Wildlife Management Area (WMA) provides an avenue for rural communities to participate in wildlife management. Ideal interventions require initiatives based on felt needs thereby bridging the gap between theory and practice. The intervention is however constrained with socio-economic and institutional factors. The study assessed socio- economic and institutional factors influencing local community adoption and operationalisation of the WMA concept in the management of Pawaga-Idodi pilot area in Iringa, Tanzania. Specifically; the study assessed (1) socio-economic characteristics and their management implications, (2) status, constraints and opportunities, and (3) functioning and appropriateness of the existing institutional framework. Two research phases were adopted, one involving preliminary study where Participatory Rural Appraisal exercise, secondary data collection, questionnaire pre-testing, and key informant discussions were undertaken. Questionnaires were administered to 187 household heads and participants’ observations were undertaken in phase two. Content and structural functional analyses were used to analyse information from key informants, participant observations and secondary data. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were done. Chi-square and ANOVA analyses were used to explain variations in various aspects across the study villages. Significant variations (P<0.001) were observed in income sources, land tenure and perception of membership to the MBOMIPA association. Population increases were significant at P<0.01 while off-farm activities and trust to the association were not significant at P<0.05. A Logistic model was developed to explain the influence of socio-economic and institutional factors in adoption and operationalisation of the WMA concept. Results were significant (P<0.001) implying that, socio-economic and institutional factors influence the adoption process. The study concluded that, uncertainty on wildlife tenure rights, unclear institutional setup at village and inter-village level, andiii low awareness are perhaps key areas for concern. The study recommends appropriate attention to the institutional framework at village and inter-village level, benefit sharing and a tailored extension package.Ministry of Natural Resource and Tourism