Innovative Strategies Adopted by Non-government Organizations in the Health Sector in Nairobi County to Gain Competitive Advantage

Abstract

Organizations all over the world develop innovative strategies to ensure continued and long term existence and survival. Similarly, non-governmental organizations have also developed unique innovative strategies to ensure they attain competitive advantage over their competitors while at the same time ensuring their long term survival in their quest in achieving their goals and objectives The purpose of this study was to establish innovative strategies adopted by non-government organizations (NGO‟s) in the health sector in Nairobi County to gain competitive advantage. The study further sought to determine the challenges faced by these NGOs in the adoption of these innovative strategies. This study collected data from 15 international and local NGOs using a questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data collected. The study found out that international non-governmental organizations adopt various strategies that sustain them. The most commonly used innovative strategies were found out to be ranging from financing to community relationship, Diversified funding and harnessing of technology and automation was a key innovative strategy that led to competitive advantage. Adopting and implementing innovative strategies entails detailed planning that is often difficult to execute. The study also identified key factors that have a posed a challenge towards adoption of innovative strategies in the attainment of competitive advantage. The factors identified include; financial challenges, management challenges, government restrictions, donor restrictions, culture and environment. The study concluded that for NGOs to continue in existence in the distant future, adoption of innovative strategies was imperative and inevitable .Only NGOs that adopt innovative strategies will be able to attract donor funding and consequently expand their operations and eventually achieve long term competitive advantage.