Strategy Implementation at Metropol Corporation Limited, Kenya

Abstract

Strategy implementation entails putting into actions the formulated plans that enable an organization to achieve its goals and objectives. It is vital because its success or failure rate may have a great impact on the success and sustainability of the business. Strategy implementation is basically administrative, therefore, it requires that the strategy is supported by an appropriate organization structure, systems, culture, resources, and a leadership that plays a leading role in the implementation process. However, the success of strategy implementation is not assured. This study was carried out to establish the nature of strategy implementation at MCL. The study had three objectives to achieve; to determine strategy implementation practices at MCL, to establish the challenges in strategy implementation and to establish the measures to mitigate the challenges of strategy implementation at MCL. Through a case study design, primary and secondary data were collected using an interview guide which was administered to senior management through personal interviews. Secondary data was gathered through document analysis. The documents include the strategic plan and performance reports. Both primary and secondary data were analyzed using content analysis along the study objectives. The study established that MCL carries out strategy implementation practices and that there are various factors that affected effective strategy implementation at MCL, Kenya. The strategy implementation practices included developing action plans, budgeting, formation of strategy implementation advisory team, direct supervision, and communication practices. The challenges that impended strategy implementation at MCL included fund disbursement delay; weak bottom up communication system; lack of commitment from the management, poor organizational structure, poor organizational culture and poor coordination in task allocation. The study established that for MCL to deliver services in a competitive business environment the following has to be done; disbursement of funds in time, bridging communication gaps, proper task allocation, good planning and top management support for the strategies being implemented. In conclusion, this study recommends the need to have a strategy implementation advisory team, creation of a communication plan and systems for monitoring and feedback for the strategy and training of staff in the area of strategy implementation. However, a number of contextual, methodological and conceptual limitations were identified hence the need for further research.