Strategy development process at the Nairobi Women’s Hospital

Abstract

This study sought to find out what the approach of strategy development process has been at the NWH in the past. This is because the success and future existence of any business entity largely depends on the appropriate strategy developed and the proper implementation of the same. NWH is undergoing an expansion just as many other private hospitals are now making entry to other major towns outside Nairobi. NWH has also attracted investors who are interested in impacting the health sector through public private partnerships. The study is a case study of the Nairobi Women’s hospital. The objective of study was to establish the strategy development processes at NWH in the past 10 years and to also identify the factors that influence strategy development in NWH. For this study both primary and secondary data was obtained. The instrument used was a questionnaire as an interview guide. It was administered to senior managers and some board members. The data collected was qualitative in nature hence to analyze the data content analysis method was used. Findings of the study revealed that strategy development at NWH was through managerial intent. The approach was top down and was not really effective. The factors that influenced the strategy development process that were identified in this study were Government/politics, Awareness of consumers about their rights, Organizational management, External consultants/experts, Media, Staff involvement in the process, Adaptation to Technology, Stagnation in financial performance of the organization. Key recommendations are that the strategy development approach should be bottom up. This is particularly important for the staff to buy in into the change process. The factors that influence strategy development are varied and each must be considered based on its own merit.