An Assessment Of Core Competencies To Gain Sustainable Competitive Advantage: A Case Of Krones Life Cycle Service Centre East Africa Limited

Abstract

Competencies enable employees to achieve results thereby creating value that can be used by an organization to gain competitive advantage. The purpose of this study was to conduct an assessment of core competencies as a strategy in gaining sustainable competitive advantage: a case of Krones Life Cycle Service Centre East Africa Limited. The study adopted descriptive survey design to achieve an in depth study and description of the core competencies in use, together with the unique resources and capabilities. The population comprised of all 88 employees of Krones Life Cycle Service Centre East Africa Limited at the time of the study. Data was collected using questionnaires and presented in the form of tables and charts. The study concludes that: a particular competitive advantage over rivals in one aspect of competition may help the firm better serve the customer in that particular aspect. The study recommends that; companies should strive to have an edge over its rivals in securing customers as well as defending themselves against competitive forces so as to attain the competitive advantage; companies should work towards possessing a sustainable competitive advantage through embracing value-creating processes and positions that cannot be duplicated or imitated by other firms that lead to the production of the normal rents; since core competencies may not be easily replicated by competitors, they are better suited in building sustainable competitive advantage in organizations; and that to succeed in building a sustainable competitive advantage, a firm must try to provide what buyers will, perceive as superior value.