EFFECT OF DIGITAL MARKETING STRATEGIES ON GROWTH OF SMALL MEDIUM ENTERPRISES IN LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS DISTRIBUTION IN NAIROBI CITY COUNTY, KENYA

Authors

  • Benson Njuguna Ngochi Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology
  • Dr. Allan Kihara Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47941/jbsm.342

Keywords:

Mobile Marketing, Search Engine Marketing, Media Marketing, Email Marketing And Growth of SMEs

Abstract

Purpose: The currents research sought to establish the effects of digital marketing strategies on growth of SMEs in LPG distribution in Nairobi County, Kenya.The research specificifically sought to establish the effects of mobile marketing, search engine marketing, media marketing and email marketing on the growth of SMEs in LPG distribution in Nairobi County, Kenya.

Methodology: The research was anchored on Technology Acceptance Theory, Transaction Cost Innovative Theory, Expectation Confirmation Theory and Resource Based View Theory.The target population comprisedof 895 SMEs dealing with LPG distribution in Nairobi County. Fisher's sampling formula was adopted in acquiring a sample of 268 SMEs. The unit of observation comprised of owners/managers of the SMEs under examination.The instrument for primary data collection in this research was a numerical 5-point Likert scale questionnaire. The research used Cronbach alpha threshold value of 0.7 for internal consistency of the research instrument. The information collected was analyzed by employing descriptive statistics and inferential analysis using statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 21 and MS Excel Software. Descriptive statistics involved calculation of the mean, frequency, percentages and standard deviation while Pearson correlation coefficient and a multiple regression was the inferential statistics applied in the study. The results and findings were presented in tables, figures and charts.

Results:The study found that most of SME ensures timely sending of messages to their customers on availability of products and contacts both existing and prospective customers directly to inform them on the availability of their products. The study also found that most of SMEs have a Facebook page for advertising their products, have a twitter account for their SME and post their range of products to various Facebook pages to enhance their customer reachability. The study concluded that mobile marketing had the greatest influence on growth of SMEs in LPG distribution in Nairobi County, Kenya followed by email marketing, then search engine marketing while social media marketing had the least influence on the growth of SMEs in LPG distribution in Nairobi County, Kenya.

Contribution to theory, policy and practice: The study recommends that management of SMES in LPG distribution should make sure that the application on which the content is created should be versatile and compatible with mobile devices, that SMES in LPG distribution in Nairobi County should mix and match various mediums such emails, social media and mobile phones to reach their desired target audience and that SMES in LPG distribution should make use of social media such as Twitter for promoting their products and services and offering real time response to customers' complaints.

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Author Biographies

Benson Njuguna Ngochi, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

Postgraduate student

Dr. Allan Kihara, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

Lecturer

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Published

2019-10-17

How to Cite

Ngochi, B. N., & Kihara, D. A. (2019). EFFECT OF DIGITAL MARKETING STRATEGIES ON GROWTH OF SMALL MEDIUM ENTERPRISES IN LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS DISTRIBUTION IN NAIROBI CITY COUNTY, KENYA. Journal of Business and Strategic Management, 4(1), 88–109. https://doi.org/10.47941/jbsm.342

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