Challenges associated with implementing performance management systems in public institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review

Eugene Owusu-Acheampong, Jacob Agabus Enyan, Magdalene Bartrop Abakah, Alwyna Sackey Addaquay and Monica Dede Ansah Tekyi Yawson

International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, 2026, vol. 75, issue 9, 3092-3112

Abstract: PurposeThis study synthesises the challenges of implementing performance management systems (PMS) within public organisations in Sub-Saharan Africa.Design/methodology/approachArksey and O'Malley (2005) framework guided the review, which addresses challenges to implementing PMS in Sub-Saharan Africa. The study utilised databases such as JSTOR, EBSCOhost, Web of Science, SAGE Journals and Scopus to filter the literature from 2010 to 2025 using a two-stage approach. Data extraction was used to study information and results, providing a comprehensive and systematic review.FindingsIneffective PMS in public institutions across Sub-Saharan Africa is driven by capacity shortfalls, poor leadership and cultural resistance, thereby compromising service delivery and institutional performance. Poorly aligned PMS goals with organisational objectives and leadership shortcomings compromise accountability, transparency and operational consistency. Addressing ineffectiveness in PMS is essential if the sustainable development goals (SDGs) are to be realised and institutional excellence is to be supported through capacity development, cultural transformation and robust governance structures.Practical implicationsThis study highlights the necessity for policymakers to integrate PMS into governance reforms through capacity-building, anticorruption measures and performance audits. Practitioners must adopt context-sensitive models driven by institutional champions. Academically, it advances performance management theory by contextualising global models for African realities, urging the adoption of adaptive, reform-oriented frameworks for sustainable institutional effectiveness.Originality/valueThis article makes a unique contribution by integrating multiple perspectives on systemic, cultural and governance issues in the application of PMS in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on their implications for institutional effectiveness and sustainable development.

Keywords: Challenges; Implementing; Performance management; Systems; Public institutions; Sustainable (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.emerald.com/ijppm/article/75/9/3092/13 ... ed-with-implementing (text/html)
https://www.emerald.com/ijppm/article-pdf/75/9/309 ... m-02-2025-0147en.pdf (application/pdf)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eme:ijppmp:ijppm-02-2025-0147

DOI: 10.1108/IJPPM-02-2025-0147

Access Statistics for this article

International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management is currently edited by Dr Aylin Ates and Dr Berk Kucukaltan

More articles in International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management from Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Emerald Support ().