Challenges Facing Major Mobile Application Development Companies In Kenya In Their International Operations

Abstract

Business environment influences organisational strategy (Miller and Friesen, 1993). Miller and Friesen (1998) states that increases in environmental dynamism and hostility are related to specific changes in the amount of analysis which characterizes strategy-making activity. Hostile environments intensify challenges to the company, and often complicate these challenges. Studies on international operations typically focus on issues at the operational level, such as quality systems or productivity. There are very few studies investigate international operations from challenges facing companies in their international operation. This study thus sought to fill the existing research gap by conducting and by answering the question: What are the challenges facing major mobile application development companies in their international operations?In this study, descriptive survey research design was used. The study selected five major Mobile application development companies in Kenya which includes Kenya Ushahidi, Virtual City, Craft Silicon, Cellulant and Mobile Planet Limited. The study sample 4 respondents from each organization, thus a sample of 20 respondents was used in the study. Self-administered drop and pick questionnaires will be distributed to operations managers and staff currently employed by these mobile application developments in Kenya. Descriptive statistics was employed; this included the use of weighted means, standard deviation, relative frequencies and percentages. The study found that mobile application development companies are face with challenges in their international operations to a great extent. The study further revealed that the challenges faced by mobile application development companies in their international operation were ; technical challenges, know-how and technology barrier ,innovation culture, emerging economies exports, market size constraint ,skilled and professional workforce availability, total quality management, political and economic climate, governance and regulatory barrier, supply chain and long lead times among others . The study further concludes that good quality is what differentiates a product and can lead to attaining and maintaining market share.