Abstract:
An analysis of change implementation has often indicated that people tend to resist change especially if not
effectively implemented. Major failures are associated with the implementation phase. The general objective of this
study was to assess the implementation of strategic change in tertiary institutions; specifically to identify the change
implementation pitfalls in tertiary institutions, determine the strategies adopted by tertiary institutions in strategic
change implementation and determine the factors that influence the success of strategic change implementation in
tertiary institutions. The study adopted the force field theory of driving forces and restraining forces. The
population of the study was drawn from the staff and management of two government tertiary institutions in the
coastal region of Kenya. A sample size of 102 was targeted; however the real analysis was based on 98 respondents.
Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists version 12. The study revealed that strategic
change implementation is a critical phase in change management and institutions should involve all stakeholders and
work towards ensuring that the major pitfalls are mitigated and deliberate efforts to enhance the success factors. The
realization of the anticipated goals of the implementation of strategic change in tertiary institutions is to a greater
extend, however more capacity building on change management is necessary.
