The effect of management skills in the implementation of strategy by smes in the pharmaceutical industry in Nairobi city county, Kenya

Abstract

The concept and practice of management skills in the implementation of strategy has been embraced worldwide and across various sectors because of its perceived contribution to organizational effectiveness. The pharmacy practice has continuously changed in the current era of patient oriented activities. The challenge to provide pharmaceutical care has brought the attention of pharmacists to modify their practices in community settings. The study sought to establish the effect of management skills in the implementation of strategy by SMES in pharmaceutical industry in Nairobi City County. This research was conducted through a survey method. The target population included all the 600 SMES in Kenya in Pharmaceutical sector in Nairobi City County. The study sampled 60 respondents who were interviewed by the researcher. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the primary data which was administered using droppick-later method. Descriptive and correlation analysis was employed to analyze data. From the findings, it was established that organizational structure affects the implementation of strategic plans in the service to a great extent. It found that the organization structure affects strategy implementation in the organization through meetings and discussion, freedom of expression, delegation of duties and functions, organization charts, organization Size allow implementation of strategic plans. The study revealed that the level of managerial skills affected the strategic implementation in the service. The study revealed that there is lack of manager‟s commitment to performing their roles which leads to the lower ranks of employees missing support and guidance, the top management‟s skill to the strategic direction itself is the most important factor. The study established that employee training is an attempt to improve employee performance by increasing the employees skills and ability to perform, creating and sharing an organizational goal, acting as a role model, training and development programs are designed to educate employees beyond the requirements of their current position so that they are prepared for a broader and more challenging role in the organization. It revealed that the training allowed employee participation in making job-related decisions, encouraging creativeness, providing support for employees, training is the process of imparting knowledge and skills and presents employees or beneficiaries with the skills they need to perform their jobs better. The study recommends that when a strategy is being formulated the company should first develop a mission statement that attempts to clarify an organization‟s values, purposes, and directions. Pharmaceutical Firm should use environmental scanning to collect information about opportunities and threats facing the firm obtain data about economic, financial, political, legal, and competitive changes in various markets the firm serves or might want to serve