D.Ed. (Higher Didactics) / This research has been undertaken against the background of the pursuance of effectiveness and efficacy of management at South African universities and the critical supposition that effective university management is the greatest single contributory factor towards the stimulation of an environment in which universities can excel fully ...

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In the years before South Africa's new political dispensation, many people were denied their fundamental right to be developed to their fullest potential. They could only dream of enjoying a more meaningful and fulfilled life. As a result South Africa was rated internationally as the lowest on the scale for human development. With the first free elections held in 1994, all South Africans were promised the freedom to be equal as citizens. Much rested upon the shoulders of the newly-elected political leadership. President Mandela performed his new leadership role with admirable integrity. He engendered a spirit of enthusiasm among many to rise up and meet the economic and social challenges facing the fragile democracy. One of the most significant challenges was to develop and grow a depleted skills base in a manner that would build unity and respect amongst its learners. Learning is central to any social and economic reform, and is an important vehicle to achieving desired goals. As a result, legislative changes were introduced to South Africa's education, training and development system soon after the elections. In 1995 the South African Qualifications Authority Act was passed. This allowed for the establishment of a National Qualifications Framework, the objectives of which is to create an integrated national education framework, and to promote a culture of lifelong learning. In 1998 the Skills Development Act was subsequently introduced. Its primary aim was to spearhead South Africa's Skills Development Strategy, which aims to provide a broad scope and context to that which the country requires in order to make it globally competitive. The Strategy links education and training interventions to labour market realities, and social and economic reforms, providing an operational and national yardstick for learning. It sets out to ensure that people become more involved in, and assume greater responsibility for their education, training and development. In order for education, training and development to build individual, organisational and national capacity it must infer alia, be aligned to the new legislation. To facilitate the meeting of this requirement, training interventions must be outcomes-based. Alignment to the new legislation will promote the aims and objectives enshrined in South Africa's Skills Development Strategy, and in so doing will achieve social and economic reforms. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In die jare voor Suid-Afrika se nuwe politieke bedeling is baie mense die fundamentele reg ontneem om tot hul volle potensiaal ontwikkel te word. Hulle kon net droom van 'n meer betekenisvolle en vervulde lewe. As gevolg hiervan is Suid-Afrika internasionaal as die laagste op die skaal van menslike ontwikkeling geëvalueer. Toe die eerste vrye verkiesings in 1994 gehou is, is alle Suid-Afrikaners beloof dat hulle voortaan gelyke burgers sal wees. Daar het dus 'n groot verantwoordelikheid op die skouers van die nuutverkose politieke leiers gerus. President Mandela het dié leiersrol met bewonderenswaardige integriteit vervul. Hy het talle Suid-Afrikaners met entoesiasme vervul om uit te styg en die ekonomiese en sosiale uitdagings wat die brose demokrasie in die gesig gestaar het, die hoof te bied. Een van die grootste uitdagings was om 'n uitgeputte vaardigheidsbasis te ontwikkel en uit te bou op 'n manier wat eenheid en respek onder leerders sou kweek. Leer vorm die kern van enige sosiale en ekonomiese hervorming, en is 'n belangrike instrument waarmee verlangde doelwitte verwesenlik kan word. Gevolglik is die wetgewing wat Suid-Afrika se onderwys-, opleiding- en ontwikkelingstelsel reël, kort na die verkiesings gewysig. Die Wet op die Suid-Afrikaanse Kwalifikasie-owerheid is in 1995 aanvaar. Dit het tot die daarstelling van 'n Nasionale Kwalifikasieraamwerk gelei. Die doel hiervan is om 'n geïntegreerde nasionale onderwysraamwerk te skep en 'n kultuur van lewenslange leer te bevorder. Daarna is die Wet op Vaardigheidsontwikkeling in 1998 aanvaar. Die hoofdoel hiervan was om Suid-Afrika se Vaardigheidsontwikkelingstrategie te ontwikkel met die doel om 'n breë omvang en konteks vir dit wat die land nodig het om internasionaal mededingend te wees, te bied. Die Strategie lê die verband tussen onderwys- en opleidingsingrepe en die werklikhede van die arbeidsmark, en sosiale en ekonomiese hervorming deur 'n operasionele en nasionale maatstaf vir leer daar te stel. Dit wil verseker dat mense meer by hulle onderwys, opleiding en ontwikkeling betrokke raak en verantwoordelikheid daarvoor aanvaar.

M.Ed. (Education Management) / The subject of this investigation is the management function of the provincial administration clerk in the school. The investigation is limited to schools within the ambit of the Transvaal Education Department and has been aimed, primarily, at determining the responsibilities and position of the administration clerk in the effective functioning of the school. As the administration office forms the nerve-centre of the school's activities and due to its staff consistence of administration clerks, a clear indication of their duties and responsibilities is an essential management function of the school principal. The investigation in regard to the functions of the senior provincial administration clerk demonstrated that the school principal as the management leader, must possess a thorough knowledge of administrative matters. This is essential as he, being the in-service trainer, has to suitably equip the senior provincial administration clerk with the required knowledge and skills in order that she, in tum, can easily perform as management leader of the school's administrative section. In order to keep pace with change and modernisation, the school principal and administration clerks must be prepared to attend in-service training courses. Moreover, they must gain knowledge on their own accord through the reading of circular letters, catalogues, manuals and also keep abreast of technological development such as the modern micro computer, word processor as well as facsimile and duplicating machines. The services of a good administration clerk are indispensable to the school principal as well as the educator. Qualities which the administration clerk must possess include reliability, loyalty, responsibility, willingness to help, tact, courtesy, charm, enterprise and patience. AIthough the educator cannot be relieved of all administrative responsibilities, the school principal must nevertheless reflect seriously about administrative responsibilities that should not really be undertaken by the educator. By entrusting responsibilities such as the processing of marks, compiling of class lists, raising of funds, transport arrangements, controlling of stock, duplicating work...

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Masters Degree in Technology: Education (Management) at Technikon Natal / This study focused on the exercise of male power in middle management in technikons in KwaZulu-Natal, with particular reference to verbal communication. The glass ceiling, blocking promotions to senior positions, is a reality for women in technikons and the researcher explored the ways in which exploitation and marginalisation occur when sexism and power is wielded by males through verbal communication. / M

In recent years, South Africa has seen increasing cultural diversification with regard to the appointment of managers in private healthcare facilities. However, research conducted in this area remains extremely limited. The aim of the present study was to explore and describe cultural values and leadership styles of middle managers at a private sector hospital in the Eastern Cape. Hofstede’s (1980, a ) model of cultural values served as a theoretical framework to conceptualise this study. The study was qualitative in nature and made use of in-depth research interviews conducted with a diverse sample of middle managers. The researcher made use of homogeneous and convenience sampling and utilised five participants. The qualitative data was analysed using Tesch’s (1990, in De Vos, 2002) method of analysis. Results revealed that despite the differences in personal culture, most of the managers are similar in their leadership styles and are also affected by the organizational culture. The results of the study contribute to a better understanding of the influence of cultural values and leadership styles in South Africa and will thereby benefit health institutions in their dealings with their modern day multi-cultural management staff.

The aim of this research is to investigate how succession planning can be used as a developmental tool in developing middle managers in the Department of Science and Technology (DST). The research shows that the DST has good strategies and policies in place for the development and retention of its employees, although there is no succession planning tool or system in place. Proposed interventions to address identified gaps in terms of succession planning include a quota system of positions that should be filled by internal candidates to encourage employees’ buy-in to succession planning; inculcating it in the institutional culture and therefore, preserving and retaining institutional memory; creating a robust reward management programme based upon a pay-scheme that seeks to reward middle managers for developing their competencies in line with institutional requirements / Public Administration / M.A. (Public Administration)

The aim of this research is to investigate how succession planning can be used as a developmental tool in developing middle managers in the Department of Science and Technology (DST). The research shows that the DST has good strategies and policies in place for the development and retention of its employees, although there is no succession planning tool or system in place. Proposed interventions to address identified gaps in terms of succession planning include a quota system of positions that should be filled by internal candidates to encourage employees’ buy-in to succession planning; inculcating it in the institutional culture and therefore, preserving and retaining institutional memory; creating a robust reward management programme based upon a pay-scheme that seeks to reward middle managers for developing their competencies in line with institutional requirements / Public Administration and Management / M.A. (Public Administration)

Work-related teacher stress is indeed a major problem in schools. The main aim of this study was to investigate the role of the Head of Department in alleviating work-related teacher stress among primary schools in the Temba Circuit. The research problem was investigated by means of a literature study and an empirical investigation. The literature study identified the main causes of teacher related stress. A qualitative inquiry using semi-structured focus group interviews with teachers and semi-structured individual interviews with Heads of Department were conducted in order to find answers to the research questions. It was found that the main sources of teacher stress could be grouped into four main categories, namely, interpersonal, organisational, professional and personal stressors. Guidelines to be considered by Heads of Department to alleviate the stress that teachers under their auspices are encountering were developed on the basis of these four categories of teacher stressors. / Further Teacher Education / M. Ed. (Education Management)

The purpose of this study was to explore how the middle manager implements strategy at a South African government department. This study was conducted in response to the call for more research to be done using the strategy-as-practice perspective to explore the involvement of middle managers in a South African government context with regard to strategy. The current study sought to identify the roles that the middle manager undertakes with regard to strategy implementation, inclusive of the barriers that they face on a daily basis. The study aimed at providing feedback on how the middle managers implement strategy, overcome the barriers they face and some changes that participating middle managers proposed to the current practices in strategy implementation in a government context. A single case study, utilising an exploratory qualitative research design, was undertaken at a government department in South Africa. The data was gathered using semi-structured interviews. The researcher used the interviews to provide rich, detailed descriptions of how strategy is implemented by middle managers. The study portrayed the participating middle managers as playing an integral role as interpreters, communicators and implementers of the strategy within the government context. Findings confirmed that most of the middle managers were not involved in the crafting of the high level strategy of the government department. The participating middle manager fulfilled eight key roles in the implementation of the strategy: leadership role, management role, implementation role, monitoring role, reporting role, supporting role, communication role and information-sharing role. The participating middle managers dealt with many barriers with regard to strategy implementation on a daily basis, such as lack of understanding of government work, monitoring, support, skilled personnel, skill development, funding and information. The participating middle managers were found to be innovative and creative in utilising strategy tools to overcome the barriers they faced. Although these results cannot be generalised but may be transferrable to similar contexts. / Business Management / M. Com (Business Management)

Work-related teacher stress is indeed a major problem in schools. The main aim of this study was to investigate the role of the Head of Department in alleviating work-related teacher stress among primary schools in the Temba Circuit. The research problem was investigated by means of a literature study and an empirical investigation. The literature study identified the main causes of teacher related stress. A qualitative inquiry using semi-structured focus group interviews with teachers and semi-structured individual interviews with Heads of Department were conducted in order to find answers to the research questions. It was found that the main sources of teacher stress could be grouped into four main categories, namely, interpersonal, organisational, professional and personal stressors. Guidelines to be considered by Heads of Department to alleviate the stress that teachers under their auspices are encountering were developed on the basis of these four categories of teacher stressors. / Further Teacher Education / M. Ed. (Education Management)