The Impact of Stakeholder Communication on the Performance of Strategic Plans: Insights from Tanzania’s Local Government Authorities

Abstract

This study examines the influence of stakeholder communication on the performance of strategic plans in stakeholder 
communication (LGAs) in Tanzania. Drawing on stakeholder theory, the study conceptualizes stakeholder communication as a 
multidimensional construct encompassing information sharing, communication sharing, communication frequency, 
communication clarity and transparency, and feedback mechanisms. The study adopts a quantitative cross-sectional research design and employs a structured questionnaire to collect data from a sample of 120 respondents selected using purposive 
and simple random sampling techniques. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multiple 
regression analysis. The findings of the study indicate that stakeholder communication has a statistically significant positive 
relationship with the performance of strategic plans. Specifically, effective information sharing, clear communication, and feedback 
mechanisms were found to be important predictors of performance outcomes, including achievement of strategic objectives, timeliness of implementation, and efficient use of resources and service delivery improvement. However, the results should be interpreted with caution due to the cross-sectional nature of the study and the reliance on self-reported data. The findings suggest that strengthening communication practices can enhance the effectiveness of strategic plan implementation in local government authorities. The study contributes to the literature by providing empirical evidence on the role of stakeholder communication in the entire local government authorities and other developing country contexts.