The Effect of Product Differentiation Strategy on The Performance of Commercial Banks in Kenya.

Authors

  • Leonard Mugendi Njue Kenya Methodist University
  • Mrs. Susan Kambura Kenya Methodist University
  • Mr. Abel Moguche Kenya Methodist University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47941/jbsm.1403
Abstract views: 321
PDF downloads: 183

Abstract

Purpose: The study aimed to determine the effect of product differentiation strategy on the performance of commercial banks in Kenya. The study hypothesized that product differentiation had a statistically significant impact on Kenyan commercial banks' performance

Methodology: The study used a quantitative research method targeting the branch managers of licensed commercial banks in Nairobi County. A sample of 227 branch managers was selected using stratified sampling. Data was collected using an online questionnaire. Data was checked for internal consistency using Cronbach's alpha. The alpha was within the acceptable rate level of 0.60 to 0.90 The ordinal logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between the variables.

Findings: The effect of product differentiation on performance was statistically significant (Wald = 7.768, df = 1, p = .005), with a 95% confidence interval of 0.442 to 2.535. Therefore, product differentiation statistically significantly affects commercial banks' performance. The results imply that banks need to increased focus on product differentiation strategies to increase performance.

Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study is significant to bank managers because it provides them with information on one of the strategies (product differentiation) that managers can use to increase the performance of their banks. Implementing this strategy would result in increased performance and benefit the stakeholders due to the increased return on investment.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biography

Leonard Mugendi Njue, Kenya Methodist University

Post-Graduate Student, School of Business and Economics

References

Abdolshah, M., Moghimi, M., & Khatibi, S. A. (2018). Investigating competitive advantage in banking industry based on Porter’s generic strategies. International Journal of Applied Management Sciences and Engineering, 5(1), 52–62. https://doi.org/10.4018/ijamse.2018010104

Acquaah, M., & Agyapong, A. (2021). The relationship between competitive strategy and firm performance in micro and small businesses in Ghana: The moderating role of managerial and marketing capabilities. Africa Journal of Management, 1(2), 172–193. https://doi.org/10.1080/23322373.2015.1025684

Akande, J. O., Kwenda, F., & Tewari, D. (2019). The interplay of competition, regulation and stability: The case of Sub-Saharan African commercial banks. Banks and Bank Systems, 14(1), 65–80. https://doi.org/10.21511/bbs.14(1).2019.07

Albertazzi, U., & Gambacorta, L. (2019). Bank profitability and the business cycle. Journal of Financial Stability, 5(4), 393–409. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfs.2008.10.002

Ali, B. J., & Anwar, G. (2021, June 9). Porter’s Generic competitive strategies and its influence on the competitive advantage. Papers.ssrn.com. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3863595

Balistreri, E. J., Rutherford, T. F., & Tarr, D. G. (2019). Modeling services liberalization: The case of Kenya. Economic Modelling, 26(3), 668–679. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.econmod.2009.01.010

Bertelè, U., & Chiesa, V. (2021). Competitive strategies: Organizational. International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences, 5(7), 2436–2440. https://doi.org/10.1016/b0-08-043076-7/04267-4

Boehe, D. M., & Cruz, L. B. (2019). Corporate social responsibility, product differentiation strategy and export performance. Journal of Business Ethics, 91(S2), 325–346. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-010-0613-z

Central Bank of Kenya. (2022). Central Bank of Kenya annual supervision report. https://www.centralbank.go.ke/uploads/banking_sector_annual_reports/88445563_2021%20Annual%20Report.pdf

Chipeta, C., & Muthinja, M. M. (2019). Financial innovations and bank performance in Kenya: Evidence from branchless banking models. South African Journal of Economic and Management Sciences, 21(1), 11. https://sajems.org/index.php/sajems/article/view/1681/1610

Choge, J. (2015). Gender factor in decision making: Challenges facing women leadership development in primary schools’ managemnt in Kenya. Counties of the Republic, 6(12). https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1080616.pdf

Das, S. (2020). Innovations in digital banking service brand equity and millennial consumerism. Digital Transformation and Innovative Services for Business and Learning. https://www.igi-global.com/chapter/innovations-in-digital-banking-service-brand-equity-and-millennial-consumerism/255075

Dogru, C. (2019). Handbook of research on contemporary approaches in management and organizational strategy. IGI Global.

Erfani, G., & Vasigh, B. (2019). The impact of the global financial crisis on profitability of the banking industry: A comparative analysis. Economies, 6(4), 66. https://doi.org/10.3390/economies6040066

Gakuya, R. W., & Njue, N. K. (2018). Effects of differentiation strategy on customer loyalty among pharmaceutical companies in Nairobi county, kenya. European Journal of Management and Marketing Studies, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.46827/ejmms.v0i0.354

Holdford, D. A. (2019). Resource-based theory of competitive advantage – a framework for pharmacy practice innovation research. Pharmacy Practice, 16(3), 1351. https://doi.org/10.18549/pharmpract.2018.03.1351

Kharub, M., Patle, B., & Sharma, G. (2020). The relationship between differentiation strategy and firm performance: A mediating role of quality management. In IOSR Journal of Mechanical and Civil Engineering (pp. 66–71). https://www.iosrjournals.org/iosr-jmce/papers/Conf-17026-2017/Volume-3/13.%2066-71.pdf

Kibithe, T. W., & Chebii, W. C. (2019). Influence of service quality differentiation strategy on customer loyalty in commercial banks within Nakuru Municipality. Journal of Strategic Management, 2(2), 62–82. https://stratfordjournals.org/journals/index.php/journal-of-strategic-management/article/view/166

Kireru, J., Ombui, K., & Omwenga, J. (2020). Influence of product differentiation strategy in achieving competitive advantage in commercial banks: A case of Equity bank limited. https://seahipaj.org/journals-ci/june-2016/IJBLR/full/IJBLR-J-4-2016.pdf

Kusuya, L. (2021). Leadership positions in primary schools in Maralal Zone Samburu County, Kenya. American Journal of Educational Research, 9(10), 633–638. https://doi.org/10.12691/education-9-10-5

Menga, E. E. B., & Nyakwara, D. S. (2020). Influence of product quality differentiation strategies on client retention in Kenya Commercial Bank Kisii Central Sub-County, Kenya. IJRDO - Journal of Business Management, 6(11), 41–49. https://ijrdo.org/index.php/bm/article/view/4007

Mramba, S. (2013). Target marketing strategy and competitive advantage: Case of Standard Chartered bank Kenya. Erepo.usiu.ac.ke. http://erepo.usiu.ac.ke/11732/6305

Mugo, H. W., Wanjau, K., & Ayodo, E. M. A. (2012). An investigation into competitive intelligence practices and their effect on profitability of firms in the banking industry: A case of Equity Bank. Erepository.mku.ac.ke, 2(3). Mount Kenya University. https://erepository.mku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/246

Mutuma, S. (2022). Women’s participation in management and leadership positions. Kenyatta University. http://weehub.ku.ac.ke/womens-participation-in-management-and-leadership-positions-in-the-public-sector-closing-the-gender-gap/

Mwalili, F. (2020). Influence of differentiation strategies on competitiveness of Family Bank Ltd, Kenya. Erepository.uonbi.ac.ke. http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/154916

Njuguna, V. N. (2019). Effects of generic strategies on competitive advantage: Evidence from SMEES in Nyahururu, Kenya. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2627795

Rothaermel, F. T. (2021). Strategic management (5th ed.). Mcgraw-Hill Education.

Visedsun, N., & Terdpaopong, K. (2021). The effects of the strategy and goal on business performance as mediated by management accounting systems. Economies, 9(4), 149. https://doi.org/10.3390/economies9040149

Wambaka, K. (2021). Product differentiation strategy and perceived financial performance of commercial banks in Uganda. Texila International Journal of Management, 7(2), 106–118. https://doi.org/10.21522/tijmg.2015.07.02.art010

Yakubu, Z., Loganathan, N., Mursitama, T. N., Mardani, A., Khan, S. A. R., & Hassan, A. A. G. (2020). Financial liberalisation, political stability, and economic determinants of real economic growth in Kenya. Energies, 13(13), 3426. https://doi.org/10.3390/en13133426

Downloads

Published

2023-08-17

How to Cite

Njue, L. M. ., Kambura, S. ., & Moguche, A. . (2023). The Effect of Product Differentiation Strategy on The Performance of Commercial Banks in Kenya. Journal of Business and Strategic Management, 8(4), 39–53. https://doi.org/10.47941/jbsm.1403

Issue

Section

Articles