Strategic Planning Practices and Performance of National Social Security Fund in Kenya

Abstract

Organizations have realized the importance of a strategic plan for shaping the vision and mission as well as selecting strategies to be executed and allocating resources to facilitate achievement of corporate goals. A strategic plan is instrumental in ensuring that strategic goals are aligned with organizational activities with its environment thereby providing for its continued survival, effectiveness and improved performance. This study was set out to establish the influence of strategic planning practices on performance of National Social Security Fund in Kenya. The study adopted a case study research design. An interview guide was used for data collection purposes. Primary data was gathered by interviewing the General Manager and Officers in the department of Strategy, Research & Development. Data was analyzed using content analysis which was a systematic qualitative description of the composition of the objects or materials of the study. The study concluded that the most popular strategic planning practices used by National Social Security Fund in the implementation of strategic plans were formulation of a strategic plan, a two-way communication approach, top management support, rewards and recognition, access to tools and equipment, effective leadership and training and development programmes. Adoption of these practices was considered key in enhancing success in the implementation of strategic plans. The findings further concluded that integrated systems, performance contracting, lean and competent staff, appropriate feedback mechanism and continuous training and development programmes were some of the practices that were deemed to have the greatest contribution towards performance. The study...................