| dc.description.abstract | This study sought to understand the effectiveness of strategy formulation and implementation at KPLC and how the company has responded to the challenges of formulating and implementing its strategies. The rationale of the study arose out of the realization that previous reforms at KPLC have been mainly due to donor pressure and poor performance. However, there was need to identify what initiatives were being undertaken to ensure continuous improvement that strives towards world-class status. The demand for power in the country had skyrocketed to 6000, Gigawatt hours annually.
Coupled with a government set target for connection of 200,000 new customers annually, and a service charter that has just been made public through the media, KPLC has to look for strategies of improving services provision to meet these growing demands and satisfy its customers. This research project was a case study at KPLC. The objective of the study was to establish the effectiveness of strategy formulation and implementation of 5 years strategic plan (2003) at KPLC. In order to meet this objective, this study utilized both secondary and primary data.
Primary data was collected through structured and semistructured questionnaire. This was to be dispatched to all selected respondents in the company through the company's internal mail delivery system and feedback was given through the same system. The personal interview guide was utilized which was self administered. Secondary data was drawn from internal circulars, KPLC website, newsletters and articles written about KPLC. Content analysis was used in the analysis of this data. This approach helped elucidate on the feelings of the interviewees on how KPLC carries out its strategy formulation and implementation process.
The researcher recorded and later analyzed the presence, meanings and relationships of such words and concepts, then made inferences from them. The study established that strategic formulation is more formalized and is a onetime under-taking within the planning cycle with annual evaluation and control mechanism put in place to monitor its implementation. The planning system does not have any planning timetables after the formulation of the first strategic plan hence the heads of departments, divisions and sections are left to supervise the implementation in their functional areas with no time dedicated to review and environmental scanning.
According to the respondents, KPLC has responded to the challenges in the whole of strategic management process in the organization. One example is the decentralization of the company services by creating Strategic Business Units all over the countries which are responsible and accountable of their activities in this respective areas. In response to the challenge of service delivery efficiency the company has developed service delivery standards (see appendix ix) which has been communicated to the public through the press (Radio, Newspapers and all radio stations) and provided additional resources to facilitate expansion into new markets.
To enhance the achievement of its goals the company has developed new vision, mission and core values (see appendix vi). Just like any other organization undergoing change, KPLC has encountered resistance to change from some members of staff. But however through increased communication, training and recruitment of new staff, the resistance has been contained. This has led to improvement in service delivery. This study sought to understand the effectiveness of strategy formulation and implementation at KPLC and how the company has responded to the challenges of formulating and implementing its strategies.
Further research on effective strategy formulation and implementation can be carried out on other public institutions in Kenya and a cross-sectional survey design used to compare and make generalizations. It will also be interesting to carry out a replicative research at KPLC in the year 2013 to find out how the second strategic plan was operationalized.
KEYWORDS Effectiveness Strategy Formulation Implementation Kenya Power and Lighting Company Limited | en_US |
