DIGITAL BUSINESS STRATEGY AND STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS IN TIER 1 LAW FIRMS IN NAIROBI, KENYA

Linda Akinyi Randa, Dr. Kenneth Gor

Abstract


The integration of digital business strategies has become essential for law firms to maintain a competitive advantage. Key pathways include enhancing customer experience, operational efficiency, innovation, agility, service optimization, and fostering collaborations. This study explores the relationship between digital business strategy and strategic partnerships in Tier 1 law firms in Nairobi, Kenya. It specifically examines the influence of digital capabilities, digital coordination on these partnerships. The study is grounded in Resource-Based Theory, and Coordination Theory. A descriptive cross-sectional research design was used and data collected from 42 of the 50 Tier 1 law firms in Nairobi. Data were collected through semi-structured questionnaires. Findings reveal that digital capabilities, such as IT infrastructure and training, played a pivotal role in maintaining long-term partnerships, allowing firms to meet evolving client and partner needs. Digital coordination, through the alignment of digital systems and processes across departments, facilitated more effective communication and decision-making. The study recommends that Tier 1 law firms in Nairobi to continue to invest in digital technologies and enhance workforce capabilities to remain competitive. Future research should explore the application of digital strategies in other sectors of the legal industry, with a broader geographic focus to assess varying impacts of digital strategies on partnership dynamics.

 

Key Words: Tier 1 Law Firms, Digital Business Strategy, Strategic Partnerships, Digital Capabilities, Digital Coordination 


Full Text:

PDF

References


Adeyoju, F. I. P. (2018). Artificial intelligence and the future of law practice in Africa. Available at SSRN 3301937.

Cioppi, M., Curina, I., Forlani, F., & Pencarelli, T. (2019). Online presence, visibility and reputation: a systematic literature review in management studies. Journal of Research in Interactive Marketing, 13(4), 547-577.

Badasjane, V., Granlund, A., Ahlskog, M., & Bruch, J. (2022). Coordination of digital transformation in international manufacturing networks—Challenges and coping mechanisms from an organizational perspective. Sustainability, 14(4), 2204

Braun, T., & Sydow, J. (2019). Selecting organizational partners for interorganizational projects: The dual but limited role of digital capabilities in the construction industry. Project Management Journal, 50(4), 398-408.

Castañer, X., & Oliveira, N. (2020). Collaboration, coordination, and cooperation among organizations: Establishing the distinctive meanings of these terms through a systematic literature review. Journal of management, 46(6), 965-1001.

Clarke, V., & Braun, V. (2017). Thematic analysis. The journal of positive psychology, 12(3), 297-298.

Cravens, K., Piercy, N., & Cravens, D. (2000). Assessing the performance of strategic alliances: matching metrics to strategies. European Management Journal, 18(5), 529-541.

Dikko, M. (2016). Establishing construct validity and reliability: Pilot testing of a qualitative interview for research in Takaful (Islamic insurance). The qualitative report, 21(3), 521-528.

Finucan, L., Sierra, E. B., & Rajesh, N. (2018). Smart Courts: Roadmap for Digital Transformation of Justice in Africa. Access Partnership.

Freitas Junior, J. C. D. S., Maçada, A. C. G., & Brinkhues, R. A. (2017). Digital capabilities as key to digital business performance.

Fuertes-Callen, Y., Cuellar-Fernandez, B., & Pelayo-Velazquez, M. (2014). Determinants of online corporate reporting in three Latin American markets: The role of web presence development. Online Information Review, 38(6), 806-831

Kiprono, A. E. (2013). Strategic planning practices by large law firms in Nairobi, Kenya (Doctoral dissertation, University of Nairobi).

Kronblad, C. (2019). The last hour: How digitalization has transformed firms in the legal industry (Doctoral dissertation, Chalmers Tekniska Hogskola (Sweden)).

Leong, C., Lin, S., Tan, F., & Yu, J. (2023). Coordination in a Digital Platform Organization. Information Systems Research.

Macharia, G. (2018). The Influence of strategic alliances on competitiveness of internationally ranked law firms in Kenya (Doctoral dissertation, Strathmore University).

Majid, M. A. A., Othman, M., Mohamad, S. F., Lim, S. A. H., & Yusof, A. (2017). Piloting for interviews in qualitative research: Operationalization and lessons learnt. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 7(4), 1073-1080.

Masoud, R.; Basahel, S. The Effects of Digital Transformation on Firm Performance: The Role of Customer Experience and IT Innovation. Digital 2023, 3, 109–126.

Mawia, S. J. (2020). The Influence of Strategy Implementation on Performance of Law Firms in Nairobi City County (Doctoral dissertation, University of Nairobi).

Meso, A., Bosire-Ogechi, E., & Maseh, E. (2023). Knowledge management as a tool for improving work performance in selected law firms in Nairobi County, Kenya.

Muigua, K. (2020). Legal Practice and New Frontiers: Embracing Technology for Enhanced Efficiency and Access to Justice. (Doctoral Dissertation, The University of Nairobi)

Mugenda, O. M and Mugenda, A. G. (1999). Research Methods: Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches. Nairobi: Acts Press.

Mulusa, T. (1988). Evaluating Education and Community Development Programmes. Nairobi: Deutsche Stiftung fur Internationale Entwicklung & College of Adult and Distance Education.

Mulwa, A., Ngala, M., & Mugaa, L. (2023). Technological Strategies and Performance of the Judicial Sector in Kenya: A Case of Nairobi City County. European Journal of Business and Strategic Management, 8(3), 43-64.

Mwaluma, J. (2014) Strategies Adopted by Law Firms in Kenya in Response to Changes in The External Environment, (Doctoral Citation, The University of Nairobi).

Schlegel, E. C., Tate, J. A., Pickler, R. H., & Smith, L. H. (2021). Practical strategies for qualitative inquiry in a virtual world. Journal of advanced nursing, 77(10), 4035-4044.

Schulze, A., Paul MacDuffie, J., & Täube, F. A. (2015). Introduction: knowledge generation and innovation diffusion in the global automotive industry—change and stability during turbulent times. Industrial and corporate change, 24(3), 603-611.

Schwertner, K. (2017). Digital transformation of business. Trakia Journal of Sciences, 15(1), 388-393.

Utami, H., & Alamanos, E. (2022). Resource-Based Theory: A review. S. Papagiannidis. TheoryHub Book. open. ncl. ac. uk.

van Tonder, C., Schachtebeck, C., Nieuwenhuizen, C., & Bossink, B. (2020). A framework for digital transformation and business model innovation. Management: Journal of Contemporary Management Issues, 25(2), 111-132.

Wiesböck, F., & Hess, T. (2018). Understanding the capabilities for digital innovations from a digital technology perspective (No. 1/2018). Arbeitsbericht.

Wiles, R. (2013). What are qualitative research ethics? (First). Bloomsburry.


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.