Kiragu_Environmental analysis as a competitive strategic imperative by Barclays bank of Kenya.pdf

ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS AS A COMPETITIVE STRATEGIC
IMPERATIVE BY BARCLAYS BANK OF KENYA
BY
GRACE M. KIRAGU
A RESEARCH PROJECT SUBMITED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT
FOR THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF
BUSINESS ADMNISTRATION (MBA), SCHOOL OF BUSINESS,
UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI
NOVEMBER 2012

DECLARATION
This research Project is my original work and has not been submitted for a degree course in
any other university.
Signed
Date
-fe n
\V))X
Grace M. Kiragu
This research project has been submitted for examination with my approval as the university
supervisor.
Signe
Date
f t -
[ l -
1
Eliud O. Mududa
Department of Business Administration,
School of Business,
University of Nairobi
11

DEDICATION
This research study is dedicated to my husband Antony, our son Jason for their love,
understanding and relentless support during the many long hours when i had to juggle
between work, family and study, my loving brothers for always believing in me, my dear
parents Kiragu and Wairimu for always cheering me on and sowing in me the seed of hard
work and giving me the critical foundation in education.
111

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I am grateful to my supervisor, Mr. Mududa, for his availability, encouragement and
guidance through each and every stage of this research study. I am equally indebted to Mr.
Kagwe for his critical role of moderating the research project and Dr. Ogutu for his
invaluable advice. I am grateful to the MBA library section-UON, for helping me to access
all the relevant information and materials for the development of this study. I am equally
grateful to the management of Barclays Bank for accepting to participate in this research
study and granting me the much needed information and data through the various personal
interviews with its top level management. I am also highly indebted to my classmate Jeff
who tirelessly encouraged me to soldier on. Indeed, I cannot forget the contribution of
Derby Communication who at short notices would facilitate for timely printing and binding
of the document at the various stages of the study.
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ABSTRACT
The banking sector in Kenya plays a pivotal role in the economy. The rapidly changing
environment is especially pronounced in this sector. This state of affairs compelled the
researcher to conduct this study on environmental analysis as a competitive strategic
imperative by Barclays Bank of Kenya. The data was collected from senior staff of the Bank
through personal interviews. These interviews were facilitated by an interview guide
covering general information about Barclays Bank, strategic changes, challenges of strategic
changes, responses to strategic challenges and respondent’s suggestions. The findings of the
study are presented in tables containing frequencies, means and percentages. The findings
of the study indicate the Bank has succeeded in adoption of its strategies by aligning
strategies to the structure, adequate resource allocation to projects, ensuring of supportive
policies and staff commitment. However, the shortcomings were identified as poor time