Article Sidebar

Submitted
May 11, 2023
Published
July 2, 2024
Download
DOWNLOAD PDF
Statistic
Read Counter : 105

Main Article Content

Abstract

We investigated the effects of leadership and tangible and intangible resources on sustainable competitive advantage. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using the Seventh-day Adventist Church Institutions in Zimbabwe. A questionnaire was administered to 341 respondents. The results of the correlation analysis show that leadership (r = .57; p<.01), tangible resources (r =. 53; p< .0l), and intangible resources (r =. 43; p< .05) significantly correlate with sustainable competitive advantage. Furthermore, the regression analysis showed that all three variables combined had a significant effect on sustainable competitive advantage (adjusted R-square = .359) (F (3, 327) =62.61, p<0.05). Additionally, the analysis shows that leadership (β = .370; p < 0.05) and tangible resources (β = .273; p < 0.05) contributed the most to the institutions’ sustainable competitive advantage. However intangible resources, singly, do not significantly affect the competitive advantage. The results confirm the key role of leadership in creating a competitive advantage in organizations. Thus, the study highlights that without leaders’ willingness and effective engagement, those institutions cannot effectively compete in the marketplace despite the presence of resources.

Keywords

Leadership Tangible Resources Intangible Resources Sustainable Competitive Advantage Faith-based Institutions

Article Details

Author Biographies

Godfrey Musara , Adventist University of Africa, Kenya

Dr. Godfrey Musara earned his Bachelor's degree in Theology from Solusi University in Zimbabwe and his Master's and Doctorate degrees in Leadership from the Adventist University of Africa. He is passionate about leadership development and research.

Marie-Anne Razafiarivony , Adventist University of Africa, Kenya

Marie-Anne Razafiarivony is an Associate Professor of Business Management and the program coordinator of the MBA program at the Adventist University of Africa (AUA) in Kenya. She holds a Ph.D. in Business Management and an MBA. Her research interests include career management and development, organizational resilience, entrepreneurship, and the integration of faith and business management.

How to Cite
Musara, G., & Razafiarivony , M.-A. (2024). Relationship between Leadership, Intangible and Tangible Resources, and Sustained Competitive Advantage in selected Adventist institutions in Zimbabwe. Pan-African Journal of Education and Social Sciences, 5(1), 144–159. https://doi.org/10.56893/pajes2024v05i01.12
Download Citation
Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS)
BibTeX
Crossref
Scopus
Google Scholar
Europe PMC

References

  1. Aghazadeh, H. (2017). Strategic marketing management: Achieving superior business performance through intelligent marketing strategy. The Journal of Procedia Social and Behavioural Sciences, 20(7), 125-134.
  2. Alexy, O., West, J., Klapper, H., & Reitzig, M. (2018). Surrendering control to gain advantage: Reconciling openness and the resource-based view of the firm. Strategic Management Journal, 39(4), 1704–1727.
  3. AlNuaimi, B. K., Singh, S. K., & Harney, B. (2021). Unpacking the role of innovation capability: Exploring the impact of leadership style on green procurement via a natural resource-based perspective. Journal of Business Research, 134(C), 78–88.
  4. Ambrosini, V. & Bowman, C. (2004). The impact of causal ambiguity on competitive advantage and rent appropriation. British Journal of Management, 21(4), 2010, 939–953. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8551.2009.00644.x
  5. Amrina, E., Yusof, S .M. (2011). Key performance indicators for sustainable
  6. manufacturing evaluation in automotive companies. IEEE IEEM: 1093-1097.
  7. Babiak, K., & Thibault, L. 2009. Challenges in multiple cross-sector partnerships. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 38(1): 117–143.
  8. Barney, J. B. (1991). Firm resources and sustained competitive advantage. Journal of Management, 17(1), 99-120.
  9. Barney, J. B. (2018). Why resource‐based theory's model of profit appropriation must incorporate a stakeholder perspective. Strategic Management Journal, 39(13), 3305-3325. https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.2949
  10. Barney, J. B., Ketchen Jr, D. J., & Wright, M. (2021). Resource-based theory and the value creation framework. Journal of Management, 47(7), 1936-1955. https://doi.org/10.1177/01492063211021655
  11. Bhatt, G. D., & Grover, V. (2005). Types of information technology capabilities and their role in competitive advantage: An empirical study. Journal of Management Information Systems, 22(2), 253-277.
  12. Buckley, J. M., & Graves, D. (2016). Tangible benefits from intangible resources: Using social and cultural history to plan neighborhood futures. Journal of the American Planning Association, 82(2), 152–166.
  13. Carroll, K. A., & Ruseski, J. E. 2011. Modeling internal decision-making process: An explanation of conflicting empirical results on the behavior of nonprofit and for-profit hospitals. Contemporary Economic Policy, 29(4): 510–523.
  14. Cater, T. & Cater B. (2009). Intangible resources as antecedents of a company’s competitive advantage and performance. Journal of East European Management Studies 14(2), 186 – 209.
  15. Chardine-Baumann, E., Botta-Genoulaz, V. (2014). A framework for sustainable performance assessment of supply chain management practices. Computers and Industrial Engineering, 76(1), 138-147.
  16. Colbert, B. A. (2004). The complex resource-based view: Implications for theory and practice in strategic human resource management. Academy of Management Review, 29(3), 341-358.
  17. Cuong, H., Hoang, T., Vu, N., & Le, D. (2021). Innovation and Sustainability. In D. Crowther S. Seifi (Eds.), The Palgrave Handbook of Corporate Social Responsibility. (pp. 1-23). Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-42465-7_42
  18. Dowling, G.R. (2016). Defining and measuring corporate reputations. European Management Review, 13(3), 207-223.
  19. Eng, T., Liu, C. G., & Sekhon, Y. K. (2012). The role of relationally embedded network ties in resource acquisition of British nonprofit organizations. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 41(6): 1092–1115.
  20. Iswan, A. K. & Kihara, A. (2022). Organizational internal resources and Sustainable competitive advantage among faith-based non-profit organizations in Kenya: A review of the literature. Journal of Business and Strategic Management 7(2), 37 – 64.
  21. Farah, B. & Elias, R., Clercy, C. & Rowe, W.. (2019). Leadership succession in different types of organizations: What business and political successions may learn from each other. The Leadership Quarterly. 31(1). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.leaqua.2019.03.004
  22. Felin, T., Kauffman, S., & Zenger, T. (2023). Resource origins and search. Strategic Management Journal, 44(6), 1514– 1533.
  23. Foulkrod, M., & Lan Lin, P. (2024). Global leadership adaptability through servant leadership and cultural humility: A conceptual framework. Αρετή (Arete): Journal of Excellence in Global Leadership, 2(1), 76–95. https://doi.org/10.59319/arete.v2i1.824
  24. Gandossy, R. P., & Sonnenfeld, J. A. (2004). Leadership and Governance from the Inside Out. Wiley.
  25. Gavetti, G., & Menon, A. (2016). Evolution cum agency: Toward a model of strategic foresight. Strategy Science, 1(3), 207–233.
  26. Gaya, H. (2017). Tangible Resources are the First Step in the Value Creation Process of Sources of Sustainable Competitive Advantage in a Services Firm: An Activity-Resource-Based View (ARBV) Theory. Global Journal of Management and Business Research, 17(2), 1-13.
  27. Gobillot, E. (2009). Leadershift Reinventing Leadership for the Age of Mass Collaboration. Kogan
  28. Gomes, J. V. & Romão, M. J. (2023). Gaining a competitive advantage through benefits management. International Journal of Strategic Decision Sciences (IJSDS), 14(1), 1-15. http://doi.org/10.4018/IJSDS.318340
  29. Grant, R. M. (1991). The resource-based theory of competitive advantage: Implications for strategy formulation. California Management Review, 33(3), 114–135.
  30. Grześ-Bukłaho, J. (2018). Intangible assets as a source of competitiveness for real-estate developers. Ekonomia I Prawo. Economics and Law, 17(4), 355–365. https://doi.org/10.12775/EiP.2018.026
  31. Hegde, R., Niranjana, K. V., Srinivas, S., Danorkar, B. A., & Singh, S. K. (2018). Site-specific land resource inventory for scientific planning of Sujala watersheds in Karnataka. Current Science, 115(4), 644–652.
  32. Hermelo, F.D.& Vassolo, R. (2010), Institutional development and hypercompetition in emerging economies, Strategic Management Journal, 31(13), 1457-1473. https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.898
  33. Hussain, R. & Waheed, A.. (2019). Strategic resources and firm performance: An application of the Resource-Based View. Lahore Journal of Business. 7(2), 59-94. https://doi.org/10.35536/ljb. 2019.v7.i2.a3
  34. Irawan, E. & Sudarmiatin (2024). Review of Literature: The Impact of Competitive Advantage on Business Marketing Performance. Jurnal Multidisiplin Madani, 4(4), 508-517. https://doi.org/10.55927/mudima.v4i4.8396
  35. Jones, A. & Shideh, R. (2020). Leadership structure and practices in organizations and the development of a new leadership sustainable model. International Journal of Innovation, Creativity and Change 91-101.
  36. Upreti, P. (2015) Factors Affecting Economic Growth in Developing Countries, Major Themes in Economics, 17, 37-54.: https://scholarworks.uni.edu/mtie/vol17/iss1/5
  37. Kabonga I. (2023). NGOs and poverty reduction in Zimbabwe: Challenges and the way forward. SN Social Sciences, 3(6), 90. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43545-023-00678-8
  38. Kabue, L. W., & Kilika, J. M. (2016). Firm resources, core competencies and sustainable competitive advantage: An integrative theoretical framework. Journal of Management and Strategy, 7(1), 98-108.
  39. Kelman S., Sanders R., & Pandit G. (2016), “I Won't Back Down”? Complexity and Courage in Government Executive Decision-Making Public Administration Review 76(6), 465-47. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/puar.12476
  40. Kim, H. H., & Choi, J. N. (2022). How to translate creative ideas into innovation? Differential resources for proactive and responsive team idea generation. Creativity Research Journal, 35(1), 82–98. https://doi.org/10.1080/10400419.2021.1997468
  41. Kim, S. M., Anand, G., Larson, E. C., & Mahoney, J. (2019). Resource co-specialization in outsourcing of enterprise systems software: impact on exchange success and firm growth. Journal of Science and Technology Policy Management, 10(5), 1015-1046. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/JSTPM-02-2019-0023
  42. Kozlenkova, I., Samaha, S., & Palmatier, R. (2014). Resource-Based Theory in marketing. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 42(1), 1–21.
  43. Laskar, N. & Maji, S. G. (2018). Disclosure of corporate sustainability performance and firm performance in Asia. Asian Review of Accounting, 26(4), 414-443.
  44. Lee, T. E., Chen, J. Q., & Zhang, R. (2001). Utilizing the Internet as a competitive tool for non-profit organizations. Journal of Computer Information Systems, 41(3), 26-31. https://doi.org/10.1080/08874417.2001.11647004
  45. Lipsky, A. B. (2011). Evaluating the strength of faith: potential comparative advantages of faith‐based organizations providing health services in sub‐Saharan Africa. Public Administration and Development, 31(1), 25-36.
  46. Ma, H. (2000). Competitive advantage and firm performance. Competitiveness Review: An International Business Journal, 10(2), 15-32. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb046396
  47. MacLean, S. J. (2002). Mugabe at war: The political economy of conflict in Zimbabwe. Third World Quarterly, 23(3), 513–528.
  48. Madu, B. C. (2013). Vision: The relationship between a firm's strategy and business model. Journal of behavioral studies in business, 6(1), 1-9. https://www.aabri.com/manuscripts/131630.pdf
  49. Mai, N. K., Nguyen, A. K. T., & Nguyen, T. T. (2021). Implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility Strategy to Enhance Firm Reputation and Competitive Advantage. Journal of Competitiveness, 13(4), 96114. https://doi.org/10.7441/joc.2021.04.06
  50. Mesgari, I., & Jabalameli, M. S. (2018). An integrated and dynamic approach to agricultural land‐use change modeling at country‐level to regional scale: Application to Iran. Systems Engineering, 21(1), 16-29.
  51. Miller, K. D. (2002). Competitive strategies of religious organizations. Strategic Management Journal. 23 (5), 435 - 456. https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.234
  52. Miotto, G., Del-Castillo-Feito, C., & Blanco-González, A. (2020). Reputation and legitimacy: Key factors for Higher Education Institutions’ sustained competitive advantage. Journal of Business Research, 112, 342-353.
  53. Morretta, V., Syrett, S., & Ramirez, L. S. (2020). Territorial capital as a source of firm competitive advantage: Evidence from the North and South of Italy. European Planning Studies, 28(12), 2390-2408. https://doi.org/10.1080/09654313.2020.1722067
  54. Moyo, B. (2010). Business environment in Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwean Economist Quarterly 2(11), 12–29.
  55. Nahak, M., & Ellitan, L. (2022). The role of strategic leadership in supporting strategic planning and increasing organizational competitiveness. International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD), 6(3), 1441-1444.
  56. Odhiambo, A. C. W., Kinyua,G & Muchemi, A., (2022). Strategic leadership as an antecedent of competitive advantage: A review of literature. International Journal of Managerial Studies and Research (IJMSR) 18-33.
  57. Panda, D. K. (2019). Competitive dynamics in not-for-profit organizations: Evidence from India. Asia Pacific Journal of Management, 36(4), 1251-1274. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10490-019-09666-0
  58. Penney, S.H., Neilson, P.A. (2010). What Qualities Make Effective Leaders? In: Next Generation Leadership. Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230107694_4
  59. Pesut, D. J. (2019). Anticipating Disruptive Innovations With Foresight Leadership. Nursing Administration Quarterly 43(3),196-204. https://doi.org/10.1097/NAQ.0000000000000349
  60. Petrie, B., & Marie, A. (2020). Building Resilience in Africa: Enabling an Inclusive Digital Economy and Energy Access for All. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Policy-Brief-214-metrie-marie.pdf
  61. Raithel, S. and Schwaiger, M. (2015), The effects of corporate reputation perceptions of the general public on shareholder value. Strategic Management Journal, 36(6), 945-956.
  62. Rajagopal (2012). Competitive Advantage: Analysis and Strategy. In: Darwinian Fitness in the Global Marketplace. Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137268334_3
  63. Rhee, M., & Stephens, A. R. (2020). Innovation-orientated technology assimilation strategy and Korean SMES’ enhancing innovation capability, competitive advantage, and firm performance. International Journal of Innovation Management, 24(06), 2050081. https://doi.org/10.1142/S1363919620500814
  64. Rothaermel, F. T. (2012). Strategic management: Concepts and cases. McGraw-Hill/Irwin.
  65. Rua, L. O. & Santos, C. (2021). Assessing the Relationship Between Brand Image, Market Orientation, and Competitive Advantage. In A. Moreira (Ed.), Cases on Internationalization Challenges for SMEs (pp. 193-216). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-7998-4387-0.ch010
  66. Ruiz, S., Arvate, P., & Xavier, W. (2017). Superior economic performance in developed and developing countries. International Journal of Emerging Markets, 12(1), 93-107. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJoEM-12-2014-0213
  67. Sadiq, R., & Nosheen, S. (2020). Determining the impact of intangible assets on intellectual capital and competitive advantage in banking. The Lahore Journal of Business 9(1). 105–144
  68. Scott, W. R. 2013. Institutions and organizations (4th ed.). Sage.
  69. Švárová, M., & Vrchota, J. (2014). Influence of competitive advantage on formulation business strategy. Procedia Economics and Finance, 12, 687-694. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2212-5671(14)00394-3
  70. Salim, L., Sadruddin, S., & Zakus, D. (2011). Organizational commitment in a health NGO in Pakistan. VOLUNTAS: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, 23(3): 584–604.
  71. Sarjana, S., & Khayati, N. (2017). The role of reputation for achieving competitive advantage. Advances in Economics, Business and Management Research, 36,322-334.
  72. Shelef, O., Wuebker, R., & Barney, J. B. (2024). Heisenberg effects in experiments on business ideas. Academy of Management Review, https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.2022.0051
  73. Servillo, L., Atkinson, R., & Russo, A. (2012). Territorial attractiveness in EU urban and spatial policy: A critical review and future research agenda. European Urban and Regional Studies, 19(4), 349 – 365. https://doi.org/10.1177/0969776411430289
  74. Soehari, T. D., & Budiningsih, I. (2020). Competitive advantage leadership in the ultra modern
  75. era. Digital Leadership: A New Leadership Style for the 21st Century, 37-55.
  76. Tambama, L. (2020). Sturdevant, Melvin C. (1865–1933). Encyclopedia of Seventh-day Adventists. January 29, 2020. https://encyclopedia.adventist.org/article?id=DCD8.
  77. Walley, K., Custance, P., & Smith, F. (2011). Farm diversification: A resource-based approach. Journal of Farm Management, 14(4), 275-289.
  78. Wei, J., Ouyang, Z. and Chen, H.A. (2017), Well-known or well-liked? The effects of corporate reputation on firm value at the onset of a corporate crisis, Strategic Management Journal, 38(10), 2103-2120. https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.2639
  79. Yang, J., Wei, H., Wang, L., & Shao, H. (2017). Construction of land resource security system for the core grain production region in Henan Province. Agricultural Science and Technology, 18(12), 2435–2439.
  80. Zaccaro, S., Kate L., & Irwin J., (2012). The Attributes of Successful Leaders: A Performance Requirements Approach', in M. G. Rumsey (ed.), The Oxford Handbook of Leadership, Oxford Library of Psychology; Online edition, Oxford Academic, https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780195398793.013.0002
  81. Zhong, Y. (2012). Building the relationships model of firm resources and competitive advantage, 2012 IEEE Symposium on Robotics and Applications (ISRA), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, pp. 413-415, https://doi.org/10.1109/ISRA.2012.6219212