A review of strategy implementation by public universities in Zambia : the case of the university of Zambia

The purpose of this study was to review strategy implementation in public universities in Zambia using the University of Zambia as a case study. Strategy is hailed as a solution to emerging victorious from a maze of competition that organisations find themselves. This study therefore was to review how public universities implement strategies in a quest to deal with competition. The objectives of the study were threefold: firstly, to find out if UNZA had a prescribed process of carrying out strategy implementation, secondly what challenges, if any, hampered smooth strategy implementation at the country’s oldest and highest learning institution and lastly, to establish if there were any suggestions for addressing the challenges of strategy implementation at the institution. A qualitative research design based on a case study was utilized. A total of 12 respondents were interviewed and data was qualitatively analysed using content analysis techniques. The study’s findings revealed that funding remained the biggest challenge of strategy implementation at public universities. Additionally, attitude of staff implementing strategic plans, lack of communication about strategic planning and external factors affected the implementation of strategic plans. The study recommended that government must firstly increase allocation of funds to UNZA and secondly be firm and resolute about their pledges of financial support to the institution, in future. Further, UNZA must start developing new campuses in the provincial centers to decongest the Great East Road campus. The study also recommended that UNZA must make partnerships with industry corporates like ZESCO and exchange human resource and funds. Last but not the least, government must consider exempting UNZA and other public universities from paying VAT as the institutions do not charge VAT for the services they provide