Strategic Planning Practices by Firms in the Telecommunication Sector in Kenya
Abstract
Strategic planning, is an organization's process of defining its strategy, or direction, and
making decisions on allocating its resources in a bid to pursue this strategy, including its
capital and people. A host of factors influence an organization’s choice of direction,
actions, and ultimately its organizational structure and internal processes that are easily
managed through use of strategic management. The telecommunication industry’s
environment in Kenya, just like the rest of the world, is going through profound changes
where new markets, new players, and new challenges have characterized the market. This
study endeavored to find out the strategic planning practices that firms in the
telecommunication sector in Kenya applies in their day to day operations. The study
employed a descriptive research design on a sample of five representative firms in the
sector. Using a semi-structured questionnaire, the study acquired data from the research
respondents which was analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively. The study found
that various strategic planning practices are applied in all the firms and are used as guide
to the departmental roles within the firms. The firms’ strategic practices were found to be
specific to the area of operations with each area having some unique strategic practices
such as marketing, financial management, human resource management, public relations,
and procurement. The study found these strategic practices to be highly effective in
meeting the firms’ objectives. Also, the strategic management practices were found to be
affected by a few challenges that were observed to be avoidable if concrete measures are
observed at the strategy conception level. The study recommends application of these
strategic management practices in all firms in the sector as the firms are bound to benefit
from them.
Citation
Degree Of Master Of Business AdministrationPublisher
University Of Nairobi School of Business
Description
A research project submitted in partial fulfillment of
The requirements for the award of the degree of
Master of business administration (MBA), school of
Business, university of Nairobi