| dc.description.abstract | Strategic response is a set of decisions and actions that result into the formulation and
implementation of plans designed to achieve the organization’s objective (Ansoff and
McDonnell, 1990). They are guided by the theories of strategy which have been developed over
a period of time for use in management. There are four theories that guide strategy and strategic
response. The study objectives included: To determine the level of turbulence in the external
environment in Kenya in which telecommunications contractors operate and to determine the
application of strategic concepts in guiding strategic responses by telecommunication contractors
to changes in the external environment in Kenya. This study sought to understand the strategic
responses that the telecommunication companies in Kenya adopted in response to the changes in
their external business environment. The changes in the business environment were found to be
mostly caused by the technological changes, the competition in the market and political legal
factors. The changes in technology and competition in the market were found to be the most
prevalent causes of the changes in the market. The methods used by the businesses to respond to
the changes were also evaluated. Most of the responses centered on the efforts by the
organizations to conform to the changes in a positive way. The organizations use training and
education to deal with the changes brought in by the political legal factors. Early compliance has
also been noted as one of the strategic methods used by the organizations to deal with the
changes brought by the politico legal factors. The changes brought about by the technology are
responded to using different methods. Some of the studied organizations outsource some of the
services in order to avoid the capital costs that may come with the purchase of the new
technology. Others use the existing technology to seamlessly play a role in the new technology.
Mergers and acquisitions were also used by the organizations in order to deal with the changes in
the market. This helps the organizations to synergistically deal with the changes in the market.
The study also found out that most of the organizations were agile when it came to dealing with
the changes in market. As well, they were able to respond to the changes with promptness when
they occurred in the market. This indicates that the companies are prepared to deal with the
market uncertainties. The strategic planning was also tested in this study. It was found out that
most of the organizations only carried out strategic planning once in a year. Generally, it was
found the telecommunications contractors in Kenya responded to changes in their external
environment through capability transformations which was achieved by reconfiguring their
internal capabilities and available external opportunities. This capability transformation enabled
them to fit and compete in the new environment and confirmed the strategic theory of dynamic
capabilities. The findings of this study will be beneficial to the policy makers and regulator of
the industry, namely the Communications Authority of Kenya CAK, the Kenya Revenue
Authority (KRA), and Engineers Registration Boards (ERB) among others. The findings are also
beneficial to the theory if strategic management as it confirms that the theory is applicable in
telecommunication industry. The findings of this study are also beneficial to the current
entrepreneurs in telecommunication firms as it will guide them to develop right strategies and to
adopt strategic responses that conform to the prevailing external environment. | en_US |
