The Relationship between Dynamic ICT Capabilities and Competitive Advantage of Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Institutions in Western Kenya Region

Abstract

Dynamic capability has been defined as “the capacity of an organization to purposefully create, extend or modify its resource base”, Helfat et al. (2007). This study sought to establish the relationship between dynamic capabilities and competitive advantage of TVET Institutions in western Kenya Region. Specifically, the study sought to: establish the relationship between Information Communication Technology capabilities and competitive advantage of TVET Institutions in western Kenya region. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The target population included the principals and heads of sections and/or departments of the TVET Institutions in the western Kenya region that are state owned. A census of all the Principals and head of sections/ departments was conducted. Primary data was collected by structured questionnaires. Secondary data was collected from institutional documents, Ministry of Education publications and relevant publications in referred journals. The collected data was edited, coded and entered into SPSS software for analysis. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. In particular, Regression Analysis was used to investigate the relationships between hypothesized variables. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was also used to investigate whether independent variables had combined effect on the dependent variable. The findings were presented using figures and tables. The study found out that TVET Institutions in the western Kenya region has weak capabilities in ICT and this position work against their struggle to position themselves in the modern industry-institutional dynamics. The study however, established a positive relationship between Dynamic ICT Capabilities and Competitive Advantage of the TVET Institutions in western Kenya region. This study is envisaged to aid in the development of policy documents to grow the TVET sector in Kenya. Key words: Dynamic Capabilities; Competitive Advantage; TVET Institutions; ICT Capabilities; Western Kenya Region