Competitive Strategies and Growth of Fintech Lending Institutions in Nairobi County, Kenya

Authors

  • Beth Njeri Kariuki Scholar, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya
  • Paul Kariuki, (PhD) Senior Lecturer: Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61108/ijsshr.v2i3.127

Keywords:

Competitive Strategies, Cost Leadership Strategies, Focus Strategies, Growth Of Fintech Lending Institutions

Abstract

This study explored the relationship between competitive strategies and the growth of fintech lending institutions in Nairobi County, Kenya, amidst a rapidly evolving digital lending landscape. With approximately 20% of the Kenyan population relying on digital lending platforms, the sector has experienced significant expansion driven by innovation and increased financial inclusion. The research specifically focused on two competitive strategies cost leadership and focus strategies utilized by major players like Fuliza, M-Shwari, and KCB M-Pesa, which collectively dominated over half of the market. Utilizing a descriptive research design, the study collected data from 114 respondents across 32 fintech lending institutions, achieving a response rate of 86.3%. The findings indicated a strong positive correlation between cost leadership strategies (r = 0.774) and focus strategies (r = 0.784) with the growth of these institutions. Regression analysis revealed that these strategic approaches accounted for 75.2% of the variance in growth, underscoring the critical role of strategic choice in enhancing organizational performance. The study concluded that fintech lending institutions should prioritize operational efficiency and adapt their strategies to evolving market conditions. Recommendations for future research included examining the effects of regulatory frameworks and technology adoption on competitive strategies, as well as conducting longitudinal studies to assess their long-term impact on growth

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

. Barney, J. B., & Arikan, A. M. (2005). The resource‐based view: origins and implications. The Blackwell handbook of strategic management, 123-182.

. Barney, J. B., Ketchen Jr, D. J., & Wright, M. (2011). The future of resource-based theory: revitalization or decline?. Journal of management, 37(5), 1299-1315.

. Bunde, J. O., & Lewa, S. K. (2024). Effect of Generic Competitive Strategies on the Performance of National Social Security Fund in Nairobi County, Kenya. International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research (IJSSHR) ISSN 2959-7056 (o); 2959-7048 (p), 2(1), 82–96.

. Chong, W.C. (2017), Service Quality in the Thai Telecommunication Industry: A Tool for Achieving a Sustainable Competitive Advantage, Management Decision, 40 (7), pp. 693-701.

. Lestari, D, & Rahmanto, BT (2023). Fintech and its challenge for banking sector. … , D., &Rahmanto, BT (2021). Fintech and …, papers.ssrn.com, https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4514681

. Macharia, P. N. (2016). Strategies adopted to manage performance of the Teachers Service Commission in Kenya (Doctoral dissertation, University of Nairobi).

. Mahmudovna, GG (2024). Competitive strategies, the importance of using innovation in their implementation. … va zamonaviy texnologiya jurnali| journal of …, mudarrisziyo.uz, http://mudarrisziyo.uz/index.php/iqtisodiyot/article/download/883/710

. Mutunga, S. L., & Minja, D. (2014). Generic strategies employed by food and beverage firms in Kenya and their effects on sustainable competitive advantage. International Journal of Business and Management Review, 2(6), 1-15.

. Njoroge, F. W. (2023). Effect of Tax Revenue Growth on Economic Growth in Kenya (Doctoral dissertation, University of Nairobi).

. North, K, & Varvakis, G (2016). Competitive strategies for small and medium enterprises. Increasing Crisis Resilience, Agility and Innovation in …, Springer, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-27303-7

. Penrose, E.T. (1959), The Theory of the Growth of the Firm, 2nd ed., Basil Blackwell, London.

. Penrose, E.T. (1996), “Growth of the firmQ17 and networking”, International Encyclopaedia of Business and Management, Routledge, London.

. Peter, M. K., & Okello, A. S. (2023). Competitive Strategies on Organizational Growth of Manufacturing Firms in Kenya. International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research (IJSSHR) ISSN 2959-7056 (o); 2959-7048 (p), 1(1), 683–698.

. Porter, M. E. (1980). Industry structure and competitive strategy: Keys to profitability. Financial analysts journal, 36(4), 30-41.

. Selznick P. 1957. Leadership in Administration. Row Peterson: Evanston IL

. Steiner, J. et al., (2019). Managing Change through Training and Development. London: Kogan Page

. Tehrani, S. Z. (2016). Optimising the service productivity with operational strategic options (Doctoral dissertation, Multimedia University (Malaysia)).

. Wairimu, R. M., & Nyangau, D. S. P. (2023). Generic Strategies and Operational Performance of Manufacturing Cement Companies in Kenya . International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research (IJSSHR) ISSN 2959-7056 (o); 2959-7048 (p), 1(1), 332–347.

. Whittington, R.E. (2018). Strategically developing strategic leaders. (2nd. ed.), San Francisco, CA: Pfeiffer publishing.

. Yin, C. (2015). Research Methodology: Methods & Techniques. 2nd edition. New age International Publishers, New Delhi, India.

. Yuleva, R (2019). Competitive advantages and competitive strategies of small and medium-sized enterprises. Икономика и управление, ceeol.com, https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=769130

. Zagotta, R. & Robinson, D. (2018). Keys to Successful Strategy Execution. Journal of Business Strategy. 30-34.

Downloads

Published

2024-09-28

How to Cite

Kariuki, B. N., & Kariuki, P. (2024). Competitive Strategies and Growth of Fintech Lending Institutions in Nairobi County, Kenya. International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research (IJSSHR) ISSN 2959-7056 (o); 2959-7048 (p), 2(3), 60–71. https://doi.org/10.61108/ijsshr.v2i3.127