Response strategies of International Non - Governmental organizations in Nairobi to changes in the Micro-environment

The environment in which organizations operate is constantly changing with different \nfactors influencing organizations. Since the turn of the millennium, the general business \nenvironment has become more volatile, unpredictable and very competitive. Decisions by \nmanagers have a strategic impact and contribute to strategic change. This study was \ndesigned to determine environmental challenges that face International Non \nGovernmental Organizations and to identify the responses adopted by the company to \ndeal with the changes in the macro environment. \nThe study was carried out using a census survey design. Data was collected using a semistructured \nquestionnaire which was administered using drop and pick method. Several \npersonal visits to the premises were held to prompt the respondents to respond. The \nsample size for the study was 26 managers in the company. Statistical Package for the \nSocial Sciences (SPSS) was used to generate data which was analyzed using descriptive \nstatistics. Certain limitations were experienced by the researcher which may have \ninfluenced the final results of the study. \nAccording to the research, INGOs have certain categories of service. It was confirmed \nthat several of these organizations specialized in more than one category. For example an \nINGO was found to specialize in Health and Relief development, Education and Youth \ndevelopment. Most of the organizations had operated in the country for over 20years, \nshowing that they were fully established in the country . \nThe study showed that the INGOs faced a lot of challenges from economical changes, \ntechnological changes, political changes, competition and finally socio- cultural changes \nrespectively. The industry has responded to challenges in the economic environment by \nadapting multiple sources of funding from other institutions, for the political changes the \norganizations have widely adapted the joint venture strategy, where by the organizations \njoin forces with the government, private organizations or NGOs so as to accomplish their \nobjectives. Other changes i.e. socio-cultural, technological and competition, the INGOs \napplied the diversification into new products or services, computerization and \noutsourcing strategies respectively.