The Influence of Organizational Capacity on Employee Performance in Local Authorities in Zambia: Case of Ndola City Council

Abstract

This study explored the influence of organizational capacity on employee performance in local authorities in Zambia, using Ndola City Council as a case study. The study used a mixed methods design. Ndola City Council (NCC) employees were the primary targets and they were selected by probability sampling, while a fraction of members of the Ndola community and other stakeholders were selected using non-probability sampling. Consequently, questionnaires were administered to Ndola City Council employees using a Survey questionnaire, key informant interviews were conducted with Management staff from Ndola City Council, Ndola community members and other stakeholders were also interviewed. Data obtained from the survey questionnaire was analysed quantitatively from the Survey Monkey Software and data obtained from interviews was analysed qualitatively through the thematic approach.

This study established that generally, the main organizational capacities at Ndola City Council are Managerial, Technical and Fiscal Capacity. These capacities have influence on the performance of employees as is evident in this study. When organizational capacity is adequate, there is good employee performance which positively affects service delivery. The study revealed that the local authority is well structured, planning is done in line with policies, NCC staff are adequate and qualified, NCC staff are paid on time and finances are used for their intended purpose. This leads to good employee performance. When organizational capacity is not effective, employee performance is compromised and this has a negative impact on service delivery. The findings have demonstrated that there is unequal treatment of departments at NCC, poor collaboration between NCC and the community, NCC has inadequate equipment (for example; waste management trucks, computers, etc), inadequate finances, NCC is facing increasing expenditure without additional revenues, and staff salaries are low at NCC. This leads to poor performance of employees. Further, the study concluded that, community members and other stakeholders do not comply as expected and this has contributed to the local authority not being able to deliver services accordingly. There are a number of implementable ways of enhancing NCC’s employee performance in the context of organizational capacity like; treating all departments of the council equally, increasing council workers’ wages, investing in equipment, need for more commercial ventures, and the need for more interactions between NCC, the community and other stakeholders. The research therefore, recommends that, the local authority finds ways of increasing the organizational capacity by increasing the revenue base, creating more revenue collection ventures and ensuring that the local authority and resources are well managed. In addition, the study recommends that, the government and NCC strengthen compliance of the community and other stakeholders to regulations. This will help improve organizational capacity, which will improve employee performance and consequently service delivery.