Strategic Planning Practices by Universities in Kenya

Abstract

The objective of this study was to establish the strategic planning practices of universities in Kenya. To achieve this objective, primary data was collected by use of a questionnaire targeted at the Vice Chancellors or their Deputies with responsibilities for strategic planning. A census study was done. From the population of 23 universities, 14 responded to the questionnaire. The data collected was first checked for consistency, coded and then analysed to arrive at various conclusions. The study concluded that universities in Kenya use strategic planning to establish and clarify their mission, establish performance objectives, identify areas of future collaboration and appraise university strengths and weaknesses that are relevant to the long-term direction of the university. In addition, they use strategic planning as a management tool for allocating university resources to competing strategic priorities, anticipating and designing appropriate academic programmes that meet public demand. Hence the strategic planning practices of the universities Kenya both public and private are similar to those proposed in strategy management theory and also to those reported in literature from studies conducted in other parts of the world or similar studies done on other industries locally. From the findings of the study, it is recommended that further research be carried out in the area of strategic planning practices and their impact on performance of the universities. The research could also be extended to cover other players in the higher education industry for instance middle level colleges, some of which have partnered with foreign universities to offer university education in Kenya. Others have been accredited to offer diplomas and certificates by public universities across the country.