Challenges of Strategic Management Practices at Kenya National Highways Authority

Abstract

Strategic management practices are fundamental to the achievement of any long-term objectives of a firm. The three basic elements of strategic management practices involve strategy formulation, strategy implementation and strategy evaluation. However, the adoption of strategic management practices is compromised by a number of challenges. This study therefore sought to determine the challenges of strategic management practices at KeNHA as its objectives. Different challenges were established in the study that included; globalization, leadership, inadequate resource allocation, technology changes, change management, organization culture, corruption among others. The study was a case study of Kenya National Highways Authority. The study involved departmental heads at management level in the organization. Data was collected using the interview guide and analyzed through content analysis. The study findings established government of Kenya and World Bank Affiliates were the main source of funding for the Authority. Furthermore, the participants established that top managers were more involved in strategy formulation, implementation and evaluation. The study findings also established that dynamic technology, inadequate resource allocation, leadership, organizational culture, corruption, change management were the challenges experienced at KeNHA. In this study, the study findings revealed that strategy implementation was adopted in the Authority at a high extent. However, there were challenges that affected its management. The study also established that different challenges such as corruption, dynamic nature of technology, inadequate resource allocation, leadership, change management, globalization were affected by adoption of strategic management practices at KeNHA. In conclusion. The study should put more emphasis in the adoption of new technology to minimize issue of redundancy in its operations as well as involving all stakeholders in the implementation process. Strategies should be tailor-made to match the needs of the Authority so as to gain competitive advantage in the public domain in terms of service delivery. The study recommends that KeNHA should establish more measures to curb corruption so as to achieve its optimal goal as per its mandate. Reducing or eliminating corruption in the Authority will go a long way in proper resource utilization for the benefit of the general public. The Authority should adopt new technological advancement in the execution of its tasks as well as general construction and rehabilitation of roads in Kenya. The new technology will help the Authority to increase its efficiency and effectiveness in task execution. Furthermore, the study recommends that the Authority should establish a research and development department in order for it to be proactive in its mandate. Through R & D, the Authority will be able to have surveillance systems and earning warning systems that will minimize the effects of Mother Nature during natural calamities. The study also recommends that the corporation should create ways of generating revenues within its scope so as to supplement its existing sources of finances as well as reducing chances of overlying on external donors or strategic partners such as World Bank and its affiliate organization such as MGA.