Strategic Partnerships and Performance of Commercial Banks in Nairobi City County, Kenya

Authors

  • Yona Israel Samo Kibabii University, Kenya
  • Dr. Kadian Wanyonyi Kibabii University, Kenya
  • Dr. Michael Washika Okonda Kibabii University, Kenya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47941/jbsm.2730

Keywords:

Strategic Partnerships, Performance, Commercial Banks, Nairobi City County

Abstract

Purpose: This research was to explore how strategic partnerships impact bank performance in Kenya, specifically focusing on evaluating the effect of these partnerships on the performance of commercial banks within Nairobi City County.

Methodology: The research utilized a mixed-methods design combining quantitative and qualitative approaches. The study employed structured questionnaires to gather quantitative data from 108 branch managers and operational managers. Qualitative insights were obtained through semi-structured interviews with 38 Chief Executive Officers. Stratified random sampling was used to select participants. Data collection adhered to ethical guidelines and included a pilot study to test the instruments for reliability and validity. Quantitative analysis involved descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analyses, while qualitative data were thematically analyzed for comprehensive insights..

Findings: The study on strategic partnerships within commercial banks in Nairobi City County revealed high respondent agreement on their importance, with the highest mean score of 4.16 (SD = 0.69) for proactive engagement in partnerships. A simple linear regression analysis demonstrated a strong positive correlation (R = 0.653) between strategic partnerships and bank performance, explaining 42.7% of the variance (R² = 0.427). The relationship was statistically significant (F(1, 184) = 137.842, p < 0.001), with an unstandardized coefficient of 0.585, indicating that each unit increase in strategic partnerships leads to a 0.585-unit increase in performance. Overall, these findings underscore the critical role of strategic partnerships in enhancing bank performance in a competitive environment.

Unique Contributions to Theory, Policy and Practice: The study provides critical insights for banking leaders, policymakers, and academic scholars regarding the importance of strategic partnerships for enhancing strategic flexibility and fostering sustainable growth in the banking sector. It also offers practical recommendations for commercial banks in Kenya to actively pursue strategic partnerships and enhance their responsiveness to market trends.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Yona Israel Samo, Kibabii University, Kenya

Department of Business Administration and Management, School of Business and Economics

Dr. Kadian Wanyonyi, Kibabii University, Kenya

Department of Business Administration and Management, School of Business and Economics

Dr. Michael Washika Okonda, Kibabii University, Kenya

Department of Business Administration and Management, School of Business and Economics

References

Ahmed, A., & Ali, F. (2016). The relationship between strategic flexibility and organizational performance: Evidence from the Middle East. International Journal of Business and Management, 11(3), 112-124. https://doi.org/10.5539/ijbm.v11n3p112

Al-Mamun, A., Chowdhury, M. F., & Ahmed, K. (2018). Strategic partnerships and financial performance of commercial banks: An empirical analysis in Bangladesh. Applied Economics Letters, 25(3), 169-174. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504851.2017.1340705

Al-Matari, Y. A., Abdullah, M. I., & Al-Swidi, A. K. (2014). The impact of strategic partnerships on financial performance: A study of commercial banks in Yemen. Asian Social Science, 10(10), 208-222. https://doi.org/10.5539/ass.v10n10p208

Boubakri, N., Cosset, J. C., & Fakhfakh, A. (2018). The impact of strategic alliances with fintech firms on banks’ performance: Evidence from the Maghreb region. Journal of Business Research, 97, 49-59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2018.03.020

Donaldson, L. (2001). The Contingency Theory of Organizations. Sage Publications.

Fiedler, F. E. (1964). A contingency model of leadership effectiveness. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 1, 149-190.

Hamel, G. (1991). Competition for competence and inter-partner learning within strategic alliances. European Management Journal, 9(3), 390-397.

Lawrence, P. R., & Lorsch, J. W. (1967). Organization and Environment: Managing Differentiation and Integration. Harvard University Press.

Nadkarni, S., & Narayanan, V. K. (2007). Strategic schemas, strategic flexibility, and firm performance: The moderating role of industry clockspeed. Strategic Management Journal, 28(3), 243-270.

Pettigrew, A. M. (1973). The politics of organizational decision-making. Sage Publications.

Doz, Y. L., & Hamel, G. (1998). Alliance Advantage: The Art of Creating Value through Partnering. Harvard Business School Press.

Central Bank of Kenya. (2022). Annual report on the banking sector performance. Nairobi: Central Bank of Kenya.

Central Bank of Kenya. (2023). Banking supervision report. Nairobi: Central Bank of Kenya.

Chen, H., Huang, C. H., & Liu, J. (2016). Collaborative partnerships and performance: Evidence from Taiwan's commercial banks. Journal of Business Research, 69(9), 3644-3650. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2016.03.053

Eisenhardt, K. M., & Martin, J. A. (2010). Dynamic capabilities: What are they? Strategic Management Journal, 21(10-11), 1105-1121. https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.828

Fang, J., Chen, K., & Keng, H. (2019). The role of service transition strategies in enhancing performance through strategic partnerships. International Journal of Operations & Production Management, 39(12), 1758-1782. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOPM-10-2017-0591

Furrer, O., & Thomas, H. (2000). The relationship between culture and competitive advantage: An integrative framework. Sociological Theory, 18(1), 42-57. https://doi.org/10.1111/0735-2751.00042

Hitt, M. A., Ireland, R. D., & Hoskisson, R. E. (2013). Strategic management: Competitiveness and globalization. Cengage Learning.

Kariuki, R., & Mwangi, F. (2019). Strategic flexibility and performance in commercial banks in Kenya: A study of factors influencing adaptability. International Journal of Economics and Finance, 11(7), 44-59. https://doi.org/10.5539/ijef.v11n7p44

KPMG. (2022). Banking survey report: Insights into the Kenyan banking sector. https://home.kpmg/xx/en/home/insights/2022/10/kenya-banking-survey-2022.html

KPMG. (2023). Banking industry outlook: Trends and challenges. https://home.kpmg/xx/en/home/insights/2023/01/kenya-banking-outlook-2023.html

Kimani, S., & Mwangi, P. (2020). The impact of external pressures on strategic flexibility in the financial sector. Business and Management Studies, 6(2), 165-177. https://doi.org/10.11114/bms.v6i2.4871

Mbatha, K., & Muthoni, S. (2017). Strategic flexibility and performance among SMEs in Africa: A quantitative approach. European Journal of Business and Management, 9(12), 58-72. https://doi.org/10.7176/EJBM/9-12-07

Mensah, A., & Yentumi, B. (2017). Strategic partnerships and financial performance in Ghana's banking sector. International Journal of Business and Social Research, 7(11), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.18533/ijbsr.v7i11.1180

Maphiri, M., Kiggundu, M., & Manda, W. (2022). Strategic flexibility and organizational performance: The role of culture and leadership in South African firms. South African Journal of Business Management, 53(1), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.4102/sajbm.v53i1.1369

PwC. (2022). Kenya banking sector insights: Challenges and opportunities. https://www.pwc.com/ke/en/publications/banking-sector-insights-2022.html

Zahra, S. A., Sapienza, H. J., & Davidsson, P. (2014). Entrepreneurship and dynamic capabilities: A review and research agenda. Journal of Management Studies, 41(2), 233-252. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6486.2004.00403.x

Downloads

Published

2025-05-17

How to Cite

Samo, Y. I., Wanyonyi, K., & Okonda, M. W. (2025). Strategic Partnerships and Performance of Commercial Banks in Nairobi City County, Kenya. Journal of Business and Strategic Management, 10(6), 51–70. https://doi.org/10.47941/jbsm.2730

Issue

Section

Articles