Abstract of the Student #Thesis: Okesina, Musiliu
Local Government Councils (LGCs) are the closest tier of government to the people and play a pivotal role in governance. Their effectiveness is crucial to the wellbeing of the populace. However, LGCs in Nigeria, like many in developing countries, face numerous challenges including inefficiency, indiscipline, corruption, unskilled staff, inadequate resources, managerial ineptitude, and political instability. A significant issue for Nigerian LGCs is their failure to adopt strategic management practices to enhance organizational success and effectiveness. This study aims to explore strategic management practices in the public sector, focusing on LGCs in Nigeria, with an emphasis on the strategy formulation process. It also evaluates the impact of leadership styles and organizational culture on this process.
Using a mixed-method approach of surveys and structured interviews, this study assessed the current state of strategy formulation in LGCs, tested hypotheses regarding correlations between leadership styles, organizational culture, and modes of strategy formulation, and identified barriers to effective strategy formulation in LGCs.
Findings revealed that Nigerian LGCs employ a mix of different strategy formulation modes, with the symbolic mode being predominant. Spearman Rank’s correlation coefficients indicated a significant association between leadership styles, organizational culture, and the modes of strategy formulation in the public sector. This association is illustrated in the conceptual model derived from the findings. Additionally, organizational culture, structure, human capacity and training, resources, technological infrastructure, and the influence of political stakeholders were found to impact the effective practice of strategy formulation and, by extension, strategic management practices in LGCs.
It is recommended that council leaders adopt a collaborative approach to strategy formulation, establish an organizational structure that ensures adequate employee training, embrace technology, and improve resource management. These steps are essential for transforming LGCs from inefficient bureaucratic entities into performance-based organizations driven by an innovative and responsive culture.
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