Strategic Responses by International Livestock Research Institute to Challenges of Globalization in Kenya
Abstract
Globalization can be understood as a driving force affecting many global issues, from migration to fair trade to debt relief. Globalization has brought with it challenges that have made the local firms in Kenya to devise means of staying competitive not only in the global market but also in the local market. This has been a concern to International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) as it looks for ways of improving efficiency and quality of their research to its client and stakeholders. This research study was aimed at determining the challenges brought about by globalization and the strategic responses employed by the ILRI in mitigating the same. The unit of analysis was one organization (ILRI) thus qualitative data was collected through in-depth interview with the CEO and the Director in charge of institution planning and strategy. Secondary data was obtained from the existing ILRI records that were analyzed through content analysis technique. The study found out that ILRI faces many challenges that are as a result of globalization. These include a changing CGIAR, competition for resources, rapid technological changes, political environment, Changing organizational landscape and sub-regional initiatives, Trade, market liberalization and social and economic challenges. These challenges can be summarized into Planning and strategy, competition, technological issues, political environment and establishing strategic partnerships. The social challenges include the Aids scourge, which threatens the human resource and translates to higher social responsibility costs and the stakeholders (farmers) increasing poverty. ILRI responded by coming up with a ten-year strategy, which was developed to respond to the globalization challenges it was facing hence ILRI's strategy 2013-2022 was emerged from a wide process of consultation and engagement. ILRI appreciates that partners play a key role in its existence and survival hence every objective starts with acknowledging and appreciating the partnership with other stakeholders.
Citation
Master Of Business AdministrationPublisher
University of Nairobi School of Business