Strategic management practices of pharmaceutical importers and distributors in Kenya

Abstract

The study investigated the strategic management practices of pharmaceutical importers and distributors in Kenya. The study set the following singular objective, to establish the strategic management practices being undertaken by the pharmaceutical importers and distributors in Kenya and point out the challenges facing this sector. The study used a cross - sectional survey design in executing this study. A sample size of 60 pharmaceutical firms that are registered as importers and distributors was used. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data for analysis. The study findings showed that; most firms had a vision, a mission statement and set objectives which were either written or implied and these governed the day to day business operations of these firms. There were three categories of objectives i.e. sales objectives which aimed at making the firm to be the regional/leading distributor of pharmaceutical products, brand objectives aimed at maintaining the quality of the product and also production of other new products of different molecules and. those aimed at the growth of the firm like market expansion and segmentation to other regions or countries-.and the acquisition of more/new agencies. Most firms had strategies for operation which included growth, diversification and defensive strategies. The strategic planning process in most companies was characterized by having clearly assigned responsibility for planning, timetables for preparation of plans formal and informal planning processes and also the existence of a planning department in the firm. However strategic management systems were noted to vary widely among companies.