Influence of Operational Processes on Strategy Implementation among Cooperative Societies in Nairobi County, Kenya
Angeline Kinya Ogeto, Dr. Mike Iravo Amuhaya, Prof. John Kihoro, Dr. Samuel K O Mokaya

Abstract
Strategy implementation is an important part of strategic management and of management in general. Research has shown that many firms are keen to come up with elaborate corporate strategic plans, yet most of them (up to 70%) fail to implement the plans so carefully prepared. This study sought to determine the influence of operational process on strategy implementation by cooperative societies in Kenya. The study adopted a quantitative research approach; a survey research design to collect data. The study covered a sample of 291 primary cooperative societies selected using a random stratified sampling method from a population of 2,149 societies. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Two hundred and ninety-one sets of research instruments were distributed and 200 were completed and returned; representing a significant response rate of 68.73%. Out of the 200 respondents, only 180 responding societies had formulated strategic plans and these were the only ones covered by the analysis. The study found a strong positive correlation between organizational process and strategy implementation (r =.684, n=180, p =.000). Therefore, the study concludes that successful implementation of strategic plans in cooperative societies requires its operational plans to be aligned and derived from the strategic plan, adequate resources allocated as per the strategic plan requirements, the right people with the required skills and training, motivated by rewarding them based on achievements of strategic plan milestones. Two-way communication is more helpful for strategy implementation than a one-way channel. There must be regular reviews to ensure implementation is progressing as planned. The study concludes that in this study the major milestones of strategy implementation had been moderately achieved in most societies.

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