Influence of Financial Capabilities on Competitiveness of Food and Beverage Manufacturing Firms in Kenya

Abstract

Purpose: The firms have been facing steep competition from foreign companies due to increased globalization. The aim of the study was to find out the influence of financial capabilities on competitiveness of food and beverage processing companies in Kenya.
 Methodology: The study was informed by resource based theory. Empirical studies were reviewed to provide the basis for research gaps to be filled by the current study. Descriptive research design was employed while the target population was the 187 food and beverage processing firms in Kenya. A census was used where all the 187 companies were contacted. Structured questionnaire was used to obtain the primary data which was analyzed through mixed method analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze quantitative data while qualitative data was analyzed through content analysis. Inferential statistics were used to analyze the relationship between variables through the regression model. The findings were presented in form of tables, pie-charts and bar-graphs.
 Results: The companies however mainly relied on bank deposits as the source of funding for their operations. Financial capabilities significantly and positively influence the competitiveness of the food and beverage processing firms. The bank deposits, cash holdings and stock holdings create the financial muscle of the firms by ensuring that they are able to obtain adequate and high quality production inputs thus contributing to the companies’ success. The correlation analysis revealed that there was a positive and significant association between Financial capabilities and firm competitiveness (r = 0.698, p = 0.000). Regression of coefficients results revealed that Financial capabilities and firm competitiveness are positively and significantly related (β =0.638, p=0.000).
 Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The firms ought to seek adequate financial capabilities as a way of effectively financing their operations to gain competitiveness. The companies should embrace accountability and proper investments that increase their bank deposits, cash holdings and stock holdings through which they can sustain their operations towards competitiveness. The companies should embrace accountability and proper investments that increase their bank deposits, cash holdings and stock holdings through which they can sustain their operations towards competitiveness.

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