Effectiveness of Strategic Management Practices in Public Universities in Tanzania: A Case Study of the University of Dar es Salaam

Haghai Pandisha
Local Government Training Institute Dodoma, Tanzania
Email: hpandisha@gmail.com

Abstract: This study evaluates strategic management practices at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), Tanzania’s oldest and largest public university. Using a quantitative approach, an online survey collected data from academic and administrative staff across various colleges and schools. Findings revealed positive perceptions of strategy clarity and its impact on institutional performance, but concerns emerged regarding the adequacy and alignment of resources with strategic objectives. Transparent resource allocation, stakeholder participation, and strong performance metrics were identified as critical enablers for effective strategy implementation. The research emphasizes the importance of aligning financial, human, and infrastructural resources with the university’s strategic plan in order to achieve Tanzania’s higher education objectives under Vision 2025 and the Higher Education Policy of 1999. Employing the Resource-Based Theory and Mintzberg’s 5Ps framework, the study offers practical recommendations to improve strategic management processes. These include enhancing transparency in resource allocation, conducting regular strategy-performance reviews, and strengthening stakeholder engagement. This work contributes to the discourse on organizational effectiveness and long-term strategic planning within Tanzanian higher education.