The Role of Institutional Reform Tools in Combating Rent-Seeking: The Case of Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

The objective of the study was to assess the challenges and prospects of institutional reform tools implementation in combating rent-seeking in public institutions in Oromia Regional State so as to indicate possible remedies for the identified challenges.

The study attempts to examine the extent to which the implementation of reform tools has contributed in combating rent-seeking by creating awareness about the interrelation between institutional reform tools implementation and rent seeking among leaders, job performers and citizens. The study also attempts to identify the major challenges related to institutional reform tools implementation in combating rent seeking.

To attain these objectives, the study employed both quantitative and qualitative research approaches. The data were gathered through questionnaires, interviews, and focus group discussions from leaders, job performers and customers/citizens at woreda, zonal and regional level. All data gathered by the close-ended questions of the questionnaires were analyzed quantitatively using frequency count, percentages, and Pearson chi-square test. Besides, the data obtained from open- ended questions, interviews and focus group discussions were transcribed to supplement the quantitative data.

The study reveals that the awareness of leaders, civil servants and the citizens on the contribution of institutional reform tools implementation in combating rent seeking was low. It also shows that training for awareness creation on the benefits of institutional reform tools implementation in combating rent seeking was not satisfactory. On the other hand, the study indicates that the redesigning of work flow and one-stop-shopping service delivery system developed through BPR, team work and coordination sprit advanced through the formation of Development Army have contributed a lot in combating rent seeking.

Low commitment and unethical behaviors among professionals as well as loose accountability system and loose follow up and monitoring, and resistance to institutional reform tools implementation were found to be the major challenges of institutional reform tools' contribution in combating rent seeking.

The study recommends all the concerned institutions especially the Public Service and Human Development Bureau and Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission to develop different communication strategies like conducting workshops, training, seminars, as well as preparing and distributing pamphlets, notices, head letters, memos and business cards in order to create common or shared understanding on the role of institutional reform tools implementation in fighting rent seeking among leaders, service providers(performers) and the citizens at large  at all administrative tire of the region.