Contract Management and Service Delivery in Selected Local Governments, Western Uganda.

ABSTRACT

This study assessed the level of contract management, and how it affects road works delivery cost, time, and quality. The researcher carried out this study while being guided by five research objectives: (1) to determine the profile of the respondents in terms of: Age, Gender, Highest educational qualification, (2) Position in department, relationship to program and length of involvement, to determine the extent of contract management in selected local governments in western Uganda, (3) to establish the level of effectiveness of service delivery in selected local governments in western Uganda, (4) to determine if there is a significant relationship between contract management and service delivery, and (5) to recommend ideas and strategies that will further enhance service delivery based on the findings of the study. A combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches was employed to collect and analyze the data. Population was characterized by district officials, service providers, end users and contracts. Purposive sampling and simple random sampling techniques were also used in selecting the actual respondents. A sample of 114 was created using Slovene’s formula. The study employed descriptive, correlation research designs. Three sets of self administered questionnaires were used to collect data from service providers, district officials and end users. The validity of the instrument was tested using Content Validity Index which was 0.93 and reliability using Cronbach’s alpha co-efficient and was 0.85. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson linear correlation co-efficient was also used in determining the degree of association between variables while regression analysis was used in determining the relationship between variables. The findings portrayed a moderate level (2.2) of contract management and a fair level of service delivery effectiveness indicated by a mean of 2.7. Findings further revealed a strong relationship between contract management and service delivery (r=0.875, p 0.000) while service timeliness had no relationship with contract management(r=0.556, p=0.061). Among other recommendations, the researcher recommends that all risks to contract management must be identified, managed and placed with the party best placed to manage them — possibly the provider and the government should endeavour to set policies that boost competition especially at district levels. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preliminary pages Page

Declaration A

Declaration B ii

Approval sheet iii

Dedication iv

Acknowledgement v

Table of contents vi

List of acronyms ix

List of tables x

Abstract xi

Chapter

One THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE 1

Background of the Study 1

Statement of the Problem 3

Purpose of the Study 3

Research Objectives 3

Research Questions 4

Hypothesis 4

Scope 4

Significance of the Study 5

Operational Definitions of Key Terms 5

Two REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE 6

Concepts, Ideas, Opinions from Authors/Experts 6

Conceptual Perspectives 15

Related Studies 16

Three METHODOLOGY 19

Research Design 19

Research Population 19

Sample Size 19

Sampling Procedure 20

Research Instrument 20

Validity and Reliability of the Instrument 20

Data Gathering Procedures 20

Data Analysis 21

Ethical Considerations 21

Limitations of the Study 21

Four PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION DATA 23

Profile of respondents 23

Extent of contract management 25

Level of effectiveness of service delivery 34

User’s views on the quality of roads 38

Relationship between contract management and

Service Delivery 40

Regression analysis between Service Delivery and

Contract Management 42

Five FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATION 43

Finding 43

Conclusions 45

Recommendations 46

References 49

Appendices 55

Appendix I - Transmittal Letter 55

Appendix II - Informed Consent 56

Appendix III - Research Instrument 57

Appendix IV - CVI 66

Appendix V - Reliability 71

Researchers Curriculum Vitae 72