ABSTRACT
Every
local government in Nigeria functions on a framework of bureaucracy. This
enables them to function optimally and with shared layers of responsibilities.
The essence of this research to suggest a policy framework
for improving bureaucratic effectiveness using Egor local government of Edo
State as the study. The theories adopted in the study were Max Weber’s Rational
Theory, Alvin Gouldner’s Bureaucratic Theory
and Donnellon’s Post-Bureaucratic Theory.The study adopted the survey research
design and population of the study consisted of the staff of Egor local
government of Edo state which is summed up to two hundred and seventy nine.
Sample size of the study was one hundred and sixty four (164) which was derived
using Taro Yamane statistical formula. The instrument for data collection was
the structured questionnaires. Frequency tables and simple percentages were
used to analyze the data. The results of the analysis show that the
bureaucratic system in Egor local government has been harsh, adversely affected
by bottlenecks, and therefore, needs thorough improvement and political
independence. Flexibility and fairness have been suggested as various
frameworks for improving bureaucratic effectiveness in Egor local government.
It is therefore the recommendation of this study that corrupt officials should
be sacked and the bureaucratic system in Egor local government should be
restructured and independent of political influence.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Title
page
Table
of contents
List
of tables
Abstract
CHAPTER ONE:
INTRODUCTION
1.1
Background of the study
1.2
Statement of the problem
1.3
Objectives of the study
1.4
Research questions
1.5
Significance of the study
1.6
Scope of the study
1.7
Limitations of the study
1.8
Operational Definition of Terms
CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF
RELATED LITERATURE
2.0
Introduction
2.1
Conceptual Framework
2.1.1
The concept of Bureaucracy
2.1.2
Threats of Bureaucracy
2.1.3
Need for Bureaucracy
2.1.4
Problems of the Nigerian Bureaucracy
2.1.5
Public Administration and Public Bureaucracy: The Nexus
2.1.6
Public Bureaucracy
2.1.7
Bureaucracy Corruption and the Failure of Local Government
Administration in Nigeria
2.1.8
The Bureaucratized Local Government and Employee Behaviour
2.1.9
Bureaucracy, the Nigeria Civil Service and Local Government
Employees
2.1.10
Concept of Policy Framework
2.2 Empirical Literature
2.3 Theoretical Framework
2.3.1 Max Weber’s Rational Theory
2.3.2 Alvin Gouldner’s
situational/degree bureaucratic theory
2.3.3 Donnellon’s Post-Bureaucratic
Theory
2.4 Summary of Reviewed Literature and
Gap in knowledge
CHAPTER
THREE: RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY
3.0 Introduction
3.1 Research design
3.2 Sources of Data
3.2.1 Primary Source of Data
3.2.2 Secondary Source of Data
3.3 Area of the Study
3.4 Population of the Study
3.5 Sample Size Determination
3.6 Sampling Technique
3.7 Instrumentation
3.8 Reliability of the Instrument
3.9 Validity of the Research Instrument
3.10 Method of Data Analysis
CHAPTER
FOUR: PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA
4.1 Instrument Distribution and Rate of
Return
4.2 Data presentation
4.3 Data Analyses
4.4 Discussion of finding
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1 Summary of findings
5.2 Conclusion
5.3 Recommendations
Bibliography
Appendix
CHAPTER
ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1
Background of the Study
Basically, bureaucracy
involves a hierarchical positioning of jobs and responsibilities in such a
planned and rational manner and guided by such internal rules and regulations
as to obviate the intermixture of personal interests with official
functions/roles (Ozor, 2004). The rules and regulations also define the duties
of members and the procedures for carrying out official duties based on formal
structures and authority. In simple terms, bureaucracy is a formal
administrative structure with distinct operational features that include
division of labour, hierarchy of authority, impersonality, rationality,
neutrality and system of rules among others (Ezeani, 2006).
Bureaucracy is often
heard and used in connection with the conduct of public affairs and the
activities of public officials; who are usually known as civil servants in
charge of government agencies. To these set of workers bureaucracies glaringly
appear inevitable because of related work activities that is broad,
hierarchical structures involved in work management, divided work
responsibilities and complex paperwork associated with modern organizations
(Adebayo, 2007)
In ideal situations,
bureaucracy is known and desired essentially for its reliability, efficiency,
speed, dependability and effectiveness in implementing policies. This is what
it actually is, to a very reasonable extent, in developed nations. In
developing nations, like Nigeria however, the bureaucracy appears to be
obviously far from being such as its operations and activities is very much
fraught with some challenges arising from the existence of certain negative
factors and circumstances.
Bureaucracy, according
to Max Weber, the acclaimed father of modern bureaucracy, is a must for modern
organization. It regulates work carried out among many people, with different
responsibilities and tasks through rules and regulations, in a hierarchical
upward relationship which serves as a control.
A policy framework on
the other hand is a logical structure that is established to organize policy
documentation into groupings and categories that make it easier for employees
to find and understand the contents of various policy documents. Policy
frameworks can also be used to help in the planning and development of the
policies for an organization. In line with this, this study is empirically
anchored on suggesting a policy framework for
improving bureaucratic effectiveness using Egor local government of Edo state
as the case study.
1.2
Statement of the Problem
The bureaucracy
with its formal design was adopted in Nigeria with the view of maximizing
efficiency in administration and delivery of services.
A fully developed bureaucracy has the advantage of bringing precision,
unambiguity, continuity, unity, strict subordination and reduction of friction
and cost into an administrative process. This further implies that with its
application in Nigeria context, higher
productivity, and development were the yearning expectations of its citizens
(Onah, 2011).
One obvious quagmire in
the existing local government is the ineffectiveness of the existing
bureaucratic processes. The obvious and unnecessary bureaucratic bottlenecks in
these government agencies call for proper modification and a better
bureaucratic framework. In the Nigerian Local Government system
for instance, the tape-like movement of work and participation of political
elites in the administration of the LGS is problematic. The ‘red tapism of
bureaucracy produces corruption. (Abiola, 2006).
Employees become lazy and ‘drag foot’ in doing work they are paid to do,
causing unnecessary delay. The changing patterns of local GovernmentExecutives
stiffen further the order in which rules and regulation operate and workers are
plunged into uncertainty of what a new administration may want to emphasize.
Bureaucracy is not rational as Weber put it in this case; it would be more
comfortable to assert that irrationality orders it. If human beings are to do
their work according to the rules and regulation practiced in “an organization,
definitely rationality would be put to question. The conditions that would
evolve would have de-humanizing effects both in the use of the human intellect
and self-esteem. It is on the basis of the above that this study is motivated
to suggest a policy framework for improving bureaucratic
effectiveness using Egor local government of Edo state as the case study.
1.3
Objectives of the Study
The broad objective of
this study is to proffer a policy framework for improving bureaucratic
effectiveness in Egor local government of Edo state. In line with this, the
following specific objectives will be actualized:
1. To
examine the existing problems surrounding the bureaucratic process in Egor
local government of Edo state.
2. To
suggest a policy framework that will improve bureaucratic effectiveness in Egor
local government of Edo state.
1.4
Research Questions
The following research
questions will guide this study:
1. What
are the existing problems surrounding the bureaucratic process in Egor local
government of Edo state?
2. Which
policy framework will improve bureaucratic effectiveness in Egor local
government of Edo state?
1.5
Significance of the Study
The primary significance of this study is that it
will reveal the existing bureaucratic process in the local government
administration and thus suggest a more functional and better policy framework
that will improve the effectiveness of bureaucracy.
Another
significance of this study lies in the
fact that it will serve as a guide to
both
policy planners and implementators on the mechanisms of checkmating excessive
abuse of power by public office holders, in Egor local government area.
Equally this will
help in bringing good policies that will yield to the completion of projects
embarked upon by any government agency especially the local governments.
Again, it will become a stimuli and
basis for future research in the field.
Finally,
Scholars, policy planners and implementators including the general public whose
aim is geared toward improving their research desire as well as transforming
the society will find the work relevant.
1.6
Scope of the Study
The focus of
this study is to suggest a policy framework for improving
bureaucratic effectiveness. This study used Egor local government of Edo state
as the study given that the aforementioned local government has a functional
bureaucratic scenario suitable for the study.
Limitations of the Study
No research by nature is free from some delimitation
that may creep in to compromise the quality and reliability of the study. In
the course of this study, the researcher encountered two major threats.
Distance:
This
is an obvious threat to the researcher given that the distance between Edo
state and the researcher’s school of residence is significant. However, the
researcher stationed a representative in the human personnel department of the
local government to obtain vital information concerning the local government.
This is done through phone calls and email communication. However, during the
time of questionnaire distribution, the researcher will have to visit the local
government herself so as to obtain needed information from the respondents.
Financial
Constraints: Money by nature is relatively scarce;
this carrying out a study of this nature requires enormous financial demands.
This was really a threat to the researcher. To overcome this, the researcher
adopted a cost minimization strategy by engaging in optimal expenditure
concerning the project and also soliciting for financial assistance from
friends and family.
1.8
Definition of Terms
Bureaucracy:
This
is a system made up of an excessively complicated administrative
procedure.
Framework:
In
the context of this study, this is defined as a supporting structure around
which something can be built.
Policy:
This
is seen as a set of ideas, or plans that is used as a basis for making
decisions.
Local
Government: This
is defined as Government at the local level exercised through representative
council established by law to exercise specific powers within defined areas.
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