Thesis (MCur)--Stellenbosch University, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The traditional management practice of the unit manager has changed dramatically in the past decade. She is responsible to supply nursing services in an environment which is characterized by smaller operational budgets, rapid developments and changes in every sphere. The researcher has identified deficiencies in the management process of the unit manager. This led to the evaluation of the management activities of the unit manager in a selected group of hospitals. A quantitative, non-experimental, descriptive approach was followed with a questionnaire survey as research design. Standards were set and the management activities were evaluated against these standards. The main findings were: • The unit manager was not 100% involved in her comprehensive management task • The unit manager did not have the necessary training to empower her to manage effectively. The researcher recommends that the unit manager should be empowered by inservice education programmes but should also follow the formal management programmes at a recognized tertiary education institution. Keywords: Unit management / Standard formulation / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die tradisionele bestuurspraktyk van die eenheidsbestuurder het oor die afgelope dekade dramaties verander. Sy is verantwoordelik vir die verskaffing van verpleegdienste in 'n omgewing wat gekenmerk word deur kleiner operasionele begrotings, vinnige vooruitgang en veranderinge op alle gebiede, Die navorser het leemtes in die bestuursproses van die eenheidsbestuurder geïdentifiseer. Dit het gelei tot die evaluering van die bestuursaktiwiteite van die eenheidsbestuurder in 'n geselekteerde groep hospitale. 'n Kwantitatiewe, nie-eksperimentele beskrywende navorsingsbenadering is gebruik met 'n vraelysopname as navorsingsontwerp. Standaarde is gestel waarteen die bestuursaktiwiteite geëvalueer is. Die belangrikste bevindinge was dat: • Die eenheidsbestuurder nie 100% betrokke was by haar omvangryke bestuurstaak nie • Die eenheidsbestuurder nie oor die nodige opleiding beskik wat haar bemagtig om hierdie bestuurstaak effektief te verrig nie. Die navorser beveel aan dat die eenheidsbestuurder bemagtig moet word deur middel van indiensopleidingsprogramme maar ook deur formele bestuursopleiding aan 'n erkende tersiêre opvoedkundige intansie moet te volg. Sleutelwoorde: Eenheidsbestuur/standaard formulering

Research policy has become increasingly important for policymakers in Europe as it is considered to be a driving force behind the global knowledge-based economy. An array of new tools for the evaluation and funding of research have been implemented both by the European Union and its Member States; particularly distinctive are those that have been developed in the Czech Republic and Sweden. This dissertation, through four cases studies, investigates why these tools have appeared and what effects they have on the practice of research. Using a conceptual framework of public administration ideal-type narratives, the dissertation shows that these new tools can be considered as New Public Management type reforms. Further, the dissertation creates a theoretical model in which institutional theories are operationalized and used to reveal the politics behind the policy tools and the way that they affect individual behavior in the academic environment. The results demonstrate that strong influences are exerted by the rational choice logics embedded in New Public Management tools, which do distort the practice of research, yet these influences are also tempered by other historically and normatively-based logics within the complex system of research in higher education institutions. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)