Factors influencing implementation of strategic plans: A case of Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Kenya

Abstract

Strategy is the direction and scope of an organization over the long term. It mainly achieves advantages for the organization through its configuration of its resources within a challenging environment. It is the direction and scope of an organization over the long term: which achieves advantage of the organization through its configuration of resources within a changing environment, to meet the needs of markets and to fulfill the expectations of the stakeholders. It is geared towards meeting the needs of the markets as it fulfills stakeholders’ expectations. As a young discipline, strategic planning has no clear body of accepted knowledge. The objective of the study was to examine the factors influencing implementation of strategic plans of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission. The case study design of research was used for this research. The study used both primary data. Primary data was collected through use of individual interviews and research questionnaire. Qualitative data was largely analyzed using content analysis. Descriptive statistics was also used to analyze data collected by use of questionnaire. Factor analysis and regression model were performed on the data for the possible factors influencing implementation of strategic plans and relationship between the independent and dependent variables of strategy implementation. The study concludes that government policies such as Medium term expenditure framework policies; Performance contracting policy, Performance contracting, internal resources such as policies and procedures for efficient and effective business operations and independence for the commission, adoption of Information Technology and stakeholders involvement significantly influence the implementation of strategic plans. The study recommends that for strategic planning and implementation to be modified to serve IEBC better, the commission must stick to timelines and ensure deadlines are met, if not a stern action is taken against the officer in charge also All requisite requirements have to be put in place to realize the full implementation. The study also recommends that IEBC need to be treated by government as an independent entity at the same time IEBC needs to demonstrate this to all stakeholders which we have unfortunately not done. The study further recommends that the government should release funds to the commission on time.