Strategic Agility and Competitive Advantage in Simba Corporation Limited, Kenya

Abstract

An organization is said to be strategically agile when is it able to understand the environment in which it operates in, identify changes in that environment and adopt a swift reaction to those changes in order to achieve competitive advantage over other companies. The strategies a company uses to respond to environmental changes are crucial to its performance and could lead to achievement of competitive advantage. The objective of this study was to establish the influence of strategic agility on competitive advantage in Simba Corporation Limited, Kenya. The research was anchored on the theory of competitive advantage and Institutional theory. The study adopted a case study research design and data was collected using interviews. The data was then analyzed using content analysis and presented in prose form. Product agility, business model agility, Information technology agility, quality agility and human resource agility were recognized as the agility strategies used by Simba Corporation Limited, Kenya to achieve competitive advantage. Product agility helps the company to meet changing customer demands therefore increase market share. Information technology helps to ensure accuracy in data analysis and processing. Quality agility ensures compliance to quality standards and regulations thereby making the company attractive to potential investors and business partners. The study emphasized that competitiveness of any company depends on how agile the company is in response to environmental changes. The study recommends that Simba Corporation should consider accelerating its regional expansion drive to enjoy a less saturated east and central African market which guarantee reduced competition and ultimately better growth prospects. The study also recommends a policy framework to be created by the management and owners of Simba Corporation limited Kenya, to promote strategic agility which will increase Simba Corporation’s competitiveness. The study further recommends regular documentation of implemented strategic agilities in order to keep track on progress of the company. The study also recommends involvement of each staff member in the process of developing new strategies in order to promote strategic agility which will in turn lead to competitive advantage in the organization.