EFFECT OF STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT IN STRATEGY MONITORING AND EVALUATION ON THE PERFORMANCE OF CATHOLIC PARISHES IN ARUSHA, TANZANIA
Abstract
Background: Stakeholder engagement is essential for the performance and sustainability of Catholic parishes, especially where parishes face issues such as inconsistent participation, weak accountability, and limited feedback mechanisms during the strategy monitoring and evaluation (M&E) phase.
Objective: This study examined the effect of stakeholder participation in M&E processes on parish performance, with a focus on spiritual, social, and developmental outcomes.
Methodology: Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study surveyed 460 respondents from diverse stakeholder groups, including clergy, parish council members, apostolic association leaders, and lay faithful. Quantitative data were examined using descriptive statistics and structural equation modelling (SEM), whilst qualitative insights were obtained from semi-structured interviews.
Findings: The results showed a strong positive link between stakeholder engagement in M&E and enhanced parish performance, with a path coefficient of 0.712 between strategy monitoring and parish performance, indicating that stakeholder involvement significantly influences outcomes.
Conclusions and Recommendations: Parishes that actively involve stakeholders in strategy formulation, implementation, and evaluation achieve higher levels of community outreach, financial sustainability, and operational efficiency. Catholic parishes in Arusha should institutionalize participatory M&E systems, ensuring that all stakeholders, particularly lay faithful, are involved in decision-making processes to foster greater accountability, responsiveness, and alignment with community needs.
Keywords: Stakeholder Engagement, Strategy Monitoring and Evaluation, Parish Performance
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