An assessment of the role of strategic leadership in the promotion of organisational learning in non-governmental organisations. A case of Care Zimbabwe

Abstract

This research aimed to evaluate the role of strategic leadership in the promotion of organizational learning in Non- Governmental Organizations, with CARE Zimbabwe as a case study. The key objective of the research was to assess the role of strategic leadership in the promotion of organizational learning within CARE Zimbabwe The secondary objectives that guided the research were : to assess how organizational culture affects the promotion of organizational learning at CARE Zimbabwe, to assess how management of change in the influences promotion of organizational learning within CARE Zimbabwe, to design a strategic leadership model to promote organisational learning in Non-Governmental Organisations. Literature review showed that strategic leaders are the focal points in organisational learning. Empirical studies done in Asia, Kenya, South Africa, and Zimbabwe demonstrated a positive impact that leadership and organizational culture have in the development of learning organization. The empirical studies also discovered that strategic thinking, management of change and strategic direction has a positive and significant effect on the performance of the non-governmental organizations. The study adopted the interpretivism philosophy which enabled use of qualitative methods. A case study design was adopted for the study and a sample of 30 employess was drawn from the study population which consisted of employees of CARE Zimbabwe, including those in leadership positions who worked in Harare, Mutare, Bulawayo and Buhera using convenience sampling. Questionnaires were distributed to 5 employees in the executive leadership, 5 employees in the senior leadership, 5 employees in the extended leadership team and 15 employees with no leadership positions. 19 questionnaires were returned translating to a response rate of (76%). Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Results showed that strategic leadership has a role to play in the promotion of organizational learning in Non- Governmental Organizations. The study revealed that CARA Zimbabwe employees were failing to interact with learning platforms availed by the organization due to various reasons including network challenges in the remote areas that they operate in as well as time constraints. The study recommended provision of offline CARE Academy learning material so that employees in hard-to-reach network deprived areas can access and learn. The research also recommended the creation and sanctioning of specific times which are set aside for learning to ensure that all employees can learn without the fear of missing targets. Another recommendation from the research was the creation and strengthening of a Country Office knowledge management system that facilitates learning of new projects from recommendations of past ones.