Challenges Of Implementing Performance Contracting As A Tool For Strategy Implementation In Betting Control And Licensing Board

Abstract

Performance contracting is one the turnaround strategy implementation tools that have been adopted by the government to revitalize service delivery in the public service. The key objectives of introducing performance contracting strategy in the public service were to improve service delivery to the public. The objective of the study was to establish the challenges of implementing performance contracting as a tool for strategy implementation in Betting Control and Licensing Board. The design of the study was a case study. Primary data was collected through interview guide, where managers who had signed and were charged with the responsibility of implementing performance contracting in the Board were interviewed. The method of data analysis was content analysis. The data was then presented in a continuous prose as a qualitative report. The study established that the challenges the Board faced in the implementation of performance contracting were lack of commitment by the top leadership, lack of a defined organizational structure, negative organizational culture propagated by mistrust and inability to adapt new and emerging technology in gaming, poor communication, inadequate resources in funding and personnel, lack of proper and adequate training on performance contracting, poor monitoring and evaluation, and non involvement ol the officers charged with the implementation of the performance contracting in setting ol the contract targets. The study also found out that the performance of the Board was rated as good which is a score for performance below agreed targets. The study concluded that the Board is faced with challenges in the implementation of performance contracting as a tool tor strategy implementation, the performance ot the Board has been below agreed targets; hence the inability to meet both external and internal customer expectations. The study recommends that for successful implementation of performance contracting in the Board it was important for the challenges established to be addressed through practicing transformative leadership, develop a supportive organization structure based on the strategies the Board intends to achieve. The study also recommends further training of the officers involved in strategy implementation on performance contracting and change management. The Board should also embrace new and emerging technology in the gaming industry and formulation of any strategy should be a collective responsibility of all those to be involved in its execution. The Board should develop a communication strategy that would entail prompt feedback. The study recommends further research on the strategic planning process in the Board since the performance contracting targets arc drawn from the strategic plan. Additional research should also be carried out on the effect of performance contracting on performance. Further research should also be carried out on the perception ot performance contracting by middle and junior staff since this study was concerned only with the top management in the Board. These officers are part of the implementation and their views and position on the performance contracting should be sought. The findings from would be useful to the Board in implementation of future performance contracts and also in scholarly work in the area of performance contracting as well as policy formulation regarding performance contracting not only in the Board but also in other organizations facing challenges in implementation of performance contracting.