Kenya. The study population consisted of 238 ICT SMEs from Nairobi and its environs. A sample size of 146 firms constituting 61 per cent of the total population was selected through stratified sampling. The study aimed to collect data from 438 respondents from top, middle and lower management teams. Structured questionnaires with closed and open ended questions was used for data collection, 239 responses were received from 123 ICT firms a response rate of 55 per cent and 84.2 per cent respectively. Key characteristics of strategic planning including formality, environmental analysis processes both internal and external orientations, strategies adopted, and implementation and control were recorded. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics, factor analysis, t-test, ANOVA, correlation, correlation matrixes and regression analysis. The key findings revealed that strategic planning has significant and positive influence in performance of SME’s. The test of hypothesis revealed that strategic planning has positive and significant influence on competitive advantage. The study demonstrated strategic planning as a learning tool and a strategic resource which is consistent with the underlying assumptions of resource based theory, systems theory, chaos theory and balanced score card model assumptions. It is envisaged that, this kind of research is likely to generate useful discussions on the role of strategic planning and performance, of SMEs. It is apparent that entrepreneurs of SMEs cannot ignore strategic planning as significant changes in competitive advantage is the result of change or effective application of strategic planning. Policy makers and academicians may need to address the capacity needs of SMEs and develop strategic planning model that address the challenges that SMEs encounter in a dynamic environment.

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