Abstract

The study conceptualized a relationship between technological innovation and strategic leadership on competitive advantage. Technological innovation has been posited to influence performance competitive advantage however; this position has been largely tautological and hence required more empirical testing. Although implied, the role of strategic leadership in the relationship between technological innovation and competitive advantage has been largely lacking. The study, therefore, specifically sought to determine the moderating role of strategic leadership on the relationship between technological innovation and competitive advantage of large telecommunication enterprises (LTEs) in Kenya. Significant transformations have been evident in Kenya’s telecommunication industry for the last two decades, which has resulted in intense competition, and technological innovation has become the new face of competition among these firms. The target population comprised all 83 large telecommunication enterprises in Kenya and census was used. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were employed in data analysis. Strategic leadership was found to have a positive and significant influence on the relationship between technological innovation and competitive advantage. It is deduced from the findings that strategic leadership would affect the strength of the relationship between technological innovation and competitive advantage. This can be attributed to the importance of organizational leadership’s role as decision makers and key enablers of technological innovation among large telecommunication enterprises. The study presented notable implications on the policy framework, the strategic management practice, and theory implications in the telecommunication industry and beyond. At policy level, the Government of Kenya would benefit from the study by ensuring that policy makers and regulatory authorities in the telecommunication sector formulate policies that would promote technological innovation and strategic leadership for enhancing competitive advantage. Managerial practitioners may consider institutionalizing innovation and leadership by creating the requisite direction and controls that enable the emergence of innovation and value creation for sustainable competitive advantage. The study findings’ implications further extended, supported, and added value on the theories adopted by the study.

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