Innovation as the missing link between Porter's generic strategies and competitiveness in Kenya’s Bronze-accredited hospitality facilities
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.57883/thij27(1)2026.48645Palavras-chave:
Competitive strategies, Competitiveness, Differentiation, Cost leadership, Focus strategy, Innovation, Hospitality facilities, KenyaResumo
Bronze-Accredited Hospitality Facilities (BAHFs) constitute a substantial segment of Kenya’s classified hospitality industry but operate under considerable resource, technological, and competitive constraints. This study examined whether innovation explains the relationship between Porter’s Generic Strategies and competitiveness among BAHFs in Kenya. Specifically, the study assessed the effects of differentiation, cost leadership, and focus strategies on competitiveness, their effects on innovation, and the mediating role of innovation in the strategy–competitiveness relationship. Guided by Porter’s Generic Strategies Framework and Dynamic Capabilities Theory, the study adopted a positivist paradigm and a quantitative cross-sectional survey design. Data were collected from managers and supervisors of 347 BAHFs, with two respondents targeted from each establishment. The data were analysed using confirmatory factor analysis and covariance-based structural equation modelling. Differentiation (β = 0.330, p < 0.001), cost leadership (β = 0.295, p < 0.001), and focus (β = 0.198, p < 0.001) positively influenced competitiveness. The three strategies also significantly influenced innovation, while innovation positively influenced competitiveness (β = 0.548, p < 0.001). Innovation fully mediated the relationships between differentiation and competitiveness and between focus and competitiveness, while partial mediation was established for cost leadership. The findings indicate that competitive strategies alone provide an incomplete explanation of competitiveness among resource-constrained hospitality facilities. Rather, innovation represents an important organisational mechanism through which strategic positioning is translated into customer value, operational efficiency, and competitive outcomes. The study therefore extends Porter’s Generic Strategies Framework by demonstrating the mediating role of innovation within a lower-tier hospitality context in a developing economy.
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Direitos de Autor (c) 2026 Kennedy Maithya
Este trabalho encontra-se publicado com a Licença Internacional Creative Commons Atribuição 4.0.
Este trabalho encontra-se publicado com a Licença Internacional Creative Commons Atribuição 4.0.
