There are many SMEs across the world which are affected by ineffective succession planning or lack of it. Information Communication Technology is one of the most important drivers of succession planning especially of information technology firms because of their dynamic nature which poses a challenge for the firm’s achievement of sustainable competitive advantage. A survey questionnaire was used to collect data from SMEs firms. A mixed method research design was used to collect data which included both qualitative and quantitative research. The quantitative research gauged the uptake of ICT strategies by SME firms through the review of some of the firms’ documents. The quantitative data was collected using a semi structured questionnaire in order to capture clear responses about the subject matter. The research used quantitative design which targeted SME firms in major cities in Kenya because they were deemed to be the ones who drive Kenya’s economy. The questionnaire was tested for reliability and validity using Cronbach’s Alpha. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics through Statistical Package for Social Scientists(SPSS). The study sought to establish the role of information systems strategy, knowledge management strategy and innovation capability strategy in the succession planning of SMEs.The research established that Information Communication Technology strategy with reference to succession planning played a key role in driving firms and giving technological related solutions to businesses. The researcher had difficulties confirming the truthfulness of the responses from respondents. Some IT firms were not cooperative in offering information for the research. The research added to the body of knowledge in the area of SMEs strategy and succession planning and the results could be replicated in future researches. Succession planning also provided SMEs with an excellent opportunity for sharing of knowledge and experiences with who would be successors. The study used variables that had not been commonly used such as information systems strategy, knowledge management strategy and innovation capability strategy.
Keywords: Information systems strategy, innovation capability strategy., knowledge management strategy
