Influence of Information Technology in Strategy Implementation of the Ngos Within the Health Sector in Nairobi County

Abstract

Information technology (IT) is a vital strategic tool for all modern organizations including non-profit ones. Some strategists and practitioners refer to IT as an organizations competitive weapon. IT influences the organizational design, the management control systems, and organizational culture. This study attempted to fill the research gap by examining the influence of IT in strategy implementation of NGOs in health sector. It adopted a cross-sectional survey research design targeting all the NGOs in the health sector operating within Nairobi County. The study utilized 10 percent of 908 which was 91. Thus, the sample size was 91 NGOs. The study used questionnaires as the primary instrument of data collection. Before processing the responses, the completed questionnaires were sorted, checked and edited for completeness and consistency. The data was then coded which enabled the responses to be grouped into various categories. Descriptive statistics techniques were used to analyze the quantitative data. Coding was done in SPSS, analyzed and the output interpreted in frequencies, percentages, mean scores, and standard deviation. The study found that majority of the NGOs within the health sector in Nairobi County set aside more than 10% of their budget for IT infrastructure, had between 41% to 60% level of computerization of activities and had functional website or social networking page. Furthermore, the study found out that staff had workstations with access to the intranet and internet for communications; the organization had a dedicated IT department; the organization has integrated software to manage their funding and budget; all staff able to access essential services and perform work outside the office and the finance department utilized all accounting software in their operations. The study also concludes that IT enhanced strategy implementation within the health sector NGOs in Nairobi County to a very great extent, top management team typically leads to greater commitment to the firm's goals and strategies and manager's were committed to performance thus encouraging staffs support and guidance through encouragement of entrepreneurial attributes. The study recommends that the management of the NGOs should utilize IT in the strategy implementation in human resources planning, staff training and retention, business level and objectives designing, documentation, and understanding. The study also recommends that the management of the NGOs should utilize IT in enhancing overall firm success and performance.