THE IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION ON MANUFACTURING FIRMS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: A CASE STUDY OF BAMBURI CEMENT LTD., KENYA

Abstract

Managers in companies constantly strive to increase efficiency, implement best practice and deliver increased shareholder value. They seek to improve cash flow through efficiencies of scale and cost reductions measures but there are limits to cost saving. The best way to create value and sustainable growth in firm is to innovate ahead of the competition. This study focused on the impact technological innovation has on manufacturing firms; a case of Bamburi Cement Ltd. The specific objectives of the study were to establish the influence of technological innovation adopted in introduction of new products on sustainable development, to examine the influence of technological innovation adopted in introduction of new methods of production on sustainable development, to determine the influence of technological innovation adopted in opening new markets on sustainable development and to establish the influence of technological innovation adopted in sourcing appropriate raw materials on sustainable development. The study adopted a descriptive design where a quantitative research method was used to ensure establishment of correlations and cause effect relationship that is important in viability of the constructs. The target populace of the study was 120 staff of Bamburi Cement Ltd in Kenya where a sample of 60 respondents was obtained. The research used questionnaires to collect data. The data was processed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) and then presented on tables and figures for interpretation.