The Mediating Effect of Competitive Advantage on the Relationship between Competitive Strategies and Performance of Accredited Universities in Kenya

Abstract

Research Objective: The objective of this research was to examine the mediating effect of competitive advantage in the relationship between competitive strategies and performance of accredited universities in Kenya. Research Methodology: The study was anchored on Industrial organization theory basing on structure conduct paradigm, advanced by Porter (1986). Positivism provided the philosophical foundation. The population of the research comprised 53 accredited universities in Kenya. This was a census survey. Descriptive cross-sectional research design was used. Primary data was collected using a pre-tested questionnaire. The respondents were academic registrars from both public and private accredited universities. Four path analysis model by Baron and Kenny’s (1986) was applied in the data analysis. Results and Findings: The research outcomes revealed that competitive advantage partially mediated the relationship between competitive strategies and performance of accredited universities in Kenya. Implication of the study: The study findings are useful to strategic management practitioners and managers from accredited universities in Kenya, policymakers in government as well as scholars and researchers Key words: Competitive strategies, competitive advantage and organizational performance