Stakeholder-related Factors Influencing Implementation of Strategic Plans in Public Secondary Schools in Machakos Sub-county, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate stakeholder related factors influencing implementation of strategic plans in public secondary schools in Machakos Sub-county in Kenya. It was based on four research objectives namely establishing influence of how stakeholder involvement in formulating school strategic plans; exposure of stakeholders to training on strategic planning; assessing the influence of communication among stakeholders; and establishing the influence of resource allocation on implementation of strategic plans in public secondary schools in Machakos Sub-county. Using a t-test, a mean computed difference of 0.67 was statistically different from zero, implying that, stakeholder involvement was on average significantly higher in schools where implementation of strategic plans was successful in improving academic performance. A positive and statistically significant coefficient of 0.1162 on stakeholder involvement was established which indicated that influence on implementation of strategic plans. A mean difference of 0.1875 was obtained on stakeholder exposure to training, which was statistically different from zero, implying that, stakeholder exposure to training was on average significantly higher in schools where implementation of strategic plans was successful in improving academic performance. Upon controlling for other factors, a positive coefficient of 0.0559 on stakeholder training was realized though it was statistically not significant. This shows that an increase in stakeholder training is positively related to implementation of strategic plans, although its associated coefficient is statistically different from zero. Hence, stakeholder training does not have an influence on implementation of strategic plans. A t-test produced a difference of 1.10, which was statistically different from zero, implying that, communication among stakeholders was on average significantly higher in schools where implementation of strategic plans was successful in improving academic performance. Thus, communication among stakeholders had a statistically significant influence on implementation of strategic plans. After, controlling for other factors, a positive coefficient of 0.3551 was obtained for communication among stakeholders, which is statistically significant at the five percent level of significance. This shows that an increase in communication among stakeholders positively influences implementation of strategic plans. A computed difference of 0.50 was statistically different from zero, implying that, resource allocation was on average significantly higher in schools where implementation of strategic plans was successful in improving academic performance. Thus, resource allocation had a statistically significant influence on implementation of strategic plans. The coefficient on resource allocation by stakeholders had a value of 0.0771 and was statistically significant, showing that an increase in resource allocation by stakeholders positively influences implementation of strategic plans. Based on the findings the study recommends that; all key stakeholders to the school should be actively and fully involved in the process of strategic planning; all stakeholders should be brought on board in planning and they should also be actively engaged in implementation process; and that there is need for more allocation of resources and mobilization of more resources to be done.