Influence of Management Commitment on Strategy Implementation and Organizational Performance of Public Universities in Kenya
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70619/vol6iss1pp9-21-773Keywords:
Management commitment, strategy implementation, organizational performance, public universities, Kenya, strategic managementAbstract
This study examined the influence of management commitment on strategy implementation and its effect on the performance of public universities in Kenya. Grounded in Resource-Based Theory, the study adopted a descriptive research design and a census approach targeting all 35 chartered public universities. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaires. The findings revealed that although all public universities had developed strategic plans, a majority (66.7%) did not implement them within the anticipated timeframe. Management commitment emerged as a critical determinant of effective strategy implementation and institutional performance. The results indicated a strong and significant relationship between management commitment and performance (β = 0.462, p < 0.05), highlighting the importance of leadership support, clear communication, and goal alignment in driving successful implementation. While organizational structure and resource allocation also showed significant positive effects, management commitment demonstrated the strongest influence. The study concludes that strengthening management commitment is essential for improving the implementation of strategy and enhancing the performance of public universities in Kenya. It recommends fostering strong leadership support, enhancing communication of strategic objectives, and aligning institutional resources with strategic priorities to achieve optimal performance outcomes.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Ishugah Loice Kahendi, Josephine Kilifi, Samuel Mwakubo, Carolyne Midecha Mung’asia
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