Title: The Impact Of Bureaucratic System And Public Sector Performance: A Study Of Delta State
Authors: EFEIZOMOR Victor, TUMBO Broderick, KIFORDU A.Anthony
Volume: 9
Issue: 7
Pages: 170-184
Publication Date: 2025/07/28
Abstract:
The public sector in Delta State is confronted with myriad challenges that hinder its ability to effectively deliver essential services to citizens One of the fundamental issues plaguing the sector is the centralized decision-making process, which often results in delayed and ineffective decision-making This top-down approach stifles innovation, creativity, and initiative among lower-level employees, leading to a lack of accountability and transparency Furthermore, the absence of standardization in processes and procedures exacerbates the problem, leading to inconsistencies in service delivery The lack of clear guidelines and protocols creates an environment conducive to bureaucratic red tape, inefficiency, and ineffectiveness , Consequently, resources are wasted, and citizens are denied access to quality services. Hence, This Research, three objective of study was formulated with research questions and hypotheses, four theories were used to understand the theoretical aspect of bureaucratic behavior, they include Rational Choice Theory, Public Choice Theory, Principal-Agent Theory, and Transaction Cost Theory. A sequential explanatory design were used in the collection and analysis of data with a population and sample size of 300 and 240 respectively, analyzed using descriptive statistics, inferential statistics (regression, ANOVA, t-test), factor analysis, and reliability analysis (Cronbach's Alpha) via SPSS, R, and AMOS. Qualitative data will be analyzed using thematic analysis and content analysis via NVivo, Atlas.ti, or MaxQDA. Findings shows that Centralized Decision-Making has the negative significant relationship between centralized decision-making and public sector performance (t =-4.38,=0.00) suggests that over-centralization hinders effective decision-making and ultimately affects performance. This supports previous research (e.g., [Author], [Year]) emphasizing the importance of decentralization in enhancing public sector performance. While there is significant negative relationship between standardization and public sector performance ( = -4.67, p = 0.00) indicates that excessive standardization may stifle innovation and adaptability, leading to decreased performance. This finding aligns with studies highlighting the limitations of standardization in dynamic environments. There is a strong negative relationship between formalization and public sector performance (t=-5.10,=0.00) suggests that excessive bureaucratic procedures can impede efficiency and effectiveness. The study recommends decentralizing decision-making authority, balancing standardization with flexibility, and streamlining bureaucratic procedures to enhance public sector performance. These findings contribute to the understanding of public sector performance and inform reform initiatives in Delta State, Nigeria. By implementing these recommendations, public sector organizations can improve their efficiency, effectiveness, and overall performance. Public sector managers should empower lower-level officials to make decisions, foster a culture of innovation and adaptability, and implement performance-based evaluations. Additionally, providing training and development programs for employees, encouraging citizen participation in decision-making processes, and establishing performance monitoring and evaluation systems are crucial. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies to examine the long-term effects of decentralization, comparative analyses of different standardization levels, and investigations into the role of technology in enhancing public sector efficiency.