date_range 2023-12-03 00:00:00
Business firms are operating under pressure due to ever changing environment and customers preferences’. Therefore companies of all levels and types are expected to identify their competitive advantages and formulate strategy, properly implement with strong performance management system emplaced. To ensure effective strategy implementation organizations should monitor practice and make sure the alignment of internal elements (i.e. Strategy, structure, system, skill, staff, system, resources, shared values, leadership style). However, most of the time, in the process of strategic management, attention is rendered to its formulation rather than execution stage. Despite the significance of strategy implementation, studies shown that the state of its practice lacks proper concern, as a result planned objectives were failed and the firms in Ethiopia are not exceptional. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the practice and challenges of strategy implementation at Educational Materials Production and Distribution Enterprise (EMPDE) using a combined model of Mackinsey 7s framework and Higgins 8S's. To undertake the study, case study design were employed and both primary and secondary data were used. The primary data was collected or gathered from selected 10 senior managers through in-depth interview administered in person with the help of interview guide. Likewise, secondary data were obtained from different organizational documents and publications. Then, analyses were conducted using qualitative method of data analysis, which enabled a researcher to understand the issue in proper depth. The study found that the strategic plan was formulated without proper communication to lower-level staff, leading to a lack of ownership and slowed progress. The outdated organizational structure was found to be incompatible with the new strategy, hindering the establishment of required departments and coordination. Additionally, the enterprise faced challenges in terms of manual systems, skills gap, leadership evaluation, and resource availability. The study identified various challenges, including resistance to change, communication gaps, resource constraints, and poor alignment, which can impede efficient strategy implementation. The study recommends improving organizational structure, investing in employee development, enhancing communication, strengthening performance evaluation, leveraging technology, addressing resource constraints, promoting a culture of change and innovation, and monitoring and adjusting the strategy. These recommendations, if implemented, will position the enterprise for success in achieving its vision and strategic objectives. Keywords: Strategy implementation, Competitive advantages, Performance management system, Mackinsey 7s framework, Challenges.