trategic Leadership and Sustainable Competitive Advantage of Aar Healthcare Kenya Limited

Abstract

In the 21st century, strategic leadership is viewed as one of the greatest concepts in adopting better value based culture within business firms. Bad leadership negatively impacts an organization’ overall success. The environment is evolving and this has forced firms to look for ways to remain competitive in the market place. Human and social capital has been considered as a source of sustainable competitive edge for firms and thus must be nurtured and developed. It has however been noted that lack of strategic leadership is a key hindrance towards successful strategy adoption and firm’s competitive advantage. This study was set out to determine role of strategic leadership practices on AAR health care of Kenya’s competitive advantage. The study implemented a case study research design where primary data was collected with the help of an interview guide. Data collected was analyzed using content analysis. The study concluded that the most popular strategic leadership practices implemented by AAR health care were setting strategic direction (targets), maintaining core competencies, regular training and development, organizational culture code of ethics, autocratic leadership style, democratic leadership style, laissez-faire leadership style and bureaucratic leadership. Implementation of all these practices was considered to be important by AAR health care. The study found that strategic leadership practices strengthened the unity of the employees in working towards the same direction. Decisions were made faster and this improved value for AAR health care products and services and this contributed to a reduction in customer complaints. The study recommends that AAR health care should make consideration to pool more funds to invest in advanced technologies and research and development in order to maintain competitiveness and overall AAR health care competitive advantage