Challenges of the Implementation of E-business Strategy, by Companies Listed in the Nairobi Securities Exchange

Abstract

This research paper discusses the challenges faced by companies listed in the Nairobi Securities Exchange while implementing e-business strategy. The research paper analyses these challenges and presents the results in these categories : Financial Capacity, Motivation and Ownership, Board Support, Organizational Structure, Open to Change and Human Resources capacity. E-Business technology provides organizations with a great opportunity to enhance relationships with external and internal parties across its value and supply chains. The research findings suggests that, e-business must be considered systematically in developing an organization's overall competitive strategy. The research provides several pointers that could pave the way for a smooth transition to e-business implementation and recommends a slow and methodically approach to ebusiness strategy implementation. The research paper provides significant contributions to the policy of strategy implementation, theory and practice of implementing e-business strategy. It show a framework for how, the e-business strategy that an organization adopts enables it to win in the long term and how the use of technology helps it gain competitive advantage. E-business systems are now gaining familiarity in Kenya, It is therefore important from a strategy formulation, design and implementation perspective that potential pitfalls are identified and conceptual solutions are made available for the adoption and implementation of e-business solutions. The study was done by interviewing senior managers from companies listed in the Nairobi Securities Exchange. Respondents interviewed were drawn from 36 companies. The paper concludes that, there exist various challenges to the implementation of e-business strategy and that ebusiness planning process is similar to any other business planning initiative. These challenges are more organizational in nature as opposed to being technology related. Organizations that integrate e-business models with their strategic orientation are more likely to have successful results. To implement e-business solutions, it is necessary to have supporting information, financial capacity and organizational infrastructure and systems.