Strategy implementation challenges faced by Kenya civil aviation authority in regulating aviation training institutions

Abstract

The capacity of a firm to implement its strategies successfully is an important achievement, be it public or private, however, many institutions struggle to translate theory into action. Without a proper implementation process, even the most superior strategy that an organization will have developed is useless. The notion of strategy implementation might at first seem quite straightforward: the strategy is formulated and then it is implemented. Implementing would thus be perceived as being about allocating resources and changing organizational structure. However, transforming strategies into action is a far more complex and difficult task. Furthermore, there are only a limited number of conceptual models of strategy implementation making strategy implementation a challenging task for any organization. The objective of the study was to establish the challenges encountered by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority in the implementation of its strategies in regulating aviation training institutions. The research design adopted was a case study. The study used primary data which was collected using an interview guide. Content analysis was used to analyze the collected data. The study found out that staff in the organization was looking up to the management for direction on implementation of the strategic objectives. Training and development programs help employees to improve skills in crafting, formulation and implementation of strategic plans. The study found out that enforcement of KCAA regulations was done through frequent inspection and annual audit of the institutions, follow up on corrective actions. The study found out that KCAA cannot achieve its objectives due to various challenges that inhibit the achievement of its strategy implementation plans. These challenges include unrealistic time allocation to meet targets, communication, organizational structure, inability to effectively monitor the level of implementation of the plan and poor recording of information, lack of accountability, ineffective coordination and sharing of responsibilities, poor planning, recruitment, training, management of staff and resources.