Extent to which competitive intelligence practices influence achievement of competitive advantage in KCB bank Kenya limited

Abstract

Commercial banks intelligence operations can serve as an early-warning system for bank disruptive changes in the competitive landscape from rival’s new products or pricing strategy or the entrance of an unexpected player into the financial market. The objective of the study was to establish the extent to which competitive intelligence practices influence achievement of competitive advantages at KCB Bank. The study adopted a case study approach aiming at getting detailed information regarding extent to which competitive intelligence practices assist in achieving competitive advantages as adopted by KCB Bank. Primarily data collected from such a study was more reliable and up to date. Primary data was collected using self-administered drop and pick interview guides. The collected data was thoroughly examined and checked for completeness and comprehensibility. The content analysis was used to analyse the interviewees’ views on the extent of competitive intelligence practices in achieving competitive advantage in KCB Bank. According to the findings KCB Ltd has adopted market knowledge management practice, strategic alliance intelligence practices, technology intelligence and financial product intelligences to a great extent. The findings revealed that market intelligence practices have made KCB bank ltd innovative and also has facilitated the identification of better (new) potential markets and better (new) ways to serve target markets. According to the findings KCB Ltd applies strategic alliance intelligence practices as a long-term, explicit contractual agreement pertaining to an exchange and/or combination of some, but not all, of the bank’s resources with one or more other firms. Strategic alliance intelligence has influenced KCB ltd ability to achieve competitive advantage by reducing demand uncertainty and market uncertainty. The study revealed that competitive intelligence practices adopted by KCB Bank have made it a leader in the market and created a distinctive competence. The study concluded that technology intelligence has exerted a significant influence on the ability of KCB ltd to offer innovative financial products which have helped the bank attain competitive advantage by offering superior financial products with speed and convenience. The study recommends that studies should be carried to establish the extent of competitive intelligence practices in achievement competitive advantage in foreign commercial banks to establish a broad analysis on role of competitive intelligence practices.