| dc.description.abstract | The aim of this study was to assess the influence of innovative strategies on performance of large
manufacturing firms in Kenya. The objective scope include influence of process innovation
strategy, product innovation strategy, technology innovation strategy and service innovation
strategy on organizational performance of cement manufacturing firms in Kenya. The objectives
was used as they are involved with various forms of innovation. The study concentrated on the
influence of innovation strategies on organization performance of manufacturing firms in Kenya.
The theories that informed the study are organizational control theory, disruptive innovation
theory, technology acceptance model, diffusion innovation theory and resource based view
theory. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design where the unit of analysis was 5
cement manufacturing firms in Athi River Zone. Consequently, the unit of observation was the
staff at the managerial position and these included senior managers, middle level managers and
supervisors from each firm. The target population was all the 269 senior management, middle
level management supervisors and staff in the 5 cement manufacturing firms in Athi River Zone.
Yamane (1967) sample determination formula was used to obtain 135 respondents. Test of
hypothesis was done at 95% confidence interval. This study conducted correlation and regression
to weigh the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. The regression of
coefficients results show that technological innovation strategy and performance is positively
and significantly related (β=0.197, p=0.001). The results further indicated that process
innovation strategy and performance are positively and significantly related (β= 0.205, p=0.000).
The results further indicated that product innovation strategy and performance are positively and
significantly related (β= 0.183, p=0.002). Lastly, results showed that service innovation strategy
and performance were positively and but insignificantly (β =0.031, p=0.585). The study sought
to examine the influence of strategic innovations and performance of cement manufacturing
firms in Athi River Zone. The study concluded that strategic innovations played a significant role
on cement manufacturing firms. This is because there existed a positive and significant
relationship between technological innovation strategy, process innovation strategy, product
innovation strategy and service innovation strategy on cement manufacturing firms. The study
recommends that the manufacturing firms should invest in innovative technology so as to survive
intense competition currently experienced in the manufacturing sector.Finally, it is recommended
that manufacturing firms should invest in automating routine tasks so as to improve efficiency in
the production process. The study further recommends that the firms should adopt business
process reengineering and embark on minimizing waste in the manufacturing process. | en_US |
