Participation of Academic Staff in the Implementation of Corporate Strategic Plans Experience from Selected Public Universities in Tanzania

Abstract

This study examines the involvement of academic staff in implementing corporate strategic plans at selected public universities in Tanzania. The study was guided by participative management theory and adopted an explanatory sequential mixed research approach. The study used questionnaires and interviews to gather data. The sample comprises 199 academic staff members from the Sokoine University of Agriculture and Mzumbe University. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics (percentages, mean, and standard deviations), while the interview data were subjected to content analyses. The findings indicate that department heads play a crucial role in promoting the sharing of responsibilities and encouraging staff participation in decision-making, fostering a culture of innovation. This, in turn, enhanced employees' trust and motivation among academic staff in implementing the strategic plan. The study concludes that leadership, commitment to employee engagement and academic staff willingness to collaborate are vital for building trust, boosting motivation, and ensuring the successful execution of corporate strategic plans. This study recommends that universities recognise academic staff as essential resources and prioritise participative management practices to enhance the effective implementation of corporate strategic plans.