Global Journal of Interdisciplinary Social Sciences

Abstract

The Relationship between Innovation Strategies and Organizational Competitiveness of Kenya Power & Lighting Company Ltd

Amboka Asumwa Agustine and Fred Ssemugenyi

Innovation is generic, encompassing both education and training, formal and informal processes. Innovation strategy provides a clear direction and focuses the effort of the entire organization on a common innovation goal. Firms adopt various innovations to perform functions in order to improve services. Despite the fact that the energy sector in Kenya has been affected adversely by the changing operating environment calling for adoption of innovation strategies to enhance a competitive edge in the markets, there exists a knowledge gap on the relationship between innovation strategies and organizational competitiveness of Kenya Power & Lighting Company Ltd(KPLC). The main objective was to investigate the relationship between innovation strategies and organizational competitiveness of Kenya Power & Lighting Company Ltd. This research was studied through the use of a descriptive research design. The target respondents included 1000 top, middle and low level staffs drawn from regional offices of Kenya Power& Lighting Company Ltd. Stratified random sampling technique was used where a sample of 10% (100 respondents) were selected. The study used a survey questionnaire administered individually to all respondents of the study. Quantitative data collected was analyzed by the use of descriptive statistics using SPSS and presented through percentages, means, standard deviations and frequencies. From the study, there was positive correlation between competitiveness and process innovation, technology, product innovation and market innovation. The study recommends that the Firm should embrace the adoption of innovative strategies; Service companies like KPLC should ensure new products introduction, reduction of costs, improved innovation process and conformance to regulations are used to influence their competitiveness. The firms also should ensure that they adapt the new technology in order to cope with the fast changing technology.