scholarly journals Competitive Strategies and Performance of Commercial Banks in Mombasa County, Kenya

Author(s):  
Joseph Mariga Nyachwaya ◽  
James Maina Rugami

Commercial banks in Kenya and especially Mombasa County are facing firm rivalry demanding the use of competitive strategies so as to improve their performance. Most of the commercial banks are deliberating on ways to enhance their performance, with competitive strategies being one of them to arrive a market and afterwards make sense of and ensure its aggressive position. Therefore, this study aimed at establishing the effect of competitive strategies on the performance of commercial banks in Mombasa County. The specific objectives were to determine the effect of cost leadership strategy, differentiation strategy and focus strategy on the performance of commercial banks in Mombasa County. The study was anchored on the theory of resource-based view, strategic balancing and game theory. A descriptive research design was employed in this study. The target population of this study was 280 commercial banks staff in Mombasa County. The sample size was eighty-four after adopting a stratified random sampling technique to select 30% of the target population. The study made use of primary data collection using questionnaires. The data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 24.0 and presented using tables. The study established that despite the challenges in implementation, competitive strategies are very important for banks to remain competitive in the market. The study further concluded that understanding the market structure is a key determinant for the successful implementation of competitive strategies. Banks following a cost leadership strategy realize statistically significant superior performance compared to those that pursue broad differentiation and focus strategy which reports above-average returns. The researcher highly recommends that commercial banks consider shifting more of their focus on the cost leadership strategy in order to realize superior performance. To succeed at offering the lowest price while still achieving profitability and a high return on investment, commercial banks are recommended to operate at a lower cost than its rivals, this could be possible through some fairly unique capabilities to achieve and sustain their low-cost position. The study also recommends strategy planners to integrate and embrace the differentiation strategy which will enable them to differentiate in various methods such as new technology, brand image, design, network customer service or the number of features. Further, commercial banks are recommended to centre on the existing markets and products or services; they can create competitive edge by getting the best mix between existing products and existing markets.

Author(s):  
Şeyma Gün Eroğlu ◽  
Ayşe İrmiş

Organizations apply two basic competitive strategies in general. These are the cost leadership strategy and the differentiation strategy. The application of any of the mentioned strategies by focusing on a smaller field in the market is called a focus strategy. Companies gain value in the eyes of customer with the strategy they choose. The aim of this study is to analyze the competitive strategies applied by the enterprises and the results of these strategies. A semi-configured interview on the entrepreneurs of two firms which open to a wider market from local market in Denizli with their own brands, was conducted. The first enterprise, which has been maintaining its existence for 80 years and has many branches in the different provinces, is a firm producing sugar and sugar products (Firm A). The second, which has been maintaining its existence for 84 years and has branches in close neighbor cities and provinces, is a firm producing soft drinks (Firm B). The common feature of both firms is that they keep their local characteristics and take their competitive power from the local people. In the research, the competitive strategies of entrepreneurs have been defined and analyzed by benefiting from the entrepreneurship stories that have been brought up to the present day. It was concluded that firm A applied differentiation strategy in the product, production process, and market, while firm B differentiated in the production process without any differentiation in the product and used the focus strategy in the market.


Pravaha ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-94
Author(s):  
Jitendra Pd. Upadhyay ◽  
Pitri Raj Adhikari

This paper attempts to examine the impact of generic competitive strategy on organizational performance in Nepalese commercial banks. It has employed descriptive and causal comparative research design to estimate the relationship between dependent variable (organizational performance) with independent variables (differentiation strategy, cost leadership strategy, focus strategy, organization’s core competency and bank size). Data has been collected from 384respondents by using structured questionnaire. The multiple regression model has been used to test the relationship. It is found that organizational performance of banks is influenced by cost leadership, differentiation, focus, organization ‘score competency and bank size.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ariawan ◽  
Made Sudarma ◽  
Djumahir ◽  
Ghozali Maskie

Status: Preprint (belum di terbitkan pada Jurnal manapun)The objectives of this study were to analyze and investigate the human capital resource of SMEs to achieve the expected level of performance and to see if the quality of human capital had been appropriate enough to be able to apply certain business strategy. This study also intended to see if the cost leadership strategy, differentiation strategy, as well as appropriate focus strategy to improve the performance of SMEs. This study employed a survey design in which researcher conducted a survey to managers or owner of 68 SMEs of Karawo handicraft in Gorontalo city. This study also employed the structural equation or PLS approach using warpPLS application to analyze the data. The finding of this study showed that the ability of the human capital owned by the SMEs had not yet maximized in improving its performance. The role of the mediation business strategy (cost leadership strategy and differentiation strategy) have been appropriate and matched the ability of the human capital to improve the performance of SMEs. The result of this study enriches the body of knowledge related to the resource based theory and the development of strategic management of the human capital investment for the implementation of business strategy to achieve good performance and system. This study also offers practical benefit for managers or owners of SMEs, and government in developing the business. The data were collected using cross sectional strategy by analyzing the opinions and perception of the managers or owners of the business. Future researchers are encouraged to expand this by involving bigger number of sample and broader scope of study. Future researcher may also develop this study using mix method research design to verify and take action on the interesting result of this study related to the implementation of focus strategy based on the ability of the human capital which has been confirmed to have the highest coefficient path, yet did not have significant effect to the improvement of the performance without the involvement of mediational variables such as the combination of focus-cost strategy or focus-differentiation strategy.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry F.L. Chung ◽  
Mia Hsiao-Wen Ho

Purpose This study aims to examine the effects of international competitive strategies, i.e. cost leadership and differentiation, on export (market share and strategic) performance. This study further explores the roles of exploitative and exploratory organizational learning in the relationships between international competitive strategies and export performances. To fill research gaps, this study intends to provide guidance on how varied exploitative/exploratory organizational learning and cost leadership/differentiation strategy combinations would affect export performance. The outcomes of this study provide a new match and mis-match conceptualization to extant international competitive strategy and organizational learning literature. Design/methodology/approach This study selected New Zealand (NZ) exporting as the research setting because exporting plays such a vital role in NZ’s economy and NZ exporting firms have long been highly competitive in international markets (e.g. meat and dairy exporters), with the primary data collected through surveys conducted in 2010 and 2013. This study adopted a three-year lagged performance approach. Findings Cost leadership strategy has a positive effect on market share performance. This effect is enhanced by exploitative learning but dampened by exploratory learning. Cost leadership also has a positive effect on strategic performance, which is not affected by exploitative and exploratory learning. Differentiation strategy bears no relation to market share and strategic performance, even allowing for exploitative and exploratory learning. Collectively, the contingent role of organizational learning in the international competitive strategies and export performance framework is far more comprehensive than was expected. Research limitations/implications This study reveals that a match between cost leadership strategy and exploitative learning may result in a superior market share. The configuration of differentiation strategy and exploitative learning and the integration of cost leadership strategy and exploratory learning are suggested as mis-matches, as these combinations would not lead to any significant and positive market share and strategic performance. Unexpectedly, the co-alliance of differentiation strategy and explorative learning is not suggested as a match, as it does not result in a superior market share and strategic performance. This latter outcome suggests that the differentiation strategy-export performance link may be stimulated by other moderating factors (e.g. business managerial ties). Practical implications While choosing an appropriate international competitive strategy, managers may use cost leadership over differentiation strategy to achieve successful export performance in both the market share and strategic perspectives. Export managers focusing on cost leadership strategy may further implement exploitative learning instead of explorative learning, when market share is vital. Meanwhile, they may note that explorative learning may not have a moderating effect on enhancing strategic performance through cost leadership. These points signify that exploitation of existing knowledge may be more effective than exploration of new knowledge for market share expansion when cost leadership strategy is devoted to exporting activities. Differentiation strategy, however, does not influence market share and strategic performance in exporting, even with an alignment of exploitative/exploratory learning. Managers are urged to pay attention to the mis-match of differentiation strategy and organizational learning when market share and strategic performance are the priorities in export performance evaluation. Originality/value This study contributes to the organizational learning literature by providing a new match and mis-match conceptualization relating to international competitive strategy and export performance. The new framework provides directions on when firms should use organizational learning to enhance their competitive strategies (a match scenario) and when they should not use it (a mis-match scenario). This study broadens the existing research that has mainly focused on alignment combinations such as organizational learning-internationalization strategy and organizational learning-social network.


2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 654-673 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serdar Ulubeyli ◽  
Aynur Kazaz ◽  
Selim Sahin

PurposeThis paper aims to present the effect of innovation on implementing competitive strategies (CSs) and to find their relationships on the survival of construction-related small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in macroeconomic crises.Design/methodology/approachData were compiled from construction SMEs in Turkey. The research used structural equation modeling to investigate the relationships between innovation, CSs and firm survival (FS).FindingsInnovative construction SMEs may implement differentiation and focus strategies and survive without CSs, whereas innovation may be obtained through cost leadership strategy. Also, differentiation and focus strategies may play a role to survive. However, the cost leadership strategy may be implemented after survival. Finally, differentiation strategy may be triggered by innovation and focus strategies.Research limitations/implicationsThe model may be applied on other construction organizations. Future studies may also examine the difference in findings concerning other industries and regions. Moreover, different factors may be added to the model. However, a larger group of samples could cause different results.Practical implicationsThis study may be a roadmap for practitioners to plan their firms’ strategies, considering innovation, CSs and FS. In this context, they may pay attention to innovative production processes to survive.Social implicationsSurvived SMEs may sustain their works through the prevention of crisis-based unemployment. Hence, this benefit may bring a wealthier society.Originality/valueThis research is first to propose a model connecting innovation and CSs for SMEs’ survival in macroeconomic crises. This is convenient for rivalry of SMEs planning to be long-lasting enterprises.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-63
Author(s):  
Eriana Afnan ◽  
Sam'un Jaja Raharja

The growth of smartphone users every year continues to grow and is a necessity for its users. Every smartphone company competes for generous consumers and competes to provide the technology and features needed by its users. This research was conducted to see a SWOT analysis of sales strategies on Xiaomi smartphones and Vivo smartphones in terms of differentiation strategy, focus strategy, cost leadership strategy. This study uses a digital use database to find articles relevant to the SWOT analysis of sales strategies on Xiaomi smartphones and Vivo smartphones. This type of research used in this research is descriptive analysis with a qualitative approach. The analysis method used is the SWOT analysis and Porter's Generic Strategy. The results showed that in total, this smartphone company had implemented the generic porter strategy well. However, the Vivo company's focus strategy is only applied so that the Vivo company can focus on marketing efforts on one or two market segments and create a marketing mix that is specific to that market so that the company can find better market needs.


1970 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-90
Author(s):  
Richard Allen ◽  
Marilyn Helms ◽  
Margaret Takeda ◽  
Charles White

While the use of Porter's generic strategies have been well documented inAmerica and Europe, no studies have assessed their use in Japan. This researchinvestigates if Japanese companies are indeed following Porter's genericstrategies or continuing to follow more traditional "Japanese" managementstrategies. Using a survey to operationalize Porter's generic strategies, Japanesemanagers were questioned about their firm's current strategic practices. Afactor analysis revealed Japanese firms are following only two strategies thatcould be identified as those of Porter. A cost leadership strategy was the mostfrequently used strategy, and the differentiation strategy was used the least.There was no evidence of organizations using a focus strategy. Interestingly,two additional strategies emerged that did not fit Porter's research but are inline with traditional Japanese strategies including a supply chain focus and atraining based strategy.


Author(s):  
Oyakhire Victor Alaba ◽  
Ofobruku Sylvester Abomeh ◽  
Akpoyibo Gregory Akpobome

Corporate organizations all over the world are continually faced with volatile business conditions, competitive market environments and rapid technological change. Most organizations focus on survive and also find better ways to improve their performance. This study examined the effects of strategic competitiveness on the performance of quoted paints manufacturing companies in Nigerian stock exchange. The research used the descriptive research design method. The study investigated the relationship between cost-leadership strategy, differentiation strategy, focus strategy and performance of companies. This research applied the theory of dynamic capability. The data was collected from one hundred and eighty-seven (187) respondents, these includes directors, management staff and senior staff of the six paint companies quoted in Nigeria. The results showed that a strategic competitiveness (cost leadership strategy, diversification strategy and focus strategy) have a significant impact on corporate performance. These findings reinforce the need for paint manufacturing companies to adopt strategic planning in capitalizing on differentiation strategy, train their staff to gain competitive advantage knowledge and ensure their competitive survival.


2014 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mandy M. Cheng ◽  
Wendy J. Green ◽  
John Chi Wa Ko

SUMMARY In this study, we report two 2 × 2 between-subjects experiments that investigate the effect of strategic relevance of reported sustainability information and its assurance on nonprofessional investors' investment decisions. The first experiment manipulates strategic relevance of reported environmental, social, and governance (ESG) indicators between “high” and “low” by varying the company strategy (sustainability-based differentiation strategy versus cost leadership strategy unrelated to sustainability). The second experiment manipulates the strategic alignment of the ESG indicators (holding strategy constant). We also manipulate the presence (absence) of assurance in both experiments. Results from both experiments document that investors perceive ESG indicators to be more important, and are more willing to invest in the company if ESG indicators have higher strategic relevance. Experiment one also provides evidence that assurance increases investors' willingness to invest to a greater extent when ESG indicators have high relevance to the company strategy. Our findings suggest that the assurance of ESG indicators has a beneficial signaling role in communicating the importance of this reported information to investors.


2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiawen Chen ◽  
Linlin Liu

Despite the importance of green innovation, empirical evidence on its relationship with firm performance is mixed. This study endeavors to address this inconsistency in the evidence by investigating the value-capturing role of competitive strategy. It argues that firms tend to choose appropriate a competitive strategy to maximize performance of green innovation, especially in highly competitive contexts. We collected data from 195 firms in China. Our results suggest that the performance implications of green innovation (including green product innovation and green process innovation) are moderated by competitive strategies (including differentiation strategy and cost-leadership strategy), and these moderating effects are more prominent when competitive intensity is high. The findings of this study enrich theoretical understanding both of green innovation and of competitive strategy and have practical implications for green innovation management.


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