Research That Informs Policy: A Case Analysis Of The University Of Nairobi

Abstract

Background: University of Nairobi is currently the largest institution that trains doctors and neurosurgeons in the country and the region. The management performance of the institution greatly affects the quality and quantity of doctors and neurosurgeons produced.  In recent times, competition, marketization, and politicization have been increasing in the higher education sector. There is also an increase in the requirements for accountability in this sector. The successful survival of an organization in a highly dynamic, uncertain, and competitive environment is dependent on strategy fitness as well as the effective strategy alignment to this environment. This requires adequate assessment of both the internal and external factors affecting the organization. 

Assessment: The University of Nairobi (UoN) was assessed using the Expanded 7-S Framework,  Balanced Scorecard, SWOT Analysis, and PESTLE Analysis. 

Findings: The university was found to be the premier university in the country and one of the largest universities in the region with a reasonable ranking globally. The university was found to be operating in a highly dynamic and competitive environment, facing significant competition from both local and international universities. There was increased demand for education and high expectations from stakeholders. The organizational structure was found to be of a highly mechanistic type which was unsuitable for the macro-environment. The university's financial performance was strained by financial deficits with a limited local investment in research. The human resource management was suboptimal. The infrastructure and equipment facilities were overstretched with suboptimal management of student affairs. 

Recommendations: It is necessary for the university to chart a new strategic direction in view of the findings through the implementation of the recommended changes. This would facilitate improved performance and achievement of a competitive edge. In addition, it would ensure the survival of the institution, the involvement in the development of the country and its impact to the global society.