Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / On title page: Master of Philosophy in Information and Knowledge Management. Bibliography. Also available via the Internet.

Globally, mobile technology use, particularly the use of mobile phones, is becoming increasingly widespread. One consequence of this growth is mounting interest in using mobile technologies in the public sector, particularly in developing countries, because it is seen as enabling better access to information and services for citizens. Mobile government (m-government), defined as the use of mobile technologies and applications for public sector services, promises to extend access to public services to marginalised sectors of the population and is emerging as a new focus in the ongoing challenge to provide efficient, effective and accessible public services. Though interest in m-government is emerging in the provincial Western Cape Government (WCG) of South Africa, few guidelines exist in the WCG to inform the development of public sector mobile services. This absence impacts on service delivery and the primary objective of this study was to propose a set of guidelines that could guide the prioritisation of citizen facing public sector services for mobile implementation in the Western Cape. The study considered two areas namely, government and user needs. The primary research question was to determine what public sector services citizens need and how these services should be prioritised for mobile delivery in the Western Cape. To address this, three research sub-questions were formulated. The first question aimed to examine conceptions of mobile government. To achieve this a literature study and documentation review was conducted, from which factors influencing service prioritisation emerged. The second research question aimed to identify citizen needs that could inform mobile public sector services in the Western Cape. Thus a survey and interviews were conducted with citizens using the WCG community ICT centres (e-Centres). The third research question aimed to identify factors that impact on the prioritisation of citizen facing public sectors for mobile delivery in the Western Cape. The findings from the literature study, survey and interviews conducted were used to address this research question. The results from the three research sub-questions were triangulated to address the main objective of the study and from this a set of guidelines for prioritising mobile public sector services in the Western Cape was proposed.

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for Masters in Management Sciences Specialising in Public Relations, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2017. / Communication is the life blood of the organisation. No business or institution develops in the absence of an effective communication system. Communication is essential to the delivery of information, creating awareness and ensuring public participation. Participatory communication, which focuses on the active involvement of the people in all stages, is crucial. When participating in local government, citizens should be knowledgeable and attempt to understand the system and its operations, and be aware of their rights and responsibilities. To be truly significant and meaningful, participation needs to be based on the application of genuine two-way communication principles and practices. This study aimed to do exactly that; investigate, explore and analyse the various external communication channels employed by the Mnquma Local Municipality (MLM) whilst evaluating their effectiveness given the challenging circumstances and environment of a rural community and constituency. In this study a descriptive design with a quantitative research methodological approach was used. Data was collected from 400 constituents, using a questionnaire. Most respondents admitted that the municipality does communicate with them in a language they understood and that the municipality encouraged communication participation; however they indicated a need for more face-to-face engagement, a robust community development worker (CDW) programme, and more councillor engagement. Challenges to effective communication were identified as the lack of Information Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure and the slow infiltration of technology in the area as well as delays in message delivery and that the municipality did not keep them informed. The demographics presented another unique challenge in that the literacy levels are low and poverty is rampant. / M

Research is presented for the degree of Masters of Management in Public and Development Management to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management of the University of the Witwatersrand , March 2016 / The study examines the GCIS strategic planning process of 2012/13-2016/17 Strategic Plan that failed the requirements of the National Treasury Frameworks (NTF). This is in accordance with the 2012/13 AGSA report (Department of Government Communication and Information System, 2013). Although the strategic plan covers the period of five years, the financial years discussed are from 2012/13-2015/16 because the 2016/17 has not been implemented. A qualitative research approach was followed in identifying challenges in the GCIS strategic planning process; the purpose of the study is to offer recommendations to the GCIS management on improvement of the planning process. The South African public sector introduced an outcome-based planning approach in 2009, and developed the long-term plan which is the National Development Plan: Vision 2030 (NDP). In addition, NTF were drawn up and implemented to support the outcome-based approach. This approach to planning shifted the focus of government from outputs to outcomes and to the impact of service delivery on the lives of South Africans. The GCIS was mandated to ensure that there was a constant flow of information between the government and its citizens. The GCIS is responsible for providing strategic leadership in government communications within national, provincial and local government. In order to do this, it embarks on two planning processes, one to develop the National Communication Strategy and the other to develop the strategic plans of the GCIS. The NCS, in particular, guides communication within the government-wide communication system (GWCS). This study was conducted to answer the primary research question: (1) To what extent does the GCIS meet its strategic planning process? The literature review focuses on strategic planning processes in general and within the public sector in particular. The strategic planning process of the South African public sector gives context to the GCIS strategic planning process. A qualitative research design is followed, with in-depth interviews with the GCIS management, government communicators, members of the oversight bodies and a journalist. The findings from the research illustrate that the GCIS strategic planning process is not effective and does not meet the requirements of the NTF. It is not institutionalised as a management tool to improve the performance of the organisation. The challenges with the GCIS strategic planning process were identified as follows: (1) inadequate application of research to inform the strategic planning process, leading to poor formulation of strategies; (2) failure to set appropriate performance indicators and targets for the organisation as well as within the GWCS; (3) misalignment between the strategic plan and the National Communication Strategy (NCS), causing poor implementation of both documents; (4) prolonged acting leadership within the GCIS, which has caused instability in the organisation and unclear strategic direction; and (5) the need to identify planning approaches that are suited to addressing the dynamic and fluid communications environment. The study concludes with recommendations for the improvement of the GCIS strategic planning process to produce a credible strategic plan to meet the NTF requirements. The implementation of such a plan could enhance the efficient functioning of a GWCS. / MT 2018

published_or_final_version / Public Administration / Master / Master of Public Administration

Please read the abstract in the 00front part of this document / Thesis (DPhil (Information Science))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Information Science / unrestricted

Thesis (MPhil (Information Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / The purpose of the research study was to explore how information is managed, in selected South African government departments, since the South African government is moving into the age of e-government and electronic service delivery. This study has tested and found that the degree to which information and knowledge are captured and used to support good governance depends on whether a strong underlying information management infrastructure is in place. A descriptive literature study was conducted to obtain information and views from available related literature that also served as the theoretical basis for the subsequent argument that the success of e-government depends on good information management, not just establishing an on-line presence. The primary data collection for this study was conducted from government employees, junior, middle and senior management level, employed by various Departments, in the National Offices. The findings indicate that a carefully considered plan and strategy for information management infrastructure development are required that include generating a shared vision for information management, a strong action and wide awareness and support by the key stakeholders. Various conclusions have been reached through this study i.e.: • The creation, use and preservation of electronic records pose special challenges requiring new techniques and tools but based on traditional information management principles and goals. • A learning culture and strong infrastructure of laws, policies, standards, practices, systems and people are required to support information management for both traditional and e-governance needs. • Good recordkeeping is a core component of good governance, especially in an increasingly information and technology-intensive environment. A number of recommendations are made, including suggestions that the South African Government should develop the information management structures within the Departments and identify the barriers to information sharing, and also barriers related to culture and structure.

Text in English / This study adopted a quantitative approach in order to produce numbers in relation to the diffusion of the new media. A descriptive quantitative survey was conducted – with sampling done in multi-stage probability – which comprised clustering, simple random, systematic, stratified sampling techniques, convenience and census sampling. A sample size of 379 respondents was selected, comprising 347 citizen-respondents and 32 government communicators (heads of communication). Data was collected utilising two (2) standardised questionnaires – one tailor-made for the citizens and the other for government communicators. Informed by the Diffusion of Innovations theory, this study has established that new media channels have difussed extensively within communities in the Province of Mpumalanga. This has provided a strong motivation to recommend that the communication policy of the South African government be amended, to include new media channels, like social media, as official government communication channels. / Communication Science / D. Litt. et Phil. (Communication)

This study seeks to describe the public communication practices of the authorities in the Dutch Golden Age. It is a study of 'state communication': the manner in which the authorities sought to inform their citizens, publicise their laws, and engage publicly in quarrels with their political opponents. These communication strategies underpinned the political stability of the seventeenth-century Dutch Republic. Concerned about their decorous appearance, the regents who ruled the country always understated the extent to which they relied on the consent of their citizens. The regents shared a republican ideal which dismissed the agency of popular consent; but this was an ideal, like so many ideals in the Dutch Republic, which existed in art and literature, but was not practised in daily life. The practicalities of governance demanded that the regents of the Dutch Republic adopt a sophisticated system of communication. The authorities employed town criers and bailiffs to speed through town and country to repeat proclamations; they instructed ministers to proclaim official prayer days at church; and they ensured that everywhere, on walls, doors, pillars and public boards, one could find the texts of ordinances, notices and announcements issued by the authorities. In the seventeenth-century Dutch Republic, politics was not the prerogative of the few. That this was due to the determined efforts of the authorities has never been appreciated. Far from withholding political information, the regents were finely attuned to the benefit of involving their citizens in the affairs of state. The Dutch public was exposed to a wealth of political literature, much of it published by the state. The widespread availability of government publications also exposed the law to prying, critical eyes; and it paved the way to make the state, and the bewildering wealth of legislation it communicated, more accountable.

The dawn of democracy in South Africa ushered an increasing need for government to interact with the citizens. This study assesses the use of the state of the province address (SOPA) as a communication platform to keep the citizens abreast of the government programmes and deliverables in Limpopo province, South Africa. SOPA is broadcasted mainly from the legislature whilst the communities can view the proceedings in identified public viewing areas. Since SOPA’s inception, there is limited academic studies conducted on the effectiveness of SOPA in general and public viewing areas in particular. To fill this paucity of research, this study reviewed the government communication strategy with specific reference to government communication and information systems (GCIS) which emphasises on the need for government to interact with stakeholders at all levels. Using communication effectiveness and stakeholder theories (also called Izimbizo), this study evaluated the planning process of SOPA and citizens’ views on the effectiveness of the public viewing areas. In-depth interviews and survey were conducted with campaign planners and Mokwakwaila citizens respectively. Data was analysed using thematic analysis for interviews and descriptive statistics for survey. This study found that the internal planning process of the campaign (SOPA) is accordingly linked to the strategic objectives of the province, but inadequate funding hinders the longevity of the campaign. It is also this study’s finding that whilst citizens found SOPA to be effective they however feel that government does not do enough to source feedback after the campaign. This study recommends that there could be an exploration of the new media utility to produce more awareness about the campaign in order to accommodate audience that do not use radio and newspapers. The implications on campaign planners is that they should conduct feedback to improve public participation in future government programmes / Communication Science / M.A. (Communication)