Topic: Strategy implementation processes and practices in [organisation]:

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Strategy implementation processes and practices in [organisation]: A case study

I would like to focus in gas manufacturing organisations, I need 20 good literature sources not more than 5 years old.

 Brief background to the topic

Strategy implementation is often regarded as the blind spot of strategic management and often pointed out as the area where most strategies fail. In this research, the purpose is to investigate the strategy implementation processes employed by an organisation, tools used in aiding strategy implementation, middle manager practices in supporting the strategy implementation process and barriers to implementation as perceived by managers. Researchers will also be required to evaluate the success of the implementation process. In conducting the research, researchers will draw from four perspectives of strategy implementation:

 Strategy implementation as organisational architecture. This perspective views the organisation as an interrelated set of sub-systems, which must all be aligned, in balance and consistent if a strategy is to be implemented successfully.

 Since strategy is about change, there is a perspective that strategy implementation is about managing planned change.

 Strategy implementation can be viewed as a process of selecting and managing strategic initiatives that collectively contribute towards the achievement of strategic objectives. We refer to this process as the Strategy Execution Framework.

 Strategy implementation as organisational adaptation suggests that organisations learn and adapt organically, rather than as part of a formal process.

The research approach

Students will follow a mixed methods approach (in line with the requirements for good case study research) comprising of:

 in-depth interviews with 3-5 managers in the organisation (audio recordings will have to be provided to the supervisor)

 a survey in the organisation (20-30 responses, completed questionnaires have to be

Consider each of thefollowing statements on strategy implementation in your organisation andindicate your agreement with each statement.

Strongly disagree

1

Disagree

2

Neither agree nor disagree

3

Agree

4

Strongly agree

5

We almost always achieve our long term objectives.

Our organisation is focused on a few key performance indicators to track our progress with implementation.

The leadership of our organisation is visibly committed to successfully implementing our strategy.

The culture in our organisation strongly supports our strategic direction.

Our internal organisation structure supports strategy implementation.

Our internal operating environment processes and policies support strategy implementation.

We have the right technology in place to successfully implement our strategy.

We have the right competencies in place to successfully implement our strategy,

Strategy implementation is a very important function in our organisation.

We have a clear long term strategy.

Our organisation’s strategy is clearly understood by most people in the organisation.

We are constantly measuring our progress with strategy implementation.

Consider each of thefollowing strategy implementation tools and indicate:

1.    Whether yourorganisation make use of it.

2.    If yes, whetherit is a formal function or project (Yes/No)

3.    What value itadds to your strategy implementation efforts (on a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 is“no value” and 5 is “can’t live without it”)

IMPLEMENTATION TOOLS

Does your organisation make use of this tool?

(Yes/no)

Is it a formal function or project?

(Yes/ no)

How valuable is it in supporting strategy implementation?

(scale= 1 to 5)

A formal strategic plan

A process for strategy implementation

Balanced Scorecard

Strategic Project Management   

Executive Information Systems` (EIS - e.g. performance dashboards for key performance metrics)

A formal “implementation plan”

Regular reviews of progress with implementation

Key performance measurements

Strategy maps

Performance management system

Implementation incentives/rewards

Stakeholder engagement during implementation

1)   Please describe the strategy implementationprocess followed by your organisation. (the purpose of this question is todetermine the processes of strategy implementation)

2)   How does your organisation use “tools” (suchas documents, presentations, meetings, processes) in your strategyimplementation efforts? (The purpose of this question is to determine whattools are used and how they are used)

3)   What are the key problems you experience (as anorganisation) in your strategy implementation efforts? (the purpose of this questionis to determine the barriers to strategy implementation)