Extent of Adoption of Implementation Practices by Public Universities in Western Kenya

According to the Human Capital Report 2015, Kenyas overall human capital index was 57.54, indicating that public universities contributes to economic success. However, Kenya Audit Report 2012/2013 indicated public universities were in a financial crisis with Western Kenya universities leading suggesting ineffective adoption of implementation practices. Past studies have focused on reduced funding, lack of innovation, ineffective systems and customer dissatisfaction but failed to consider extent of adoption of implementation practices by public universities in Western Kenya. The purpose was to establish extent of adoption implementation practices. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design of 4 public universities in Western Kenya. The population comprised 191 staff with 13 used for piloting. The remaining 178 comprised 166 senior managers including deans, chairs of departments, registrars, finance officers, librarians and 12 top managers including Vice-Chancellors and their deputies. The response was 84 %. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaires and interview schedules. Pre-validated questionnaires had reliability alpha for implementation practices =0.805. Findings revealed that Implementation had mean M=2.88 (SD=0.086). The findings implied that implementation practices are adopted. It is concluded that implementation practices are prioritized in universities. The study recommends that effort should be put on resourcing aspect of implementation since it registered lowest. Public universities can be enlightened on benefits of adopting implementation practices.