Dynamics of Strategy Implementation on the Performance of Power Utilities in Zimbabwe: Case of Rural Electrification Fund (REF)
The study sought to establish how strategy implementation impact on performance of Rural Electrification Fund (REF) in Zimbabwe. The study adopted a quantitative research approach rooted in positivism research philosophy. In this study a simple random sample of 100 managerial respondents were taken as research subjects. Questionnaires were used to collect data. The study employed the cross sectional research design. Data was uploaded on Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and analyzed using Chi-Square Test of Independence. The data was presented in form of tables, graphs and pie charts. Findings from the study revealed that there is a relationship between product diversification strategy implementation and service delivery. The study results also indicate a significant positive relationship between location diversification and quality of service delivery and that there is positive relationship between grid extension strategy and availability of electricity. Results indicate that Grid extension strategy implementation is positively correlated to improved health service delivery and increased the livelihood of the communities. The study recommends that REF Zimbabwe should continually enhance its strategy communication process within the organization to assist in effective coordination of strategy implementation in the current turbulent environment. The research also recommends involvement by all stakeholders in strategy formulation, adequate training and development. Lastly, the study recommends that the energy sector must have adequate strategy implementation process that is agile enough to align the organization to its environment. The strategy implementation process must in a way ensure that it takes full advantage of its strength and opportunities in the energy industry in order to gain a competitive edge while mitigating against the effect of its weaknesses and the threats posed by the industry. More studies should be done to examine other factors that may influence performance. Further, future studies should obtain a large population of power utilities to determine whether the results can be generalized as this case only used one rural power utility. The study suggests that a similar study can be done on other energy organizations in Zimbabwe for the purposes of benchmarking.
Keywords: Strategy, Implementation, Rural Electrification Fund, Zimbabwe.
