The Role of Strategic Leadership on Quality Public Service Delivery: A Study of Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa

Abstract

The concept of leadership dates back to the inception of human civilization. Accordingly, there has been a significant shift from conventional leadership approaches to strategic leadership. This research evaluated the impact of strategic leadership on enhancing service quality within Federal Medical Centre Yenagoa. The study aimed to gauge how strategic leadership contributes to enhancing public service quality in this medical centre, posing two research inquiries. A survey involving 203 participants was conducted using Taro Yamani’s statistical formula. Upon scrutinizing the data collected from 193 individuals, it was evident that strategic leadership has effectively enhanced public service quality in Federal Medical Centre Yenagoa. This can be ascribed to its ability to modify institutional trajectories, as demonstrated by the adoption of the New Public Management theoretical framework (NPM) in 1991, established by Christopher Cropper Hood, the Gladstone Professor of Government. The study stressed that unlike traditional leadership, which heavily depends on personal attributes, strategic leadership is more objective, focusing on the interactions between the external environment and the organization’s mission. The study, amongst others, recommended that the Federal Medical Centre Yenagoa and similar establishments in Nigeria reassess their leadership approaches and embrace strategic leadership. These institutions should proactively establish an environment and mechanisms conducive to strategic thinking and systematic action to achieve sustainable growth goals.