dc.description.abstract | The motivation for this research project was the researcher's deep desire to establish
organizational responses to external environmental changes. The study was to
ascertain the responses by Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) to changes in the external
environment. Its objective was to document the challenges caused by these changes
and how KPC has responded to them.
The study was based on primary data which was collected using an interview guide
and secondary data available in KPC library. Content analysis was used as an
interview schedule was the tool for data collection. The data was analyzed and
interpreted in line with the aims of the study. Ten (10) people were interviewed; six
(6) departmental heads, two (2) depot managers, and two (2) assistant managers
involved in strategic planning process. All of them had same sound experience in the
company of more than five (5) years.
The findings of this study revealed a number of responses that KPC has used to
counter environmental changes. In responding to the changes, the company has used a
combination of strategies which includes strategic planning, capital injection, capacity
building and adopting technological change. The findings confirmed that the company
operates in an environment that is not static but characterized by many changes and
challenges.
The theoretical framework was based on the Ansoff-McDonnel model of 1990 that
outlines the relationship between environment, strategy and capability. The company
has to align her strategies to the environment changes to ensure that strategic gap does
not occur. Consequently, the company must redesign her capability to ensure effective
implementation and at the same time avoid capability gap occurrence. Critical finding
was that strategic responses were used to respond to environment changes. New
legislative requirement and response depended on financial capability.
The following recommendations were also made that KPC should first deal with issue
of resistance to change or her to implement any change and enhance her strategic
capabilities. Secondly she should invest more on Information Communication
Technology (lCT) and internet for her wide network of clients. | en |