MPM / Oliver Tambo Institute of Governance and Policy Studies

Thesis (M. Dev.) -- University of Limpopo, 2017. / The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of ill-discipline on the performance of Grade nine learners at Nghonyama High School. The acts of indiscipline among students, especially at the secondary level of education are universal challenge thatmany schools face all over the world. A quantitative descriptive research wasconducted to determine if there was a relationship between conduct and performance of such learners. Data collection was done through completion of questionnaires. Two groups participated in the study: the first group consisted of fifty Grade nine learners and the second group was composed of ten educators - four members of the School Management Team and six teachers. The study revealed that learners misbehave at school due to variety of reasons such as, peer pressure, overcrowding, lack of parental support, inability to do the work, poverty, lack of motivation to succeed, disrespect, moral decay, not being engaged in the formulation of rules, rules being not enforced, lack of parental care, unmonitored TV viewing, child-headed families, lack of effective disciplinary measures, poor perception of the aims and principles of schooling and poor home upbringing. The study further revealed that the most common types of illdiscipline in the area of study were vandalism, fighting, absenteeism, indecent dressing, substance abuse, bullying, stealing, smoking, and drinking alcohol. With ill-discipline academic performance is affected.The study equally revealed that the Department of Education is not doing enough to address the issue of infrastructure. For example, overcrowding is still a challenge. In other words, the school environment plays a role in promoting ill-discipline; if classes are overcrowded learners are forced to misbehave. The study recommends that teachers should be encouraged to refer cases of indiscipline to the School Management Team. Principals should also be encouraged to involve all stakeholders in the formulation of school rules. Parents must make sure thatschool rules are adhered to by all the learners, no matter whose child breaks the rule,and most importantly learners should be encouraged to cooperate well with their educators.

MPM / Department of Public and Development Administration

MPM / Oliver Tambo Institute of Governance and Policy Studies / See the attached abstract below

Thesis (M.A. Agricultural Management (Agricultural Extension)) -- University of Limpopo, 2019 / This study was designed to examine the perceptions of subsistence farmers about the use of the extension communication channels to receive farm management information including climate variability in relation to their innovation decision process. A survey approach was used in this study and by means of stratified sampling, 85 farmers were selected from 372 respondents from Mankweng and 251 from Tshebela service centres in Polokwane Local Municipality for interviews considering gender and their proportions in each service centre. Data were collected from individual respondents by means of personal interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was tested among similar farmers in a village near the University of Limpopo. The data were subjected to both descriptive and inferential analyses using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) programme. The findings around the research questions and the hypothesis test showed that all respondents received farm management information including climate variability through all 10 communication channels investigated. Furthermore, it was indicated that group discussion was the only channel through which most respondents received information most of the time. The study findings also revealed that of all the channels investigated, slightly more than half of the respondents preferred group discussions and of those who preferred group discussions, almost half of them preferred it as the first choice. The hypothesis test further showed that the farmer characteristics that positively influence farmers‟ use of group communication channels were farming experience, farmer association membership and affordability group channels. In other words, a farmer who has more farming experience and belongs to a farmers‟ association is more likely to choose group channels for receiving farm management information including climate variability. The hypothesis test also indicated that the strongest predictor of reporting preference of group channels of communication channels was seeking innovation for a farm management problem in relation to climate variability. Finally, the study found that time was the most serious constraint farmers face in assessing or receiving farm management information including climate variability. ix In view of the fact that most respondents will have group discussions as their first choice, the use of this channel should be timed to allow respondents to attend. Extension agents therefore, have to discuss the timing of such meetings with participants to arrive at times suitable to most participants. Extension agents also need to realise that a subsistence farmer who is looking for information for a farm management problem including climate variability is more likely to seek it through the television. / ARC

Thesis (M. A. Commerce (Human Resource Management)) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between Human Resource Management (HRM) practices and organisational commitment of employees in the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Capricorn District in Limpopo Province. A quantitative research design was used in which self-administered questionnaires were utilised to collect data from a convenience sample of 149 participants. The sample size constituted of 149 employees from 18 SMEs. The data was collected using three structured questionnaires (Demographic section), Human Resource Management Practices Questionnaire and Organisational Commitment Questionnaire, with closed questions. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including correlation and regression analyses, were used to conduct analysis. The findings indicated that there is a positive relationship between HRM practices and Organisational Commitment. The results revealed that employees were not satisfied with the HRM practices in the workplace and had low organisational commitment. It was recommended that SMEs managers implement proper HRM practices for their employees to be committed to the organisation. The study recommends further research on other HRM practices that may have influence on employees’ organisational commitment.

Thesis (M. Dev. (Planning and Management)) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / Motivation is an internal drive to satisfy an unsatisfied need and the will to accomplish. Motivation has the role to develop and intensify the desire of every individual member of the organization to work effectively and efficiently in the area of operation. Dilokong hospital has recently experienced a high number of resignations by employees. The performance of services by the hospital staff members has declined. The government, which is responsible for implementing the national policies and programmes relating to motivation and performance, has failed many times in the recent years over performance and rewards as well as the working conditions. It is against this background that the researcher has persuaded a study on the impact of motivation on employee performance at the Dilokong hospital in the Sekhukhune District of the Limpopo Province. The general objective of the study is to determine the impact of motivation on employee performance; to identify factors that motivate employees to perform better; to suggest strategies that can be used by managers to enhance the motivation and performance of the employees in their sphere of operation. A mixed methods research design was used, implying both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the quantitative data and content analysis for the qualitative part. The study revealed that promotion, incentives and good working conditions are the major factors that enhance employee motivation and performance. The study has also revealed that (rewards) money is deemed to be the best motivator to any individual. The employees at the hospital were found to be earning low wages and salaries. The department appears to be paying the lowest wages and salaries to the staff members below what is stipulated by legislation not taking into cognizance the fact that employees are working for money. It is therefore recommended that the hospital management should consider as a matter of urgency, the need to make upward adjustment in wages and salaries which will go a long way in reducing the high incidence of staff turnover.

Thesis (M. Dev. (Planning and Management)) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / The current split between the Department of Health and Social Development had made a great impact on employees’ performance. The transition has resulted on previously shared resources to being divided. The division of resources made a great impact on employees’ performance at the Department of Social Development. The adjustment to the transition has been a difficult task towards employees in the department of Social Development. Programme managers whose employees are reporting to, had to come up with management strategies to enhance performance. The research problem is a problem because nothing is known about what the senior management is doing in order to enhance performance at Mopani District. It seems that no study has been conducted to determine the challenges experienced by programme managers on employees’ performance. The major objective of the study to determine the current programmes which are used by the Department to enhance performance in the area of study and to suggest strategies that can be used by the senior management to enhance performance at Mopani District. The nature of this study is qualitative. It is an exploratory study. Data was collected be through semi-structured interviews. The sampling of this study is non-probability sample. In non-probability sampling, the researcher selected purposive sampling. Data was analyzed in a narrative from. Findings show that the programme managers are faced with several challenges in the organization. Programme managers do not have the necessary resources. Programmes offered by the programme managers are not enhancing employees’ performance due to inadequate equipments provided by the department. Current strategies used by the programme managers are no longer relevant, hence poor employees’ performance. The senior managers should be encouraged to develop relevant training programmes, minimize challenges and provide necessary resources that could be employed by the programme managers to enhance the performance of employees at the department of Social Development in Mopani district.

MPH / Department of Public Health / This study was aimed at gaining an in-depth understanding into the managerial factors that are associated with hospital performance. Out of all the contributing factors, managerial factors have the greatest impact on hospital performance. In South Africa, despite the availability of policies and guidelines and adequate funding, hospital performance is still poor. This study investigates the different aspects of managerial performance, looking specifically at organisational factors such as organisational culture, available resources, and performance monitoring methods; as well as personal factors of the managers; namely, their focus on quality, and personal leadership styles and skills. The study is a quantitative cross-sectional descriptive survey, utilising questionnaires distributed at the two largest district hospitals in Vhembe District. The study was aimed at a total population sample of managers, doctors and professional nurses in the two hospitals. The study highlighted areas of management in the two hospitals studied that were commendable, as well as those needing urgent attention. There was a statistically significant association between managerial factors associated with hospital performance, and better perceptions of hospital performance. In particular, leadership skills such as motivation and dedication, methodical and logical management styles, and a hands-on approach had a significant contribution to perceptions of hospital performance. The study also highlighted the importance of good communication between senior management and subordinates. / NRF

MEd (Educational Management) / Department of Educational Management / The aim of the study was to investigate challenges confronting SMT members in the implementation of school-based moderation of Mathematics assessment tasks. An in-depth study of literature was undertaken, taking into consideration the following research question: What are the challenges confronting SMT members in the implementation of school-based moderation of Mathematics assessment tasks in the Thohoyandou cluster of the Limpopo Province? The study used the qualitative and quantitative approaches. Purposive sampling was used in the selection of participants for the qualitative data and simple random sampling was used in the selection of participants for the quatitative data. Qualitative data was collected through the interviews and quantitative data was collected through questionnaires. The interview schedule was employed to collect qualitative data and 12 participants (8 SMT members and 4 curriculum advisors for Mathematics in the Thohoyandou cluster) were interviewed. Questionnaires were used to collect quantitative data and were completed by 75 Mathematics teachers. Qualitative data was analysed thematically and quantitative data was analysed through SPSS version 23. The study revealed that: Lack of understanding and knowledge of the process of school-based moderation of mathematics is a serious worm that needs to be addressed soon. Moderation of school-based assessment was not monitored appropriately. The study recommended that the Department of Basic Education should conduct workshops and train SMT members on the importance of school-based moderation to ensure quality teaching and learning of Mathematics.