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Evaluating the effectiveness of Umalusi council for quality assurance in general and further education and training as a public entity in the South African education regulatory systemThomas, Jeremy Ralph 31 March 2008 (has links)
The South African government like most governments around the world create
public entities to perform functions on its behalf and achieve particular
objectives ranging from facilitating investments, delivering services or
providing goods and advice. These public entities receive annual funding
either whole or in part from the national fiscus and report to parliament through
their respective Ministries. In the 2005/6 financial year government funded
Umalusi 7, 69 million rands through direct transfer payments from the
Department of Education, excluding any indirect payments from other
governmental structures. Many public entities, about three hundred and thirty
odd or so in South Africa, were promulgated to ensure and improve service
delivery to the nation. However, they were not intended to be seen as an
extension of their reporting departments. This research work evaluates the
effectiveness of Umalusi in the education regulatory system and seeks to find
ways to improve public entity effectiveness using the South African Excellence
Model (SAEM) as the base tool to measure organisational effectiveness. A
brief conclusion to this study is that Umalusi as a public entity, is adequately
meeting its intended purpose. This is confirmed through its annual reports
having never received a qualified audit since its inception. This research
triangulates the results of the South African Excellence Model, the
Questionnaire to senior education officials and the Auditors' Reports to confirm
that Umalusi is effective as a public entity in the South African regulatory
system. / Busniness Management / M.Tech. (Busniness Administration)
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Evaluating the effectiveness of Umalusi council for quality assurance in general and further education and training as a public entity in the South African education regulatory systemThomas, Jeremy Ralph 31 March 2008 (has links)
The South African government like most governments around the world create
public entities to perform functions on its behalf and achieve particular
objectives ranging from facilitating investments, delivering services or
providing goods and advice. These public entities receive annual funding
either whole or in part from the national fiscus and report to parliament through
their respective Ministries. In the 2005/6 financial year government funded
Umalusi 7, 69 million rands through direct transfer payments from the
Department of Education, excluding any indirect payments from other
governmental structures. Many public entities, about three hundred and thirty
odd or so in South Africa, were promulgated to ensure and improve service
delivery to the nation. However, they were not intended to be seen as an
extension of their reporting departments. This research work evaluates the
effectiveness of Umalusi in the education regulatory system and seeks to find
ways to improve public entity effectiveness using the South African Excellence
Model (SAEM) as the base tool to measure organisational effectiveness. A
brief conclusion to this study is that Umalusi as a public entity, is adequately
meeting its intended purpose. This is confirmed through its annual reports
having never received a qualified audit since its inception. This research
triangulates the results of the South African Excellence Model, the
Questionnaire to senior education officials and the Auditors' Reports to confirm
that Umalusi is effective as a public entity in the South African regulatory
system. / Busniness Management / M.Tech. (Busniness Administration)
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A model of the relationship between leadership styles, organisational climate, innovation and performanceSethibe, Tebogo Gilbert 11 1900 (has links)
Knowledge about the antecedents to and the consequences of innovation is often
studied in a fragmented way, resulting in an incomplete understanding of the dynamics
that drive organisational performance. The purpose of this study is to develop a
comprehensive model explaining the relationship between leadership style,
organisational climate, innovation and organisational performance. The systematic
literature review procedure was used to identify, analyse and critically evaluate studies
that examined the relationship between leadership style, organisational climate,
innovation and organisational performance. Given this information as background a
cross-sectional survey design was used to test the relationship between the named
variables. Firstly, a measurement model was tested with data collected from 3 180
respondents, representing 52 companies. Secondly, a structural path model was
tested, with data collected from 231 employees representing 112 companies. The
findings of the systematic literature review revealed that empirical studies that link the
four variables are scarce; in the main, combinations of three variables are found. It
also revealed that measures of innovation and performance vary vastly, inhibiting the
incremental development of a comprehensive empirical body of knowledge. The
results of the measurement model substantiated differentiation between leadership
styles and the expected positive correlation between both transformational and
transactional leadership and innovative behaviour. Furthermore, the results showed
that not all components of leadership impacted positively on innovative behaviours.
The structural path model showed that a transformational leadership style has a direct
impact on the organisational climate, innovation and organisational performance. In
contrast, a transactional leadership style had a direct impact on organisational
performance, but no relationship was found between transactional leadership style
and organisational climate and innovation. This study is important as it provides a
unified model of innovation that focuses on both antecedents, as well as the outcomes
of innovation, in a more comprehensive manner than any previous study. / Graduate School of Business Leadership (SBL / DBL
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The influence of lean thinking on discrete manufacturing organisational structure and behaviorDe Vries, Herbert 02 1900 (has links)
In following a lean transformation specifically for discrete manufacturing, how and why will
the organisational structure be affected? How will the employees deal with this profound
change? Lean theory and literature propose that organisations should be restructured
according to the value stream of the organisation; what does this imply and how can it be
accomplished? The purpose of this study was to determine, from a new perspective,
guidelines and theory that could indicate how and why organisational structures and
behaviours might change with lean transformation. Two discrete manufacturing
organisations in South Africa were purposively sampled for this purpose.
A conceptual framework was used at the outset that indicated constructs for the
independent lean variables and the dependent organisational structure and behaviour
variables.
Using a mixed methodology case study and quantitative multiple linear regression
approach, hypotheses and propositions for the research were developed. Multiple linear
regression was used to test the hypotheses, and case study methodology was applied to
analyse and test the qualitative data.
Findings confirmed the hypotheses and propositions that a flat structure consisting of
business units that support manufacturing cells achieves effective lean transformations in
discrete manufacturing organisations. The research revealed the components of an
effective lean structure as open constructive leadership, an effective lean champions unit
and business units that support linked manufacturing cells. These are led by cell leaders
who cultivate supportive behaviours through cross-functional teamwork and through self-directed
work teams who run manufacturing cells or flow support functions. / Business Management / D.B.L.
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The influence of lean thinking on discrete manufacturing organisational structure and behaviorDe Vries, Herbert 02 1900 (has links)
In following a lean transformation specifically for discrete manufacturing, how and why will
the organisational structure be affected? How will the employees deal with this profound
change? Lean theory and literature propose that organisations should be restructured
according to the value stream of the organisation; what does this imply and how can it be
accomplished? The purpose of this study was to determine, from a new perspective,
guidelines and theory that could indicate how and why organisational structures and
behaviours might change with lean transformation. Two discrete manufacturing
organisations in South Africa were purposively sampled for this purpose.
A conceptual framework was used at the outset that indicated constructs for the
independent lean variables and the dependent organisational structure and behaviour
variables.
Using a mixed methodology case study and quantitative multiple linear regression
approach, hypotheses and propositions for the research were developed. Multiple linear
regression was used to test the hypotheses, and case study methodology was applied to
analyse and test the qualitative data.
Findings confirmed the hypotheses and propositions that a flat structure consisting of
business units that support manufacturing cells achieves effective lean transformations in
discrete manufacturing organisations. The research revealed the components of an
effective lean structure as open constructive leadership, an effective lean champions unit
and business units that support linked manufacturing cells. These are led by cell leaders
who cultivate supportive behaviours through cross-functional teamwork and through self-directed
work teams who run manufacturing cells or flow support functions. / Business Management / D.B.L.
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Characteristics of corporate social responsibility assurance practicesAckers, Barry 06 1900 (has links)
As stakeholders start holding companies accountable for the non-financial impacts of their operations, it is increasingly recognised that the parties to whom companies are accountable extends beyond shareholders to include other stakeholders as well. Around the world, companies are responding to stakeholder demands by voluntarily reporting on their corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance. Unscrupulous companies may however, be tempted to use green-wash to make false claims relating to their CSR performance in order to reap the associated benefits. This information risk may be ameliorated through the independent assurance of CSR disclosures, enhancing the confidence of stakeholders in its veracity. Reporting companies usually voluntarily obtain independent assurance on their CSR performance. However, in South Africa, independent CSR assurance is a regulatory requirement for all JSE-listed companies, albeit on an ‘apply or explain’ basis.
This thesis, which utilises a mixed methods research approach incorporating both qualitative and quantitative components, seeks to identify and understand the characteristics of the emerging independent CSR assurance phenomenon. In this regard, the empirical component of the study was conducted in three phases: in the first phase companies’ CSR disclosures and assurance reports are examined; in the second phase survey responses from companies are reviewed; and in the third phase interviews with CSR assurors are analysed. In this thesis, the extent to which companies provide independent assurance on their CSR disclosures is established; the providers of independent CSR assurance are identified; the reasons that companies select certain CSR assurance providers are explored; the reasons that companies provide independent assurance on their CSR disclosures are determined; the CSR assurance practices of the various CSR assurors are reviewed and compared; and the primary standards and/or frameworks used in CSR assurance engagements are identified.
A conclusion is reached that although independent CSR assurance is a de facto mandatory requirement for JSE-listed companies, only 26% of the companies had their CSR disclosures independently assured. Despite its de facto mandatory nature, the study found that South African CSR assurance practices remain largely unregulated, resulting in a diversity of CSR assurors; utilising various assurance approaches, standards and practices. In this thesis, it is argued that these inconsistencies undermine the purpose of CSR assurance and reduce stakeholder confidence. It is accordingly proposed that the identified deficiencies could be addressed through the regulation of CSR reporting and assurance. An oversight/regulatory body should be established to prescribe the competencies that CSR assurors should possess; to develop appropriate CSR assurance engagement standards; and to clearly articulate the scope that CSR assurance engagements should cover; with which all CSR assurors should comply. / Auditing / D. Com. (Auditing)
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Characteristics of corporate social responsibility assurance practicesAckers, Barry 06 1900 (has links)
As stakeholders start holding companies accountable for the non-financial impacts of their operations, it is increasingly recognised that the parties to whom companies are accountable extends beyond shareholders to include other stakeholders as well. Around the world, companies are responding to stakeholder demands by voluntarily reporting on their corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance. Unscrupulous companies may however, be tempted to use green-wash to make false claims relating to their CSR performance in order to reap the associated benefits. This information risk may be ameliorated through the independent assurance of CSR disclosures, enhancing the confidence of stakeholders in its veracity. Reporting companies usually voluntarily obtain independent assurance on their CSR performance. However, in South Africa, independent CSR assurance is a regulatory requirement for all JSE-listed companies, albeit on an ‘apply or explain’ basis.
This thesis, which utilises a mixed methods research approach incorporating both qualitative and quantitative components, seeks to identify and understand the characteristics of the emerging independent CSR assurance phenomenon. In this regard, the empirical component of the study was conducted in three phases: in the first phase companies’ CSR disclosures and assurance reports are examined; in the second phase survey responses from companies are reviewed; and in the third phase interviews with CSR assurors are analysed. In this thesis, the extent to which companies provide independent assurance on their CSR disclosures is established; the providers of independent CSR assurance are identified; the reasons that companies select certain CSR assurance providers are explored; the reasons that companies provide independent assurance on their CSR disclosures are determined; the CSR assurance practices of the various CSR assurors are reviewed and compared; and the primary standards and/or frameworks used in CSR assurance engagements are identified.
A conclusion is reached that although independent CSR assurance is a de facto mandatory requirement for JSE-listed companies, only 26% of the companies had their CSR disclosures independently assured. Despite its de facto mandatory nature, the study found that South African CSR assurance practices remain largely unregulated, resulting in a diversity of CSR assurors; utilising various assurance approaches, standards and practices. In this thesis, it is argued that these inconsistencies undermine the purpose of CSR assurance and reduce stakeholder confidence. It is accordingly proposed that the identified deficiencies could be addressed through the regulation of CSR reporting and assurance. An oversight/regulatory body should be established to prescribe the competencies that CSR assurors should possess; to develop appropriate CSR assurance engagement standards; and to clearly articulate the scope that CSR assurance engagements should cover; with which all CSR assurors should comply. / Auditing / D. Com. (Auditing)
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