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An Assessment of the Factors Influencing Institutional Failure, and the Strategies for Enhancing Performance and Sustainability

Received: 28 August 2025     Accepted: 8 September 2025     Published: 9 December 2025
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Abstract

In the face of increasing governance complexity, shifting economic contexts, and rising public expectations, institutional performance and sustainability have emerged as critical indicators of organizational success and societal trust. This study investigates the dual dimensions of institutional failure and sustainability by analyzing both the internal and external factors that contribute to poor performance and the strategies that foster long-term viability. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 80 employees across various institutional levels through structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Quantitative analysis revealed that poor strategic planning, erosion of public trust, financial mismanagement, low staff morale, and weak governance structures are the strongest predictors of institutional failure, collectively accounting for 72% of the variance (R2 = 0.72). Conversely, qualitative and quantitative findings identified leadership practices, regular staff feedback, growth opportunities, competitive compensation, and improved work conditions as key strategies enhancing institutional sustainability, with an explanatory power of 74% (R2 = 0.74). The results emphasize the importance of an integrated, employee-centered approach that combines strategic leadership, transparent governance, and human resource development. The study concludes with practical recommendations for institutional reform, including strategic planning, merit-based recruitment, staff development, and enhanced accountability mechanisms to foster resilient and high-performing institutions.

Published in Research and Innovation (Volume 1, Issue 1)
DOI 10.11648/j.ri.20250101.14
Page(s) 20-27
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Assessment, Factors Influencing, Institutional Failure, Strategies, Enhancing, Performance, Sustainability

References
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Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Ntabakirabose, G., RithaTumukunde, Ndaruhutse, F., Mburu, D. M., Mbabazize, M. (2025). An Assessment of the Factors Influencing Institutional Failure, and the Strategies for Enhancing Performance and Sustainability. Research and Innovation, 1(1), 20-27. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ri.20250101.14

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    ACS Style

    Ntabakirabose, G.; RithaTumukunde; Ndaruhutse, F.; Mburu, D. M.; Mbabazize, M. An Assessment of the Factors Influencing Institutional Failure, and the Strategies for Enhancing Performance and Sustainability. Res. Innovation 2025, 1(1), 20-27. doi: 10.11648/j.ri.20250101.14

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    AMA Style

    Ntabakirabose G, RithaTumukunde, Ndaruhutse F, Mburu DM, Mbabazize M. An Assessment of the Factors Influencing Institutional Failure, and the Strategies for Enhancing Performance and Sustainability. Res Innovation. 2025;1(1):20-27. doi: 10.11648/j.ri.20250101.14

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ri.20250101.14,
      author = {Gaspard Ntabakirabose and RithaTumukunde and Felicien Ndaruhutse and David Mwehia Mburu and Mbabazi Mbabazize},
      title = {An Assessment of the Factors Influencing Institutional Failure, and the Strategies for Enhancing Performance and Sustainability},
      journal = {Research and Innovation},
      volume = {1},
      number = {1},
      pages = {20-27},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ri.20250101.14},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ri.20250101.14},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ri.20250101.14},
      abstract = {In the face of increasing governance complexity, shifting economic contexts, and rising public expectations, institutional performance and sustainability have emerged as critical indicators of organizational success and societal trust. This study investigates the dual dimensions of institutional failure and sustainability by analyzing both the internal and external factors that contribute to poor performance and the strategies that foster long-term viability. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 80 employees across various institutional levels through structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Quantitative analysis revealed that poor strategic planning, erosion of public trust, financial mismanagement, low staff morale, and weak governance structures are the strongest predictors of institutional failure, collectively accounting for 72% of the variance (R2 = 0.72). Conversely, qualitative and quantitative findings identified leadership practices, regular staff feedback, growth opportunities, competitive compensation, and improved work conditions as key strategies enhancing institutional sustainability, with an explanatory power of 74% (R2 = 0.74). The results emphasize the importance of an integrated, employee-centered approach that combines strategic leadership, transparent governance, and human resource development. The study concludes with practical recommendations for institutional reform, including strategic planning, merit-based recruitment, staff development, and enhanced accountability mechanisms to foster resilient and high-performing institutions.},
     year = {2025}
    }
    

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    T1  - An Assessment of the Factors Influencing Institutional Failure, and the Strategies for Enhancing Performance and Sustainability
    AU  - Gaspard Ntabakirabose
    AU  - RithaTumukunde
    AU  - Felicien Ndaruhutse
    AU  - David Mwehia Mburu
    AU  - Mbabazi Mbabazize
    Y1  - 2025/12/09
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    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ri.20250101.14
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ri.20250101.14
    T2  - Research and Innovation
    JF  - Research and Innovation
    JO  - Research and Innovation
    SP  - 20
    EP  - 27
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ri.20250101.14
    AB  - In the face of increasing governance complexity, shifting economic contexts, and rising public expectations, institutional performance and sustainability have emerged as critical indicators of organizational success and societal trust. This study investigates the dual dimensions of institutional failure and sustainability by analyzing both the internal and external factors that contribute to poor performance and the strategies that foster long-term viability. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 80 employees across various institutional levels through structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Quantitative analysis revealed that poor strategic planning, erosion of public trust, financial mismanagement, low staff morale, and weak governance structures are the strongest predictors of institutional failure, collectively accounting for 72% of the variance (R2 = 0.72). Conversely, qualitative and quantitative findings identified leadership practices, regular staff feedback, growth opportunities, competitive compensation, and improved work conditions as key strategies enhancing institutional sustainability, with an explanatory power of 74% (R2 = 0.74). The results emphasize the importance of an integrated, employee-centered approach that combines strategic leadership, transparent governance, and human resource development. The study concludes with practical recommendations for institutional reform, including strategic planning, merit-based recruitment, staff development, and enhanced accountability mechanisms to foster resilient and high-performing institutions.
    VL  - 1
    IS  - 1
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • Forest Research Department, Rwanda Forestry Authority, Huye, Rwanda

  • Research Department, World Food Programme, Kigali, Rwanda

  • Impact Product and Brand Department, One Acre Fund, Kigali, Rwanda

  • Department of Land Resources Planning and Management, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Nairobi, Kenya

  • Faculty of Business and Commerce, ISBAT University, Kampala, Uganda

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