The Reality of Strategic Planning at the Coastal Municipalities Water Utility from the Perspective of Employees in the Water Sector

Abstract

This study aimed at identifying the reality of strategic planning through the following dimensions (vision development, mission and objectives, internal and external environment analysis, development of strategies, implementation strategies, monitoring and evaluation) at Coastal Municipalities Water Utility (CMWU) - Gaza governorates. The study adopted the descriptive and analytical approach to conduct the study, which was applied to a sample of all workers in the Coastal Municipalities Water Utility;  and those who have job positions; head section and higher, directors of departments who are following the CMWU in the Palestinian Water Authority. These include managers of water departments and engineers responsible for water services in the Gaza Strip municipalities, and engineers who follow the work of the CMWU of supporting partner institutions, and engineers who are following the work of CMWU of consulting engineering offices. The study included (130) samples.

The results showed the existence of high approval from the research sample on the level of implementation of the strategic planning in the (CMWU).  The study also showed no differences in the averages of the respondents responses on strategic planning at CMWU due to (gender, age, educational qualification and job titles), whereas the study found differences in the averages of the respondents responses about strategic planning due to years of experiences.

The study concluded with several recommendations, the most important is aimed at strengthening the role of the mission in the strategic planning process, through understanding of the employees to the contents of the mission to be guided while performing their different activities within CMWU.   The study also recommends that we give the opportunity for those working in the CMWU to participate in the strategic planning process because it helps to participate in the implementation.  Moreover, it is important that an effective incentive system which would contribute to the implementation of strategic plans be developed so as to increase the efficiency of work and the achievement of objectives of the institution.