RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LEARNING CAPABILITY AND EXPORT PERFORMANCE OF MANUFACTURING FIRMS IN KENYA
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to analyze the relationship between learning capability and export performance of manufacturing firms in Kenya. The study adopted a mixed method approach in data collection where a triangulation research design was employed and both quantitative and qualitative data was collected and analyzed concurrently. A total population of 130 individuals from 26 export manufacturing firms located within Kiambu County were sampled. Both stratified random sampling and random sampling techniques were used to select a sample of 98 respondents from the target population. The researcher adopted questionnaire as the primary data collection tool. Inferential data analysis was done using Pearson correlation coefficient. Hypothesis testing was done using Chi-square test where p-value and F-statistic were computed at 95% confidence level to test whether there were any significant relationships between dynamic capability elements and export performance of manufacturing firms in Kenya. The results revealed positive and significant relationship between learning capability and export performance of manufacturing firms in Kenya. The results also revealed that operational capabilities significantly moderate the relationship between learning capability and export performance of manufacturing firms in Kenya. The study recommended that for manufacturing firms in Kenya to increase their export performance: they should create an atmosphere for the development and enhancement of organizational learning capabilities by encouraging employees to advance their skills and abilities through seminars and trainings, allow for new idea generation, conduct market research, trade fairs and invest in tools and resources to analyze market trends so as to keep ahead of market situations. Thus, the study results provided a clearer understanding of the contribution of learning capability on firms operating in dynamic environments such as the export markets.
Keywords: Dynamic Capability, learning capability, operational capability, external environment, manufacturing firms, export performance
CITATION: Kabue, S. T., Oloko, M. A., & Muturi, W. (2019). Relationship between learning capability and export performance of manufacturing firms in Kenya. The Strategic Journal of Business & Change Management, 6 (4), 992 – 1005.
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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.61426/sjbcm.v6i4.1430
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