Knowledge Acquisition Processes and Transient Competitive Advantage in International Non-Governmental Organizations in Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to explore the relationship between knowledge acquisition processes and transient competitive advantage among International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOS) in Kenya. The study was driven by positivism philosophy and used a descriptive correlational research design. A sample of 392 respondents, program leads and MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning) or knowledge management leads was obtained using simple random sampling. Data was gathered using a questionnaire that was administered online using google forms. The questionnaire was pretested and found to be reliable since the overall Cronbach alpha was 0.7. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive statistics (means, percentages, frequencies and standard deviations) and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS – SEM). The findings from the study indicated that knowledge acquisition processes have a significant and positive effect on transient competitive advantage among INGOs in Kenya (t = 18.171, p < 0.05) at 5% significance level. The recommendation from the study findings for INGOs is to enhance knowledge acquisition processes to enhance their positioning in order to exploit transient competitive opportunities fully through deliberating acquiring market knowledge from external sources such as clients and competitors, using internal knowledge proficiently and investing in research and development in order to feed into innovation