Purpose

This study aims to find out whether strategic plans contribute to change by exploring to what extent environmental (external and internal) perceptions of the public institutions changed in consecutive plans.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is an explorative case study of three metropolitan municipalities in Turkey: Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, which represent about one-third of population of the country. In this context, three consecutive strategic plans of metropolitan municipalities in question were examined based on a content analysis using a guideline developed by the author.

Findings

The findings reveal that the use of strategic plans as a guide is indispensable. The study argues that consecutive strategic plans of metropolitan municipalities are both conducive to change and are useful tools for the effectiveness of the strategy.

Research limitations/implications

While this study analyses the strategic plans regardless of considering the extent to which the institutions have achieved their desired goals, it recommends that the “strategic plans” should not only be used as rituals but also as a guide to change.

Practical implications

The study emphasizes the fact that strategic plans provide managers with the necessary tools to perform an analysis that gives insight into the extent to which they are able to manage the change when they compare their strategic plans and put them into practice in the consecutive periods.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the field by questioning the basis of criticisms of strategic planning in the context of public sector and shows how strategic plans play a role in tracing the change in institutions.

中文翻译：

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战略计划中环境观念的变化：以土耳其地方政府为例

目的

本研究旨在通过探索公共机构的环境（外部和内部）认知在连续计划中的变化程度来确定战略计划是否有助于改变。

设计/方法/方法

该研究是对土耳其三个大城市的探索性案例研究：伊斯坦布尔、安卡拉和伊兹密尔，它们约占该国人口的三分之一。在此背景下，根据使用作者制定的指南进行的内容分析，对所讨论的大城市的三个连续战略计划进行了审查。

发现

研究结果表明，使用战略计划作为指导是必不可少的。该研究认为，大都市的连续战略计划既有助于变革，又是提高战略有效性的有用工具。

研究限制/影响

尽管本研究不考虑机构实现其预期目标的程度而分析战略计划，但它建议“战略计划”不仅应用作仪式，还应作为变革的指南。

实际影响

该研究强调了这样一个事实，即战略计划为管理人员提供了必要的工具来进行分析，当他们比较他们的战略计划并在连续时期将其付诸实践时，可以深入了解他们能够管理变革的程度。

原创性/价值

本研究通过质疑公共部门背景下对战略规划的批评基础为该领域做出贡献，并展示了战略规划如何在追踪制度变化方面发挥作用。