SRATEGIC INNOVATIONS AND COMPETITIVENESS OF HORTICULTURE EXPORTERS IN NAIROBI COUNTY, KENYA

Clement Munyua Mureithi, Dr. Samson Paul Nyang’au

Abstract


Competitiveness is the ability of a company to generate profits in a sustainable way to accelerate growth. Competitiveness of horticulture exporters is determined by many factors such as innovation capability. The purpose if this study was to examine the role of strategic innovations in competitiveness of horticulture exporters in Nairobi County, Kenya Competitiveness of horticulture exporters was measured using metrics of profit before tax, market share and return on assets. The specific objectives were to establish the influence of product innovation on competitiveness of horticulture exporters in Nairobi County, Kenya and business model innovation on competitiveness of horticulture exporters in Nairobi County, Kenya. The theories that guided this study were resource based theory and dynamic capability theory. This study used a descriptive design with questionnaire as the instrument for data collection. The target population was 658 horticulture exporters in Nairobi County, Kenya. A formula was used to calculate a sample size of 248 horticulture exporters. The unit of observation was one operations manager from the horticulture exporting organizations. The study used simple random sampling technique to pick respondents. Data collected was analyzed using SPSS version 25 to produce frequencies, descriptive and inferential statistics were used to derive conclusions. The study conducted a multiple regression analysis to determine the relationship between strategic innovations and competitiveness of horticulture exporters. The findings of this study provided crucial information to the horticulture exporting firms on innovations influencing competitiveness. The study concludes that product innovation has a positive and significant effect on competitiveness of horticulture exporters in Nairobi County, Kenya. The study also concludes that business model innovation has a positive and significant effect on competitiveness of horticulture exporters in Nairobi County, Kenya. Based on the findings, the study horticulture exporters in Nairobi County, Kenya, should adopt a dynamic business model innovation approach that focuses on enhancing operational efficiency, securing innovation resources, and fostering strategic collaborations. This approach should involve rethinking their business models to integrate more efficient operational processes, such as lean management and agile practices, to reduce waste, optimize resource use, and respond quickly to market changes.

 

Key Words: Strategic Innovations, Product Innovation, Business Model Innovation, Competitiveness of Horticulture Exporters in Nairobi County, Kenya


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