Factors that influence strategy implementation success in Gauteng Metropolitan municipalities

Abstract

This study intended to identify factors that influence success in strategy implementation in Gauteng Metropolitan municipalities, namely City of Johannesburg, City of Tshwane and Ekurhuleni. Qualitative research methods were followed to solicit views and opinions from 11 municipal top managers about what drives success in their respective municipalities. The literature on strategy implementation was reviewed and used in the analysis of the collected information. The study made reference to the literature to highlight factors to which successful execution of strategies can generally be pinned. These factors included strategy formulation process, strategy executors, communication, shared understanding, integration between the units, commitment, administrative systems, implementation tactics and organisational structure. The results show that the three municipalities are not fully successful in implementing their strategies, among other things, due to the culture within municipalities, bureaucratic processes, budget constraints, lack of employee commitment and the change in priorities as a result of the political term of office. Notwithstanding the inability to fully succeed in implementing the strategies, the three municipalities have systems in place to monitor performance and these systems are to a greater degree tied to strategies; hence contributing to success. The study concludes that the municipalities have a lot to do to realise successful strategy implementation. Among other things, there is a need for organisational culture reform and introduction of appropriate cultural change processes to transform the existing municipal culture so that the environment is favourable for implementation of strategies. Further, capacitation, empowerment and motivation of employees as well as constant communication are recommended to ensure that all employees work together and contribute positively to strategy implementation.