published_or_final_version / Public Administration / Master / Master of Public Administration

Thesis (M.P.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.P.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print.

This study investigated the causes of employee dissatisfaction by means of a case study of the Business Application Solution Centre (BASC) at the Eskom Academy of Learning (EAL). The rationale for the study was to contribute further to a general understanding of employee dissatisfaction. This study highlighted the issue of the under-representation of blacks and females (of all races) in senior positions, and further emphasised appointment and recruitment issues that promote unfair labour practices, organisational culture and structure issues that undermine workplace relations, and the extent to which management responds to the abovementioned issues. A mixed method approach was employed to gather data from BASC employees. Qualitative data was collected by means of one focus group discussion and nine in-depth, face-to-face interviews. For the focus group and face-to-face interviews, purposive sampling was used for the selection of respondents, in order to ensure representation on all race, gender and occupational strata. A semi-structured questionnaire was used for both the focus group and face-to-face interviews. The questioning route was guided by the themes of gender, appointment and recruitment issues, culture and structure issues, and management response and practice. Quantitative data was collected by means of an online survey. Even though the online survey link was sent to employees on all strata, top managers did not participate. The use of a web-based online survey had an element of immediacy and also ensured maximum confidentiality, as responses were transferred to a development server with no link or trace to the respondents. The study revealed many underlying causes of employee dissatisfaction, such as the following: (1) the main drivers of black and female under-representation in top positions were lack of skills development, mentoring and career-pathing; (2) among the recruitment and appointment practices leading to employee dissatisfaction was the appointment of employees to ‘acting’ rather than permanent management positions; (3) there was a perception that managers abused their authority by promoting their favourites and overlooking those who they did not like; (4) although an affirmative action (AA) policy had been implemented at BASC, it was felt that employees should be appointed and promoted on merit, and that this should be accompanied by mentoring; (5) in some instances, the hiring of consultants deprived employees of opportunities to perform critical tasks. The fact that consultants were paid more than employees was also a source of discontent; (6) appointment criteria were non-transparent, and respondents revealed that they knew who was going to be appointed even before the recruitment process had been completed; (7) a bureaucratic culture was found to be the main organisational culture issue undermining workplace relations. On the other hand, a culture of teamwork appeared to reduce dissatisfaction and enhance unity; (8) the major organisational structure issues undermining workplace relations were managers who lacked managerial competencies and unequal payment on the same grade; (9) employees who stood their ground were given a low rating during performance appraisals. Others were bullied by senior managers and colleagues, who were rude towards them; (10) a hostile working relationship between managers and employees was caused by managers who lacked human resource skills; and (11) junior managers were undermined by employees who bypassed them and went straight to senior managers to discuss workplace issues. This study addresses both the general lack of information regarding the causes of employee dissatisfaction in South Africa, and of employee dissatisfaction in the information and communication technology (ICT) workplace environment. The findings of the study will also contribute towards a better understanding of the general causes of employee dissatisfaction. The results of this study suggest that more in-depth investigations of the causes of employee dissatisfaction are necessary to fully address this issue, and in order to ultimately prevent a further increase in the rate of employee turnover. Some implications for further research became apparent during the course of this study: similar studies on employee dissatisfaction should be conducted with top managers; studies on the experience of managers appointed to acting positions should be undertaken; and follow-up studies on employee dissatisfaction should be conducted as causes are addressed and relevant interventions are implemented. / Business management / D.Litt. et Phil. (Sociology)

The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which human resources capacity of the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS), Namibia, influences health care services delivery to the Namibian population. A qualitative research model using exploratory and descriptive study designs was adopted. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 46 health workers from two referral hospitals and two directorates in Windhoek District. The study found that there is severe staff shortage in the MoHSS, which has resulted in high workload and poor health care. Health worker migration, new services and programmes, emerging diseases, and population growth were reported to have contributed to staff shortage and high workload in the MoHSS. Study findings suggested a need to create more posts to accommodate emerging needs, and to introduce an effective retention strategy to attract and retain health professionals with scarce skills, and those working under difficult conditions. / Public Administration & Management / M. Tech. (Public Management)

The study focuses on an overview of the performance management and the development system in the Department of Correctional Services with special focus on Limpopo province, Mpumalanga province and Northwest province (which is referred to as Limpopo region in this research). The main research question was "what does the current performance management development system in the Department of Correctional Services in the Limpopo region look like?" The relevant literature was consulted and in order to gain a clear view and understanding of performance management in general. The overview focuses on the general concept of performance management so as to understand it, its origin, purpose, benefits, advantages and disadvantages. The second part focuses on the performance management system in the general Public Service. This was done in order to establish whether there is any alignment between general performance management and what is being implemented in the Public Service. It was established that there is no difference between the general concept of performance management and what is being implemented in the Public Service in general. The main focus is on the policy used in the Public Service. The last part deals with the research question and focuses on the Department of Correctional Services in particular in the previously demarcated region. The Performance Management and Development System Policy was used to determine if there is any alignment between the general performance management, performance management in the Public Service and what is being implemented in the Department of Correctional Services. The findings show that there is no difference between the Performance Management and Development System being applied in the different areas. Several minor challenges were picked up, based on the findings of the internal audit on performance management, and relevant recommendations are provided. In general, based on the findings and percentage of compliance, the research shows that the Performance Management and Development System is being effectively implemented in the Limpopo region of the Department of Correctional Services. / Public Administration & Management / M. Tech. (Public Administration and Management)

Thesis (MPA)--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Government of South Africa introduced the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) as a means of addressing the sub-standard, living conditions many underprivileged and disadvantaged societies were experiencing in the country. That gave community development impetus. The RDP, as a government policy, presupposed that public institutions would be responsible for its implementation. That implied that public officials, inter alia, would have to facilitate community development. This change agent status of public officials also implied that they would have, out of necessity and demand, to acquire or to demonstrate knowledge of project and community development management skills. Management sciences argue that an organisations' effectiveness is, amongst other, the result of interplay between the internal capacity (inputs), outputs (production) and outcomes (impacts). Internal capacity includes, among others, the training of personnel for the achievement of goals. This study, as stated in the research question, seeks to explain the relationship between project management training and effective community development. It seeks to establish whether there are a significant number of public officials who are trained in project management for community development. The study focuses on the Province of the Eastern Cape, especially the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, with special reference to cultural officers. The study further presents the Willowvale Case Study to demonstrate in a practical way the relevance of project management skills to the implementation of community development programmes. This case study also serves as base to launch arguments in favour of trained public officials. The research results suggest that public officials, especially cultural officers, lack project management skills. These findings presuppose that the implementation of some community development projects may be flawed, delayed or postponed. The study recommends that the Province of the Eastern Cape consider setting up an interdepartmental body for the purpose of establishing an integrated project and community development training policy, in consultation with relevant tertiary institutions for support and advice. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Suid-Afrikaanse regering het die Heropbou- en Ontwikkelingsprogram (HOP) ingestel as instrument om die substandaard lewensomstandighede wat verskeie minderbevoorregte en agtergestelde gemeenskappe in die land ervaar, aan te spreek. Die HOP, as regeringsbeleid veronderstel dat openbare instellings verantwoordelik is vir die implementering daarvan. Dit impliseer dat openbare amptenare, onder andere, gemeenskapsontwikkeling moet fasiliteer. Hierdie veranderingsagent status van openbare amptenare impliseer dat hulle as 'n noodsaaklikheid vaardighede in projekbestuur en gemeenskapsontwikkeling moet bekom of oor beskik. In die bestuurswetenskappe word geargumenteer dat organisatoriese effektiwiteit onder andere die resultaat is van 'n verwantskap tussen interne kapasiteit, uitsette en uitkomste. Interne kapasiteit fokus onder andere weer op opleiding vir die bereiking van doelwitte. Hierdie studie poog om die verhouding tussen projekbestuursopleiding en effektiewe gemeenskapsontwikkeling te verklaar. Die studie probeer bepaal of 'n saakmakende hoeveelheid openbare amptenare opgelei is in projekbestuur vir gemeenskapsontwikkeling. Die studie fokus op die Provinsie van die Oos-Kaap, spesifiek die Department van Sport, Ontspanning, Kuns en Kultuur, met spesiale verwysing na kultuurbeamptes. 'n Gevalstudie van die Willowvale gemeenskap demonstreer op 'n praktiese wyse die relevansie van projekbestuursvaardighede vir die implimentering van gemeenskapsontwikkelingprogramme. Die gevalstudie verskaf ook 'n basis vir argumente ten gunste van opgeleide openbare amptenare. Die resultate van die studie suggereer dat openbare amptenare, veral kultuurbeamptes projekbestuursvaardighede kortkom. Hierdie bevindinge dui daarop dat die implementering van sekere gemeenskapsontwikkelingsprojekte beperkinge het, vertraag word en selfs gestaak kan word. Die studie beveel aan dat die Provinsie van die Oos-Kaap dit oorweeg om 'n interdepartementele liggaam te vestig. Die doel hiervan moet wees om 'n geïntegreerde Projek- en Gemeenskapsontwikkeling Opleidingsbeleid in konsultasie met relevante tersiêre instellings in te stel.

The study focuses on an overview of the performance management and the development system in the Department of Correctional Services with special focus on Limpopo province, Mpumalanga province and Northwest province (which is referred to as Limpopo region in this research). The main research question was "what does the current performance management development system in the Department of Correctional Services in the Limpopo region look like?" The relevant literature was consulted and in order to gain a clear view and understanding of performance management in general. The overview focuses on the general concept of performance management so as to understand it, its origin, purpose, benefits, advantages and disadvantages. The second part focuses on the performance management system in the general Public Service. This was done in order to establish whether there is any alignment between general performance management and what is being implemented in the Public Service. It was established that there is no difference between the general concept of performance management and what is being implemented in the Public Service in general. The main focus is on the policy used in the Public Service. The last part deals with the research question and focuses on the Department of Correctional Services in particular in the previously demarcated region. The Performance Management and Development System Policy was used to determine if there is any alignment between the general performance management, performance management in the Public Service and what is being implemented in the Department of Correctional Services. The findings show that there is no difference between the Performance Management and Development System being applied in the different areas. Several minor challenges were picked up, based on the findings of the internal audit on performance management, and relevant recommendations are provided. In general, based on the findings and percentage of compliance, the research shows that the Performance Management and Development System is being effectively implemented in the Limpopo region of the Department of Correctional Services. / Public Administration and Management / M. Tech. (Public Administration and Management)

The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which human resources capacity of the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS), Namibia, influences health care services delivery to the Namibian population. A qualitative research model using exploratory and descriptive study designs was adopted. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 46 health workers from two referral hospitals and two directorates in Windhoek District. The study found that there is severe staff shortage in the MoHSS, which has resulted in high workload and poor health care. Health worker migration, new services and programmes, emerging diseases, and population growth were reported to have contributed to staff shortage and high workload in the MoHSS. Study findings suggested a need to create more posts to accommodate emerging needs, and to introduce an effective retention strategy to attract and retain health professionals with scarce skills, and those working under difficult conditions. / Public Administration and Management / M. Tech. (Public Management)

L'activitat professional és fonamental en la vida de qualsevol persona i en el cas de les persones amb discapacitat resulta molt potent per tal que assumeixin la identitat adulta. Per això, en la tesi es realitza una aproximació al binomi discapacitat i treball i a les mesures que justifiquen l'actual situació de la inserció laboral de les persones amb discapacitat al mercat laboral protegit i al mercat laboral ordinari. L'objectiu general de la tesi és conèixer en profunditat una experiència d'inserció laboral de persones amb discapacitat psíquica a l'Administració de la Generalitat de Catalunya. La investigació realitzada s'ha estructurat en dues fases. En la primera fase s'ha fet una anàlisi descriptiva del col·lectiu estudiat i en la segona fase, emmarcada en una perspectiva metodològica qualitativa, s'ha desenvolupat un estudi de casos per tal de mostrar el testimoni dels protagonistes, partir del seu relat i recollir les seves valoracions. / The professional activity is basic in the life of any person and in the case of the disabled people it is highly powerful so that they assume the adult identity. So, in the thesis, an approach is made to know more about the situation between disabled people and work and to study what kind of measures explain the current labour insertion of disabled people either in shelter places or in the ordinary labour market. The general goal of the thesis is an in-depth investigation about a labour insertion experience of mental disability people in the Catalonia's Administration. The investigation has been structured in two phases. First of all it has made a descriptive analysis of searched group. Then it has been developed a case study framed in a qualitative methodological perspective to show the witness of the protagonists, starting off from their stories and to pick up their valuations.