| dc.description.abstract | Strategy is the sum of actions an organization intends to take to achieve long-term
goals. It is important for the business to monitor their environment with a view to
creating strategies that will set them apart from their competitors or will cause them
expand their capacity and capability. There are important dimensions that support the
strength of strategies adopted by a firm that can lead to superior performance levels in
the present competitive market conditions. A firm is said to have a competitive
advantage when it is implementing a value creating strategy not simultaneously being
implemented by any current or potential player. Products differentiation, cost controls
and market focus strategies has become a key source of competitive advantage for the
firm and have over the years enabled them to cope with increasing organizational and
technological complexities as well as new entrants into the market. The study
reviewed the relationship between competitive strategies and performance of Bamburi
Cement Limited. The study employed a case study research design. Data was
collected using questionnaires which were administered to all the heads of
departments and managers in the three branches; Mombasa, Athi River and corporate
headquarters in Nairobi. Qualitative data collected was analyzed using descriptive
statistics. This enabled the researcher to make general statements in terms of the
several attributes and conceptualization of the study. The study established that
Bamburi cement measures customer focus and satisfaction, profit after tax and return
on investment and rates the performance. The company has adopted targeting a
specific market niche/segment competitive strategy which is highly utilized. It also
adopted improving operational efficiency strategy and controlling the quality of
products. Metrics based on this perspective allow the managers to know how well
their business is running, and whether its products and services conform to customer
requirements that is, the mission. The study findings revealed that vigorous pursuit of
cost reductions and identification is a competitive strategy adopted by the company.
The company provides outstanding customer services so as to keep the customers. It
has developed brand or company name as a competitive strategy. The company
measures learning and growth perspectives where employees go through training,
mentorship and tutorials within the organization. The study concludes that the success
of a company is mostly embodied in performance and competitive strategies enabling
it to meet stakeholder obligations and survive competitive market forces. It is
therefore imperative that companies proactively apply effective control systems in
strategy management so as to ensure intended results are realized and any deviations
corrected. The study recommends the management of Bamburi Cement Limited to
implement corporate strategies from an informed position. It is important for the
company to enhance and entrench the field team feedback process by integrating
related competitive strategies in the performance of the company. | en_US |
