Challenges in the implementation of turnaround strategy at Kenya national library service, Kenya

Abstract

Turnaround management is a process dedicated to corporate renewal. It uses analysis and planning to save troubled companies and returns them to solvency. As companies struggle to make out the best/most appropriate approach for a turnaround, it is also important to assess and appreciate the unique available resources within itself mandating it to achieve its goals. The resource based view theory is a basis for a competitive advantage of a firm and lies primarily in the application of the bundle of valuable interchangeable, tangible and intangible resources at the firm's disposal (Mwailu & Mercer, 1983). The reading culture and demand for knowledge in Kenya has been increasing with the growth in the population, the need for advancement in both academic and professional qualification in the competitive job market and technological advancement. Knls has been offering both Public and National Library services since its establishment in 1965. It has been promoting the reading culture and expanding the network currently standing at 60 operational libraries. The library network is notably unique as it has large resources both human and capital, making it enjoy competitive advantage based on the resource based theory. The public library services in Kenya has however been experiencing challenges in an effort to encourage reading for information and innovation due to the perception, inadequate funding and the poor reading culture of Kenyans. The objective of the study was to establish the challenges in the implementation of turnaround strategy by Kenya National Library Service. The study also looked at the measures to mitigate against these challenges. The study also provided an insight on how the unique and large resources that knls has as a competitive advantage was seen as value added as analysed in the recourse based view theory. The turnaround strategy implementation seeks to capitalize on this resource base and the challenges of its implementation. The methodology used to collect data was through one on one interviews with the selected staff. This was also tested for consistency and secondary data applied. The findings of the study show that knls has challenges in the implementation of turnaround strategy due to: inadequate resources in terms of financial, human and capital; organizational culture, organizational structure. Communication and management commitment challenges appeared to have been mostly in the divisional level of management. To overcome the challenges, the study recommends that the Government considers increasing the financial allocation to knls, review current policies for engagement with Public Private Partnerships and also to make it easier for development partners invest in infrastructural investment. knls is also to rethink its position in the face of devolution. The implication of the study shows that the Government should be able to review the policies currently in place, to make it easier and for enhanced funding and creating of partnerships both locally and internationally with a view to improving the infrastructure, human capacity, information materials to mention a few. The study further confirms that Resource Based View is still the basis on which knls would use as a competitive advantage in the provision of public library services. In the recent past, The Open Systems Theory is perceived to be state of the art systems-based change management body of knowledge designed for today‟s turbulent and unpredictable environment and it being used by many successful organizations, including corporate giants such as Microsoft and Hewlett Packard. knls is yet to get to this level.