Factors Influencing the Implementation of Strategic Plans among Western Region County Governments in Kenya

Purpose: The success of implementation of strategic plans needs to be effective with institutional factors in county governments. County governments need to generate maximum output and commit towards achievement of goals. The purpose of the study is to establish the factors influencing implementation of strategic plans among western region county governments in Kenya. The study specifically sought to establish the influence of organization culture, organization structure, corporate leadership styles and resource allocation on implementation of strategic plans in western region county governments in Kenya. The study was anchored on Open-Systems Theory, Behavioural Theory, and Resource-Based Theory. Methodology: The study used descriptive research design. The study targeted County governments in the western region. 10 county governments were used whereby 6 were analyzed from Nyanza and 4 from western region counties. Proportionate stratified sampling technique was employed from 249 study subjects who were selected randomly. The study used primary data by semi structured questionnaires. After data collection, quantitative data was coded using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). Data was analyzed through descriptive statistical methods such as means, standard deviation, frequencies and percentage. Inferential analysis which includes correlation analysis and regression analysis was computed to test the relationship between the explanatory variables and the explained variable. The findings were presented in tables and figures. Findings: The study concludes that organization culture has significant effect on strategic plan implementation among western region county governments in Kenya. In addition, the study concludes that organization structure has significant effect on strategic plan implementation among western region county governments in Kenya. Further, the study concludes that leadership styles have significant effect on strategic plan implementation among western region county governments in Kenya. The study also concludes that financial resources have significant effect on strategic plan implementation among western region county governments in Kenya. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: This study therefore recommends that the management of county governments in Kenya should adopt an organization culture which is conducive and enhances strategic plan implementation. Further, the management of county governments in Kenya should formulate and implement an effective framework for financial resource acquisition and allocation.