A comparative study of performance factors between local and foreign architectural consulting companies in Tanzania: a case of Dar es Salaam

The research sought to establish comparative performance factors affecting local and foreign architectural consulting companies operating in Tanzania, a case of Dar es Salaam. The focus of the study was to identify and propose strategies that can be adopted to strengthen local architectural firms in Tanzania specifically, the study investigated firms performance indicators. Managerial capability, financial capability, technological capacity and competitive advantage of architectural companies and gauge desired outputs: number and size of projects handled, market share and finally, firms profit margins attained over the last three years. Findings show that, local architectural consulting firms had amassed comparative managerial capabilities to handle both local and international oriented jobs/ projects but, the technical resources base of local architectural consulting firms had been narrower compared to the foreign firms. It was revealed further that, local companies face various financial constraints. Most local firms successfully handled more than 15 projects of different scales. Generating profits ranging from 50 to 150 mil in Tshs, over the last three years. Despite the fact that the local firms obtained a considerable greater number of projects compared to foreign firms, projects, worthiness and profit margins attained over the same period were outcompeted by foreign firms, fewer number of projects. The study findings disclosed further that, ways such as interaction with clients, partnering/ networking, innovation/learning conferences/ seminars participation and strategic management are the key process factors to performance, of any architectural companies.