PERCEPTION REGARDING INTERNATIONALIZATION CAPABILITY: A CASE OF ARCHITECTURAL CONSULTANCY FIRMS IN KENYA
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Date
2005-02Author
Kiilu, Makenzi N
Type
ThesisLanguage
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
The purpose of this study was to establish how architectural consultancy firms perceive
the effects of the external business environment and their internal environments as
affecting their internationalization capability. The specific objectives were to determine
the architectural firms' perceived effect of internationalization drivers on their ability to
exploit international business opportunities and identify the firms' characteristics that
may be related to their perceived effect of internationalization drivers on their
internationalization capability.
The researcher chose to investigate the phenomenon of internationalization among
architects because architecture is one of the oldest professions. It is therefore necessary to
establish the professions preparedness to respond to external environmental
developments such as liberalization and globalization.
The study used a sample survey research design. Simple random sampling was used to
select respondent firms from the target population. Data were collected using a 10-point
Likert-type scale. The mean scores of the factors that affect a firm's internationalization
capability were an indication of the perception index. Regression and correlation analyses
were used to analyze the data.
The findings of the study indicated that the firms perceive the external business
environment to have a stronger effect on their internationalization capability than their
internal environments. Foreign government policies and a partner's gender were
perceived to have the strongest and the weakest effect on internationalization capability
respectively. While firm-size was positively correlated with internationalization
capability and had a significant impact on the firms' ability to pursue opportunities in
other countries, experience was neither correlated with nor did it have any impact on the
way firms perceive the effect of the environment on their internationalization capability.
In order to enhance the firms' internationalization capability, it was recommended that
architects need to improve their management skills and be proactive in searching for
information on other markets. The Kenya Government needs to work closely with the
firms as it addresses their concerns, which include availing information on other markets
and accessibility of resources. Comparative studies need to be carried out with the aim of
establishing how the perception regarding internationalization capability varies among
soft service providers, hard service providers and manufacturers.
Sponsorhip
University of NairobiPublisher
School of Business, University of Nairobi