Challenges in implementation of a globalized strategy by Cisco Systems East Africa
Abstract
Strategic implementation is a fundamental step in turning a company‟s vision of a project
into reality through a series of action-bases phases and tasks. The implementation process
maps out the life cycle of a project. Without strategic implementation a project would not
be able to get off the ground, since strategic implementation functions as a project‟s
blueprint. Strategy implementation uses various tools to keep the project teams on track
and keep the projects going, it is important as it does this through a work breakdown
structure, implementation schedule, it evaluates projects costs through cost allocation,
and it also determines the evaluation methodology of projects.
The study was a case study that focused on Cisco Systems in East Africa. The study had
an objective of establishing challenges faced by Cisco Systems East Africa in
implementing its globalized strategy. The researcher implemented the questionnaires
through drop and pick, and email in cases where respondents were not in country.
Implementation plays a key role in the adoption of strategy. This study sought to find out
the challenges of implementing a globalized strategy as other studies done had been on
challenges of implementing localized strategies. The findings showed some challenges to
be the same between a globalized strategy and a localized one, like, lack of resources and
cultural changes. Communication on strategy was found to be effective, unlike in other
studies where it was lacking and this would be a very good platform to leverage strategy
implementation drive and success from. The finding of study also identified other
different challenges to implementing a globalized strategy like; key formulators playing an active role in implementation; effects of technological changes; threat of
competition; difficulty in implementing a globalized strategy; many levels of
organization structure; distant location of key decision makers; internal power/politics;
lack of understanding of the effects of a global strategy; employees are not rewarded for
implementation.
Citation
Masters in Business AdministrationSponsorhip
The University of NairobiPublisher
School of Business