IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/wsi/jdexxx/v20y2015i04ns1084946715500260.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Marketing Capability, Competitive Strategies And Performance Of Micro And Small Family Businesses In Ghana

Author

Listed:
  • AHMED AGYAPONG

    (KNUST School of Business, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana)

  • HANNAH VIVIAN OSEI

    (KNUST School of Business, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana)

  • SAMUEL YAW AKOMEA

    (KNUST School of Business, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana)

Abstract

The study examines the mediating role of competitive strategies (cost leadership and differentiation) in the marketing capability-performance relationship using data from 264 micro and small family firms in Ghana. The bootstrap method for exploring mediating relationships was used to examine the hypotheses. The findings indicate that although differentiation influence performance, cost leadership does not influence performance after controlling for firm age and firm size. However, marketing capability significantly influence performance. The findings further revealed that marketing capabilities do not have any indirect relationship on performance through cost leadership. However, the results indicated that marketing capability influenced firm performance through differentiation strategy. The findings indicate the need to implement both competitive strategy and marketing capability to enhance performance of micro and small family businesses.

Suggested Citation

  • Ahmed Agyapong & Hannah Vivian Osei & Samuel Yaw Akomea, 2015. "Marketing Capability, Competitive Strategies And Performance Of Micro And Small Family Businesses In Ghana," Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship (JDE), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 20(04), pages 1-25, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:wsi:jdexxx:v:20:y:2015:i:04:n:s1084946715500260
    DOI: 10.1142/S1084946715500260
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.worldscientific.com/doi/abs/10.1142/S1084946715500260
    Download Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1142/S1084946715500260?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Moses Acquaah, 2011. "Business Strategy And Competitive Advantage In Family Businesses In Ghana: The Role Of Social Networking Relationships," Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship (JDE), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 16(01), pages 103-126.
    2. Harry J. Sapienza & Ken G. Smith & Martin J. Gannon, 1988. "Using Subjective Evaluations of Organizational Performance in Small Business Research," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 12(3), pages 45-54, January.
    3. Suresh Kotha & Bhatt L. Vadlamani, 1995. "Assessing generic strategies: An empirical investigation of two competing typologies in discrete manufacturing industries," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 16(1), pages 75-83.
    4. Richard L Daft & Juhani Sormunen & Don Parks, 1988. "Chief executive scanning, environmental characteristics, and company performance: An empirical study," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 9(2), pages 123-139, March.
    5. Gregory G. Dess & Richard B. Robinson, 1984. "Measuring organizational performance in the absence of objective measures: The case of the privately‐held firm and conglomerate business unit," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 5(3), pages 265-273, July.
    6. Robert M. Grant, 1996. "Prospering in Dynamically-Competitive Environments: Organizational Capability as Knowledge Integration," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 7(4), pages 375-387, August.
    7. Yiannis E. Spanos & George Zaralis & Spyros Lioukas, 2004. "Strategy and industry effects on profitability: evidence from Greece," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 25(2), pages 139-165, February.
    8. repec:bla:jfinan:v:58:y:2003:i:3:p:1301-1327 is not listed on IDEAS
    9. Oliver Masakure & Spencer Henson & John Cranfield, 2009. "Standards and export performance in developing countries: Evidence from Pakistan," The Journal of International Trade & Economic Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 18(3), pages 395-419.
    10. A. Miller & G. G. Dess, 1993. "Assessing Porter'S (1980) Model In Terms Of Its Generalizability, Accuracy And Simplicity," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(4), pages 553-585, July.
    11. Choonwoo Lee & Kyungmook Lee & Johannes M. Pennings, 2001. "Internal capabilities, external networks, and performance: a study on technology‐based ventures," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 22(6‐7), pages 615-640, June.
    12. Aryeetey, Ernest, 2001. "Priority Research Issues Relating to Regulation and Competition in Ghana," Centre on Regulation and Competition (CRC) Working papers 30619, University of Manchester, Institute for Development Policy and Management (IDPM).
    13. Villalonga, Belen & Amit, Raphael, 2006. "How do family ownership, control and management affect firm value?," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 80(2), pages 385-417, May.
    14. Afzal, Sarwat, 2009. "Marketing Capability, Strategy and Business Performance in Emerging Markets of Pakistan," MPRA Paper 23642, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    15. Isabelle Le Breton–Miller & Danny Miller & Lloyd P. Steier, 2004. "Toward an Integrative Model of Effective FOB Succession," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 28(4), pages 305-328, July.
    16. Yam, Richard C.M. & Lo, William & Tang, Esther P.Y. & Lau, Antonio K.W., 2011. "Analysis of sources of innovation, technological innovation capabilities, and performance: An empirical study of Hong Kong manufacturing industries," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 40(3), pages 391-402, April.
    17. Fahey, Liam & King, William R., 1977. "Environmental scanning for corporate planning," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 20(4), pages 61-71, August.
    18. Julie Juan Li & Kevin Zheng Zhou & Alan T Shao, 2009. "Competitive position, managerial ties, and profitability of foreign firms in China: an interactive perspective," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 40(2), pages 339-352, February.
    19. Mahoney, Joseph T., 1995. "The management of resources and the resource of management," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 33(2), pages 91-101, June.
    20. T. Russell Crook & David J. Ketchen & James G. Combs & Samuel Y. Todd, 2008. "Strategic resources and performance: a meta‐analysis," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(11), pages 1141-1154, November.
    21. Sharma, O.P., 2005. "An Indian perspective," Marine Policy, Elsevier, vol. 29(2), pages 147-151, March.
    22. Xinshu Zhao & John G. Lynch & Qimei Chen, 2010. "Reconsidering Baron and Kenny: Myths and Truths about Mediation Analysis," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 37(2), pages 197-206, August.
    23. Reginald A. Litz, 1997. "The Family Firm's Exclusion from Business School Research: Explaining the Void; Addressing the Opportunity," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 21(3), pages 55-71, April.
    24. Paul Westhead & Marc Cowling, 1998. "Family Firm Research: The Need for a Methodological Rethink," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 23(1), pages 31-56, October.
    25. Yiannis E. Spanos & Spyros Lioukas, 2001. "An examination into the causal logic of rent generation: contrasting Porter's competitive strategy framework and the resource‐based perspective," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 22(10), pages 907-934, October.
    26. Ronald C. Anderson & David M. Reeb, 2003. "Founding‐Family Ownership and Firm Performance: Evidence from the S&P 500," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 58(3), pages 1301-1328, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Carlos M. Jardon & Xavier Martinez-Cobas, 2022. "Leadership and Marketing Capabilities in Small Businesses of Subsistence Marketplaces," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(2), pages 21582440221, April.
    2. Carlos Fernandez-Jardon & Xavier Martinez-Cobas & Fabian Martinez-Ortiz, 2020. "Technology and Culture in Subsistence Small Businesses," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-13, November.
    3. Mora Cortez, Roberto & Johnston, Wesley J., 2018. "Needed B2B marketing capabilities: Insights from the USA and emerging Latin America," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 27(3), pages 594-609.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Ahmed Agyapong & Kofi Amanor & Kofi Poku, 2016. "Antecedents To The Implementation Of Hybrid Strategy In A Dynamic Business Environment — An Econometric Analysis Of Business Decisions In Ghana," Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship (JDE), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 21(04), pages 1-24, December.
    2. Acquaah, Moses, 2013. "Management control systems, business strategy and performance: A comparative analysis of family and non-family businesses in a transition economy in sub-Saharan Africa," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 4(2), pages 131-146.
    3. Siebert, W. Stanley & Peng, Fei & Maimaiti, Yasheng, 2011. "HRM Practices and Performance of Family-Run Workplaces: Evidence from the 2004 WERS," IZA Discussion Papers 5899, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    4. James J. Chrisman & Jess H. Chua & Allison W. Pearson & Tim Barnett, 2012. "Family Involvement, Family Influence, and Family–Centered Non–Economic Goals in Small Firms," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 36(2), pages 267-293, March.
    5. Garcia-Castro, Roberto & Aguilera, Ruth V., 2014. "Family involvement in business and financial performance: A set-theoretic cross-national inquiry," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 5(1), pages 85-96.
    6. Hiebl, Martin R.W., 2013. "Bean counter or strategist? Differences in the role of the CFO in family and non-family businesses," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 4(2), pages 147-161.
    7. Thomas Zellweger & Melanie Richards & Philipp Sieger & Pankaj C. Patel, 2016. "How Much Am I Expected to Pay for My Parents’ Firm? An Institutional Logics Perspective on Family Discounts," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 40(5), pages 1041-1069, September.
    8. Pettus, Michael L. & Kor, Yasemin Y. & Mahoney, Joseph T., 2007. "A Theory of Change in Turbulent Environments: The Sequencing of Dynamic Capabilities Following Industry Deregulation," Working Papers 07-0100, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, College of Business.
    9. Johan Eklund & Johanna Palmberg & Daniel Wiberg, 2013. "Inherited corporate control and returns on investment," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 41(2), pages 419-431, August.
    10. Adomako, Samuel & Amankwah-Amoah, Joseph & Donbesuur, Francis & Ahsan, Mujtaba & Danso, Albert & Uddin, Moshfique, 2022. "Strategic agility of SMEs in emerging economies: Antecedents, consequences and boundary conditions," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(6).
    11. Simon C. Parker, 2016. "Family Firms and the “Willing Successor†Problem," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 40(6), pages 1241-1259, November.
    12. Claver-Cortés, Enrique & Pertusa-Ortega, Eva M. & Molina-Azorín, José F., 2012. "Characteristics of organizational structure relating to hybrid competitive strategy: Implications for performance," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 65(7), pages 993-1002.
    13. Chris Carr & Suzanne Bateman, 2009. "International Strategy Configurations of the World’s Top Family Firms," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 49(6), pages 733-758, December.
    14. Sascha Kraus & Alexander Brem & Miriam Schuessler & Felix Schuessler & Thomas Niemand, 2019. "Innovative Born Globals: Investigating the Influence of Their Business Models on International Performance," World Scientific Book Chapters, in: Alexander Brem & Joe Tidd & Tugrul Daim (ed.), Managing Innovation Internationalization of Innovation, chapter 11, pages 275-328, World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd..
    15. Ginesti, Gianluca & Ossorio, Mario & Dawson, Alexandra, 2023. "Family businesses and debt maturity structure: Focusing on family involvement in governance to explain heterogeneity," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 14(2).
    16. Gianluca Ginesti & Mario Ossorio, 2021. "The influence of family-related factors on intellectual capital performance in family businesses," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 25(2), pages 535-560, June.
    17. Heino, Noora & Tuominen, Pasi & Jussila, Iiro, 2020. "Listed Family Firm Stakeholder Orientations: The Critical Role of Value-creating Family Factors," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 11(4).
    18. Debicki, Bart J. & Ramírez-Solís, Edgar Rogelio & Baños-Monroy, Verónica Ilián & Gutiérrez-Patrón, Lilia Magali, 2020. "The impact of strategic focus on relational capital: A comparative study of family and non-family firms," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 119(C), pages 585-598.
    19. Maiga, Adam S. & Nilsson, Anders & Ax, Christian, 2015. "Relationships between internal and external information systems integration, cost and quality performance, and firm profitability," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 169(C), pages 422-434.
    20. Lucrezia Songini & Paola Vola, 2015. "The Role of Professionalization and Managerialization in Family Business Succession," MANAGEMENT CONTROL, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2015(1), pages 9-43.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:wsi:jdexxx:v:20:y:2015:i:04:n:s1084946715500260. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Tai Tone Lim (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.worldscinet.com/jde/jde.shtml .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.