Ben Mkalama is a well-grounded professional with a unique blend of experience that ranges from academia, research and industry. He has over 25 years of working experience in senior leadership and management positions with international financial and local organisations in Africa. He is passionate about start-up entrepreneurship with varied interests across different sectors. His recent research interests have been in entrepreneurship and digital innovation with an emphasis on enterprise development.
Abstract
The study sought to establish the factors that influence innovativeness within manufacturing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Kenya. The general objective of the study was to establish, analyse and determine the effect of entrepreneurial orientation, technological capability and environmental dynamism on firm innovativeness within manufacturing SMEs in Nairobi County. A triangulated research design was adopted. Four hypotheses were formulated. A series of descriptive and inferential analyses were carried out on the primary data that was collected. The study also purposively identified and qualitatively studied four cases. Entrepreneurial orientation was established as having a significant effect on firm innovativeness. The study also confirmed that there was a moderating effect of environmental dynamism on the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and firm innovativeness. The effect of technological capability on the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and firm innovativeness was inconclusive. The study further confirmed that the joint relationship between entrepreneurial orientation, technological capability, and environmental dynamism had an effect on firm innovativeness. These findings were triangulated by the qualitative study. The study has made a contribution to theory, policy and management in relation to innovativeness in SMEs.
Research Supervisors
Prof Elijah Bitange Ndemo
Prof Jackson Kivui Maalu
Prof Ganesh P. Pokhariyal