Strategic Management in Public Organizations: A Literature Review on Governance, Performance, and Accountability

Abstract

Strategic management has become increasingly important in public organizations as governments face growing demands for effective service delivery, institutional accountability, transparency, and efficient use of public resources. This study aims to synthesize the literature on the relationship between strategic management, governance mechanisms, and organizational performance in public institutions. A structured literature review was conducted using peer-reviewed studies addressing strategic planning, leadership, performance management, resource allocation, accountability, transparency, institutional coordination, and public-sector performance. The synthesis indicates that strategic management contributes to public organizational performance when strategic planning is integrated with performance measurement, leadership commitment, organizational capacity, and accountability mechanisms. Governance practices such as transparency, stakeholder participation, institutional coordination, and clear accountability structures strengthen the implementation of organizational strategies and improve responsiveness to public needs. However, the effectiveness of strategic management is influenced by political and institutional environments, administrative capacity, leadership quality, regulatory arrangements, and stakeholder pressures. The review concludes that strategic management in public organizations should not be treated solely as a formal planning process but as an integrated managerial system linking strategic priorities, governance mechanisms, resource management, and performance evaluation. Such integration can strengthen organizational effectiveness, accountability, responsiveness, and the creation of public value.