INFLUENCE OF INSTITUTIONAL DYNAMICS ON IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLANS IN PUBLIC WATER SECTOR AGENCIES IN KENYA
INFLUENCE OF INSTITUTIONAL DYNAMICS ON IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLANS IN PUBLIC WATER SECTOR AGENCIES IN KENYA
John Mwalya Musyoka - Masters Student, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya
Dr. Jared Deya - Lecturer, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya
ABSTRACT
The primary objective of the study was to determine the effects of institutional dynamics on the implementation of strategic plans by the public water sector agencies in Kenya. The specific objectives were to determine how top management commitment affects the implementation of strategic plans; to investigate how institutional policies affect strategic plans’ implementation, to assess the impact of resource allocation on implementation of strategic-plans and; to determine how public Kenyan water sector agencies' organizational structures affect the implementation of strategic plans. A descriptive research design was used in the study. The units of analysis were the 18 public water sector agencies in Kenya. The chief executives, directorates and middle level management staff working with the public water sector agencies were the potential respondents. Accordingly, the units of observation were the 196 chief executives, directorates and middle level management staff working in the public water sector agencies in Kenya. The sampling technique was Yamane (1967) Formula. The sample population of 132 was distributed proportionately in the Agencies. This study utilized research questionnaire. The questionnaire gathered both qualitative and quantitative data. Pilot study was conducted using 13 respondents drawn from Kenya Water Institute (KEWI). The respondents were not part of the selected sample. The quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive analysis while qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis. The Statistical Package of Social Science (SPSS) was used. Frequencies, percentages and mean scores were used in the descriptive analysis. A multivariate regression model was applied to determine the relationship between the study variables. The results were presented in tables. The study revealed that top management commitment influences the strategic plans implementation in the public water sector agencies in Kenya to a moderate extent. Leadership, internal controls and monitoring & evaluation affect strategic plans implementation in the public water sector agencies. The study found that institutional policies influence strategic plans implementation in the public water sector agencies in Kenya to a moderate extent. Policy reviews, institutional manuals and standard operating procedures affect strategic plans implementation in the public water sector agencies. The study found that resource allocation affects the strategic plans implementation in the public water sector agencies in Kenya to a moderate extent. Financial resources, information technology and human resources affect the implementation of strategic plans in the public water sector agencies in Kenya to great extents. The study revealed that organizational structures influence the strategic plans implementation in the public water sector agencies to a moderate extent. Tasks delegation, centralization of activities and span of control affects strategic plans implementation in the public water sector agencies. The study recommends enhancing the levels of resource dedication towards human resource and IT to enhance service delivery and hence strategic plan implementation. The top management of these agencies to pay more attention on developing internal controls and monitoring & evaluation policies anchoring their vision and mission in the long-run. The water sector agencies to lay out candid institutional policies and manuals that spell out the procedures, communication and reporting channels and documented approaches that safeguard the interests of all stakeholders while still enhancing strategic plans implementation. Public water sector agencies should develop frameworks that will facilitate maintenance of clear line of communication between the various management levels in an attempt to create continuous flow of ideas that necessitate strategic planning and implementation.
