Management Consultancy Services and Financial Performance of Non-Governmental Organisations in Mityana District: A Case Study of Busimbi Sub-County.

Abstract

MINAANI KAKOOZA NOA (2008-03-MBA-FT-008) Management Consultancy Services and Financial Performance of Non-Governmental Organisations in Mityana District: A Case Study of Busimbi Sub-County This research was concerned with management consultancy and financial performance of non-governmental organisations in Mityana district. The purpose of the research was to establish the effects of management consultancy as a practice on financial performance of Community-Based non-governmental organisations in Mityana district using Busimbi sub-county as a case for study. The researcher examined availability, accessibility and use of management consultancy services by NGOs/CBOs in Busimbi sub-county. The researcher investigated the effects of management consultancy on financial performance of NGOs/CBOs and the challenges faced by the NGOs/CBOs in utilising management consultancies to improve their financial performance in Busimbi sub-county. The study sample comprised 4 members of the district NGO/CBO Forum, 5 Community Development Officers and 165 NGO/CBO Executive |Committee members representing 55 Community-based Organisations in Busimbi sub-county. Data collection was facilitated by the use of self-administered questionnaires (SAQs) and interview schedules. The results revealed that a very small percentage of NGOs/CBOs in Busimbi sub-county utilised management consultancy services. The results suggested that socio-economic factors constrained the ability of NGOs/CBOs in accessing and using management consultancy services. The results further suggested that respondents were largely unaware of the existence of such services within easy reach. The findings further suggested that NGOs/CBOs were willing to utilise management consultancy services if they were within easy reach and affordable. The results revealed that the NGOs/CBOs which utilised management consultancy services stood better chances to manage their finances as compared to those that did not. From the results obtained, it was evident that the measures that were put in place by Mityana district, the community services department and the district NGO/CBO forum to support registered non-governmental organisations in the management of their finances were inadequate. It can, therefore, be concluded that little was being done to enhance financial performance of NGOs/CBOs through management consulting. Poor NGO/CBO policies combined with unavailability of locally-based and affordable Management Consultancy firms limited the opportunities of NGOs/CBOs in Busimbi sub-county to access and use management consultancy services. The researcher, therefore, recommended all stakeholders of NGOs/CBOs in Mityana district to revisit and streamline NGO/CBO policies for greater performance standards in financial management if those non-governmental organisations were to continue to serve the objects for which they were created and officially recognised. The researcher recommends a keener interest by apex institutions (district community service department and district NGOs/CBOs forum leadership) in designing mutually advantageous programmes to enhance financial performance of NGOs/CBOs and hence bring about sustainable service delivery to a growing clientele so that NGOs/CBOs can achieve a lasting relationship with local and external stakeholders. Key words: Community, Consultancy, Performance