Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / In the rapidly changing job environment, and the pressure for productivity, career management is becoming a required core competency for all career occupants. The writer has provided a performance management framework in which to understand the key role of career management, and then provided both theoretical and operational models for managing career choice and management optimally, from both an individual and an organisational perspective. Career management has for many years been an appendage to performance appraisal systems. With a steady move away from formal employment to employability, it is increasingly important that both individuals and organisations address this area if they are to get the best out of people, and if career occupants are to find optimal job satisfaction and make an optimal contribution.

This research examines the introduction of e-performance assessment systems in governmental organizations in the United Arab Emirates. The research also examines the influence of cultural forces in accepting the implementation of technology systems that deal with assessment and evaluation of government employees to facilitate the transitional process from manual to e-performance assessment. The methodology used in this research can be described as follows: first a descriptive method to explain the main management theories underlying employee e-performance, followed by an illustration of the concept of electronic tools, based on what has been written in the relevant literature, then conducting a pilot study. A pilot study was made to reduce uncertainty in survey questions, increase clarity, enhance questionnaire validity, and expand on factors that might affect data analysis, improve research design, and confirm the feasibility of this research study. The conceptual model of this study is determined on the based of literature analysis, the pilot study, and the empirical collection of data. A model for a performance appraisal assessment system is proposed, which shows a statistical significance between performance management, e-performance management, performance assessment, e-performance assessment, and performance standards with both perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use. This study finds that there are numerous factors shapes ethics and norms at the workplace. This study suggests that the United Arab Emirates enjoys highly structured governmental organizations. This primarily results from the naturally inherited characteristics of being a high-context society. The major findings of this research aim to contribute to available literature, as there is currently a distinct shortage of relevant academic work targeting the issue of governmental e-performance systems. Similarly no papers concerning e-performance in a UAE context actually existed prior to this investigation. Therefore, much of the available literature was found to be only semi-relevant.

M. Tech. Human Resources Management / The objectives of this research are to determine employees perceptions about performance management system contracting, to determine the performance management system evaluation within South African Post Office. It also looks at the perceptions of South African Post Office employees about the outcomes of the performance management system.

Thesis (MPA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A major challenge facing the South African government is the acceleration of service delivery improvement to ensure a better life for all South Africans. The White Paper on the Transformation of the Public Service (South Africa, 1995) has as its objective “empowering, challenging and motivating managers at all levels to be leaders, visionaries, initiators and effective communicators and decision-makers, capable of responding pro-actively to the challenges of the change process, rather than acting as the administrators of fixed rules and procedures.” The White Paper also proposes that new and more participative organisational structures, new organisational cultures, learning organisations, and techniques for managing change and diversity be developed. A new Performance Management and Development System (PMDS) for the Senior Management Service (SMS) has been created, which has as its basis performance management and development as an approach. It consists of a standardised set of competencies, to be used as basis for performance appraisal. As it is expected of SMS members to manage and lead their respective institutions to meet the stated objectives, the Core Management Criteria (CMCs) will have to assist the development of competencies in SMS members to capacitate them to meet the stated objectives and to lead their organisations to change that will assist service delivery. The question, therefore, arises whether the CMCs will develop SMS members to lead their organisations to change. The aim of this research will be to determine whether the competencies used in the PMDS are also focused on leadership and organisational development issues needed in a developmental situation to enable SMS members to lead their organisations, rather than merely acting as the administrators of fixed rules and procedures. The research is divided into distinct phases. The first entails exploring the meaning of competence and the conceptual structure of competencies to be able to analyse the CMCs. This is followed by an analysis of managerial versus leadership competencies in general to provide a theoretical context for an analysis of the CMCs in terms of management or leadership focus. In the next phase the CMCs as competencies used in the PMDS are also analysed and discussed, after which a comparative analysis is undertaken, with competencies used in notable international examples to provide context. In the final phase the CMCs as competencies are analysed in terms of management or leadership focus and focus on organisation development. The research showed that the appraisal system used for the SMS members in terms of the PMDS could lead to a manipulation of the appraisal system whereby SMS members could “influence” the system to their own benefit. The research also showed that there are definite personally oriented competencies absent from the PMDS, whereas they are present in the international examples. The research also showed that certain competencies supporting leadership roles are strengthened by the international systems, whereas these are absent from the PMDS and therefore not strengthened. The research further showed that these leadership roles that are not strengthened by the PMDS, but are included in the international systems, also coincide with the leadership roles that are not strengthened from a theoretical perspective. The research concludes that the CMCs used in the PMDS would probably not support SMS members to develop competencies that are oriented towards leadership and organisation development to enable them to really change their organisation to adapt. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die groot uitdaging wat die Suid-Afrikaanse regering tans in die gesig staar, is versnelde verbetering van dienslewering om ‘n beter lewe vir alle Suid Afrikaners te verseker. Een van die doelwitte van die Witskrif op die Transformasie van die Staatsdiens (1995), is die bemagtiging, uitdaging en motivering van bestuurders op alle vlakke om versiende leiers, inisieerders en effektiewe kommunikeerders en besluitnemers te wees, instaat om pro-aktief te reageer op die uitdagings van die proses van verandering, eerder as om bloot die administrators van reëls en voorskrifte te wees. Die Witskrif stel ook voor dat nuwe en meer deelnemende organisatoriese strukture ontwikkel word, ‘n nuwe organisasie-kultuur geskep word en dat organisasies voortdurend by verandering en diversiteit sal aanpas. ‘n Nuwe prestasiebestuur en –onwikkelingstelsel is gevolglik vir die Senior Bestuurskader ontwikkel. Die stelsel bestaan uit ‘n gestandaardiseerde stel Kern Besuurskriteria wat as basis vir prestasie-evaluering gebruik word. Aangesien dit van Bestuurders verwag word om hul onderskeie komponente te bestuur en die leiding te neem om gestelde doelwitte te bereik, moet die stelsel vaardighede in die Bestuurders ontwikkel wat hulle instaat sal stel om wel die doelwitte te bereik en om leiding te neem om hul organisasies te transformeer om verbeterde dienslewering te bewerkstellig. Die vraag ontstaan egter of die gestelde Kern Bestuurskriteria wel leierskapsvaardighede sal ontwikkel, wat Bestuurders sal benodig om die leiding te neem ten opsigte van verandering. Die doel van die navorsing is om vas te stel of die Bestuurskriteria wat in die prestasiebestuur en – onwikkelingstelsel gebruik word, ook gefokus is op leierskap- en organisasie-ontwikkelingsvaardighede, wat bestuurders sal benodig om leiding te neem, teenoor bestuurders wat slegs optree as administrateurs van reëls en voorskrifte. Die eerste gedeelte van die navorsing analiseer die betekenis van vaardigheid en die konsepsuele struktuur van vaardighede, ten einde die Kern Bestuurskriteria te ontleed. Hierna volg ‘n ontleding van bestuurs- en leierskapsvaardighede in die algemeen, om die teoretiese konteks vir die ontleding van die Kern Bestuurskriteria in terme van fokus op bestuur en leierskap te verleen. In die volgende fase, word die Kern Bestuurskriteria wat as vaardighede in die Suid-Afrikaanse bestuurstelsel gebruik word, ontleed en bespreek. Hierna word ‘n vergelykende analise gedoen met vaardighede wat in geseleketeerde internasionale stelsels gebruik word, om verdere konteks te verleen. Die Kern Bestuurskriteria word daarna ontleed in terme van fokus op bestuur of leierskap, en ook organisasie-ontwikkeling. Die navorsing het bevind dat die evalueringstelsel vir die bestuurskader moontlik deur bestuurders gemanipuleer kan word om hulself te bevoordeel. Die navorsing het verder getoon dat definitiewe vaardighede wat op die persoon self gemik is, ontbreek, terwyl dit wel in die internasionale voorbeelde teenwoordig is. Die navorsing het verder bevind dat die internasionale voorbeelde wel sekere vaardighede leierskapsrolle ontwikkel en versterk, terwyl dit afwesig is in die Suid Afrikaanse stelsel. Die navorsing het verder bevind dat die leierskapsrolle wat nie deur die Suid Afrikaanse stelsel versterk word nie, maar wel deel vorm van die internasionale voorbeelde, ooreenstem met die leierskapsrolle uit ‘n teroretiese oogpunt, wat nie deur die Suid Afrikaanse stelsel versterk word nie. Die navorsing bevind finaal dat die Kern Bestuurskriteria waarskynlik nie die nodige leierskaps- en organisasie-ontwikkelingsvaardighede in bestuurders sal ontwikkel nie, wat wel nodig sal wees om organisasies te verander.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: According to Wheatley (1999:157) in the history of human thought, a new way of understanding often appears simultaneously in widely separated places and in different disciplines, these concepts are called our zeitgeist - a way of thinking that characterizes a generation or time period. Wheatley (1999:158) believes that once again we are living in a time when the same concepts are appearing in many places and disciplines. The interest in undertaking this research stems from two current trends. Firstly, that the methodology of project management is increasingly sought by organizations facing an ever changing environment. Secondly, organizations that adopt project management apparently lack the necessary foresight and tools to optimize its human capital in that field. Stayner (1998:5) quoted Wheatley saying: "The problem is, we see something that works, like project-based work, and we want to replicate it. But we don't understand why it works. We think because it's in projects; but really, it works because people are engaged in new, exciting, creative work within their organization on a team that shares values and trust." The writer believes that in today's knowledge economy it is more evident than ever that in order to survive an organization needs to get the people processes right. The Newtonian age called for optimization through machines. The information age calls for a new, systematic approach for the optimization of knowledge workers. Organizations look hopefully to nature to teach us how to do what living systems accomplish with such skill - learn, adapt and change. Organization's interest prompted by the relentless need for organizations to grow and re-from at intervals so short that change has become a continuous demand. Hopefully organizations are coming to the realization that the science of the seventeenth century cannot explain what they are challenged with in the twenty-first century. This study is interested in investigating organizations holistically and its underlying philosophy is to develop a systematic approach to the performance management of project managers based on the principles of the new sciences integrated with current performance management practices in use. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Wheatley (1999:157) glo dat daar in die geskiedenis van die gedagtegang van die mens gevind word dat 'n nuwe manier van begrip gelyktydig tot stand kom in wyd verspreide areas en verskillende dissiplines. Hierdie 'gelyktydige gewaarwording' word genoem die zeitgeit van 'n tydperk - 'n manier van dink waarvolgens 'n geslag of periode in die geskiedenis gekenmerk word. Wheatley (1999:158) is oortuig dat die mens weereens in 'n tydperk leef waar dieselfde konsepte besig is om hulle verskyning te maak oor wydverspreide plekke en verskillende dissiplines. Die belangstelling om die navorsing te onderneem spruit voort uit twee huidige neigings. Eerstens, die feit dat die dissipline van projekbestuur meer gesog word by ondernemings wat moet tred hou met 'n voortdurende veranderende omgewing. Tweedens, organisasies wat projekbestuur toepas maar waarby die visie en infrastruktuur ontbreek om die potensiaal van hulle werksmag in hierdie veld te ontgun en verder te optimaliseer. Stayner (1998:5) haal Wheatley aan: "Die probleem is, ons sien iets wat werk, soos projek gebasseerde week, ons wil dit dupliseer, maar ons verstaan nie hoekom dit werk nie. Ons dink omdat dit 'n projek is werk dit, maar eintlik werk dit omdat mense betrokke is in nuwe opwindende, kreatiewe werk binne hul organisasie, in 'n span met dieselfde waardes en onderlinge vertroue." Die skrywer glo dat in die huidige ekonomie, waar kennis gesien word as 'n belangrike produksiefaktor, is dit meer noodsaaklik as ooit tevore dat ten einde te oorleef moet organisasies hulle mensebestuur prosesse regkry. Die Newtonian era het geglo in optimisering deur masjiene. Die informasie era het 'n nuwe, sistematiese benadering nodig waarvolgens die kennis van werkers optimaal benut kan word. Organisasies kyk hoopvol na die natuur om vas te stel hoe lewende sisteme met soveel vaardigheid kan leer, aanpas en verander om te bly voortbestaan. Organisasies se belangstelling in hierdie verskynsel word aangehelp deur die noodsaaklikheid om vinnig te groei en te verander, met pouses so kort dat verandering 'n voortdurende aanvraag is. Organisasies is hopelik besig om te besef dat die wetenskap ontdekkings van die sewentiende eeu nie die antwoord sal bied op die uitdagings van die een-en-twintigste eeu nie. Hierdie studie is geinteresseerd in die ondersoek van die organisasie as 'n geheel. Die onderliggende filosofie is om 'n sistematiese benadering vir die werkverrigting bestuur van projekbestuurders te ontwikkel gebasseer op die beginsels van die nuwe ontdekkings in wetenskap geintegreer met die hedendaagse gebruike in die praktyk.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: For the past two decades or so we have been witnessing the dawn of the information age. The technological revolution that typifies this era is proceeding at a rate unparalleled by the advances of previous eras. This technological advancement has spawned what is called the New Economy, where the currency is information and the watchword is speed. The New Economy is global, knowledge-driven, and highly competitive. It has forever changed the competitive landscapes of many industries, combined others into new industries, and has even created entirely new industries. The New Economy poses many new challenges for organisations that strive for excellence. Amongst other things, globalisation and rapid advances in technology are constantly raising performance level benchmarks on all fronts. This means that organisations striving for excellence have to be stable yet agile, lean, responsive, innovative, efficient, customer-focused, and profitable. In addition, the pressure on organisations to democratise the workplace brings its own challenges. One such approach for organising for excellence is the Beehive model where minimum levels of performance have to be attained in each of seven interdependent areas: strategy, structures, people capacity, business disciplines, stakeholder commitment, pay and incentives, and change leadership. Taken out of context, these practices will not produce the desired improvements in performance. They need to be treated as a system where the practices fit with and support each other. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Vir ongeveer die afgelope twee dekades ervaar ons die aanbreek van die informasie tydperk. Die tegnologiese revolusie, wat 'n kenmerk is van hierdie era, gaan voort met 'n tempo ongeewenaard met die vooruitgang van vorige eras. Hierdie tegnologiese vooruitgang het voortgebring wat die Nuwe Ekonomie genoem word, waar die geldeenheid informasie en die wagwoord spoed is. Die Nuwe Ekonomie is wereldwyd, kennis aangedrewe, en hoogs kompeterend. Dit het die kompeterende landskappe van baie industriee vir ewig verander, ander in nuwe industriee kombineer en selfs geheel en al nuwe industriee geskep. Die Nuwe Ekonomie lewer vele nuwe uitdagings op vir organisasies wat na uitmuntenheid streef. Om maar een te noem veroorsaak globalisasie en vinnige vooruitgang in tegnologie 'n konstante styging in prestasie vlak hoogtemerke reg deur die industrie. Dit beteken dat organisasies wat na uitmuntenheid streef stabiel, tog ook behendig, reagerend, vernuwend, effektief, klient gefokus en winsgewend moet wees. Daarmee saam bring die druk op organisasies om by die werkplek te demokratiseer sy eie uitdagings. Een so benadering vir organisering vir uitmuntendheid is die Beehive model waar minimum vlakke van prestasie in elke sewe interafhanklike areas behaal moet word: strategie, strukture, menslike kapasiteit, besigheids dissipline, insethouer toegewydheid, betaling en prestasielone, en oorgangsleiding. Uit konteks sal hierdie praktyke nie die gewensde verbeterings in prestasie behaal nie. Dit moet as 'n sisteem behandel word waar die praktyke mekaar pas en ondersteun.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Beehive Model (Figure 1.1) of organisational renewal is a theoretical model and analytical tool, in a honeycomb formation as developed by Nel (2001), which is used to obtain a 'snapshot' of organisational compliance with the application of either best or poor practices associated with seven individual workplace practices within the contemporary economic climate. Each of the seven workplace practices has eight pairs of indicators, in a questionnaire format (Appendix A), used to obtain the 'snapshot' of how an evaluated organisation/department/business unit performs regarding the application of either poor or best practices. The workplace practices, namely Strategy, Change Leadership, Stakeholder Commitment, Pay and Incentives, Talent Creation, Business Disciplines, and Structures, are suggested to be strongly related to and critical for entrenching change and high performance in organisations if best practices are applied correctly as driven by strategy. It is suggested that the application of poor practices within the organisational environment is likely to result in inertia and poor performance. The study project endeavour to determine the rationale behind the Beehive Model of organisational renewal for the entrenchment of change and high performance in organisational culture, as justified by recent academic literature, using a literature review as research design. The correlation of entrenched change and high performance with the application of best practices, and entrenched organisational inertia and poor performance with the application of poor practices, is in both cases assumed to be positive and no attempt is made to empirically test the correlations within this study project. The Beehive Model and the literature reveal a synthesised environment that culturally and structurally integrates workplace practices and questionnaire indicators, reinforcing and causing high performance, and endeavouring to create and explain the following scenario: All employees are enabled and empowered to achieve their maximum capability and potential through formal and informal workplace practices and processes that are integrated throughout the organisation and structured in such a way that makes them clear and simple to understand and easy to use, channels information flow purposefully, encourages and forces active information flow, and delivers relevant and useful information within specific contexts as underpinned by competent employees that are actively involved in the design, implementation, usage and ongoing adjustment of the workplace practices. This encourages contextual business understanding, and commitment to and participation in performance enhancing problem solving through effort that is aligned with strategy. The findings suggest that the Beehive Model's structure and purpose and the associated questionnaire indicators are soundly supported by recent academic theory as well as the limited available empirical research on related topics. It is therefore possible to conclude with a reasonably high level of confidence, as viewed against the backdrop of trends in the literature, that high compliance with the correct and holistic application of best practice, as associated with the seven workplace practices' indicators, is likely to result in the entrenchment of change and high performance within an organisation's culture. The literature reviewed also strongly suggests the industry independence of the effective application of the Beehive Model's questionnaire indicators. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die 'Beehive'-model (Figure 1.1) van organisatoriese vernuwing is 'n teoretiese model en analitiese werktuig, in 'n heuningkoekformaat soos ontwerp deur Nel (2001), wat gebruik word om 'n 'kiekie' te verkry van organisatoriese nakoming ten opsigte van die toepassing van goeie of slegte praktyke binne die kontemporêre ekonomiese klimaat. Elkeen van die sewe werkplekpraktyke het agt pare aanwysers, in 'n vraelysformaat (Aanhangsel A), wat gebruik word om die 'kiekie' te verkry van hoe die geëvalueerde organisasie/afdeling/besigheidseenheid presteer ten opsigte van die toepassing van óf slegte óf goeie praktyke. Daar word te kenne gegee dat die werkplekpraktyke, naamlik Strategie, Veranderingsleierskap, Verbintenis van belanghebbendes, Vergoeding en Aansporing, Talentskepping, Besigheidsdissiplines en Strukture, sterk in verband staan met en kritiek is vir die vaslegging van verandering en hoë prestasie binne organisasies indien goeie praktyke korrek toegepas word soos gedryf deur strategie. Daar word te kenne gegee dat die toepassing van slegte praktyke binne die organisasie-omgewing waarskynlik traagheid en swak prestasie tot gevolg sal hê. Die studieprojek poog om die rasionaal van die 'Beehive'-model van organisasievernuwing vir die vaslegging van verandering en hoë prestasie in die organisasiekultuur te bepaal soos geregverdig deur onlangse akademiese literatuur deur die gebruikmaking van 'n literatuuroorsig as navorsingsontwerp. Daar word aangeneem dat die korrelasie van vasgelegde verandering en hoë prestasie met die toepassing van goeie praktyke, en vasgelegde organisasietraagheid en swak prestasie met die toepassing van swak praktyke in beide gevalle positief is en geen poging word aangewend om die korrelasies empiries te toets as deel van hierdie studieprojek nie. Die 'Beehive'-model en literatuuroorsig toon 'n saamgevoegde omgewing wat kultureel en struktureel die werkplekpraktyke en vraelysaanwysers integreer en daardeur hoë prestasie versterk en veroorsaak, en wat poog om die volgende scenario te skep en te verduidelik: Alle werknemers word in staat gestel (bekwaam) en bemagtig om hul volle vermoë en potensiaal te bereik deur formele en informele werkplekpraktyke en prosesse wat regdeur die organisasie geïntegreer is en wat duidelik en eenvoudig gestruktureer is om dit maklik te maak om te verstaan en te gebruik, informasievloei doelgerig te kanaliseer, aktiewe inligtingsvloei aan te moedig en te forseer, en wat toepaslike en nuttige inligting binne bepaalde verband lewer soos ondersteun deur bekwame werknemers wat aktief betrokke is by die ontwerp, implementering, gebruik en deurlopende aanpassing van die werkplekpraktyke. Dit moedig die kontekstuele begrip van die besigheid, asook verbintenis tot en deelname aan prestasieverhogende probleemoplossing aan deur inspanning wat strategiegerig is. Die bevindings dui daarop dat die 'Beehive'-model se struktuur en doel en die gepaardgaande vraelysaanwysers sterk ondersteun word deur onlangse akademiese teorie asook beperkte beskikbare empiriese navorsing ten opsigte van verwante onderwerpe. Daarom is dit moontlik om met 'n redelike hoë mate van vertroue tot die gevolgtrekking te kom, soos gesien teen die agtergrond van tendense in die literatuur, dat 'n hoë mate van nakoming van die korrekte en holistiese toepassing van goeie praktyke, soos geassosieer met die sewe werkplekpraktykaanwysers, waarskynlik sal lei tot die vaslegging van verandering en hoë prestasie in die kultuur van 'n organisasie. Die literatuuroorsig dui ook redelik sterk op die begryfsonafhanklikheid van die doeltreffende toepassing van die "Beehive'- modelvraelysaanwysers.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The concepts of performance management and coaching are of key importance to businesses globally. Various studies have been conducted on the link between the concept of performance management and coaching within business organisations, specifically where coaching seeks to align the activities and objectives of individuals to business objectives and goals. The purpose of this study was to further explore this relationship between these two processes and in so doing, explore the application of coaching skills as introduced for the first-line team supervisor leadership process. The study involved the direct participation of first-line team supervisors. A qualitative research design was used to answer the research question in order to explore the processes, patterns of behaviour and themes that emerged out of the coaching skills application process. The research findings gave an indication that the coaching process could play a critical role in the development of first-line team members as well as the first-line team supervisors’ leadership skills. The results indicated a rewarding process in both instances. It was evident that the modern first-line supervisor would want to be equipped with skills for understanding and managing the behavioural patterns of the people they lead, i.e. over and above the technical expertise required to perform in their jobs. The study further gave rise to a new dimension of approaching the team performance conversations where the first-line supervisors used the GROW model in conducting individual performance discussions. The GROW model improved understanding and acceptance of the process amongst the people reporting into their roles. The broader finding is that coaching can enable more collaborative teamwork and this may lead to improved conversations on performance and goal clarification for first-line production teams; specifically in clarifying goals, providing feedback, listening actively and following up on tasks to be carried out. Results and conclusions may be limited by the fact that the study was conducted in a single industry. Additional studies from a variety of industries with large numbers of participants would be helpful to fully understand the ways in which performance coaching skills and first-line team leadership development programmes can best be developed and deployed in organisational settings.

Performance management is a concept which is quite often misconstrued by management. It may often be seen as a means of measurement to engage against poor performing people within an organisation. Performance management practices historically dealt with financial achievements associated with operational goals of an organisation. In modern business, performance management is associated with far more strategic intention than in the past. Performance management systems allow organisations to track each and every element and employee involved in achieving the organisations goals; it also allows management to effectively measure key performance areas, in order to evaluate their contribution towards operational success. The aim of this study was to identify what the management team at Bidvest Bank Ltd felt about the current performance management practice adopted by the organisation and how effective they felt this practice to be. For the purposes of this study non-probability sampling was used. The participants were chosen from a population of two hundred and thirty managers and supervisors at Bidvest Bank Ltd. One hundred and fourteen completed responses were received. The study found that management at Bidvest Bank Ltd felt the current performance management practice to be in need of revision. It was also found that new age performance management practices, such as online performance systems should be utilised at Bidvest Bank Ltd. It was also found that a low level of understanding, regarding components of effective performance management occurred amongst managers at Bidvest Bank Ltd. In order to improve performance management at Bidvest Bank the following are recommended: managers and supervisors need to have a better understanding of the critical elements that encompass effective performance management, which requires investment in training and development focussing on the soft skills such as setting objectives and conducting appraisal meetings. However, in order for performance appraisals to be more effective, managers need to be trained in the use of the balanced scorecard and the 360 degree review process. A number of limitations including: sample size and career succession planning were identified in this study. These limitations can be overcome by conducting a companywide survey which could be distributed to all employees which allows for analysis of effective performance management and its association with career succession planning. / MBA. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 2011.

The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa passed in 1996 created three spheres of government - national, provincial and local governments. The local government sphere is at the coal face of service delivery as it is closest to the local communities. The goods and services required by the state to provide services to communities are procured from the private sector. Section 217 of the Constitution stipulates that procurement should be done by a supply chain management system that is fair, equitable, transparent, competitive and cost effective. The Constitution made provisions for the creation of supply chain management departments in municipalities whose policies would be guided by the ideals of Section 17 of the Constitution. This study explores the nature and role of local government and provides insight into the concept of service delivery in the South African context. The aim of the study was to provide insight into public sector procurement supply chain management in order to determine how an effective supply chain performance management system could possibly improve service delivery by local government. The nature of this study is descriptive and exploratory. Primary data was collected using in-depth interviews with eight participants at four metropolitan cities. The literature review section of this study discusses three aspects: (1) the nature, roles and responsibilities of local government; (2) supply chain management in the public sector; and (3) performance management. The literature review revealed that local government has a constitutional mandate to deliver quality services to communities using effective and efficient supply chain management processes. Monitoring of and reporting on projects is critical as it informs future planning and budgeting. Feedback is given on progress and where necessary control measures are introduced to ensure effective service delivery to local communities. The findings of this study indicate that all the participating cities follow the prescribed requirements of the Public Finance Management Act, Municipal Finance Management Act and the Municipal Systems Act amongst others. Challenges identified include: weak internal controls, inadequate contracts management, lack of performance monitoring and reporting, lack of proper and integrated planning, and unresponsive supply chain processes. It is suggested that internal controls need to be strengthened in all areas of supply chain management. Personnel should be held accountable for their actions at all times. / Thesis (M.Com.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2013.