Response strategies of the united nations agencies in Somalia to changes in the macro-environment

Abstract

This research seeks to investigate the influence of the changes in macro- environment on the UN agencies in Somalia and response strategies employed. The macro-environment of an organization is what affects the organizations ability to function properly. It is vital that an organization is aware its macro-environments and conducts the proper research to maintain a proper balance of its environments to function optimally. The Environment is hostile, unpredictable, and uncertain place. In order to survive, strategies have to be crafted to respond to changes in macro-environment. This study investigates whether UN agencies in Somali had adopted response strategies, the extent to which these strategies had been implemented to respond changes in the macro-environment. The study employed a cross-sectional research design. The study targeted all UN agencies in Somalia using semi-structured questionnaire to collect primary data. The collected data was examined and checked for completeness and accuracy. Quantitative techniques were used to analyze the closed-ended questions where a computer program (SPSS) software was used. Qualitative techniques were used to analyze the open ended questions. The response was from 14 respondents who returned questionnaires fully answered giving us a response rate 82.4% which was very good for the study according to Mugenda and Mugenda (2003). Most of the respondents of the study were senior managers in the respective UN agencies. The study was guided by the following research objectives: To determine the macro-environmental changes affecting the United Nations in Somalia and finally, to establish the response strategies adopted by United Nations in Somalia to cope with the macro-environmental changes. From the findings of the study it was concluded that the best organizations are able to respond quickly to environmental changes and capitalize on them. In reacting to changes in the macro-environment, organizations should still be driven by an overarching vision, mission, and strategy which provide clarity in how to react to change with tactics that are adaptive and responsive.