Determinants of Strategic Plan Implementation in Technical and Vocational Education Training Institutions in Mombasa County, Kenya

Abstract

Globally, most educational institutions have strategic plans, but few implement them. This research established determinants of strategy implementation in technical institutes which offer technical skills using Mombasa County as the case study area. The objectives were: establish relationship between human resources, communication, technology, and financial resources and strategy actualization. The study used resource-based view theory and Okumu’s strategy implementation framework in its framework of assessing the relevant issues in the study. Mixed methods research design was used with a sequential exploratory design and within it a census survey design. Targeted population was 218 and included the 6 principals, 6 chairpersons and 206 tutors in the 6 registered technical institutes in Mombasa County. A sample size of 148 participants using interviews and questionnaires was used to get data. The analysis of qualitative data followed thematic and subject coding to evaluate the responses that participants offered in the interviews. Quantitative analysis involved both descriptive and multiple regression analysis for checking relations between variables. The findings found out that the general rating of the capacity of human resource and technology towards strategy actualization was generally moderate. Moreover, the findings validated that the general rating of communication and financial support towards strategy actualization was generally low. Karl Pearson correlation coefficient obtained indicated that there was a strong relationship between human resource (0.702), technology (0.927), Communication (0.920) and financial resources (0.974) and strategy actualization. This showed that indeed Human resources, Technology, Communication and financial resources greatly determine strategy implementation process. Hypotheses tests done indicated there was enough evidence to reject the null hypothesis in favor of the alternative hypotheses and conclusion made that there is significant relationship between human resource, technology, communication and financial resources and strategy actualization in technical institutions in Mombasa County. In addition, the regression analysis done showed that all the variables (Human resources, β= 0.056 P= 0.001 Communication, β= 0.080 P= 0.001 Technology, β= 0.632 P= .000 and Financial resources, β= 1.008 P= 0.000) contributed positively to strategy actualization. The findings concluded that 93.1% of the independent variables accounted for the change in the dependent variable which was Strategy actualization. The study recommends that the management should subject staff to frequent trainings on strategy actualization process to increase on the effectiveness of the actualization process. In addition, technology used in the institutions should be up to date and relevant as far as strategy actualization process is concerned. Lastly, more financial support should be given towards strategy actualization of the institution while at the same time ensuring accountability is strictly adhered to.