Technology as a competitive advantage in Supermarket operations in Nairobi County

Abstract

Technology is a prerequisite for globally competitive organizations. The study aimed at investigating technology as a competitive advantage in supermarket operations in Nairobi County, Kenya. The study sought to answer the following specific objectives: to determine the extent to which technology is applied as a technique to gain competitive advantage, to establish the impact of implementation of technology on the supermarkets’ competitive advantage, and to determine challenges faced in the implementation of technology in supermarkets. A cross sectional survey design was adopted, targeting 46 employees of the supermarkets in Nairobi County. Out of the 46 questionnaires distributed, 42 were returned which represented 91.3% response rate. Primary data was used in the study leading to collection and analysis of quantitative data using descriptive statistics. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 22.0) as a tool of analysis presented results through percentages, means, and standard deviations. The inferential analysis which includes regression and correlation was done to establish the relationship between independent variable and operational performance of supermarkets in Nairobi County. The study concluded that the adoption and applications of technology improved operational performance of the supermarkets. There were certain limitations such as company policy prohibiting staff from providing certain information without prior authorization from the Headquarters which was also against the time allocated. It was difficult to collect the questionnaires on times agreed because most managers had very busy schedules. Although the study was on technology as a competitive advantage in supermarkets operations in Nairobi County, it is recommended that the study be carried in other sectors and industries in the Kenyan economy so as to create value in those sectors