Learning Orientation and Competitive Advantage of Insurance Companies in Kenya: The Moderating Role of Senior Executive Team Integration

Abstract

Studies on learning orientation have gained increasing momentum over time; and the proliferation which; shows no indication of abating. This study aimed to advance knowledge and was based on the premise that learning orientation affected competitive advantage through the moderating effect of senior executive team integration. The study was anchored on the dynamic capabilities’ theory. The overall objective of the study was to examine the effect of senior executive team integration on the relationship between learning orientation and competitive advantage of insurance companies in Kenya. The study employed a positivist research philosophy and a descriptive cross-sectional survey design. The population of study comprised all the 56 insurance firms registered and licensed by Insurance Regulatory Authority. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and regression analysis were used for analysis of data. Regression analysis was carried out to understand the relationships among the variables. The findings established that learning orientation had a statistically significant effect on competitive advantage of insurance firms in Kenya. However, the moderating effect of senior executive team integration on the relationship between learning orientation and competitive advantage was not statistically significant. The study concludes that for insurance firms to create and sustain competitive advantage, they must embrace a learning-oriented culture whilst recognizing that managing companies require collaborative interaction. The findings of the study validated some key theoretical frameworks in strategic management.