| This dissertation examined the perspectives of higher education business unit leaders on the creation and implementation of a strategic plan. All institutions were accredited by the specialty accrediting body, The International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE). The purpose of this qualitative study was to reveal the perspectives of leaders in academic business units/divisions regarding their ability to create and implement effective strategic plans. These individuals, who have been exposed in either their educational or experiential background to the models and practices of strategic planning, should be the expert in pulling together working strategic plans for their institutions.;The data were collected from the higher education business unit leaders focusing on open ended questions in five topical areas: (1) education/experience, (2) accountability and transparency, (3) process and framework, (4) achievement of successful plans, and (5) budget integration. The researcher addressed limitations and challenges in each area. This research explored evidence of actual use of models found in literature, the extent to which they are used, and evidence of the successful implementation by leaders.;Four emergent themes emergent themes were the basis of four grounded theories for a strategic plan model in academia. Implications for business leaders were recommended for the future research.;The emergent themes analyzed from the participant's responses of this study addressed (1) accountability and transparency, which included driving forces to strategic plan, (2) the process and framework of their plan creation, (3) Achievement of successful plans, and (4) budget integration and resource allocation. The grounded theories created from this study were created from analysis of the emergent themes. |
