The influence of competitive strategies on performance of private schools in Mavoko district of Machakos county, Kenya

Abstract

This study sought to examine the influence of competitive strategies on performance of private schools in Mavoko District of Machakos County, Kenya. These were necessitated by the desire to establish whether schools are applying competitive strategies in their efforts to improve their overall performance. Further, we sought to draw a correlation between good performance and adoption of competitive strategies among private schools in the District. Thus the study sought to determine the influence of competitive strategies on performance of private schools in Mavoko District of Machakos County, Kenya. The research adopted a descriptive survey design. This was suitable in this study as it helped the researcher establish the existing conditions at the private schools. It further allowed identification of the various competitive strategies the schools were applying in their efforts to improve performance. The population of the study was the 8 boarding schools, 15 day schools and 11 mixed day and boarding schools within the study area. The study took a census of the whole population. A pilot study was carried out on a different set of respondents to better plan for the research. The test-retest procedure was used for testing reliability and it yielded favorable results to warrant reliance on the data collected and its findings. Qualitative and quantitative data was obtained through questionnaires. This was further analyzed and presented through narratives, tables and graphs. The study revealed that the schools adopted cost leadership strategy and this affects their performance. The researcher was of the opinion that cost leadership leads to increased productivity, innovative ability and it aids in enhancement of service quality. The study also discovered some element of differentiation and focus strategies which also affect performance.