International Journal of Management and Leadership Studies
2025; 6(i): 419-434
ISSN:
2311 7575
EFFECT OF STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION AND STRATEGY EVALUATION ON THE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICE SMES IN KISUMU COUNTY, KENYA
Phyllis Aoko Okoth and Mr. Brown Kitur
Published:
01 December, 2025
Volume:
6
Issue:
i
Keywords:
Strategy Implementation, Strategy Evaluation, Financial Performance, Balanced Scorecard, SMEs, Kisumu County
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) remain pivotal to Kenya’s economic development
through job creation, innovation, and income generation. Despite their importance,
professional service SMEs often experience weak financial performance due to poor
execution and inadequate monitoring of strategic plans. This study examined the effect
of strategy implementation and strategy evaluation on the financial performance of
professional service SMEs in Kisumu County, Kenya. Anchored on the Balanced
Scorecard Model and the Dynamic Capabilities Theory, the study adopted a descriptive
research design targeting 245 professional service SMEs, with a sample of 152 selected
through stratified random sampling. Data were collected using structured questionnaires
and analysed through descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS version 28.
Reliability was confirmed with a Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient of 0.83. Regression results
indicated that both strategy implementation (β = 0.229, p < 0.01) and strategy evaluation
(β = 0.263, p < 0.001) had positive and statistically significant effects on financial
performance, jointly explaining 72.4% of the variation in performance (R² = 0.724). The
study concludes that consistent implementation and continuous evaluation of strategies
enhance profitability, liquidity, and growth. It recommends that SMEs institutionalize
structured implementation frameworks with clear performance indicators and feedback
mechanisms to ensure strategic alignment and long-term sustainability.