Outsourcing of the Delivery of Non-Core Services in Tanzanian Public Service Institutions: A Case of the President’s Office – Public Service Management (PO-PSM)

Abstract

This study was done at PO-PSM and 56 respondents participated and the general objective is to investigate the performance of outsourced services in the Tanzania public service institutions. Specific objectives are to: Determine employees’ perceptions on the decision of the government to outsource non-core public services, examine the outsourcing process, to identify the problems facing public service institutions on the implementation of outsourcing of the delivery of non-core services, and determine the extent government has been solving the problems of outscoring. Research design used was the case study. Data collection methods used were interviews, observation and documentary review. Analysis of data was done based on research objectives. Findings indicated that; outsourcing was perceived as an acceptable tool for improving the delivery of non-core public services; there was remarkable improvement in the delivery of  cleaning and ground maintenance and security services,  implementation of outsourcing was static; feasibility study for outsourcing non-core services was outdated; inadequate capacity for negotiation and bargaining with the private sector, inadequate systems to monitor and evaluate the performance of the outsourced services and delayed payments for the private service providers. Conclusively, outsourcing is a tool effectively used by public service institutions to improve the delivery of non-core services. This should be extended to more strategic non-core activities. It is recommended that public service to broaden the scope of coverage of outsourcing and evaluation of the outsourcing and evaluating the performance of outsourced services; and institute a culture of timely payments for the outsourced services.