Factors Infuencing Strategic Planning in Private Owned Primary Schools in Nairobi: A Case of Harvest View Academy

A Research Project Report Submitted to the Chandaria School of Business in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree of Masters in Business Administration (MBA)The purpose of this study was to establish factors affecting strategic planning in Harvest View Academy which is a private institution. The study was guided by the following research questions: What is the influence of resources on strategic planning? What is the influence of Leadership on strategic planning? What is the influence of organization culture on strategic planning? The study employed a descriptive research design. Harvest View Academy has a total of 20 teachers, 5 support staff, 9 PTA representatives, 1 director 1 headteacher, and a deputy headteacher.This formed the population for this study. This researcher employed a census survey, to ensure that data from each and every respondent would be captured accurately. This survey was appropriate because the total population small and easily accessible. Two instruments were used in the research obtain the needed information from the respondents. The questionnaire was for both the PTA representative and the teacher’s and the support staff.The interview guide was for the school director, head teacher and deputy head teacher. The researcher made a budget for the materials to be used during data collection and purchased materials before the actual data collection. The date and time for collecting data was carefully planned. The researcher then visited Harvest View Academy to obtain permission to carry out the study. At the end of data collection, data analysis was carried out to show how each variable contributed strategic planning at Private Primary Schools. The study’s data was quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed using frequency distribution, percentages and mean and standard deviations with the help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 21). The data was descriptive and thus invariants which included frequencies, means and percentages were used to interpret the study findings. Quantitative data was analyzed using Multiple Linear Regression Model. From the study findings, it was revealed that adequacy of resources such as physical facilities, equipment, teaching and learning materials determine how effective a strategic plan is in the school. In addition the study revealed thst competent staff plays a significant role in the strategic plan development and implementation. The study also revealed that there were challenges in school communication. The communication modes used between various levels of organization’s employees in the strategic planning process included meeting forums between the director, teachers, and support staff which were held every week. The study therefore concludes that active involvement of all stakeholders and collaboration with other stakeholder in school strategic planning assist in the resource mobilization and monitoring.Further school leadership should actively involve all the stakeholders in decision making. The study therefore recommends that private schools should hire a team of trained workers in aspects pertaining to their fields. This is to ensure ease of implementing strategy and also maintaining an organization as rich in human resources. The school management should create motivational plans for its staff members to enhance strategic planning implementation. School management should also create a culture in all stakeholders to keep them delivering the best and encourage communication both ways to create a conducive environment to nurture an effective organization culture that will add value to the organization