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  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
201

Development through e-government : strategic options for South African application

Heginbotham, Melanie Janet 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MPA (School of Public Management and Planning))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / Information and communication technologies are rapidly changing the future of public administration. The desire to become part of the “Information Age” has instigated a worldwide transformation process that puts information and communication technologies at the heart of government processes and practices. One strategy that embraces these technologies is electronic government (e-government). The ability to provide government services and information online is becoming a benchmark for governments in both developed and developing nations. E-government has arrived in South Africa and slowly it is starting to shape our lives. Improved service delivery, access to information, an open and transparent form of government and the ability to participate in certain government activities are just some of the advantages that e-government has to offer. Although disparities in access and education levels remain a constant hindrance in South Africa, the e-government strategy does have the potential to promote community development. By providing an opportunity to learn a new skill, gain new information and participate in your local government activities, e-government has the potential to empower local citizens thereby promoting community development. The acquisition of new knowledge is a vital tool in today’s modern society. Therefore, through the provision of new knowledge e-government is a strategy for the future.
202

Assessing the m-Government readiness within the provincial government Western Cape

Du Preez, Jacques 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MPA (School of Public Management and Planning))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / m-Government or mobile-Government is seen as part of e-Government and an additional channel for the delivery of public services and information to the citizen. This study critically examines and evaluates the extent to which the Provincial Government Western Cape has adopted m-Government and implemented related services. A survey conducted by Kirsten (2006) on the adoption and readiness of mobile technology by businesses in South Africa was used as the foundation of this study to determine the level of readiness in the Provincial Government Western Cape. Managers and technical staff within the Province’s information and communication technology component, the Centre for e-Innovation, were interviewed and asked to complete the survey. The study found that, although there is a relatively high degree of adoption with regard to various aspects of mobile and wireless technology, there are many obstacles and barriers that need to be overcome in order to achieve a higher level of m-Government maturity or readiness. The study makes various suggestions on how to overcome these barriers. The most important suggestion is to develop a holistic approach to the adoption of m-Government. Plans for adoption should be incremental to ensure that small victories that can be built on are achieved; the involvement of key stakeholders is also essential.
203

An integrated feedback and strategic management process for the SA Police Service in the Western Cape

Beukes, Isak 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MPA)--Stellenbosch University, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The year 1999 was announced as the year of service delivery by the National Commissioner of Police, and the Police Plan for the RSA underwent a name change to the "policy priorities and objectives" in the same year. The Police Plan, consisting of policy priorities and objectives and internal focus areas, can be seen as the strategic plan of the South African Police Service. Such a strategic plan needs an implementation plan to put it into operation and ensure the involvement of every member in the Service. The prime objective of the South African Police Service is the establishment of a safe and secure environment in partnership with the community. The emphasis should therefore be on - • improving the quality and effectiveness of service to the community; • supporting the transformation process in South Africa in general and in the South African Police Service in particular; • instituting a new style of Community Policing and Management; and • establishing a process for efficient and effective policing. The above priorities consist of a number of objectives to put actions into operation in order to reach a desired outcome. These actions will be addressed at all managerial levels from top to lower levels through the integrated planning process. The South African Police Service in the Western Cape is divided into four policing areas at present, namely the Eastern Metropole, Western Metropole, Boland and Southern Cape. Each area consists of stations which are responsible to the Area, and each station must give feedback to the Area on its strategic management plan. The strategic management plan of the SAPS in the Western Cape can be seen as a combination of the Policing Priorities and Objectives for the province, the Service Delivery Improvement Programme (SDIP) and the Area Operational Plan. The main goal of this research project is to design an integrated Strategic Management model through which every Police Station in the Western Cape can provide feedback in the Strategic Management processes. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die jaar 1999 is tot die jaar van dienslewering deur die Nasionale Kommissaris van Polisie verklaar, en die Polisieplan vir die RSA het 'n naamverandering na die "beleidsprioriteite en doelwitte" in dieselfde jaar ondergaan. Die Polisieplan, wat bestaan uit beleidsprioriteite en doelwitte en interne fokusareas, kan as die strategiese plan van die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiediens beskou word. So 'n strategiese plan benodig 'n implementeringsplan om dit in werking te stel en die betrokkenheid van alle lede van die Diens te verseker. Die hoofdoelwit van die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiediens is om 'n veilige en beveiligde omgewing in 'n vennootskap met die gemeenskap te bewerkstellig. Daarom behoort die klem te val op - • verbetering van die kwaliteit en doeltreffendheid van die diens aan die gemeenskap; • ondersteuning van die transformasieproses in Suid-Afrika in die algemeen en in die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiediens in die besonder; • die instelling van 'n nuwe styl van Gemeenskapspolisiëring en bestuur; en • die vestiging van 'n proses vir doelmatige en doeltreffende polisiëring. Bovermelde prioriteite bestaan uit 'n aantal doelwitte om aksies in werking te stel ten einde 'n beoogde resultaat te bereik. Hierdie aksies moet op alle bestuursvlakke vanaf topbestuur tot die laer vlakke deur die geïntegreerde beplanningsproses geloods word. Die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiediens in die Wes-Kaap is in vier polisiëringsareas opgedeel, naamlik die Oos-Metropool, Wes-Metropool, Boland en Suid-Kaap. Elke area bestaan uit stasies wat aan die Area verantwoordelik is, en elke stasie moet aan die Area terugvoer verskaf oor sy strategiese bestuursplan. Die strategiese bestuursplan van die SAPD in die Wes-Kaap kan beskou word as 'n kombinasie van die Polisiëringsprioriteite en Doelwitte vir die provinsie, die Dienslewering Verbeteringsprogram (DVP) en die Area Operasionele Plan. Die hoofdoel van hierdie navorsingsprojek is om 'n geïntegreerde strategiese bestuursmodel te ontwerp waardeur alle polisiestasies in die Wes-Kaap terugvoer kan gee in die Strategiese Bestuursprosesse.
204

An evaluation of e-government within the Provincial Government Western Cape (PGWC)

Jantjies, Stephan Omar 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MPA (Public Management and Planning))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Electronic government or e-Government has become a global phenomenon and is seen as a tool to strengthen the performance of government and public administration. An efficient and effective state administration is a necessary requirement for economic and social development. This study describes to what extent the e-Government policy of the PGWC compares with other e-Government policies internationally and in particular the Australian e-Government policy. South Africa as a young democracy can use the transformational power of the e- Government approach to the benefit of government, business and the citizens of the country if this approach is applied appropriately. e-Government offers the opportunity to improve public services and can even reduce the gap that exists between those who are computer literate and those who are not. E-Government in the PGWC is still in the beginning phases compared to e- Government in Australia, which has developed rapidly over the last decade. The PGWC can learn from the Australian e-Government development process, with Australians being regarded as one of the leading e-Government nations in the world, according to the United Nations Organisation. Even though the e-Government policy of the PGWC and the Australian e- Government policy use a comparatively similar approach within the demographic boundaries in which they exist, it was found that the socio-economic challenges of South Africa as a developing country, still have an enormous influence on the optimal application of the e-Government policy. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Elektroniese regering of e-Regering het ‘n wêreldwye verskynsel geraak en kan gesien word as ‘n maatstaf vir die versterking van regeringsoptrede en publieke administrasie. ‘n Effektiewe en doeltreffende staatsadministrasie is ‘n noodsaaklike vereiste vir ekonomiese en sosiale ontwikkeling. Hierdie studie beskryf tot watter mate die e-Regeringsbeleid van die Wes-Kaapse Provinsiale Regering met ander internasionale e-Regeringsbeleide vergelyk, veral met betrekking tot die e- Regeringsbeleid van Australië. As ‘n jong demokrasie kan Suid-Afrika die transformerende invloed van die eregerings benadering tot die voordeel van die regering, besigheid en die burgers van die land gebruik indien hierdie benadering korrek toegepas word. e-Regering bied die geleentheid om publieke dienste te verbeter en kan selfs die bestaande gaping vernou tussen diegene wat rekenaargeletterd is en diegene wat nie rekenaargeletterd is nie. e-Regering in die Wes-Kaapse Provinsiale Regering is nog in ‘n betreklike vroeë stadium vergeleke met e-regering in Australië waar dit oor die laaste dekade snel ontwikkel het. Die Wes-Kaapse Provinsiale Regering kan vanuit die ontwikkelingsproses van die Australiese e-Regering leer, daar Australië deur die Verenigde Volkere-organisasie as een van die voorste e-Regeringnasies in die wêreld beskou word. Selfs al toon die beleide van die Wes-Kaapse Provinsiale Regering en die van Australië ‘n relatief eenderse benadering tot e-Regering binne die demografiese grense waarin hulle bestaan, is gevind dat die sosio-ekonomiese uitdagings van Suid-Afrika as ‘n ontwikkelingsland steeds ‘n enorme invloed op die optimale aanwending van e-Regering het.
205

The learning organisation and productivity : a case study of the Athlone detective service

Brand, J. J. (Johannes Jurgens) 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MPA)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The transformation of the South African Police Service (SAPS) did not simply brought about a change in name; it meant a different new style of policing. A completely new concept of how a police service should function within a democratic society, had to be developed and learnt. One of the significant changes was the transformation of the old South African Police Force into the SAPS. Included in this process was the amalgamation of the eleven police agencies into one organisation. The transformation process had a major impact on productivity in the different components of the SAPS, as evidence suggests that change is difficult and that resistance may be expected whenever change involves a significant impact on the traditional behaviour, power, authority, culture and structure within an organisation. The objective of training is to achieve a change in the behaviour of those employees who are undergoing training. The SAPS therefore had to start using training programmes to ensure that all employees accept the change process easier. The researcher attended the Station Management Programme (SMP) at Stellenbosch University in 1999. The first module presented at the SMP comprised the concept of a learning organisation. After successfully completing the SMP, this management mechanism was implemented at Athlone Detective Service. This detective service is one of the components at the Athlone po lice station, which in turn forms part of 1096 po lice stations in South Africa. The high volume of cases on hand was one of the main reasons why it was decided to experiment there with the five disciplines of the learning organisation, as proposed by Peter Senge, at the beginning of July 1999. In Chapter one the research problem is identified, namely whether a learning organisation can be used to improve productivity at detective services. The objectives of this study are firstly to prove how the five disciplines of a learning organisation were implemented at Athlone detective service in order to increase productivity. Secondly, this study will give guidance to the other detective services in the SAPS on how to improve their own productivity. Related literature is reviewed in Chapter two, and these references are made applicable on the SAPS, and more specifically on the Athlone detective service in Chapter three. The gathering, analysis and interpretation of data are discussed in Chapter four. The data for this research has been gathered by means of computerised data, which has been collected from the Criminal Administration System (CAS) of the SAPS, and by means ofa questionnaire, which was distributed among the personnel at Athlone detective service. The collected data is analysed statistically and interpreted in this chapter to establish whether the disciplines of a learning organisation had an impact on productivity. The main focus points of each chapter are firstly summarised, while recommendations are made on the effective management thereof in Chapter five. A conclusion is also given in this last chapter. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die transformasie van die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiediens (SAPD) het nie slegs 'n verandering in naam beteken nie, maar 'n totale verskillende manier van polisiering. 'n Algehele nuwe konsep van hoe 'n polisiediens binne 'n demokratiese samelewing behoort te funksioneer, moes ontwikkel en aangeleer word. Een van die vernaamste veranderings was die omskakeling van die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiemag na die SAPD. Ingesluit in hierdie proses was die samesmelting van die elf verskillende polisieagentskappe in een organisasie. Hierdie proses het 'n negatiewe invloed op produktiwiteit in die verskillende afdelings van die SAPD gehad, aangesien daar al bewys is dat verandering moeilik is en dat weerstand verwag kan word wanneer hierdie verandering met tradisies, mag, gesag, kultuur en struktuur binne 'n organisasie te make het. Die doel van opleiding is om 'n verandering in die gedrag van werknemers te bereik; gevolglik het die SAPD met opleidingsprogramme begin om te verseker dat alle werknemers die veranderingsproses makliker aanvaar. Gedurende 1999 het die navorser die Stasiebestuursprogram (SBP) aan die Universiteit van Stellenbosch deurloop. Die eerste module wat gedurende die SBP aangebied is, was die konsep van lerende organisasie. Na die suksesvolle voltooiing van die SBP, is hierdie bestuursinstrument te Athlone speurdiens in gebruik geneem. Hierdie speurdiens is een van die afdelings van die Athlone polisiestasie, wat op sy beurt deel uitmaak van 'n totaal van 1096 ander polisiestasies in Suid-Afrika. Die vernaamste rede waarom besluit was om die vyf dissiplines van die lerende organisasie, soos deur Peter Senge voorgestel op die proef te stel was die groot aantal sake wat ondersoekbeamtes voorhande gehad het gedurende 1999. In hoofstuk een word die navorsingsprobleem geformuleer as: kan die lerende organisasie gebruik word om produktiwiteit in die speurdiens te verbeter? Die doel van hierdie navorsingsprojek is eerstens om te bewys hoe die lerende organisasie gebruik is om produktiwiteit te Athlone speurdiens te verbeter. Ten tweede is die doel van die navorsing om ander speurdienste, binne die SAPD, van riglyne te voorsien oor hoe om hulle eie produktiwiteit te verbeter. Hoofstuk twee bestaan uit 'n oorsig oor die toepaslike literatuur, terwyl die literatuur in hoofstuk drie op die SAPD van toepassing gemaak word. Die insameling, ontleding en vertolking van data word in hoofstuk vier bespreek. Vir die doeleindes van hierdie navorsing is van gerekenariseerde data gebruik gemaak wat vanaf die Misdaad-Administrasiestelsel (MAS) van die SAPD verkry is en uit vraelyste wat onder die Athlone speurdiens versprei is. Die data wat ingesamel is, word in hierdie hoofstuk statisties ontleed en vertolk, ten einde vas te stel of die dissiplines van die lerende organisasie weI 'n invloed op produktiwiteit gehad het. In hoofstuk vyf word die vernaamste bevindings eerstens opgesom en daarna word aanbevelings oor die doeltreffende bestuur daarvan gemaak. Laastens word 'n gevolgtrekking gegee.
206

Centralisation versus decentralisation of the organisation development function within the Western Cape Provincial Administration

Boonzaaier, Jacob J. J. 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MPA)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Organisation development is one of the. most important management tools used by organisations to assess themselves and their environment and to revitalise and to rebuild their strategies, structures and processes to manage change. The purpose of this study is to establish an understanding of what organisation development is and how it works, and to identify and explain the legislative and other aspects that influence the decision-making process with regard to organisation development interventions within the public service. In addition to this, the author explains the development and current reality of organisation development in the Western Cape Provincial Administration. A current burning issue in the context of public legislation and other directives in the public service is that managers want to be empowered to manage their own resources. The issue of centralisation or decentralisation of the organisation development function is a major source of dissension within the Western Cape Provincial Administration. The main purpose of this study is to provide a body of knowledge on whether organisation development is centralised or decentralised and what factors need to be considered regarding this issue. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Organisasieontwikkeling is een van die belangrikste bestuursmiddele wat deur organisasies gebruik word tydens assessering van die organisasie en van die omgewing, en om nuwe lewe in hulle strategieë, strukture en prosesse te blaas en dit te herbou ten einde verandering te kan bestuur. Die doel van hierdie navorsing is om 'n begrip te verkry van wat organisasieontwikkeling is en hoe dit werk, en om wetgewing en ander aspekte wat die besluitnemingsproses oor intervensies ten opsigte van organisasieontwikkelings binne die staatsdiens beïnvloed, te identifiseer en te verklaar. Voorts sit die skrywer die ontwikkeling en huidige realiteit van organisasieontwikkeling in die Wes-Kaapse Provinsiale Administrasie uiteen. 'n Vraagstuk wat tans baie aandag geniet binne die konteks van openbare wetgewing en ander voorskrifte in die staatsdiens, is dié van bestuurders wat bemagtig wil word om self hulle hulpbronne te bestuur. Die vraagstuk van sentralisering of desentralisering van die organisasieontwikkelingsfunksie is 'n belangrike bron van meningsverskil binne die Wes-Kaapse Provinsiale Administrasie. Die hoofdoel van hierdie navorsing is om 'n kennisgeheel te voorsien rakende die vraag of organisasieontwikkeling gesentraliseer of gedesentraliseer is en watter faktore ten opsigte van hierdie kwessie in ag geneem moet word.
207

The transforming roles of management boards in non-profit social welfare organisations

Nefdt, Wendy Muriel 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (M Social Work)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / Some digitised pages may appear illegible due to the condition of the original hard copy. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Universally social welfare organisations are under considerable pressure to perform in new and demanding ways. Continual change in one form or another is an inescapable part of both social and organisational life. After the political transformation of 1994, all South African non-profit social welfare organisations were called upon to participate in the development of an equitable, people-centred, democratic and developmental social welfare system. The process of reconstruction and development which is currently underway in South Africa requires non-profit social welfare organisations to transform their governance structures and approach in keeping with the new social developmental approach to service delivery such as the White Paper for Social Welfare (1997), the Non-profit Organisations Act (1997), the Public Finance Management Act (1999), the Codes of Good Practice for South African Non-profit Organisations (2001) and the Code of Corporate Governance - King II Report (2002). The political reforms in South Africa and the dramatic change in socio-economic policies and legislation such as the promulgation of the White Paper for Social Welfare (1997) illustrates how the external environment could impact on the provisioning of social welfare services in the non-profit sector. Social welfare organisations are therefore challenged to transform their governance structures to reflect the legislative changes in the country. In order for social welfare service providers to implement a developmental approach to social welfare, management boards of non-profit social welfare organisations need to adopt a proactive role in facilitating the transformation process. The management board is a policy making body of the organisation with a legal duty to ensure that the organisation's actions are consistent with the its goals and objectives. The motivation for the research study is to explore whether management boards of non-profit social welfare organisations had transformed their governance structure and practice in keeping with the transformed social welfare legislation and codes of practice. The literature review demonstrates that management boards of social welfare organisations have clearly defined roles and responsibilities. A more progressive perspective on the roles and responsibilities is linked to the management board's ability to respond to changing environments. According to theorists on modern governance (Carver, 1990, Abels and Murphey, 1981, and Herman, 1989), management boards should initiate, plan and manage the change process in order to improve the operational effectiveness of the organisation and to strive towards what ought to be for the creation of a just society. The White Paper for Social Welfare (1997) describes a just society as being one that facilitates the development of human capacity and self-reliance within a caring and enabling environment. The findings of the study conclude that the majority of management boards of social welfare organisations have transformed their governance structure however, they should be more informed about contemporary governance practices and social welfare transformation processes. Management boards need to develop an agenda for social transformation in order to respond more proactively to the call for a transformed social welfare practice in the country. The legislative framework of the South African Government makes provision for the formulation of principles and regulations that guide transformation practices in the non-profit social welfare sector. In order to ensure that transformation takes place within the sector, the government has mandated the Department of Social Development with the responsibility to monitor the process. The challenge that exists for the Department of Social Development is to create a structure for dialogue and feedback between the various role players in order to share the responsibility for the transformation of social welfare practice. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Oor die algemeen is daar 'n redelike mate van druk op welsynsorganisasies om op nuwe en uitdagende maniere dienste te lewer. Voortdurende verandering in die een of ander vorm is 'n onvermydelike deel van beide die sosiale en organisatoriese lewe. Na die politieke transformasie van 1994 is daar 'n beroep gedoen op alle nie-winsgewende maatskaplike welsynsorganisasies in Suid Afrika om deel te neem aan die ontwikkeling van 'n gelyke, mens-gesentreerde, demokratiese en ontwikkelende maatskaplike welsynsisteem . Die proses van rekonstruksie en ontwikkeling wat tans in Suid-Afrika aan die gang is, vereis van nie-winsgewende welsynsorganisasies om hulle bestuurstrukture en benadering in ooreenstemming te bring met die nuwe maatskaplike ontwikkkelingsbenadering tot dienslewering soos vervat in die Witskrif vir Maatskaplike Welsyn (1997), Die politieke hervorminge in Suid-Afrika en die dramatise veranderinge in sosio-ekonomiese beleid en wetgewing, soos byvoorbeeld die uitvaardiging van die Witskrif vir Maatkskaplike Welsyn (1997), Wet op Organisasies sonder Winsoogmerk (1997), Wet op Openbare Finansiële Bestuur (1999), Kodes vir Goeie Praktyk vir Suid Afrikaanse Nie-Winsgewende Organisasies (2001) en die Kode vir Korporatiewe Bestuur- King II Verslag (2002), illustreer hoe die eksterne omgewing die voorsiening van maatskaplike welsynsdienste in die nie-winsgewende sektor kan beïnvloed. Maatskaplike welsynsoganisasies staan daarom voor die uitdaging om hulle bestuurstrukture sodanig te verander, dat dit 'n weerspieëling sal wees van die wetgewende veranderinge in die land. Om die maatskaplike welsyns-voorsieners in staat te stelom 'n ontwikkelings -benadering te implimenteer, moet bestuursrade van nie-winsgewende organisasies 'n pro-aktiewe rol speel om die transformasie proses te fasiliteer. Die bestuursraad is die beleidmaker van die organisasie en het 'n wetlike verpligting om seker te maak dat die organisasie se optrede in ooreenstemming is met die organisasie se doelstellings. Die motivering vir die navorsing is om ondersoek in te stelof bestuursrade van nie-winsgewende maatskaplike welsynsorganisasies hulle bestuursstrukture en praktyk aangepas het om in ooreenstemming te wees met die veranderde maatskaplike welsynswetgewing en praktyk kodes. Die literatuurstudie toon aan dat bestuursrade van maatskaplike welsynsorganisasies duidelike gedefinieerde rolle en verantwoordelikhede het. 'n Meer progressiewe perspektief op die rolle en verantwoordelikhede is gekoppel aan die bestuursrade se vermoë om te reageer op veranderende omgewings. Volgens skrywers oor moderne bestuur (Carver, 1990, Abels en Murphey, 1981, en Herman, 1989), moet bestuursrade die veranderingsproses inisieer, beplan en bestuur ten einde die operasionele effektiwiteit van die organisasies te verbeter en om te streef na wat behoort te wees vir die totstandkoming van 'n regverdige samelewing. Die Wit Skrif vir Maatskaplike Welsyn (1997) beskryf 'n regverdige samelewing as een wat die ontwikkeling , van die kapasiteit van die mens en sy vermoë tot selfstandigheid fasiliteer binne 'n ondersteunende en bemagtigende omgewing. Die wetgewende raamwerk van die Suid Afrikaanse Regering maak voorsiening vir die formulering van beginsels en regulasies wat die transformasie proses in die nie-winsgewende maatskaplike welsyn sektor begelei. Om te verseker dat transformasie wel plaasvind binne hierdie sektor, het die regering 'n mandaat gegee aan die Departement van Maatskaplike Ontwikkeling om hierdie proses te monitor. Die uitdaging vir die Department van Maatskaplike Ontwikkeling lê daarin om 'n struktuur daar te stel vir dialoog en terugvoering tussen die verskillende rolspelers sodat hulle gesamentlik verantwoordelikheid kan neem vir die transformasie van die maatskaplike welsyn praktyk.
208

Furthering new public management principles through financial reforms in post-1999 South Africa

Keita, Hawa 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MPA)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this research is to describe how the reform of public finance undertaken in South Africa since 1999 has furthered the principles of new public management (NPM). The first part of the research outlines the history of public sector reform in South Africa in general, with particular emphasis on public finance. It also discusses how reform was initiated and supplemented by the principles of new public management with the adoption of the Public Finance Management Act, No. 1 of 1999 (PFMA, 1999). This is followed by a deep analysis and detailed discussion of key indicators and the mode of their collection. The final phase consists of a description of how new public management principles have impacted public finance management since 1999. The study concludes with recommendations for further research and for practice and policy. The results tend to show how some principles of NPM have furthered public finance reform in some areas while others are still lacking. However the lack of sufficient data results in gaps in the findings: this lack of data makes it difficult to portray a clear picture of the extent to which principles of NPM have been fully implemented. Thus one of the recommendations is that certain indicators should be investigated further to understand the phenomenon better; it is probable that in a few years sufficient data will be available to allow for trend assessments. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie navorsing is om te beskryf hoe hervorming van openbare finansies sedert 1999 in Suid Afrika onderneem is ten einde die beginsels van ‘nuwe openbare bestuur’ te bevorder. Die eerste gedeelte van die navorsing fokus op die Suid-Afrikaanse openbare sektor hervorming geskiedenis in die algemeen, met spesifieke fokus op openbare finansies. Dit beskryf hoe die Openbare Finansiële Bestuurswet, No 1 van 1999 (PMFA, 1999) hervorming en die beginsels van ‘nuwe openbare bestuur’ bevorder het. Dit word gevolg deur ‘n diep en deeglike bespreking van kern indikatore en die wyse waarop data versamel is. Die finale fase behels ‘n beskrywing van die bedra van openbare finansiële bestuur hervorming sedert 1999 tot die bevordering van ‘nuwe openbare bestuur’ beginsels. Die studie sluit af met aanbevelings vir praktyk en beleid asook verdere navorsing. Die resultate toon dat sommige van die beginsels van ‘nuwe openbare bestuur’ bevorder is deur openbare finansiële hervorming, terwyl ander steeds agterweë bly. ‘n Tekort aan genoemsame data lei egter tot leemtes in die bevindinge: die tekort aan data maak dit moeilik om ‘n duidelike prentjie te vorm oor die mate waartoe die beginsels van ‘nuwe openbare bestuur’ ten volle geïmplementeer is. Een van die kern aanbevelings is dus dat spesifieke indikatore verder ondersoek moet word om die verskynsel beter te verstaan; dit is waarskynlik dat genoegsame data in die toekoms koers berekenings moontlik sal maak wat verdere begrip sal bevorder.
209

Improving efficiency in the public health sector by transferring selected best practices from the private health sector

Pedro, Beverley-Anne 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this research report was to identify a set of strategic tools that can be transferred from the private health sector to the public health sector, to improve efficiency in the public health sector. To attain to this aim, this research report attempted to identify the selected best practices employed by successful private health providers, to determine the most effective modes to transfer these best practices, and to establish key success factors for the identified best practices. Interviews were conducted with opinion-leaders from the health industry in the Western Cape,and inputs gleaned from these individuals were useful in applying the strategic model to the public and private health sector in the Western Cape. Globally the public sector has already embarked on strategic management initiatives, through the implementation of the New Public Management-model. The introduction of NPM in a few selected countries aimed at achieving cost-efficiency, budget accountability and improved customer focus in service delivery. South Africa however still needs a unifying and all encompassing vision for public and development management to advance the ideals of Batho Pele. The use of evidence and the management of intellectual capital in the health care industry are recognised as important in decision-making. The health care trends of five selected countries (United Kingdom, United States of America, Greece, Canada, Slovakia) were researched , and demonstrated that countries face similar challenges (increasing resource demands, aging population, rapidly expanding technological possibilities, better-informed patients, rising expectations). It is recognised that business skills and knowledge, as well as investments in IT can be effective tools in moving an organisation from a reactive approach to a pro-active approach. Managers in the public sector need different competencies than managers in the private sector due to the differences between the two sectors, and thus there is a need to adapt management training. While there are examples of best practices in the South African government, there is still room for improvement. A stable political economy, political leadership, management skills of political office-bearers and the professionalism of civil servants will be decisive in this regard. The White Paper on the Transformation of the Public Service provides a framework for the development of strategies to promote continuous performance improvements in quantity, quality and equity of health service provision. The areas where improvements are necessary are customer and stakeholder satisfaction, processes, organisation results, leadership and people management. The comparison between the current strategic approach in the Western Cape and a model designed for the public sector revealed that some of the steps can be developed further, namely the assessment of the internal and external environments, the development of an effective implementation process, and the reassessment of the strategies and the strategic planning process. The comparison between the current strategic approach in the Western Cape and the global best practices framework established that there is not sufficient balance between the resource and position based views, the decision-making approach is "quite formal", implementation of strategy is not a carefully planned change management process, planning is regarded as the most important part of the strategic planning process, and evaluating strategy implementation involves more than mere financial measures. It was also established that the Western Cape Department of Health's strategic stance is offensive, that it can be regarded as a prospector, that managing multiple stakeholders is a challenge and that the competitive advantage of the department is its people. The industry analysis revealed that there is still a long way to go in terms of reliable information systems to support health services. The need for a strategic approach that can respond rapidly in a turbulent environment, and the re-look strategic processes to ensure delivery of quality health care through optimal use of resources were also established by the industry analysis. It was established that a gap exists in the public health sector in respect of the strategic planning processes, and that the private health sector portrays characteristics compatible with the global best practices framework. Modes for the successful transfer of best practices were explored, namely management consulting, commercialisation and management development. Two key success factors for the transfer of best practices were identified, namely the application of the Batho Pele principles, and the recruitment and retention of suitably qualified staff. From a global strategic management perspective, it was clear that there is a definite need for the public sector to change to private sector strategic approaches. A shift from a reactive to a pro-active approach is also advisable. The global trends in public health care demonstrate the importance of political leadership, competent management, business knowledge and skills, IT investment and the use of evidence in health. It is clear that the provision of public health care in South Africa faces similar challenges to those experienced by the five countries researched. The application of the global best practices framework confirmed that there are in fact best practices employed by the private sector that can be transferred to the public sector. Most of the best practices discussed in this research report are not employed in the public sector, or only on a limited scale. The use of these practices should be explored by the public sector. In order to equip managers in the public sector with the necessary strategic management tools, training and development opportunities must include modules on strategic management. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie navorsingsverslag was om 'n stel strategiese benaderings te identifiseer wat van die privaat-gesondheidsektor na die openbare gesondheidsektor oorgedra kan word, om effektiwiteit in die publieke gesondheidsektor te verbeter. Ten einde hierdie doel te bereik, was daar gepoog om geselekteerde beste praktyke wat deur die privaat gesondheidsektor gebruik word te identifiseer, om te bepaal wat die mees effektiewe metodes sou wees om dit oor te dra, en om kritiese suksesfaktore vir die bepaalde beste praktyke te identifiseer. Onderhoude is gevoer met prominente leiers in die gesondheids-industrie in die Wes-Kaap, en hierdie insette was waardevol in die toepassing van die strategiese model op die publieke en privaat-gesondheidsektor in die Wes-Kaap. Op die internasionale front het die publieke sektor reeds strategiese bestuurs-inisiatiewe begin toepas, deur die implementering van die NPM-model. Die implementering van NPM in 'n paar geselekteerde lande was gemik op koste-effektiwiteit, begrotingsverantwoordbaarheid en verbeterde fokus op kliente in dienslewering. Suid Afrika het egter steeds die behoefte aan 'n oorkoepelende, verenigende visie vir publieke- en bestuursontwikkeling om uitvoering te gee aan die ideale van Batho Pele. Die gebruik van uitkomste en die bestuur van intellektuele kapitaal in die gesondheidsindustrie word erken as belangrik vir besluitneming. Die neigings in gesondheidsorg van vyf gekose lande (Verenigde Koninkryke, Verenigde State van Amerika, Griekeland, Kanada en Siovakye) toon dat die uitdagings vir gesondheid ooreenstem (verhoogde vraag na hulpbronne, verouderende bevolking, vinnige ontwikkeling van tegnologie, beter ingeligte pasiente, hoër verwagtinge). Dit word aanvaar dat besigheidsvaardighede en -kennis, sowel as beleggings in inligtingstegnologie effektief aangewend kan word om 'n organisasie van 'n reaktiewe tot 'n pro-aktiewe benadering te beweeg. Bestuurders in die publieke sektor benodig vaardighede wat verskil van bestuurders in die privaatsektor weens verskille tussen die twee sektore; daar is dus 'n behoefte om bestuursopleiding aan te pas. Daar is wel voorbeelde van beste praktyke in die Suid-Afrikaanse regering, maar daar is steeds ruimte vir verbetering. 'n Stabiele politieke ekonomie, politieke leierskap, bestuursvaardighede van politieke ampsdraers en die professionaliteit van staatsamptenare sal deurslaggewend wees in hierdie verband. Die Wit Skrif oor Transformasie van die Openbare Sektor verskaf 'n raamwerk vir die ontwikkeling van strategiee om voortgesette verbeteringe in hoeveelheid, kwaliteit, en gelykheid in die voorsiening van gesondheidsorg te bevorder. Areas vir verbetering sluit in kliente en belanghebbende tevredenheid, prosesse, organisatoriese uitslae, leierskap en bestuur van mense. Die vergelyking van die huidige strategiese benadering in die Wes-Kaap met 'n model wat ontwikkel is vir die publieke sektor toon dat sommige van die stappe verder ontwikkel kan word, naamlik die evaluering van die interne en eksterne omgewing, die ontwikkeling van effektiewe implementeringsprosesse, en die herevaluering van die strategiee en die strategiese beplanningsprooes. Die vergelyking van die huidige strategiese benadering in die Wes-Kaap met die globale beste praktyke raamwerk toon dat daar nie genoeg balans is tussen die posisie- en hulpbrongebaseerde stand nie, dat besluitneming "nogal formeel" is, dat implementering van strategie nie 'n sorgvuldig beplande veranderingsbestuursproses is nie, en dat evaluering van implementering meer behels as slegs finansiele maatstawwe. Dit het ook aan die lig gekom dat die Wes-Kaap departement van gesondheid 'n offensiewe stand het, dat dit as 'n prospektor beskou kan word, en dat die bestuur van veelvuldige belangehebbendes 'n uitdaging is. Die analise van die industrie het getoon dat daar nog baie gedoen kan word in terme van betroubare inligtingstelsels om gesondheidsdienste te ondersteun. Die behoefte aan 'n strategiese benadering om vinnig te reageer in 'n turbulente omgewing, en die her-evaluering van strategiese prosesse om die lewering van kwaliteit gesondheidsdienste deur die optimale gebruik van hulpbronne te verseker, is ook bevind in die analise. Daar is ook bevind dat daar 'n gaping in die publieke gesondheidsektor is wat die strategiese beplanningsproses betref, en dat die privaat-gesondheidsektor kenmerke openbaar wat verenigbaar is met die globale beste praktyke raamwerk. Metodes vir die suksesvolle oordrag van beste praktyke, naamlik bestuurskonsultasie, kommersialisasie en bestuursontwikkeling word beskryf. Twee sleutelsuksesfaktore vir die oordrag van beste praktyke, naamlik die toepassing van die Batho Pele beginsels, en die werwing en behoud van toepaslik gekwalifiseerde personeel is identifiseer. Uit 'n globale strategiese bestuursperspektief was dit duidelik dat daar definitief 'n behoefte is vir die publieke sektor om privaatsektor strategiese benaderings aan te neem. 'n Beweging van 'n reaktiewe tot 'n pro-aktiewe benadering is beslis aan te beveel. Die globale neigings in publieke gesondheidsorg demonstreer die belangrikheid van politieke leierskap, bevoegde bestuur, besigheidskennis en -vaardighede, beleggings in inligtingstegnologie en die gebruik van uitkoms-gebaseerde bewyse. Dit is duidelik dat die voorsiening van publieke gesondheidsorg in Suid-Afrika ooreenstemmende uitdagings het met die vyf lande wat ondersoek is. Die toepassing van die globale beste praktyke raamwerk het bevestig dat daar wel beste praktyke gebruik word deur die privaatsektor, wat oorgedra kan word na die publieke sektor. Meeste van die beste praktyke hier bespreek word nie deur die publieke sektor gebruik nie, of slegs op 'n beperkte basis. Die gebruik van hierdie praktyke moet ondersoek word deur die publieke sektor. Om bestuurders in die publieke sektor toe te rus met die nodige strategiese bestuursvaardighede, moet opleidings- en ontwikkelingsgeleenthede modules insluit oor strategiese bestuur.
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The role of middle managers in strategy execution : a case study of a local authority council

Katoma, Fillemon Ndangi 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Successful strategy execution remains critical for any organisation. Yet many organisations seem to have difficulties in implementing their strategies, especially in the public sector. This study explores the role of middle managers in executing organisational strategies in the local government sector. The study adopted a qualitative research method and followed a case study strategy, using a local authority council (LAC) in Namibia. Using semi-structured individual interviews, I interviewed 10 middle managers, selected through applying purposive sampling and representing diverse characteristics of the target group. I introduced a theoretical framework consisting of four research focus areas to guide the study: the value-adding role of middle managers, the key enablers for middle managers to execute strategies successfully, the key processes they follow and the key tools they use to implement corporate strategies. I also conducted a critical literature review on the above focus areas. The findings suggest that middle managers interpret, communicate and translate organisational strategic goals into actions in their value-adding role as champions, synthesisers, facilitators and implementers. The results of the research study also indicates that communication and the availability of resources are key enabling factors, whereas systems, structures, policies and communication channels are key processes impacting on the middle managers' effective implementation of corporate strategies in this LAC. In the same vein, resources – information technology (IT) in particular, performance management systems and laws – were found to be the key tools. Some disconfirming evidence also emerged from the study, suggesting that some middle managers play a value-subtracting role, characterised by disruptive behaviour and being bogged down in routine duties. This research study is, at best, an explorative one, as it used a limited sample. Further research is necessary to gain more in-depth insights about the different roles of middle managers and their influence on strategy generation and implementation versus the role of top/senior managers. As the study employed a case study design, the generalisability of the findings is also limited to this LAC. Further, while I aimed to give a trustworthy account of the experiences of the research participants, many factors may have interfered with the processes of fair collection and interpretation of data, including personal emotional involvement with the topic, presuppositions formed from reading the literature, and various aspects of the interaction with the research participants. Further research is therefore needed to validate the assumed relationships that are expressed in the thematic map. This study is of value to the LAC in that, in the present context of this organisation, top management formulate the organisational strategic goals (vision, mission, strategic thrusts and objectives), with little involvement of middle managers. The study records the views of middle managers, indicating that there is a gap between the agenda setting and leadership of top managers and the observed roles of middle managers. Yet, effective strategy execution requires constant feedback, commenting on and questioning the strategy in order to facilitate understanding. Middle managers thus correctly argue that continuous dialogue and interaction with senior managers increases the alignment of their tactical initiatives with top management's conception of corporate strategy. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Suksesvolle strategieuitvoering bly van deurslaggewende belang vir enige organisasie. Tog is dit oënskynlik vir menige instansie moeilik om hulle strategieë ten uitvoer te bring, veral in die openbare sektor. Hierdie studie ondersoek die rol van middelvlakbestuurders in die toepassing van organisatoriese strategieë in die plaaslike regeringsektor. Met behulp van ʼn kwalitatiewe navorsingsmetode en ʼn gevallestudieontwerp, is ʼn Namibiese plaaslike regeringsraad ('n sogenaamde LAC) onder die loep geneem. Semi-gestruktureerde afsonderlike onderhoude is met tien middelvlakbestuurders gevoer, welke tiental deur doelgerigte steekproefneming gekies is en die diverse kenmerke van die teikengroep verteenwoordig. Die studie word gerig deur ʼn teoretiese raamwerk met vier navorsingsfokusgebiede, naamlik die waardetoevoegingsrol van middelvlakbestuurders; die kerninstaatstellers vir middelvlakbestuurders om strategieë suksesvol in werking te stel; en die kernprosesse wat middelvlakbestuurders volg, sowel as die kerninstrumente wat hulle gebruik om korporatiewe strategieë uit te voer. ʼn Oorsig van kritieke literatuur is ook op elk van voormelde fokusgebiede onderneem. Die bevindinge dui daarop dat middelvlakbestuurders, in hulle waardetoevoegingsrol as kampvegters, sintetiseerders, fasiliteerders en toepassers, organisatoriese strategiese doelwitte vertolk, oordra en in dade omskakel. Die navorsing bevind ook dat kommunikasie en die beskikbaarheid van hulpbronne kerninstaatstellers is, terwyl stelsels, struktuur, beleid en kommunikasiekanale die kernprosesse is wat middelvlakbestuurders se doeltreffende inwerkingstelling van korporatiewe strategieë in die LAC onder beskouing beïnvloed. In dieselfde trant blyk hulpbronne – veral inligtingstegnologie, ʼn prestasiebestuurstelsel en wette – die kerninstrumente te wees. Die studie lewer egter ook teenstellende bewyse op dat sommige middelvlakbestuurders inderwaarheid ʼn waardeverminderingsrol speel, omdat hulle ontwrigtend optree en in roetinetake vasval. Hierdie navorsingstudie is hoogstens ondersoekend, met ʼn beperkte steekproef. Verdere navorsing is dus nodig om ʼn dieper insig in die verskillende rolle van middelvlakbestuurders en hulle invloed op die formulering en inwerkingstelling van strategie teenoor dié van top-/senior bestuurders te verkry. Aangesien die studie van ʼn gevallestudieontwerp gebruik maak, is die veralgemeenbaarheid van die bevindinge ook beperk tot die onderhawige LAC. Voorts, hoewel die studie 'n betroubare weergawe van die navorsingsdeelnemers se ervaringe probeer gee, kon verskeie faktore met die prosesse van billike datainsameling en datavertolking ingemeng het, wat persoonlike betrokkenheid by die onderwerp, vooronderstellings uit die literatuur, en vele aspekte met betrekking tot wisselwerking met navorsingsdeelnemers insluit. Die aangenome verhoudinge in die tematiese kaart moet dus deur middel van verdere navorsing bekragtig word. Die studie is van waarde vir die betrokke LAC, aangesien die topbestuur van die organisasie tans die organisatoriese strategiese doelwitte (visie, misie, strategiese fokuspunte en oogmerke) sonder veel oorleg met middelvlakbestuurders bepaal. Middelvlakbestuurders kon dus deur hierdie studie ook húlle menings lug, waaruit duidelik blyk dat daar ʼn gaping is tussen topbestuurders se agendabepaling en leierskap, en die waargenome rolle van middelvlakbestuurders. Doeltreffende strategieuitvoering verg egter deurlopende terugvoering oor, kommentaar op, en bevraagtekening van die strategie ten einde werklike begrip in die hand te werk. Middelvlakbestuurders het dus gelyk dat voortdurende gesprekvoering en wisselwerking met senior bestuurders nodig is om te verseker dat taktiese projekte op middelvlak in pas is met die topbestuur se gedagtes oor korporatiewe strategie.

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