Challenges of strategy implementation: A case study of Kenya Pipeline Company Limited

Abstract

The researcher was motivated to undertake this study by the desire and with a general objective to establish challenges of strategy implementation at KPC. Strategy implementation is seen as the continuation of the planning process as it turns the crafted strategic plans into actions to achieve an organization’s objectives. Strategy implementation is a social and political process in which different interest groups with conflicting interests and bargaining powers interact each playing its own game. For effective strategy implementation, the strategy must be supported by an appropriate organization structure, reward system, organizational culture, resources and leadership. All stakeholders must support the process while the top management must play a lead role in the implementation process. The researcher used a case study design. Primary data was collected through face-to-face interviews with the aid of an interview guide while secondary data was obtained from the company strategic plan and periodic reports. The data collected was then analyzed using qualitative analysis technique. Nine top management level employees were interviewed and all had over three years experience working with the company. The findings of the study indicated that KPC indeed faces a number of strategy implementation challenges; some prosaic to strategy implementation process and others distinctive to KPC’s nature of operations. The study draws out the conclusion that today’s and tomorrow’s strategy implementation success for KPC is founded on the firm’s ability and efforts to establish and sustain relevant preconditions to successful strategy implementation process.