Browsing by Author "Pessa, Joseph Cassian"

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    Electronic records management in local government authorities; case studies of Kinondoni municipal council, Bagamoyo and Kilosa district council
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2014) Pessa, Joseph Cassian
    This research assessed the management of electronic records in Local Government Authorities (LGAs) in Tanzania to establish how continued access and use of e-records generated by LGAs can be enhanced. It was conducted in three LGAs of Kinondoni, Kilosa and Bagamoyo, Lunga- Lugoba using a survey research design. A combination of the Records Life Cycle Model and functionalist perspectives formed the theoretical foundation of the study. Both qualitative and quantitative research approaches were used to collect requisite data through participant observation, questionnaire and key informants interviews. In all, 255 LGAs workers participated in the study. The collected data were analysed using SPSS. More specifically, this study examined the types of e-¬records generated by LGAs and determined how LGAs manage the e-record they generate to ensure continued access. Also, it identified problems the LGAs faced in managing e-records and appraised strategies used in optimising ERM for continued access and use in LGAs. The findings indicate that LGAs increasingly use computers for financial, tax and land information management. In the process they generate many e-records. However, the management of these e-records for continued access and use was given low priority due to inadequate support from top management, lack of appropriate policy, laws and regulations, budgetary constraints and due to lack of training opportunities and comprehensive schemes of service for records personnel. To address these challenges LGAs involve stakeholders from different Departments and IT Managers; use computerised systems to create, send, receive, capture, maintain, identify and use e-records. The study concludes that LGAs have low level of ERM, lack ERM strategy and top management support despite increasingly generating a lot of electronic records for accountability, legal responsibility and functional purposes. Moreover, ERM is not integrated in all the LGAs functions. On the basis of the findings and conclusions, concerted efforts at the National, Ministerial and LGAs level are needed in order to develop ERM policy and legislative as well as ERM infrastructure, prepare separate budgets and train workers on proper management of e-records.
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    Information and communication technologies (ICTs) for good local governance in Tanzania: case studies of Dar es Salaam City Council and Morogoro Municipality.
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2003) Pessa, Joseph Cassian
    This study investigates the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for promoting good Local Governance in Tanzania. Two Local Government Authorities (LGAs) were selected for the study: Dar es Salaam City Council and Morogoro Municipal Council. Four research questions were answered using data collected from 35 respondents which included 7 H.O.Ds, 3 decision-makers, 16 technical staff, 5 secretaries and 4 businessmen. More specifically, the study assesses the current Communication System and the extent to which it meets users' needs. Also, it examines the current use of ICTs and the potentialities and problems for enhancing the application of ICTs in facilitating transparent and faster information flow within and between Local Governments. Qualitative and quantitative research paradigms were used to collect data. The findings of the study reveal that the two LGAs have computers and use them to carry out some of their activities especially in Financial Management and word processing. Currently, most of the computers have neither e-mail nor Internet connectivity. As such, the LGAs communication system is mostly manual and does not meet users' needs. Nonetheless, there is unanimous acceptance among the LGA workers that ICTs can improve service delivery in LGAs. From the findings, the study concluded that ICTs play very little role in communication. However, the LGAs have computers which could be used to expand e-mail and Internet connectivity. Inhibiting the use of ICTs are factors such as lack of ICT Policy which results in poor utilization of even existing facilities and general low level of investment into ICTs. Unless there are drastic changes the current communication system is likely to continue being inadequate to meet the needs of users. The following recommendations are made: LGAs should develop a ICTs Policy emanating from within LGAs. The government should provide fund for ICT projects and ensure their sustainability and relic' power supply.