Factors Affecting the Implementation of Self Sustenance Strategic Plans by Seventh Day Adventist Churches in Kenya

Strategy implementation is the process by which strategies and policies are put into action through the development of programs, budgets and procedures. Strategy implementation involves converting strategic alternatives into operating plans. Strategy implementation refers to a set of decisions and actions that result in formulation and implementation of long term plans designed to achieve organizational objectives. Strategy implementation is one of the stages in organizations decision making process crucial for translating strategies into desired actions then expected results by embracing all the actions that enable strategies to be put into practice. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that affecting the implementation of self-sustenance strategic plans by Seventh Day Adventist Churches in Kenya. The study was guided by three theories leadership theory, organizational culture theory and resource allocation theory. The study had the following specific objectives to assess whether organizational structure influences implementation of strategic management plans in the SDA church, to assess whether resource allocation influences implementation of strategic management plans in the SDA church, and to determine the influence of organizational culture to strategic plan implementation in the SDA church. The study used a descriptive research design. The target population of this study was Board members of SDA churches in Nkoroi District of the SDA Church. The sample size of this study was 30 board members from Nkoroi District of the SDA Church. The study used primary data that was collected by use of questionnaires. Collected data was edited and coded into a statistical package (Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21) for analysis. Data was presented in form of frequency distribution, percentage, tables, graphs, pie charts that facilitated description and explanation of the study findings. The findings of this study show that there is complementarity among the structures of the church which is centred on effective communication between local church and local conference as far as strategy implementation is concerned. The Union conference does not interfere with strategy execution process in the church. The findings of the study show that there is a specific budget allocated for strategy implementation and the church has improved on technology to be more creative in strategy implementation. There are enough facilities like offices to help the board members to use during the meetings of strategy implementation. However, board members lack enough experience in strategy implementation. The findings of the study show that there is positive relationship with organizational culture and strategy implementation but not significant. The church is committed to the welfare of believers, because of the family spirit. This brings out the strong sense of shared values, cohesions, team work among other values. The study recommended that the organization should come up with an effective system of internal communication that will ensure that new duties, responsibilities and obligations are well communicated within the organization. SDA churches in Kenya should conduct a research on its culture to identify it and to come up with a set of dos and donts which do not hinder strategy implementation. SDA churches leaders should come up with a strategy which will help the board members to have a sitting allowance. Further studies should be conducted to identify other key factors affecting the successful implementation of strategy within SDA churches in Kenya.