Competitive Strategies Adopted by Nongovernmental Organizations (Ngos) to Enhance Their Performance in Kitui County, Kenya

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate on the competitive strategies adopted by NGOs in Kitui County to enhance their performance in Kitui County, Kenya. The objectives of the study were to establish the competitive strategies adopted by Non-Governmental Organizations in Kitui County, Kenya and to determine the relationship between the competitive strategies adopted and performance of NGOs in Kitui County, Kenya. The study used descriptive cross-sectional survey research design. The target population of this study was 487 NGOs in Kitui County. Systematic sampling technique was used to select the sample of 50 NGOs out of the 487 NGOs in Kitui County. The main data collection tool was questionnaires for all the respondents. There searcher conducted a pilot study from top management of two NGOs who were not included in the study to test the validity and reliability of the research instrument. Quantitative data was analysed using measures of central tendency while qualitative data was analyzed using factor analysis.Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze the data. The established that cost was extremely important factor in dealing with competitive strategies, Lead Time very important factor, quality was considered as an extremely important factor. Survival in the market is extremely important as an operation goal. It would be extremely important to invest in investment that is not observable to rival firms and very important to invest in Investment that lowers a firm‟s marginal cost. It would be quite greatly important to use branding services as a strategic option in response to changes in the market and greatly important to use the latest technology. It was very important to use innovation, Joint ventures and Outsourcing they increase the NGOs performance. The study recommends that for Non Governmental organizations (NGOs) in Kitui County to remain competitive, there is need for the organizations to employ various strategies such as differentiation and relationship strategies to boost their growth in the market. Strategy is a combination of competitive moves and business approaches that manager‟s employ to satisfy organizational vision and objectives.Non Governmental organizations(NGOs) should focus on changing donor funding patterns; quest to remain relevant; quest for sustainability; limited financial resources; political interference and pressure from the environment since this can lead to the adoption of different approache to various actors in the NGO environment.