Theoretically strategic planning improves management activities, employee motivations, and ultimately, organizational performance. Comprehensive interpretive planning, a form of strategic planning, also should theoretically assists organizations that provide interpretive services by identifying audiences, key stories, interpretive themes, and goals regarding visitor experiences. However, many in the field find both the process as well as products associated with strategic planning ineffective. This study sought to examine the influence of strategic planning on strategic management, and the influence of both on workplace conditions, employees’ organizational commitment, and organizational performance. We created an online questionnaire and administered it to all National Park Service (NPS) employees with Interpretation & Education responsibilities at any of the 424 NPS units in 2023. Results suggest that strategic plans are important both for employees’ commitment to the organization and for the organization’s overall performance. Results also suggest that strategic management activities, which include holding employee’s accountable for work tasks; regularly seeking to improve programs and services; collaborating with external stakeholders and partners; communicating clear job performance expectations and feedback; having clear goals and measuring performance toward these goals are also important for improving employees’ commitment to the organization and for overall performance. The implications for theory and practice are discussed.
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