Impact of Employee Motivational Strategies on Public Service In Tanzania: A Case of Dodoma City Council

Abstract

Employee motivation is widely regarded as an important organisational resource for improving performance and service delivery. However, evidence concerning the extent to which employee motivational strategies (EMS) are associated with public service (PS) outcomes in Tanzanian local government remains limited. This study assessed the association between EMS and PS in Dodoma City Council (DCC), Tanzania.

A mixed-methods approach and descriptive research design were employed. Quantitative data were collected from 351 public servants using a closed-ended questionnaire, while qualitative evidence was obtained through unstructured interviews with heads of departments and units. Simple random sampling was used for the questionnaire respondents and purposive sampling for interview participants. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation and simple linear regression. Qualitative data were analysed through content analysis.

The five motivational indicators recorded means ranging from 3.40 to 4.01. Recognition from superiors had the highest mean (M = 4.01, SD = 1.001), followed by autonomy in decision-making (M = 3.91, SD = .917) and career growth and development opportunities (M = 3.88, SD = .941). EMS was positively and significantly associated with PS, although the association was weak in magnitude, r = .163, p = .002, N = 351. Regression analysis produced R = .163, R² = .027, adjusted R² = .024, F (1, 349) = 9.503, p = .002. Thus, EMS explained 2.7% of the observed variance in PS in this model. The EMS coefficient was positive and statistically significant (B = .151, SE = .049, β = .163, t = 3.083, p = .002). Interview evidence reinforced the quantitative findings by emphasising recognition, fair compensation, career development, autonomy and supportive working conditions.

The null hypothesis that EMS has no significant impact on PS in DCC was rejected on the basis of statistically significant association and predictive evidence. Nevertheless, the weak association and low explained variance indicate that EMS is only one of several factors related to PS. Because the study used a cross-sectional, self-report design, the findings should not be interpreted as definitive causal evidence.