Factors influencing the regional growth strategy of the Kenya commercial bank Limited
Abstract
The objective of this research was to establish the regional growth strategy that KCB is
pursuing, reasons for the growth strategy and highlight the factors that have affected
strategy.
The study was case based and utilized both primary and secondary data collected from
the bank's staff and documents respectively. The study targeted all the managers in the
Strategy and Change Division of KCB and all the mangers who have been to the various
regional markets to undertake feasibility studies. The data was collected with the help of
structured questionnaires.
The data was analyzed using Statistical package on Social Sciences with the help of
descriptive statistics i.e. frequencies, mean scores and standard deviations as well as
content analysis. Major findings show the strategy being pursued by the bank is market
development and the preferred mode of entry is registration of fully owned subsidiaries
and mergers and acquisitions. The reasons for KCB's regional growth strategies are
attractive regional market, desire to follow competition and customers, grow market size,
inducement by host Governments, reduction of operational costs, desire to boost
corporate image, answer needs, namely reconstruction of formerly devastated
infrastructure and meet the demand for.•banking services, take advantage of harmonized
tax regime, tap new opportunities, leverage on the regional integration and free trade
frontiers, to stay ahead of competition, and grow shareholder value. The study found out
that factors that have affected the regional growth strategy are tough expatriate workers'
policies, low labour quality, legal complexity, delay in processing of licenses, fragility of
the legal and regulatory framework, poor infrastructure, inferior brand perception, high
cost of doing business, high staff turnover, uncertainty in peace agreements, political
risks and suspicions.
Citation
A Management Research Project Report Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the Degree of Master of Business Administration, School of Business, University of Nairobi.Publisher
Business Administration and planning