CHAPTER ONE

1.1  Background To The Study

In the 20th century, the subject of strategic planning has been particularly applied to Organizations. It is viewed as the science and art of the formulation, implementation and evaluation of cross-functional decisions that enable an organization to achieve its objective.  Strategic planning applies the integration of all functional units in the organization consisting of marketing, finance and accounting, operations and production and management to attain organizational success. Strategic planning constitute as an organizational process which aims at channeling both human and other organizational resources in the profitable attainment of the needs of customers and other principal stakeholders. Strategic planning implementation is guided by the stated policies, mission statement and strategic goals and objectives. The behavior of top management and other key managers in the organization. Strategic management requires the specification of strategic aims and objectives in the light of its internal resources and external factors. It specifies the target customers to serve with the right product and services through the effective and efficient allocation of resources (Cole, 1997).Strategic planning as explain by Lamb (1984) indispensable for SMES to be more proactive and secure the future. The research therefore seek to investigate Effects of strategic planning on the performance of SMES in south-west Nigeria

1.2  Statement of the Problem

The growing significance of SMES cannot be overemphasized in view of its contribution to the economic growth of the country through the provision of employment for a large segment of the population and revenue derivation.

However SMES are faced with challenges in respect of formulating and implementing strategic plans. The inability to be proactive and secure the future with success has been the reason for many folding up of SMES and as well as their inability to grow rapidly. Consequently management experts have advocated the need for SMES to deploy strategic planning as a measure to ensure the effective and efficient channeling of resources to profitably meet the growing needs of customers with innovative products and services. Many of the growing challenges encountered by SMES in the evolution and implementation of strategic planning include management inability to support strategy, lack of adequate resources, no alignment of activities with strategy and inability to manage change and lack of human resources to implement strategic plans. Consequently the problem confronting the research is to appraise Effects of strategic planning on the performance of SMES in south-west Nigeria

1.3  Objectives of the Study

To appraise the nature and effect of strategic planning on SMES performance.

To determine the Effects of strategic planning on the performance of SMES in south-west Nigeria

Strategic planning applies the integration of all functional units in the organization consisting of marketing, finance and accounting, operations and production and management to attain organizational success. Strategic planning constitute as an organizational process which aims at channeling both human and other organizational resources in the profitable attainment of the needs of customers and other principal stakeholders. Strategic planning implementation is guided by the stated policies, mission statement and strategic goals and objectives. The behavior of top management and other key managers in the organization. Strategic management requires the specification of strategic aims and objectives in the light of its internal resources and external factors. It specifies the target customers to serve with the right product and services through the effective and efficient allocation of resources (Cole, 1997)

1.4  Research Questions

What is the strategic planning?

What is the effect of strategic planning on SMES performance

What is the effect of strategic planning on SME performance in south- west Nigeria?

1.5  Significance of the Study

The study provides an avenue for SMES to understand the tools of strategic planning and strategic management towards facilitating the improvement of their performance.

The growing significance of SMES cannot be overemphasized in view of its contribution to the economic growth of the country through the provision of employment for a large segment of the population and revenue derivation.

However SMES are faced with challenges in respect of formulating and implementing strategic plans. The inability to be proactive and secure the future with success has been the reason for many folding up of SMES and as well as their inability to grow rapidly. Consequently management experts have advocated the need for SMES to deploy strategic planning as a measure to ensure the effective and efficient channeling of resources to profitably meet the growing needs of customers with innovative products and services.

1.6  Research Hypothesis

Ho The Effects of strategic planning on the performance of SMES in south-west Nigeria is low

Hi The Effects of strategic planning on the performance of SMES in south-west Nigeria is high

1.7  Scope of the Study

The study focuses the appraisal of Effects of strategic planning on the performance of SMES in south-west Nigeria

1.8  Limitations of the Study

The study was confronted with some constraints including logistics and geographical factors

1.9  Definition of Terms

INTERNAL ENVIRONMENT

The internal environment of the firm consist of the factors within the firm

Comprising of its strengths and weaknesses, resources, culture and structure (Beal, 2000)

PERFORMANCE MEASURE

Performance measurement consist of  the informative methodology of what to measure and how to measure it

OBJECTIVE DEFINED

The Objectives of the firm is regarded as the outcome or   result of the planned activities of the firm which must be consistent with the mission, targets and objectives of the firm.  (Johnson et al., 2007).

STRATEGIC PLANNING DEFINED

It is viewed as the science and art of the formulation, implementation and evaluation of cross-functional decisions that enable an organization to achieve its objective. Strategic planning applies the integration of all functional units in the organization consisting of marketing, finance and accounting, operations and production and management to attain organizational success.

STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT DEFINED

 Strategic management consist of  those managerial decisions and actions which channels the resources of the firm towards the attainment of the long term objectives of the firm taking into consideration both the internal and external factors  of external opportunities and threats and  organization‘s strengths and weaknesses . Wheelen and Hungers‘study (2006),