Examining the Achievements of the Balanced Scorecard as Public Sector Reform Tool: The Case of Some Selected Oromia Regional Government Bureaus

Abstract

Ethiopian government has shown  commitment to improve  public service delivery in public organizations  by launching different reform tools under the scope of civil service Reform Program. However, public service organizations performance has a number of deficiency in terms of effectiveness and efficient. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examining the achievements of the balanced scorecard (BSC) as public sector reform tool in some selected oromia regional government bureau. A descriptive survey type and both quantitative and qualitative approaches of data analysis were employed. The quantitative data was drawn from sampled 150 employees  for questionnaires purpose by  using probability sampling technique. Then the analysis of the quantitative data were made using descriptive statistics such as  frequency, percentage, cross tabulation , bar chart, Pearson chi-square test and spearman’s rho correlation  were used . The qualitative data was obtained through interview, focus group discussion and document analysis. The study revealed that due to  implementation of Balanced scorecard the bureaus performance were measured from citizens, financial, internal  process and learning and development perspectives and evaluation system were improved and strategic objectives of the organizations  were linked to the objectives of department, teams and individuals..  On the contrary, the findings of the study indicated majority of employees viewed as implementing Balanced scorecard  as duplication of business process reengineering(BPR) . Moreover, the implementation of balanced scorecard in selected bureaus faced lack of leadership support and commitment, lack of capacity building, poor communication, low information communication technology skills and poor monitoring and evaluation . Hence, the reality of the concepts and goals needs to internalize and play their active role in leading changes through implementation of balanced scorecard as solution   to make the public sector effectiveness and efficient.

Keywords: -  Balanced scorecard,  performance measures,   reform Tools

DOI: 10.7176/PPAR/10-3-02

Publication date:March 31^st 2020