The Extent to which competitive strategies influence competitive advantage of private security firms in Nairobi County
Date
2021
Authors
Mutunga, Nicholas Kisyang'a
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Strathmore University
Abstract
The main aim of this study was to examine the extent to which competitive strategies influence competitive advantage of Private Security Firms in Nairobi County. The specific objectives of the study were to establish the extent to which cost leadership strategy influences competitive advantage of private security firms in Nairobi County, assess the extent to which differentiation strategy influences competitive advantage of private security firms in Nairobi County and to determine the extent to which focus strategy influences competitive advantage of private security firms in Nairobi County. The study was based on the Porter’s competitive theory and the Resource-based view. Descriptive research design was applied in the study. The target population was 71 Private Security Firms in Nairobi County. The study used census method, which applied statistical enumeration whereby all the 71 firms were considered. The study utilized a questionnaire as the instrument of data collection. The researcher used descriptive statistics such as the mean and standard deviation to present the collected data. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 24 was utilized to get the output of the collected data. Further, the study applied inferential statistics such as multiple regression analysis to establish the relationship between competitive strategies and competitive advantage. Correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between the dependent and independent variables. The study found that there was a significant and a positive association between cost leadership strategy and competitive advantage. Further, the study found that most of the firms have devised ways through which they can differentiate their services in order to have a reputation of offering the best services as compared to other firms in the sector. Additionally, the study found that firms targeted a particular market segment with specific products of high quality and which are appealing to the customers. The study concluded that there was a significant positive association between cost leadership strategy, differentiation strategy and focus strategy; and competitive advantage. It was recommended that the firms should adopt strategies that propel them towards achieving competitive advantage and an edge over their competitors. Since the study focused on major PSFs in Nairobi County, further study on competitive strategies and their impact on competitive advantage of the small PSFs in Kenya is recommended.
Description
A Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the Degree of Masters of Business Administration at Strathmore University Business School
Keywords
Competitive strategies, Competitive advantage, Private security firms_Nairobi County