Assessing Institutional Capacity of Business Associations in Tanzania

ABSTRACT

This article explores the institutional characteristics and capacity of the BAs to effectively perform the representative and service delivery functions for their members. Based on a qualitative study of BAs in Tanzania, it is evident that they were inclined to deliver the influence function and compromised the service function. The main institutional capacity gaps found in BAs were inadequate governance and accountability, inadequate management and staff, weak membership base, lack of membership and communication strategy, and inadequate office facilities and information technology platforms. Although they had partnerships and networks with the government, development partners and other associations, their sustainability was not guaranteed mainly because of overdependence on donor funding and insufficient membership subscriptions. The article advances the collective action theory and corporatism view by proposing a strategic bundling approach that advocates integrating the service, influence and strategy logics to enhance sustainability of BAs.

KEYWORDS:

• business association
• institutional capacity
• logic of service
• logic of influence
• collective actions
• corporatism

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 Extracted from the TPSF reports (2021).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Goodluck Charles

Goodluck Charles is an Associate Professor at the University of Dar es Salaam Business School. His research interests include entrepreneurship, business environment, private sector development, policy advocacy, family business and microfinancing. His publications appear in Journal of African Business, Forum for Development Studies, Family Business Review, Journal of Public Sector Management, African Journal of Economic and Management Studies, International Journal of Development Issues, among a host of many others. He is a member of Editorial Board of Family Business Review, Journal of Education and Training, Interest Groups and Advocacy, and Business Management Review. He is the Director of the Centre for Policy Research and Advocacy, and Chairman of Consultancy and Public Service Advisory Board at University of Dar es Salaam.