Effect of performance contracting on service delivery in devolved governance system: a case study of county government of Kisii, Kenya
Date
2019
Authors
Mbugua, Skitter W.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Strathmore University
Abstract
The public service sector in Kenya has been undergoing changes and evolving over time with the aim of improving service delive1y to the citizens and cutting cost. Performance contracting emanated as a tool to be used in the management of public service and was started after the realization that public service was not clear about its goals also came about after realizing that what gets measured gets done. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between performance contracting and service delivery in the devolved governance system. The specific objectives of this study were: i) To dete1mine the relationship between performance contracting management on service delivery, ii) To dete1mine the relationship between the influence of human resource management and service delivery, iii) To investigate the relationship between financial management practice and service delivery, and iv) To establish the relationship between processes and procedures and service delivery in County Gove1nment of Kisii. The study was grounded on two major theories: institutional theory, and public value theory. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The study targeted 366 employees drawn from various departments within the county gove1nment of Kisii. Questionnaires were used as data collection instruments. The research findings indicate that respondents were in agreement that performance indicators match the core business of the department in devolved governments while quality assurance on performance contract was not really done before signing. County workers were aware of performance contracting while others indicated that performance contracting review was not given the value it deserves with others holding the opinion that reporting not followed. Further, it was established that competency development for county staff is not regularly done with respondents giving a moderate rating to the work environment in County Government of Kisii. Most respondents were in disagreement that job appraisal was being done in the county. The results indicate that most respondents indicated that they were not satisfied with the budgetary allocation in their departments, reasons that the respondents gave for their dissatisfaction with budgetary allocation in their departments were that; there were no funds allocated in some of the departments while others indicated that the allocated funds were inadequate. It was concluded that the effect of performance contracting management has a significant relationship with service delivery in devolved governance systems in Kisii County. Further, conclusions can be made that the effect of financial management practice has a significant relationship with service delivery in devolved governance systems and that the effect of processes and procedures has a significant relationship with service delivery in devolved governance systems in Kisii County.
Description
A Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the Degree of Masters of Business Administration at Strathmore University Business School
Keywords
Performance contracting, Service delivery, Public sector reforms, County Government_Kisii