Study of the Structural Limitation Affecting Implementation of the GovernmentPerformance and Results Act in Air Force Materiel Command Logistics

摘要

This thesis provides an in-depth discussion of the Government Performance andResults Act (GPRA) of 1993. The GPRA is a new law that mandates strategic management be conducted in all federal government agencies. Soon all federal government agencies will be directed to comply with the requirements of the law and implement strategic management within their organizations. This study selected Air Force Materiel Command Headquarters (AFMC) logistics organizations and subordinate units as the test organization. Interviews were conducted with headquarters AFMC logistics and strategic planning personnel, as well as 88th Logistics Group personnel to evaluate several issues within their organization: (1) level of knowledge of the GPRA; (2) types of formal and informal communication and decision-making processes, and (3) awareness of strategic management and its purpose within an organization. Results reflected a lack of prior knowledge of the GPRA, top-down communication and decision-making functions, and minimum level of awareness of the concept of strategic management and its intended purpose within an organization. This lack of information, and apparently incompatible structural design may pose serious challenges for those tasked with the implementation of the GPRA. Recommendations are made which may help to promote a more successful introduction to these formalized strategic planning procedures.