Factors Influencing the Implementation of the Strategic Plan in Uganda Red Crosses Society. A Case Study of Uganda Red Cross Society, Mbarara Branch.

Abstract

The study explored the factors influencing the implementation of the strategic plan in Mbarara Red Cross Branch. Mbarara Red Cross Branch has been implementing different humanitarian programmes since its inception in 1952. Since its existence, it had developed a number of strategic plans and the current one of 2011 to 2016 is facing a lot of challenges. During of this implementation process, management has introduced new programmes and projects which were not embedded in the current operational strategic plan (2011 to 2016). This could attribute to changing of organizational structure, leadership challenges and mobilisation. Data on three independent variables of Organizational Structure, Top Management and Resource mobilsation was collected from 74 participants whose response rate was 100%. Data was collected through the use of a structured questionnaire, interviews, observation, and documentary analysis. Qualitative and quantitative data analysis tools were used. The data was summarized and analyzed using frequency distributions, correlation and regression analysis. The study established that implementation of strategic plan in Mbarara Red Cross Mbarara Branch, Mbarara District is an issue that requires urgent attention. It was also established that organizational structure if it is not followed, employees will fail to get direction during the implementation phase. It was also established that Leadership goes hand in hand with Resource mobilisation and therefore there must be a direction if all are coordinated. The study concludes that, Organizational Structures must be properly monitored, Top management should always involve employees/ staff to participate in the strategic plan design and implementation and resource mobilisation should be a concern for all. The study recommends that, The Board of Red Cross Society Mbarara Branch should try by all means to emphasize the organizational structure and make employees to follow it, the Vision, Mission of the organization should be emphasized and finally resource mobilization should be a priority.