Thesis (M. Dev.) -- University of Limpopo, 2019 / This study examines the effect of asset management on social work services delivery in the Department of Social Development (DSD), Capricorn District. The aim of the study was to explore factors that lead to the mismanagement of assets in the department. For social workers to deliver services or to operate, the Department of Social Development (DSD) as the employer must ensure that infrastructure (office space and facilities), information management and technology equipment must be provided to social welfare practitioners (employees). For their effective functioning, certain basic infrastructure and equipment are needed by social welfare service practitioners, particularly social workers who are legally obliged to provide services in a particular manner. The problem of lack of resources has been also observed and that service providers who are social workers end up using their own resources in an attempt to provide service delivery and administration of their duties as social workers. The objectives of this study were to examine the state of asset management in the department; to assess the effect of asset management on service delivery; and to propose strategies that may enable the department to deal with emerging issues. The study was guided by questions such as the following: What is the current state of asset management as it relates to service delivery? How does asset management affect service delivery? What strategies may enable the department to deal with emerging issues? The study adopted the qualitative research approach to collect primary data through face-to-face semi-structured interviews. It further used thematic content analysis to analyse data. Through the use of this approach, it was noted that asset problems have a negative impact on social work service delivery. From the data collected, the study revealed that there are numerous problems that social workers come across in the process of providing services and mainly because of lack of adequate assets. These problems affect service delivery negatively, and include lack of transport; insufficient office space; and lack of furniture, computers, printers and landline or cellular phones. Social work services cannot be properly, effectively and efficiently provided without adequate asset management. The study recommends that the DSD should provide social workers with assets in order to render better service. It is important for one to know that social work services and asset management are two related entities.

Thesis (MBA.) -- University of Limpopo, 2015 / The Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism is mandated to focus on growing the provincial economy, empowering women and youth, on supporting small businesses and co-operatives and improving the lives of the people of the province for the better as indicated in the Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism Province Budget Vote (2015/16). Economic growth and social wellbeing are closely tied to the ability to protect the natural environment. Mining, electricity generation and agriculture are among the economic activities that have a direct impact on the environment and need to be carried out in a sustainable and responsible manner. Towards this vision, the assets which are furniture, transport, computer hardware and other machinery and equipment need to be managed efficiently and effectively in order to fulfil the needs of society and the departments. These assets represent an enormous value for the owner which is LEDET and for society at large. To grasp the full potential of these assets, a deep and thorough understanding of an asset’s complete lifetime is needed. However, the assets especially physical assets, public buildings and infrastructures are not managed properly and that results in numerous challenges and audit queries that are raised by the Auditor General. The purpose of this study was to investigate the challenges that are facing the asset management unit of Limpopo Department of Economic Development & Tourism (LEDET). Asset Management has been hailed as important in order to enable government to deliver proper services to the citizens of the country. This has encouraged the researcher to undertake the study in order to add more knowledge on the asset management process of the government, looking at the challenges and possible solutions. The need for this study was considered relevant and necessary as government departments and other private sectors face numerous challenges in implementing the asset management. Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, as a case study, faces challenges in fulfilling some of its mandate due to lack of support from asset management activities. In terms of its strategic plan, the department seeks to address issues relating to economic growth, the promotion and development of tourism and using environmental management to guide and monitor sustainable development in the province. These challenges have negative implications on the delivery of services to the communities it serves. In this study, the researcher investigated the following: demographic profile of respondents, challenges facing asset management, the impact of asset management on service delivery and lastly the best practice on the implementation of asset management. Data were analysed into themes and revealed communication, training, interpretation of relevant prescripts, limited resources, proper allocation of resources and effective participation of relevant stakeholders as, amongst others, challenges to the process. The study concluded by providing recommendations to management of the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism on how to improve the asset management activities to achieve the strategic goals of the department. The recommendations proposed are improved communications with stakeholders, development of asset plan, skills capacity of asset management officials and sourcing the asset information system that integrates with the financial system to provide a reliable asset register. / LEDET (Limpopo Department of Economic Development & Tourism)

O objetivo geral deste estudo é analisar o controle patrimonial dos bens permanentes da UTFPR, em seus 13 campi, como uma ferramenta de Governança Pública. Como objetivos específicos, buscou-se: compreender os princípios da Administração Pública e os princípios da Governança Pública; descrever os procedimentos, as tecnologias e os recursos empregados no controle patrimonial da UTFPR; verificar o atendimento dos princípios da Governança Pública pelo controle patrimonial da UTFPR; e, por fim, propor soluções para o aperfeiçoamento da atividade de controle patrimonial na UTFPR com base nos princípios da prestação de contas e transparência da Governança Pública. Por serem destinados ao atendimento de um interesse coletivo, os recursos públicos devem ser administrados de forma a maximizar os benefícios à coletividade, observando os princípios da legalidade, impessoalidade, moralidade, publicidade e eficiência. Para que os atos administrativos não se afastem de tal liame foram instituídos os mecanismos de controle interno e externo. O controle patrimonial é um tipo de controle interno que permite a manutenção de informações atualizadas acerca dos bens públicos permanentes, tais como, as informações sobre a aquisição, responsável pela carga patrimonial e os registros de baixa patrimonial. Para o atendimento dos objetivos do estudo optou-se pela realização de uma pesquisa qualitativa, mediante a técnica do estudo de caso. Foram identificados 21 servidores responsáveis pelo controle patrimonial atuantes nos 13 campi da UTFPR. Ainda foram identificados três servidores que contribuem com a atividade de controle patrimonial. Foram empregados questionários, análise documental e a análise de artefatos tecnológicos. Como método de exame dos materiais coletados utilizou-se a análise de conteúdo. Ficou demonstrado que o controle patrimonial de bens permanentes da UTFPR não é, atualmente, uma ferramenta de Governança Pública, tendo em vista a inexistência de transparência no que tange ao controle patrimonial. Da mesma forma, o atendimento ao princípio da prestação de contas encontra-se prejudicado, pois não são disponibilizados dados analíticos acerca dos bens que compõem o patrimônio da UTFPR. Por outro lado, as informações disponibilizadas de maneira sintética nos relatórios de gestão não encontram lastro com a realidade, tendo em vista que os inventários patrimoniais não são realizados em alguns campi. Como forma de superar tais desafios propõe-se a realização de treinamentos, a elaboração de normas acerca do controle patrimonial, o estudo da possibilidade da adoção de novas tecnologias e a realização efetiva dos inventários nos campi. / The overall objective of this study is to analyze asset tracking of permanent property belonging to UTFPR, in all of its 13 campuses, as an Public Governance tool. The specific objectives were: to understand the principles of Public Administration and principles of Public Governance; describe the procedures, technologies and resources employed in asset tracking at UTFPR; attest that the principles of Public Governance through asset tracking at UTFPR have been observed; and lastly, propose solutions to improve the activity of asset tracking at UTFPR based on the principles of accountability and transparency of Public Governance. Because they are intended to meet a collective interest, public resources must be administered so as to maximize the benefits to the collectivity, abiding by the principles of legality, impersonality, morality, disclosure and efficiency. Internal and external control mechanisms have been implemented to prevent administrative acts from straying from this ideal. Asset tracking is a type of internal control that makes it possible to maintain updated information on permanent public assets, such as information on acquisition, asset record keeping and records on asset write-offs. To meet the objectives of the study, it was decided upon the qualitative research study method using the case study technique. A total of 21 servants were identified as responsible for asset tracking at the 13 UTFPR campuses. Another three servants were identified as contributing to the activity of asset tracking. The study used surveys, documental analysis, and analysis of technological devices. Content analysis was used as the method to examine collected materials. It was demonstrated that permanent asset tracking at UTFPR is currently not an efficient tool of Public Governance, considering the non-existence of transparency with regard to asset tracking. Likewise, the fulfillment of the principle of compliance has been compromised, as analytical data are not provided regarding the goods that comprise the assets of UTFPR. Moreover, the information provided in shortened format in management reports does not reflect reality, considering that inventories are not carried out in some campuses. In order to overcome these challenges, proposals include training, creation of norms regarding asset tracking, studies on the possibility of adopting new technologies, and effectively performing inventories in the campuses.

O objetivo geral deste estudo é analisar o controle patrimonial dos bens permanentes da UTFPR, em seus 13 campi, como uma ferramenta de Governança Pública. Como objetivos específicos, buscou-se: compreender os princípios da Administração Pública e os princípios da Governança Pública; descrever os procedimentos, as tecnologias e os recursos empregados no controle patrimonial da UTFPR; verificar o atendimento dos princípios da Governança Pública pelo controle patrimonial da UTFPR; e, por fim, propor soluções para o aperfeiçoamento da atividade de controle patrimonial na UTFPR com base nos princípios da prestação de contas e transparência da Governança Pública. Por serem destinados ao atendimento de um interesse coletivo, os recursos públicos devem ser administrados de forma a maximizar os benefícios à coletividade, observando os princípios da legalidade, impessoalidade, moralidade, publicidade e eficiência. Para que os atos administrativos não se afastem de tal liame foram instituídos os mecanismos de controle interno e externo. O controle patrimonial é um tipo de controle interno que permite a manutenção de informações atualizadas acerca dos bens públicos permanentes, tais como, as informações sobre a aquisição, responsável pela carga patrimonial e os registros de baixa patrimonial. Para o atendimento dos objetivos do estudo optou-se pela realização de uma pesquisa qualitativa, mediante a técnica do estudo de caso. Foram identificados 21 servidores responsáveis pelo controle patrimonial atuantes nos 13 campi da UTFPR. Ainda foram identificados três servidores que contribuem com a atividade de controle patrimonial. Foram empregados questionários, análise documental e a análise de artefatos tecnológicos. Como método de exame dos materiais coletados utilizou-se a análise de conteúdo. Ficou demonstrado que o controle patrimonial de bens permanentes da UTFPR não é, atualmente, uma ferramenta de Governança Pública, tendo em vista a inexistência de transparência no que tange ao controle patrimonial. Da mesma forma, o atendimento ao princípio da prestação de contas encontra-se prejudicado, pois não são disponibilizados dados analíticos acerca dos bens que compõem o patrimônio da UTFPR. Por outro lado, as informações disponibilizadas de maneira sintética nos relatórios de gestão não encontram lastro com a realidade, tendo em vista que os inventários patrimoniais não são realizados em alguns campi. Como forma de superar tais desafios propõe-se a realização de treinamentos, a elaboração de normas acerca do controle patrimonial, o estudo da possibilidade da adoção de novas tecnologias e a realização efetiva dos inventários nos campi. / The overall objective of this study is to analyze asset tracking of permanent property belonging to UTFPR, in all of its 13 campuses, as an Public Governance tool. The specific objectives were: to understand the principles of Public Administration and principles of Public Governance; describe the procedures, technologies and resources employed in asset tracking at UTFPR; attest that the principles of Public Governance through asset tracking at UTFPR have been observed; and lastly, propose solutions to improve the activity of asset tracking at UTFPR based on the principles of accountability and transparency of Public Governance. Because they are intended to meet a collective interest, public resources must be administered so as to maximize the benefits to the collectivity, abiding by the principles of legality, impersonality, morality, disclosure and efficiency. Internal and external control mechanisms have been implemented to prevent administrative acts from straying from this ideal. Asset tracking is a type of internal control that makes it possible to maintain updated information on permanent public assets, such as information on acquisition, asset record keeping and records on asset write-offs. To meet the objectives of the study, it was decided upon the qualitative research study method using the case study technique. A total of 21 servants were identified as responsible for asset tracking at the 13 UTFPR campuses. Another three servants were identified as contributing to the activity of asset tracking. The study used surveys, documental analysis, and analysis of technological devices. Content analysis was used as the method to examine collected materials. It was demonstrated that permanent asset tracking at UTFPR is currently not an efficient tool of Public Governance, considering the non-existence of transparency with regard to asset tracking. Likewise, the fulfillment of the principle of compliance has been compromised, as analytical data are not provided regarding the goods that comprise the assets of UTFPR. Moreover, the information provided in shortened format in management reports does not reflect reality, considering that inventories are not carried out in some campuses. In order to overcome these challenges, proposals include training, creation of norms regarding asset tracking, studies on the possibility of adopting new technologies, and effectively performing inventories in the campuses.