An investigation on challenges encountered in strategy implementation by selected middle level colleges within Nairobi

Abstract

The performance of colleges is greatly affected by the type of strategic planning practices that an institution has adopted. Institutions must align their strategic planning practices with the environment for improved performance. However this may not always be the case because research has shown that whereas most organizations have good strategic planning practices, successful strategy implementation remains a major challenge. This study therefore sought to establish how middle level colleges implement their strategies, the challenges encountered by middle level colleges in the implementation process and also to analyse the strategies that should be adopted to overcome the challenges. The study was conducted in all accredited colleges located in Nairobi. The colleges accredited by the Commission for Higher Education in Nairobi were 30 in total. The research sought response from the principles and Heads of Departments of these colleges. The study used descriptive survey design. The population of interest in this study consisted of 30 validated colleges situated in Nairobi. Primary data was collected using a questionnaire with both close ended and open ended questions which was administered to the senior managers of the selected middle level colleges in Nairobi. The researcher personally delivered the questionnaires where the respondents filled and the researcher collected later. Data collected was edited for completeness and consistency and was analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. Quantitative data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Mean scores, percentages and frequencies were used to interpret the data. Frequency tables were used to present this information. From the study, it was clear that accredited middle level colleges in Nairobi have a strategic plan. The challenges encountered in strategy implementation were inadequate communication, timeliness and poor coordination of the implementation, uncontrollable external factors, organizational culture and office politics, lack of focus on the new strategy, slow acceptance of strategy by stakeholders, poor leadership, lack of senior management support, inadequate resources, passive role of strategy formulations and strategic decision makers, organizational structure, poor prioritizing of activities, competition, resistance to change and shortage of finance. The study therefore recommended that for successful implementation of strategies, middle level colleges should analyse the forces from the environment and keep up with the rapidly changing environment, the organizations should also have a flexible organization culture and structure and also they should ensure that the implementation of the strategy is timely.