Strategic Organization for Competitiveness in East African Universities

Abstract

The success of any organization is intricately tied to its ability to positively respond to environmental dynamics. Universities are no exception to environmental changes; due to global politics, economic and technological changes, fragmentation of consumer and business markets due to changing tastes and craving by consumers for specialized services. This has led to increasing the velocity of change, critical issue of time, bending shape of organizations, need to compete and yet innovate simultaneously, design and implement new organizational architectures. The challenge today is to design an organization architecture which is flexible and adaptable with ability to perform effectively in the face of uncertainty. This is not just for today but for a great time in the future. Whereas in other parts of the World Universities have been in a position to adapt to the changes and dynamics but Universities in E. Africa have lagged behind. These therefore calls for Universities in E. Africa to quickly adapt to the environmental changes, match global trends, become competitive and enhance effective service delivery. This paper highlights traditional organization in E. African Universities, changing environmental trends, current organizational challenges, and strategies for effective management of Universities. The strategies for organization will enhance University clock speed, establish structures that promote divergence, promote organization modularity, structure hybrid distribution channels, design symmetrical research and development, construct conflict management processes, maintain organizational coherence and develop executive teams that will manage the challenges in the new century.

Finally the strategies proposed are mindful of the current and future organizational environment.

Key Words: Strategies, Structures, Organization, and Environment