Abstract:
This study sought to assess the effectiveness of conflict management in Local Government
Authorities performance using a case study of Tabora Municipal Council. Specifically, this study
sought to determine employees’ perceptions on the conflict management, to determine the
various conflict management strategies employed by the council and to investigate conflict
management initiatives challenges hindering the performance of Tabora Municipal Council.
Conflict resolution theory and organizational behaviour theory were employed. This study
employed a case study research design and utilized a mixed research approach. The population
of this study consisted of 411 employees selected using a combination of purposive sampling
and simple random sampling techniques. In this study, primary data for this study were collected
through a combination of questionnaires and interviews while secondary data were also
collected through document review. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics
facilitated by SPSS version 26 while qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis
techniques. The study revealed that the council effectively addresses workplace conflicts to a
moderate extent, ensuring that conflicts are resolved in a fair and unbiased manner.
Furthermore, findings strongly support the prevalence of collaborative problem-solving in
conflict resolution, coupled with a hierarchical approach to conflict management within the
council. However, the researcher identified significant hindrances to conflict management
initiatives, including inadequate training, limited resources, and communication breakdowns. As
a recommendation, it is advised that council establish a dedicated task force or committee
responsible for monitoring and addressing these challenges in conflict management initiatives.
Additionally, future research should explore the role of technology, such as conflict management
software and digital platforms, in enhancing conflict resolution processes and, consequently,
bolstering the overall performance of local government authorities.
