Succession Planning Strategies at the Bahamas’ Ministry of Education: A Case Study

Abstract

An exploratory single-case study was conducted to explore how government executives perceive the strategies for the current succession planning process, which include a competency model and the needed changes within the Ministry of Education in The Bahamas. The theoretical foundations for this study were the competency model and the five-step succession planning model. A qualitative methodology and single case study research design addressed the research questions. For this study, purposive sampling was used to choose a sample from a given population unit comprised of 12 executives. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, and focus groups. Thematic analysis was used to discover emerging themes and organize the study using qualitative data. The following eight themes emerged from the data: 1) building capacity through succession planning strategies; 2) recognition of staff training and mentoring; 3) ultimate leadership preparation; 4) transformation through organizational growth changes; 5) required changes at the Ministry regarding weaknesses in the current succession planning system; 6) coaching techniques; 7) individual factors/development; and 8) skills development and skills set. Recommendations for future research that include the model and the theoretical foundations for this study are presented.