MBA Theses and Dissertations (2024)

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Browsing MBA Theses and Dissertations (2024) by Author "Maina, B. N."

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    Assessment of the influence of organisational structure on business process innovation of small and medium-sized supermarkets in Kenya
    (Strathmore University, 2024) Maina, B. N.
    Over the last 10 years, there have been significant challenges in the retail sector in Kenya. Four of the largest supermarket chains have collapsed, while some international outlets have pulled out. All local supermarkets start as small family businesses, most of which fail or remain small. A handful, however, have grown to be large enterprises. What differentiates these successful ventures, which scale from those that remain small or collapse, is not clear. However, what is clear is that the retail industry is hyper-competitive and volatile. Previous studies have indicated the influence of organisational structure on innovation. This is such that businesses that leverage their organisational structure and innovate can adapt to market changes and competitor actions while improving productivity and increasing business survival. However, there is a dearth of studies that examine the connections between organisational structure and business process innovation. Considering this dearth of studies, the purpose of this research was to assess the influence of the organisational structure on business process innovation adoption in small and medium-sized supermarkets in Kenya. the dynamic capabilities and the organisational learning theories anchored this study. The study adopted a descriptive research design and a positivism philosophy. A population of 340 supermarkets was used to draw a sample of 183 supermarkets. The sample was selected using the simple random sampling technique. The findings of the quantitative study indicate that formalisation, centralisation, and integration are positive but non-significant predictors of business process innovation in small and medium-sized supermarkets in Kenya. Overall, organisational structure is a nonsignificant predictor of business process innovation in small and medium-sized supermarkets in Kenya. This study questions previous conclusions regarding the relationship between centralisation, formalisation, and integration and BPI in organisations. This study’s findings call into question the conventional idea that organisational structure has a significant effect on business BPI. The managerial implications lie in a strategy shift away from a narrow focus on structural changes. Instead, small, and medium-sized supermarket managers should prioritise activities that are ingrained in their organisation’s culture. Managers may unlock their teams’ innovativeness by creating an atmosphere that prioritises employee engagement, fosters creativity, and promotes a culture of experimentation.