Innovation Strategies and Competitive Advantage of Ceramic Manufacturers in Kenya

Abstract

Manufacturing firms are crucial for Kenya's economic growth and industrialization efforts aligned with Vision 2030 objectives. However, recent trends show a decline in competitive advantage for these firms, reflected in decreasing market share, customer loyalty, and sales growth. To address this, firms have adopted innovative strategies like process, product, and technology innovation to enhance their competitive edge. The decline in competitive advantage poses risks to profitability, market position, and long-term sustainability, underscoring the importance of investigating the impact of innovation strategies on the competitive advantage of ceramic manufacturers in Kenya. Therefore, the purpose of the study is to evaluate the relationship between innovation strategies and the competitive advantage of ceramic manufacturers in Kenya. The purpose of the study was to ascertain how Kenyan ceramic producers' competitive advantage was impacted by innovation in technology, products, and processes. The study used a desktop research approach, and theme analysis was used to examine the data. The study discovered that Kenyan ceramic producers' competitive edge stems from process innovation. Furthermore, the results showed that Kenyan ceramic producers' competitive advantage stems from product innovation. The results also showed the impact of technological innovation on Kenyan ceramic producers' competitive edge. The study concluded that Kenyan ceramic producers had a competitive edge due to process, product, and technological innovation. Manufacturers of ceramics must take a whole-hearted commitment to innovation, covering all facets such as procedures, goods, and technology.