The efficiency of public pension systems is critical for accumulating old-age savings and reducing fiscal pressures. This study evaluated Tanzania’s reformed public pension system from 2004 to 2024, covering pre- and post-merger periods, using longitudinal financial data and benchmarking indicators, including cost-to-contribution, cost-to-asset, payout, and dependency ratios, against regulatory and OECD levels. One-tailed sample t-tests compared efficiency and sustainability metrics against benchmarks. Findings show that operating costs averaged 2.8% of assets and administrative cost-to-contribution averaged 11.8%, exceeding the OECD average of 1.6% and the regulatory ceiling of 10%, respectively. Although operating-cost ratios declined after the 2018 restructuring, costs generally remained above selected international benchmarks, indicating systemic inefficiencies. Sustainability indicators also deteriorated, with the number of contributors per pensioner falling from 28–29 in 2004 (pre-merger average: 16) to only 10 in 2024. While still above the OECD average of 3 to 4 contributors per pensioner, both dependency and payout ratios increased after the merger, indicating rising demographic and liquidity pressures. This descriptive, benchmark-based study provides empirical evidence on the efficiency of Tanzania’s restructured public pension system and identifies changes associated with the reform period rather than establishing causal effects of the reforms. The findings indicate structural inefficiencies and that the merger did not substantially improve efficiency or sustainability. This underscores the urgency for deeper structural reforms through stronger governance, regulatory oversight, cost controls, and membership expansion. By providing rare longitudinal evidence, the study offers insights into ongoing policy and academic debates on the efficiency and sustainability of public pension systems in developing economies.
Although entrepreneurial marketing is increasingly recognised as multidimensional, limited understanding remains of whether its individual behaviours exhibit equivalent relationships with competitive advantage, particularly when behaviours associated with the same broad dynamic-capability process are considered separately. This study examines the associations between five lower-order dimensions of entrepreneurial marketing (EM)—proactiveness, innovativeness, resource leveraging, customer intensity and value creation—and sustainable competitive advantage (SCA) among food-processing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Guided by Dynamic Capability Theory (DCT), cross-sectional survey data from 255 SMEs were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) in the SEMinR package in R. Customer intensity showed the strongest statistically supported association with SCA, followed by resource leveraging and proactiveness. The hypothesised relationships for innovativeness and value creation were not statistically supported. Collectively, the five dimensions explained a substantial share of the variance in SCA. The findings show that entrepreneurial behaviours associated with the same broad DCT process need not possess equivalent competitive relevance, highlighting behavioural heterogeneity in how dynamic capabilities are enacted. For SME managers and policymakers, the results particularly support capability development around customer engagement, resource mobilisation and proactive market sensing while cautioning against assuming that innovation or value creation automatically translates into competitive advantage.
This study examines how financial literacy influences financial behavior as measured by spending, saving and investment and borrowing behavior of university students. The study was informed by the theory of planned behavior. Explanatory research design was used to test the research hypothesis. Data was collected through using a structure questionnaire which was administered both physically and online. 446 random selected students across Universities in Tanzania participated in the study, and simple linear regression analysis was used to establish the effect of financial literacy on financial behavior. It was established that majority of the students are considered financially illiterate. However, the more years they spend at the university, the more they improve their financial literacy level. Students were established to portray an above average financial behavior as reflected in their spending, savings, investment and borrowing behavior. Theoretically the paper contributed to the theory of planned behavior demonstrating that behavior as a function of attitude and so as intention, is a reward of among others, learning. The findings suggest that it is important to pursue a policy mix that pushes financial literacy and financial education with potential substitutes like financial advice. Financial literacy programme should be included in University curricula from the initial years of undergraduate studies. Universities should continue working in collaboration with financial institutions and inculcate savings and investment behavior to students through training and advice.
Budgeting processes and financial reporting are widely recognised mechanisms for enhancing financial accountability, yet empirical evidence on how these mechanisms influence financial accountability within faith-based non-profit organisations remains limited. Guided by Stewardship Theory and Stakeholder Theory, this study examines the influence of budgeting processes and financial reporting on financial accountability in religious organisations. Using a deductive approach, empirical data were collected from 173 Catholic and Lutheran parishes in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, yielding a total of 471 valid responses aggregated at the parish level for analysis using Partial Least Square Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings reveal that both budgeting processes and financial reporting positively and significantly influence financial accountability, with financial reporting demonstrating a stronger effect. These results support the applicability of Stewardship and Stakeholder theories in faith-based settings, underscoring that formal financial management practices are essential for promoting transparency, trust and responsible stewardship. The study highlights the importance of institutionalising transparent reporting practices and performance-oriented budgeting systems to enhance accountability and mission effectiveness. By providing evidence from a developing-country context, the study contributes to the limited literature on financial governance and accountability in religious organisations and offers insights relevant to faith-based institutions in similar emerging economies.
This study examined the effect of external auditors’ competence and independence on the cost-saving of audit recommendations among Tanzanian Local Government Authorities (LGAs). Persistent non-implementation of audit recommendations in developing countries raises concerns regarding the extent to which audit reports contribute to fiscal prudence and resource efficiency. Grounded in the Theory of Inspired Confidence and Stewardship Theory, the study hypothesized that competent and independent auditors enhance the cost-saving potential of audit recommendations. A descriptive-explanatory design was employed, involving 345 respondents drawn from 126 selected LGAs. Data was collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed through multiple regression analysis. Both independent variables significantly predict cost-saving of audit recommendations. The results theoretically affirm that the agency theory inspired confidence that auditors’ characteristics comprising of cognitive competence and independence influence cost saving of audit recommendations. Empirically, the study demonstrates that auditors’ technical expertise, autonomy, and operational independence improve frugality of audited entities. The study recommends that the Supreme Audit Institution strengthen continuing auditors’ cognitive attributes, maintain practical and independence among auditors. LGAs should priorities auditor-advised actions during execution of their activities while the central government should incorporate audit implementation into the national fiscal accountability framework. In addition, players associated with audits should enhance collaboration among the SAI, PO-RALG, and the Ministry of Finance as they improve cost-saving and governance recommendations in Tanzania. Limitations of this study arise from usage of a cross-sectional design and the survey approach. Similar studies using longitudinal design and other data collection approaches become the avenue for further studies.
