The role of contract management in the performance of service providers in Uganda

Abstract

This paper seeks to examine the role of contract management in the performance of service providers in Uganda under 3 specific objectives that include; 1) to examine the importance of contract administration and oversight in the performance of service providers, 2) to examine the importance of relationship management in the performance of service providers, 3) to determine the relationship between contract monitoring and the performance of service providers. The performance of service providers is vital to both the government and the beneficiaries in regard to value for money and timely delivery of standard services but this is usually not achieved because of major problems that arise from poor record keeping and weak supervision of the service providers. The researcher used a case study design, both qualitative and quantitative approach in data collection enhanced by questionnaires and interviews and SPSS for the presentation of data. The target population of 50 respondents and a sample of 33 respondents were used to achieve the set of objectives. The study findings showed that contract administration plays key roles in the performance of service providers by enhancing the timely delivery of services specified under the contract. Secondly, the findings proved that managing the relationship between the service providers and the contracting authority greatly contributes to better performance due to timely response to conflicts that arise enhanced by effective communication between the two parties, thirdly, the study found out that there is a strong relationship between contract monitoring and the performance of service providers in such a way that contracts that are closely monitored results in to delivery of high quality goods and achievement of the organizational objectives. This amounted to the conclusion that contract administration and oversight is important in service provider performance, relationship management is critical to the success of contract management in regard to service provider performance and contract monitoring is strongly related to the performance of service providers. With this, the researcher recommended that more emphasis should be put on monitoring and supervision of contractual activities and service providers since it’s an alarming weakness and area of great need in contract management.