Strategic Management Practices and Governance in Local Governments: An Empirical Study of Mufindi District Council, Tanzania

This study examines the effectiveness of strategic management practices (SMPs) in local governments, using Mufindi District Council in Tanzania as a case study. The study also investigates the adoption and implementation of SMPs in the council, and their impact on governance and service delivery. A mixed-methods approach was used, combining both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods. The findings revealed that the council has adopted various SMPs, including situation analysis, strategic formulation, strategic implementation, and strategic evaluation. However, the study also identifies several challenges that hinder the effective implementation of SMPs, including inadequate human resources, limited financial resources, and poor coordination and communication. The study concludes that SMPs have a positive impact on governance and service delivery in the council, but their effectiveness is compromised by various internal and external factors. The study recommends that the council should prioritize capacity building, resource mobilization, and stakeholder engagement to enhance the effectiveness of SMPs. The findings of this study contribute to the existing literature on SMPs in local governments and provide insights for policymakers and practitioners seeking to improve governance and service delivery in local governments.