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Strategic Planning and Organizational Productivity
in Nigeria
Abstract
Poor productivity is a global problem
that besets organizations. As a result, the research was set out to ascertain
the effects of strategic planning through the effective use of manpower in the
strategic planning development and the right choice of technology for strategic
planning implementation on organizational productivity. To solve the problem of
the study, three hypotheses were formulated. The statistical tools applied for
testing the hypotheses are mean, standard deviation and T- test. The major
findings are the need for adopting a systematic strategic planning process,
choosing the appropriate technologies for strategic planning implementation and
engaging professionals / experts in the strategic planning development. The
major recommendations employed the organizational management to scan the
environment and evolve a systematic strategic plan that would checkmate the
effects of the business environment, equip the organization with appropriate
technologies for strategic planning implementation and assign professionals /
experts in their respective area of specialization during strategic planning
development. This would increase productivity and effectiveness in the
organization.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Strategies and Strategic planning in the
context of business organization refer to major programmes used by
organizations to achieve their missions and goals. Strategic planning is a
systematic process which influences the choice of the long term goals that
define the corporate strategy of every firms. The corporate strategy, if
adequately implemented, through projects, policies and budgets, helps to
determine whether an enterprise achieves its objectives even if it survives
(Onwuchekwa, 2000: 66). Since strategic planning is perceived as a mediating
force between the organization and its environment, it has become highly
imperative for business organizations to adopt it so as to enhance their
productivity. For any business organization to operate in the present turbulent
environment as well as survive the swift competition therein, adequate
strategic planning is necessary. This will define fundamental goals and
objectives in specific terms and determine the means to achieve them. Strategic
planning can therefore be said to have a strong influence on the survival and
growth of an organization, most especially in a volatile environment. Since
strategic planning aims at finding how a company or organization competes
successfully within its turbulent environment, strategic planning is based on
effective use of manpower in the strategic planning development and choosing
appropriate technologies for effective implementation of the strategic plans.
This is necessary for the survival and growth of organizations under
competitive condition.
Considering the numerous challenges
faced by business organizations, strategic planning is designed to increase
productivity as well as ensure survival and growth. It is against this
background that this study is being carried out.
1.2 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
The purpose of strategic or long range
planning is to assist the organization in establishing priorities and to better
serve the needs of the organization and the customers. Strategic planning, if implemented properly,
increases organization’s effectiveness and productivity (Robison, 2003:204). A
strategic plan must be flexible, practical and serve as a guide to implementing
and evaluating programs and making adjustments when necessary. Strategic
planning must follow a systematic process and its implementation should depend
on appropriate technology (Yip, 2002:200). Technology has come a long way in
the life of every organization. The rapid pace of technological change and
innovation has created a significant barrier to improving the implementation of
strategic plan. With the rapid pace of innovation and technology, the
identification and acquisition of technology is highly necessary to achieve
increased productivity in the organization (Lee, 2001:750). Human resource
commitment towards strategic planning makes strategic plans to be highly
successful (Foster, 2001:151). The staff recruited to the strategic planning
team should come from both the business and information technology division and
require a strong working knowledge of the business activities. A significantly
related issue, according to Gibson (2004:29), is that while staffs are working
on the development of strategic plan, they are unable to conduct other
organization work. For this reason, it is often difficult to secure top
management commitment for the protracted use of resources under their control. Strategic
plans, which ensure the effective use of manpower and appropriate technology
for its implementation, must be closely aligned to achieve organization’s
productivity (Yip, 2002:100). It is vital that strategic planning process moves
with the times and employs new and innovative techniques.
1.3 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Poor productivity in most industries, after
the euphoria of the Nation’s Independence, could be seen from the indices of
denial of strategic planning, technology and effective use of manpower most
basic to an organization’s performance.
The non-systematic strategic planning
process, the inability to acquire the necessary technology due to inadequate
fund and the non-effective use of manpower in the strategic planning
development can be seen to have serious militating hurdles to contend with. The
formulation of the strategy of an organization involves elaborate analysis of
technological, environmental and organizational human resources in particular.
Therefore, output per unit of a factor
of production should be planned in such a way that it follows the systematic
process, identifies the opportunities and threats in the environment, evaluates
the strengths and weaknesses of the organization, acquires the necessary
technologies, hires appropriate people and develops appropriate incentives that
will motivate the employees to higher performance.
Strategic Planning and Organizational Productivity in Nigeria
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