The Prospects for the Implementation of Results Based Management in Service Delivery in Urban Local Authorities: A Case of Mutare City Council

Abstract

This study seeks to analyse the prospects of the implementation of Results Based Management (RBM) in service delivery in urban local authorities. It sought to bring out how RBM helps to improve the delivery of services by urban local authorities. In this study 30 residents, 12 staff members at city council and 7 key informants were the research participants. Open-ended questionnaires, key informant and unstructured interviews are the research instruments that were used in this research. Findings from the research showed that RBM plays a crucial role in enhancing better service delivery in local authorities. It ensures that results in terms of services are produced given that there has been a crisis whereby urban local authorities are failing to provide sufficient services to the citizens. Such critical services included water, road network, refuse collection, the environment. However, there are notable challenges faced by urban local authorities in implementing RBM. For the implementation of RBM to be successful among urban local authorities, this study recommends that there should adequate resources. The government must chip in and provide grants to local authorities and the local authorities themselves have to engage into partnerships. The salary level needs to be improved. All officials and employees need sufficient training and education in RBM to become skilled and competent. It is necessary for the implementation of RBM to use a bottom-up approach.